Port Barton is a tiny beach town paradise on the island of Palawan, roughly halfway between Puerto Princesa and El Nido. Skipped by many travellers on the typical Philippines backpacking route, Port Barton is a quiet island perfect for relaxing. With not much traffic, stunning beaches, and chill vibes, Port Barton feels very different from the rest of Palawan. This guide will cover how to get there, how to get around, where to stay, what to do, nightlife and how many days you spend here.
How many days to spend in Port Barton
Port Barton is a small beach town in Palawan. It boasts good vibes and quiet beaches, making it a must-visit for backpackers seeking an escape from the more touristy spots. While there are some activities to do in Port Barton, it truly is just a nice place to chill and take a breather between the hustle and bustle of busier destinations like Manila, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, and El Nido. You could spend as little or as long in Port Barton as you feel you need to.
At a minimum, I’d recommend two full days to see the sights and enjoy the beaches. In two days, you could go on a full-day boat tour and have another day for a beach day to see White and Coconut Beaches. If you have extra time and feel like you need a few days to just chill, you could easily spend 4-5 days here. In 4-5 days, you could go on a full-day boat tour, have a day of exploring waterfalls, and have a few beach days and lazy days to nurse a hangover from experiencing the nightlife. Not many people spend more than five days here, as it is quite a small town, so it could get a little repetitive after a few days.
How to get to Port Barton
Port Barton is a small coastal town in the middle of Palawan Island. There is no nearby airport, so the main way to get here would be by taking small vans overland. Only two destinations are offering direct vans to Port Barton: El Nido and Puerto Princesa, two of Palawan’s key travel hubs. If you are coming to Port Barton from anywhere else in the Philippines, you will need to fly into either Puerto Princesa or El Nido first. Vans can be booked in advance through travel agencies, hostels or online at 12GOAsia or even at the airport when you arrive in El Nido or Palawan.
All vans will drop and pick up from the bus terminal in Port Barton, which is in the middle of town. At the bus terminal, you will have to pay a compulsory environmental fee to enter the beachside town and nearby islands. This is only 50 PHP Philippine Pesos ($1 USD) and is compulsory for all visitors. After you’ve paid the fee, you have the option to jump in a tricycle or walk to your accommodation. Port Barton is tiny, so all of the accommodations are walkable, or you can jump in a quick 3-minute tricycle ride.
How to get to Port Barton from Puerto Princesa
There are direct van transfers from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton. This is a pretty affordable place to fly into Palawan, so many people travel this route. I think Puerto Princesa is pretty skippable and more of a city to transit through before heading to other destinations in Palawan. The main attraction of Puerto Princesa is the Underground River, which I’ve skipped twice due to the cost and how crowded tours of the Underground River are since it is one of the Natural Wonders of the World. However, a lot of people really want to visit the site and tick it off their bucket list.
To get to Port Barton from Puerto Princesa, you’ll need to book a small van transfer (sometimes misleadingly called a bus transfer). Multiple companies are operating on this route, with departure times from 6 am to 5 pm, with vans going roughly every 30-60 minutes. Let me warn you, though, that these van transfers are not very comfortable at all! The vans are poorly air-conditioned, and they squeeze as many people in with luggage as humanly possible. The roads are super winding, meaning people often get car sick from the combo of the roads, no A/C and being cramped.
The journey takes around 5 hours, with one stop for bathrooms, snacks, and stretching your legs. Vans can be booked in advance through travel agencies and hostels, online at 12GOAsia, or even at the airport upon arrival. These van transfers often pick you up at your hostel in Puerto Princesa and drop you at the Port Barton bus terminal. You can expect to pay 500 PHP Philippine Pesos ($9 USD) for this van ticket.
How to get to Port Barton from El Nido
Direct van transfers are running between El Nido and Port Barton. Again, these van transfers are one of the worst forms of transport I’ve experienced in Southeast Asia. The vans are poorly air-conditioned, and they squeeze as many people in with luggage as humanly possible. The roads are super winding, meaning people often get car sick from the combination of the roads, no A/C, and being cramped.
Multiple companies are operating on this route, with multiple buses departing twice daily at 8 am and 1 pm. Vans can be booked in advance through travel agencies, hostels or online at 12GOAsia. The journey takes 5 hours, with one stop being to use the bathroom, get some snacks, and stretch your legs. You will be picked up either in El Nido at the bus terminal or from your hostel, depending on where you book the ticket. You can expect to pay 630 PHP Philippine Pesos ($11 USD) for this van ticket.
How to get around Port Barton
Port Barton is tiny (you can walk from one side of town to another in less than 20 minutes), so getting around is not an issue. For tours such as island hopping, you’re usually picked up and dropped off at your accommodation, so there’s no need to organise any transport for these days. For everything else, you’ll be getting around mainly on foot. If you want to explore land sites, there are also motorbikes to rent or tricycles.
