(Services of Port Barton Palawan Adventures is temporarily closed due to the pandemic)
Introduction: A Glimpse of Port Barton
Port Barton is a village on the north-west coast of the island of Palawan in the Philippines. It is about 124 kms. north of Puerto Princesa City. Port Barton is a quieter, smaller, and more laid-back version of the highly acclaimed El Nido and Coron. The activities you can do here are very similar to those in El Nido and Coron but for a lesser price.
Port Barton does not usually attract luxury-seeking and/ or status-vacationers. Instead, it has become a popular choice for backpackers and budget tourists and other international travelers who seek adventure, appreciate and enjoy the rural, relaxed atmosphere and natural beauty that this quiet and peaceful beachfront village on the edge of the rainforest, has to offer.
Not as popular or progressively developed as Boracay Island, Cebu or Bohol, Port Barton does not attract busloads of domestic tourists. Also, due to its remote location, Port Barton does not suffer from hordes of photo snapping, day trippers, as does the more accessible, touristic Sabang, or the more promoted El Nido and Coron. Much of the road to Port Barton has been paved, though a considerable stretch are still unpaved, which can mean slow travel especially during the rainy season when transport vehicle drivers are more cautious on the slippery road and some unpaved roads by the cliff. Although there are regular van transport services plying between San Jose Terminal in Puerto Princesa City and Port Barton, riding the jeepney-bus that comes from Roxas town can be fun if you want to try the traditional means of transport used by the townspeople.
Port Barton is comparatively unspoiled and somewhat unsophisticated and that’s exactly what seems to make it an attractive destination. Backpackers from all over the world were the first visitors to Port Barton. The houses along the beach have turned into small resorts or restaurants but the interior of the village is still mostly untouched. Houses built of traditional materials served as homestays and were the original accommodations. With the influx of local and international tourists, hotels and resorts are being constructed to accommodate travelers who require luxury. Electricity used to be from 5:30pm until a little past midnight only until recently when a small company operates electric generators to provide electricity for longer hours. Many places are now enticing tourist with longer supplies of electricity, along with free internet and hot showers by using solar power energy.
The community was built on fishing and offshore pearl-farming, although tourism has gradually (since the early 1990s) taken over as the primary source of income. Increasingly, outsiders are moving into Port Barton to set up small businesses that caters to both, local and international tourists. Farmers can be seen walking their carabaos (water buffalo) to their fields, children in school uniforms walking the 2-3 blocks to school, older teens playing in the basketball courts, and fishermen untangling their nets on the beach.
There are now several direct van transports going between El Nido and Port Barton. The price varies depending on who you book through so ask around - in January 2016, prices were P600 to P800 depending on the season, so ask around to get the best price and the cheapest way to get from El Nido to Port Barton. You can also take the early morning bus to Roxas (P100), then take the 11 a.m. jeepney-bus from Roxas to Port Barton (P150)... that is, if you want to experience the fun of riding the laid-back transport system.
It is a reality that transport schedules in the Philippines are mere loose guides; buses, vans and jeepneys can leave very early or very late, so it is best to be early rather than late.
There are now at least two companies running direct van services running back and forth between Puerto Princesa City and Port Barton. Pick-up and drop-off is at the San Jose Transport Terminal which is about 5 kms. north of Puerto Princesa city proper. Multiple trips are done by van transport services everyday starting at 6:30 am during the peak season of tourism and the last travel schedule is 5pm as of June 2018. However, schedule of van transport services may not run the same during the low season.
As of November 2018, a van transport from San Jose Terminal in Puerto Princesa City will cost ₱300 with a travel time of 2.5 hours, however; this price can be flexible if they know you are aware of the cheaper bus option. If you travel in a group of 10-12 participants, pick-up at the airport can be arranged with a van transport company with an additional fare cost of ₱100 per person. The regular bus has no air-con but can serve as a good cultural experience whereas the vans that are air-conditioned will carry less people and stop less often. Travel time from San Jose Terminal in Puerto Princesa by a standard bus is approximately 4 hours and will cost only ₱200 per person. The San Jose Terminal can be confusing as it is made up of 3 or so terminal buildings so if you can't see the bus or are greeted with confusion look or ask around for the terminal of your desired transport company or desired destination.
The recent operations of San Vicente Airport has opened an alternative way to get to Port Barton. There are boats San Vicente Pier that can be chartered and will take you directly to the shores of Port Barton which will take about an hour, depending on the time of the day and weather conditions. Another way of going to Port Barton from San Vicente Airport is by taking a tricycle to the bus terminal, take the bus or van enroute to Puerto Princesa City and get off at Roxas Crossing where the vans from Puerto Princesa City go westward towards Port Barton. Land transfer from San Vicente is a cheaper alternative although you will have to take chances in Roxas Crossing for an available seat in the van from Puerto Princesa because they are usually full with passengers going to Port Barton. There are also shuttle vans in San Vicente that can be chartered and will take tourists directly to Port Barton but the full capacity of the van has to be paid or the price can be haggled or bargained with the shuttle van driver.
As of today, the road from Roxas Crossing to Port Barton is 80% paved, and the construction is progressing well. Some sections that are still under construction can get muddy and very slippery when it rains.
Port Barton is a small village that walking around is a feasible option although motorcycles can be rented if you want to go to San Vicente town and check the 14-km Long Beach using the coastal road now being developed.
