Is Port Barton worth visiting?
Without a doubt, visiting Port Barton, Palawan is absolutely worth it! It is the perfect stop on the journey from Puerto Princesa to El Nido. This tropical town offers an amazing laid-back atmosphere as it isn’t overrun by tourists (yet). Whether you’re only here for a 1 day layover or to relax for a week, it’ll be amazing.
How to get to Port Barton, Palawan
Port Barton is a small village in the north-west of the island of Palawan. Most people will either come from Puerto Princessa or El Nido/Coron as these are the places with airports on Palawan. Either way, you’ll need to take a bus to Port Barton. These are fairly modern mini vans with aircon, but they’re often over crowded. The transport can be booked easily via 12Go Asia!
From Puerto Princessa
- 3 hours
- ~600 PHP (€9.70)
Tip: If you are looking for a place to stay in Peurto Princessa, check out L’artista!
From El Nido
- 4 hours
- ~700 PHP (€11.3)
How to get around
Getting around Port Barton is easy, as most places are walking distance. If you want to visit some of the highlights that are a bit further out, it is easy to find a tricycle or boat to bring you there for only about 300 pesos round trip.
However, if you’re looking for a bit more flexibility, renting a scooter is another good option. They’re typically priced around 500 pesos a day but you can get them a bit cheaper.
Where to stay in Port Barton
Port Barton, Palawan is small, but there are a number of hostels and guesthouses to choose from.
Wanting to book?
Follow the links below for all your accommodation, transport, & activity needs!
Coco Rico hostel
They play music every night (and even have a live band/DJs some nights), have free drinks between 7-7:30, and serve very good meals + sides! Many things can be arranged through the hostel too, like boat tours, boat parties, transport, scooter rental, day-trips, etc. If you’re keen to book then check them out on Hostelworld!
Things to know before coming
Below are some handy things to know before you make the trip to Port Barton, Palawan. We read a number blogs before coming and noticed that most a very outdated, so here is an updated version!
ATMs
Many of the blogs we read said there are no ATMs in Port Barton, but this is not true! There are a number of ATMs spread around town, so don’t worry about bringing a heap of cash from Puerto Princessa or El Nido. They are all Euronet ATMs and have a set fee of 250 peso for international cards.
The town
Port Barton itself is a small and relaxed town that doesn’t offer a crazy amount of things to do. Don’t expect to have a full itinerary each day, that’s the beauty of Port Barton. It is the place to relax, enjoy the sea, beach, and surroundings with a coconut.
Party scene
Even though not as intense as other backpacker hubs, Port Barton does have a good party scene. After sunset, many people gather at CocoRico for drinks, music, and games. At around 11pm the music turns down and the party moves to Reggae Bar or Moon Bar, which are more out of town. This was a lot of fun!
What to do in Port Barton
Although there is not that much to do in Port Barton, there is definitely enough to keep you entertained. Below you’ll find some of our favourites!
Do a boat tour
One of the best things to do is to explore the neighbouring islands, which can be done on a one-day boat tour. There are many operators that you can find along Taytay beach. But we recommend booking through CocoRico as we had a really good experience with their tour. There are different types of boat tours, either the normal one or the party one.
Normal tour
We have seen that generally all the normal boat tours offer the same experience. Famous spots to visit are Twin Reef, Turtle Spot, German/Inoladoan Island, Exotic/Maxima Island, Fantastic Reef, and Starfish Island/Sandbar. Most tours go to 5-6 places, that include several snorkelling spots and lunch on the beach. Prices for normal boat tours range between 1,000-1,200 pesos.
Boat party
The party boat tour does a similar route to the normal tours, however with a different atmosphere. We joined the CocoRico party boat tour and it was a lot of fun. The boat was bigger, with sunning nets on each side, they had big speakers for music and (the biggest difference) is that there is free booze during the whole tour!
During our tour, we visit are Twin Reef, Exotic Island, Fantastic Reef, and the Sandbar. The price for CocoRico’s party tour is 1800 pesos, and only takes place every couple of days. So do check this in advance!
Visit Pamuayan Waterfall
Just a 15-minute scooter ride away, the Pamuayan Waterfall is a great spot to check out. The entrance to the waterfall is free, but they’ll ask for a small donation where you park the scooter. After a 20-minute hike from the entrance, you’ll reach the hidden waterfall. It is not too big, but offers a great spot to cool down and chill for a bit in the midst of lush surroundings.
Chill on the beaches
Taytay beach
This is the main beach in Port Barton. Taytay is a great beach, with several restaurants, soft sand, and swings for extra fun. This is also the place where all the boat tours leave from, so you’ll spot plenty of boats lined up. For a swim, head to the left side of the beach (near Mcfredo’s Bar & Grill). There are fewer boats here, and apparently no jellyfish (local tip).
Coconut beach
Coconut beach is a bit further west of Port Barton town. To get here, you can take the scooter, a tricycle or a boat. We rented a scooter and drove for about 20 minutes. The road is not great, it is quite a rocky and bumpy ride, so make sure you’re a confident driver. The beach itself is private property, so you’ll have to pay a 50 pesos fee to enter.
Once we were on the beach, there was almost no one else. There are many palm trees surrounding the bay, and there are a few hammocks to chill. A little swim off shore there are two bamboo rafts that you could swim to. When swimming, be careful of all the rocks. There are no restaurants here, so bring some water and snacks and enjoy this empty secluded beach.
White beach
White beach can also be reached by scooter, tricycle or boat. From Coconut beach, it is just another 10 minute scooter drive further. The beach is very pristine, hence it’s name, and stretches very far.
This beach gets more visited than coconut beach, as many boats take tourists out here for 300 pesos (per person). It is also less rocky and therefore more inviting for a swim. There is no entrance fee and there is one little restaurant that sells food and drinks. Just like Coconut beach, White beach has plenty of shaded spots and is a great place to relax.
Pamuayan beach
If you decide to rent a scooter, it is also a good idea to visit Pamuayan beach. Located a little further than the Pamuayan Waterfall is this secluded beach. The route here is quite adventures, you’ll drive past coconut trees and over narrow bridges.
Sadly, because of a typhoon that hit in 2021, you’ll see several fallen palmtrees and broken houses. Nevertheless, it is a great beach to relax at. We cruised here on a scooter, and the road, weaving through loads of palm trees, was stunning.
Catch the sunset
Along Port Barton’s Taytay beach you’ll find several spot to enjoy a sunset. The best spot by far is Barton Bistro. This new bar has many colourful beanbags and a bamboo hut overlooking the sea. During sunset, many people gather here for drinks, snacks and the good music.
Where to eat in Port Barton
Although a small town, Port Barton, Palawan is full of good spots to eat. There are many local spots but also many places with western options. We recommend checking out these restaurants:
- Fat Cat bistro for delicious pizza and very trendy interior
- CocoRico for a good burger or sides with drinks
- Barton Bistro for breakfast and a fresh coconut
- LaSanta for a shared Spanish tapa dinner
- DamDam for relax interior and good curry
- Bay Brew for great coffee and breakfast
- Flow for large burgers and a swimming pool
- Raquel’s Canteen for great local meals
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