Getting around Port Barton on foot
One of the best parts of Port Barton is how easy it is to get around on foot. Even if you stay at a hostel further out, you’ll still be within walking distance of restaurants, cafes, bars, the bus terminal, and the beach. Walking around the town feels very safe, even at night as a solo female, as there are lots of tourists. There’s really not much traffic in Port Barton, and the locals are super friendly and chill. Lots of people walk around the streets barefoot!
Getting around Port Barton by tricycle
There is no Grab or rideshare apps in Port Barton, as it is literally tiny. Some tricycles are around if you need to be driven somewhere. For example, there are also tricycles waiting at the bus terminal when buses depart or arrive to transport people who don’t want to carry their luggage. This is probably the only time you would ever need to rely on any method of transport other than walking. But most accommodations are walkable, so you might not even use a tricycle then.
Prices are generally pretty affordable, with the average cost per ride being only 70 PHP Philippine pesos ($1 USD). If you wanted to visit some land sights, such as nearby waterfalls, you could also use a tricycle; however, you would want to reserve it for the full day so you have a way to get back. To organise a tricycle, speak to a travel agency or your accommodation and they can call a driver for you.
Getting around Port Barton by motorbike
Everywhere in Port Barton is easily accessible on foot, so you don’t need to rent a motorbike to get around. However, it may be advantageous to rent one if you want to visit some sights on land, such as the waterfalls and don’t want to pay extra for a tricycle. This is really the only place where you would need or may want to rent a motorbike to get to. Be warned, though, that the roads are dirt with lots of potholes and slippery sand, so make sure you are an experienced driver if you are renting a motorbike to get to the waterfalls. All hostels are travel agencies in Port Barton that can assist with motorbike rental. For a one-day semi-automatic scooter rental, expect to pay around 300 PHP Philippine Pesos ($5 USD).
Where to stay in Port Barton
Port Barton is a super small beach town that many backpackers skip (but they shouldn’t!). Given its size, there really aren’t many hostels to choose from. The main two are Coco Rico Hostel and My Green Hostel. Both are in Port Barton town, so they are within walking distance of everything you need. Alternatively, you can also find reasonably priced private rooms in guesthouses, hotels and homestays in Port Barton if you want to treat yourself to something more luxurious than a dorm.
Coco Rico Hostel
Coco Rico Hostel is the original hostel in Port Barton and the most popular place to stay. With its lively atmosphere and location just a stone’s throw from the beach, it’s a favourite among backpackers. The hostel organizes various activities, from island hopping tours to bonfire nights, which is perfect for solo travellers. They also have a lively bar and restaurant, attracting travellers from other accommodations to Coco Rico of an evening. It has a bit of a party hotel vibe but nothing too crazy, given how small Port Barton is (it’s not really the place you come to for crazy nightlife).
They have an 18-bed and 20-bed dorm, both of which feature pod-style beds with curtains, big security lockers, and an A/C. Keep in mind that Coco Rico is fairly popular, so it can be booked out a few days in advance in peak season. If you miss out on staying there, you can always visit to join their tours or nightly events.
My Green Hostel
A quieter alternative to Coco Rico Hostel is My Green Hostel. It’s a little further afield but still within walking distance of everything in Port Barton Town. They have comfortable pod-style beds with curtains, big security lockers, and an A/C turned on for the night hours only. The bathrooms are clean but basic, with some issues with hot water and water pressure (typical island life). They have a small common area out back with bean bags and cute cats. During the day, they serve breakfast (not free, unfortunately) and drinks at night. But honestly, it’s really not much of a social vibe. The majority of people will stay here because Coco Rico was booked out or if they want somewhere quiet to sleep.
What to do in Port Barton
Port Barton is a chill little beach town with great vibes and lots of activities to do. Depending on how long you’ve been travelling before Port Barton, you may want to chill out, soak up the sun and catch up on sleep on the beach. If you’re not coming to Port Barton to purely relax, there are lots of activities and things to do to keep you busy for a few days.
Visit White Beach and Coconut Beach
No visit to Port Barton would be complete without a day spent visiting White Beach and Coconut Beach. These are by far the two most famous beaches in the area. With its pristine sands and clear waters, White Beach is the perfect place to lounge on the beach, swim, and enjoy the sunshine. In contrast, Coconut Beach is a small beach famous for the pigs who roam the beach, stealing snacks for visitors or trying to eat people’s sandals.
You could easily spend a few hours on both beaches or a whole day if you’re in need of a good chill day. The beaches are both fairly clean, but there’s not much in terms of amenities. There are some basic toilets and a small local restaurant selling drinks, snacks and Filipino staples like Chicken Adobo. An entrance fee of 50 PHP Philippine Pesos ($1 USD) will be collected by a local man patrolling the beach when you arrive.
These beaches are accessible by a return boat trip from Port Barton’s main Beach for around 200 PHP Philippine pesos ($3.50 USD). To get a boat, ask one of the locals on Port Barton Beach, and they’ll point you towards the next boat departing. Make sure you agree on what time you will get picked up from White Beach, and remember the name of your boat captain and his boat. The boat will drop you at Coconut Beach first, where you’ll spend some time harassed by the beach pigs (a rite of passage). When you’ve had enough, walk down the beach, across the rocky outcrop to White Beach. Here, it is pig-free and a perfect place to relax.