The beach/ snorkeling and island hopping adventure. The main attractions of Port Barton are the beach, the nearby islands and the coral reefs. Nearby are numerous islands with spectacular beaches and very good snorkeling areas. Upon arriving at Port Barton, the Tourist Information Office will charge P50.00 as environmental fee. An Eco-Tourism Card with a validity of fifteen (15) days will then be issued and will be checked before any other activity. It will also serve as an Identification Card during your stay in the barangay. Snorkeling and island hopping tour will cost a standard rate of ₱1,200 per tourist; inclusive of snorkeling gadgets and a free lunch in one of the islands. An additional fee of ₱100 is charged if you choose to include Inaladelan Island (German Island) in your island hopping tour. Inaledelan Island is best for picture-taking and/or beach bumming for relaxation. Sea turtles (pawikan) frequent the area near Inaladelan Island where they feed on sea grass that grow on the seabed around the area. They also lay their eggs in Inaladelan Island during nesting season.
There is trekking in the rainforest around Port Barton. At the northern end of the beach there is a small path leading to Pamuayan Falls. (about 2 kms) where you can swim in the cool water that falls about 30 feet from the mountain above. Begin your hike north of Greenview Resort along the beach, hire a local for a minimal cost to accompany you or pay a motorcycle to take you until a point where you go to the jungle at the right side of the road. You will reach a checkpoint where you will be asked to log-in your name for documentation purposes after which you will be given some directions how to get to Pamuayan Falls which is about another 10 minutes trek. A simple shed near the waterfalls serves as a rest area with benches and a table. It is also good to hire a local and es**rt you to Pamuayan Falls because you provide them with extra income while you converse with them and enrich yourself with sociological and cultural knowledge of Port Barton.
Another attraction is White Beach. A boat service can be hired for a round trip boat transfer to White Beach. Those who enjoy trekking can take slow walk on the 2-kilometer unpaved road that goes along a cliff with the sea to your right and the jungle on the left. At at some point, you will stop to enjoy the view of Port Barton Bay and take pictures and if lucky enough, there will be a sight of squirrels and monkeys that go down from the forest.
There are a couple of second-hand bookstores in town that are pretty basic (small home with stacks of books on various subjects of interest) but perfect if you're in need of something to read. One is along Bonifacio street towards the north end of town, at the small house of an Australian man. There is also another bookstore in that area, but located closer to the beach.
Port Barton is under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of San Vicente, a town which can be visited by renting a boat or motorcycle. For a group of 10-51 tourists, a boat can be chartered that will take you to San Vicente town early in the morning and bring you back to Port Barton in the afternoon although it is advisable to be back in Port Barton right after lunch so you can make a side trip to Capsalay Island and enjoy the relaxing scenery of the islands and the pristine waters of the blue sea.
There are no banks or Automated Teller Machines in Port Barton or in San Vicente town. The ATMs are only on in Puerto Princesa City and El Nido so it may also be wise to bring extra cash with you. Very few businesses accept credit card payments. Whilst ATMs are scarce, it is possible to send yourself money online and pick it up locally in a Palawan Express Remittance Center branch located at the end of Ballesteros St. near the Coast Guard Boat Station in Port Barton.
The local residents of Port Barton are accommodating and welcoming of visitors. As in any tourist destination, there are incidence of robbery; not by the local residents of Port Barton but fellow tourists who meet for the first time who invite another tourist for drinks and chat then rob them when already intoxicated with alcohol. Extra care for personal stuff -wallets and cellphones should be done especially those who travel alone.
Many restaurants (including resorts) along the tourist strip of the beach offer great food for a considerable price. Restaurants around may offer English breakfasts as well, such as pancakes or continental food depending on your nationality and/or an observed diet. Some restaurants have begun to specialize, e.g. Japanese dishes at Deep Gold Resort, Cajun dishes at Jambalaya, local dishes at Ayette’s Bamboo House Restaurant, brick-oven pizzas and other Italian cuisine at Gorgonzola.
The famous Gacayan Restaurant (near the School along Bonifacio Street). It is known as 'The Cheap Place' with affordable meals frequented by backpackers that visit Port Barton. The daily meal that costs only ₱50 consists of a pre-cooked meat dish displayed on the counter in the pots (usually pork/chicken stew or a menu of fish) and a cup of steamed rice, along with a free coke/coffee. Posted on the wall is an extensive menu ranging from ₱100 for vegetable dishes to ₱200 for the meat dishes. They also have omelettes that include toasted buns and instant coffee for around P100 or more. Over the years, they got so used to different cultures that it will be a surprise to find on the menu what you usually eat back home, making Gacayan Restaurant a favorite for visitors and Port Barton a comfortable “home away from home.”
The owners and the staff of restaurants in Port Barton are very friendly and can speak good English but it is also good to observe Filipino culture; if you see shoes & slippers outside the door, it would be gracious to also take off your shoes or slippers and walk inside on barefoot. If you don’t feel comfortable leaving your expensive footwear outside the restaurant, it’s OK to carry them with you and put them below your table instead.
Anyone who travels will easily feel that he or she is already near Port Barton because the air becomes cooler and the road on the jungle will drop to a bay where the road ends... and seemingly-paradise starts.
Port Barton is laid-back, rural… and beautiful!
.
.
.
Other online sources about Port Barton:
https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2018/04/port-barton-palawan/#San_Vicente_Airport_to_Port_Barton
https://www.traveling-up.com/travel-guide-port-barton-palawan/
https://www.lakas.com.ph/2012/04/getting-to-port-barton-from-the-poblacion-of-san-vicente-palawan/
