Port Barton: Budget Travel

Palawan is popular around the world for its breathtaking islands especially in El Nido and Coron. Little did everyone know, there’s a village in Palawan that is rich in beautiful coral reefs, lagoons, small islands and beaches. It’s called Port Barton located in San Vicente, Palawan. Port Barton is a small village that everyone almost know everyone, even if you only stayed there for a couple of days. There are no luxury resorts, no fancy restaurants, no loud clubs, less crowded and not a lot of activities. Tourists come here to relax, be close to nature, enjoy the chill vibe and peaceful ambiance.

My friend and I went there to celebrate her birthday. The Palaweños are very friendly and made sure we got everything that we need. For less than Php 8,000 all in, we enjoyed our 4 nights and 3 days stay at Port Barton.

 

How to get there:

Local airlines such as Cebu Pacific Air, AirAsia, and Philippine Airlines offers flights from Manila to Puerto Princesa. Puerto Princesa International Airport is the closest airport if you’re going to Port Barton. From the airport, you may ride a van going to Port Barton. It costs Php 400, and about 3 hours travel time. Here are the schedule of the vans and contact numbers:

Recaro Transport
Departure times: 7:30 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 4:00 PM, 6:00 PM
Contact number: 09054858597 or 09093513037

SBE Transport 
Departure times: 6:30 AM, 9:30 AM, 11:30 AM, 1:30 AM, 4:00 PM
Contact number: 09194455021 or 09951629155

 

Arriving at Port Barton:

Upon arrival at Port Barton, you need to register your name and pay Php 50 for the Eco card. The Eco card is valid for 10 days and will be checked  by the tour operator before the island hopping tour.

Deep Moon Resort

We booked our accommodation at Agoda for Php3,000 for 3 nights, that’s already including taxes. Since there’s two of us, we only paid Php 1,500 each. I must say that our resort didn’t disappoint! Deep Moon Resort is beach front and the place is very chill.

 

 

Inaladelan Island Resort

Also known as German Island. We had to stay there for lunch because the current was strong and we can’t go to Paradise or Exotic island. This has to be my favorite beach in the entire Port Barton area because of the hammocks, beach beds and swing everywhere!

You can chill with the bean bags

Swing away!

Relax at the hammocks

Unwind here

Or, swim and enjoy the view

How cool is this?

Cute flowers everywhere 🙂

You can stay at Inaladelan Island Resort if you wish to stay longer. There are no cottages but you can rent a tent with foam bed. They also have basic toilet facilities.

• Day Tour costs Php 1,500 per person, at least 5 persons. This includes round trip boat transfers from Port Barton, entrance fee, light snack, and lunch.
• Overnight rate is Php 2,500 per person, minimum of 2 persons. Inclusions are round trip boat transfers from Port Barton, tents with foam bed, meals (lunch, breakfast), and kayak rental.

 

Where to Eat:

If you’re traveling on a budget, you can wait for the fish vendor in the morning, buy fish and ask the eateries there to cook for you. We bought 1 kilogram fish for only Php 100 (7 pcs. fish) and just bought rice. For less than Php 200, 3-4 people can eat! 🙂

For those who want to try other dishes (Filipino, American, European, Italian etc.), here are some restaurants/cafe I can recommend:

• Gacayan – opens at 7:00 AM, good for breakfast
• Mabuti. Eat & Chill RestoBar
• Reef Cafe
• Kusinero Del Barrio
• Mesa Sueño Inn and Restaurant

Mojito’s RestoBar

I don’t really drink alcohol but my friend told me to try this mojito at the Mojito’s RestoBar because it was so good!

Aside from their famous mojito, they have amazing food! I swear we loved it!

It’s really a chill place, very close to nature, and no WIFI so you gotta talk to each other!

The owners were very nice, making sure that we got everything we need and even took time to chat with us and told us how they started. They were from New Zealand and Canada. Three years ago, they came to Port Barton for their honeymoon and they just fell in love with the place and the people. So, they decided to stay and finally put up their own resto bar – soon accommodation. They love helping the Palaweños by providing them jobs to help their family. Awesome couple! We will surely be back and visit Mojito’s RestoBar again!

 

Travel Tips:

• ATM Machines & Money Exchange – There are no banks or ATM machines in Port Barton. Make sure have enough cash before traveling to Port Barton. There are ATM machines and money exchange in Puerto Princesa.
• Bring Insect Repellent Lotion –  There are a lot of mosquitoes, even in rooms. Some rooms have mosquito nets but you can never be sure.
• Electricity – Depending on your accommodation, some have generators but the electricity is only available from 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Make sure to bring power banks to charge your gadgets.
• WIFI – Majority of the hotels/hostels and restaurants doesn’t have WIFI so bringing your work is not recommended
• Motorcycle – You can rent a motorcycle for Php 500 for 24 hours to go places. You can go to other beaches and falls, saves you money from tour guides. Waze or Google Maps is your best friend!
• Water bottle –  Bring your own reusable water bottle, you just have to refill water at your hotel or restaurants. Saves you money!
• SMILE – Like what I’ve mentioned earlier, almost everyone knows everyone. Palaweños and other tourists (especially foreigners) are friendly so make sure to smile a lot! 🙂
• Airport Terminal Fee – If it’s not included in your airfare ticket, Puerto Princesa International airport collects Php 200 terminal fee.

 

Suggested Expenses:

This is the possible expenses during your 4 days and 3 nights stay in Port Barton. Please note that airfare is based on what I booked a month before my travel. You can still get cheaper plane tickets if there’s a seat sale. 🙂

 

And there goes my Port Barton budget travel guide! For more of my adventures, follow me on Facebook and Instagram. Happy travels! 🙂