Boat Tour
Another quintessential Port Barton activity is taking a boat tour to nearby islands. You’ll see this advertised everywhere in town, at all the hostels, and you’ll probably be propositioned to book a tour by local boat owners patrolling the beach. The tours follow similar itineraries, including key sights like German Island and Starfish Island and snorkelling at Twin Reef. Unlike boat tours in busier destinations like El Nido and Coron, these beaches are much quieter, and it’s a more enjoyable experience to visit. The snorkelling is relatively untouched, and many people see giant starfish or even turtles. Every tour includes snorkelling equipment and a buffet lunch, usually a BBQ on the beach. Some tours include limited or unlimited alcohol (usually just local rum and coke), depending on who you book with.
Tours start at around 9 am, either meeting at Port Barton Beach or picking you up from your hostel and will finish at around 4 pm. Expect to pay around 1250 PHP Philippine Pesos ($23 USD) for a standard tour. You may be able to get a better deal by haggling directly with local boat owners. Alternatively, if you’re a solo traveller wanting to make friends, I would book the Party Boat Tour through Coco Rico Hostel. It runs every few days and is only booked by backpackers directly at the hostel (but you don’t need to be staying there to book). It is a bit more expensive, costing around 1600 PHP Philippine Preso ($29 USD), but it guarantees a party/social vibe and includes alcohol. Afterwards, the party continues at Coco Rico Hostel.
Visit Pamuayan and Bigaho Falls
If you want to get in some physical exercise or just explore more of the landscape around Port Barton, then a visit to the waterfalls should do the trick. There are two main waterfalls near Port Barton: Pamuayan and Bigaho Falls. You can swim at both waterfalls, but be wary of currents. Cliff jumping is not recommended as there have been previous accidents. The journey to these falls is an adventure in itself, winding through lush jungle paths. Pamuayan Falls can be reached by motorbike, tricycle or jungle trekking. If you want to hike from town, it will take around 2 hours and is easy to find as the trail is marked with signage.
Bigaho Falls is a bit trickier to get to as there is no road marked on Google Maps. However, there is actually a small local road, which is partially paved, connecting the two falls. It is a bit dicey to drive on a motorbike (unless you are super experienced), so getting a tricycle or local to drive you there is better. Alternatively, you can book a boat from Port Barton Beach to take you to Bigalo Beach and then walk from there. Expect to pay at least 1000 PHP Philippine Pesos ($18 USD) for a return tricycle to both waterfalls, shared between however many people are in the vehicle. There are no entrance fees for either waterfall, but a donation is expected for the upkeep.
Sunset at Port Barton Beach
The perfect way to end any day is to catch the sunset at Port Barton Main Beach. This is easily accessible as it is right in the middle of town. There are a number of bars and restaurants along the beach where you can grab yourself a drink to enjoy on the beach. Alternatively, you can buy some takeaway alcohol from a convenience store in town and bring it to the beach.
Where to eat in Port Barton
Given its size, there aren’t too many options for eating out in Port Barton. Most people will grab breakfast at their hostel and lunch on the go while on island hopping tours or exploring the nearby waterfalls. Realistically, you’ll probably be mostly eating out at dinner time. There are quite a few good spots to eat around Port Barton town. All of these will be walkable from any accommodations.
Coco Rico Hostel Restaurant
Coco Rico Hostel has a restaurant that is a great place for dinner before a night out at their lively bar. The menu is diverse, offering everything from traditional Filipino dishes to international foods like burgers and pizza. They’re also open during the day, serving breakfast and lunch options. Coco Rico is an outdoor restaurant with Tiki vibes and lots of seating.
Fat Cat
Fat Cat is one of the best restaurants in Port Barton! During the day, they serve great all-day breakfast and brunch offerings (certain to cure a hangover!).. In the evening, come here for delicious Italian cuisine and wine if you want to treat yourself. They have indoor seating (upstairs has a nicer ambience) or seating in their cozy beer garden out back.
Flow Pool Bar
Flow Pool Bar is in the heart of Port Barton Town and is known for its great burgers, good vibes and lush pool. Whether you’re cooling off in the pool or lounging with a cold drink in hand, Flow Pool Bar is super vibey. They have standard restaurant seating both upstairs and downstairs and pool loungers. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner (try the burgers). It also has a bit of an atmosphere at night, but it can be hit and miss depending on whether people head here or to Coco Rico Hostel for drinks.
Port Barton Nightlife
Port Barton is really not known for nightlife, so don’t expect anything too crazy here! The main place where people will drink and party is Coco Rico Hostel. They run a boat party every few days, taking you to different islands and snorkel sights with lots of drinks. There will be an event at the hostel bar every night, often with free shots and other drink specials. They have beer pong; people have a bit of a boogie sometimes. It’s a fun night out and pretty laid back, but the party doesn’t last much longer than midnight. The other place that can be fun to head for drinks is Flow Pool Bar, but it depends on the night of the week and how busy Port Barton is as to whether it’s much good.
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