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Port Barton (Updated 23rd January, 2005)
Port Barton Beach - Summer
Port Barton Beach - winter sunset
Port Barton town
Port Barton - sunset over bay
Monkey strolls by
Catnap times four
Double Island
Thorsten, Nicole & Christian
at Double IslandI have been here a number of times now, with my last visit being 3 days over the new year of 2004/2005. I stayed at the El Dorado bar and Bistro. The room was good value at P400 a night. It had louver windows on two sides which was good for airflow at night. This is important because there is no electricity, and therefore no fan after midnight.
El Dorado bar and Bistro, as the name implies, is also a bar and provides meals. The menu is simple but nourishing. You can have something special if you order a day in advance. I had a huge plate of lobsters - I think the price was under P500.
One thing I like to do to much in Port Barton is sitting around the bar in El Dorado bar and Bistro drinking copious quantities of nice cold beer. Dan, the barman, is from Chicago and does a good job of keeping the customers engaged in conversation.
On a previous visit to Port Barton we stayed at Greenview. The cottages, at P500 p.n. were nice, but there was no restaurant or facilities other than accommodation when we were there. It was off-season though.
The latest accommodation is "Summer Homes" beach bungalows. The proprietor, Dick, is an English chap. Even if you are not staying at Summer Homers, pop over and have a few beers Dick. He also runs an Internet Cafe with internet being via Satellite, so it is fast. At P90 an hour, considering the location and internet speed, this is cheap. The cottages are good value at P750 per room per night. They are clean and new. There are also rooms at the back at P350 per night but they are sorely lacking in airflow. The phone number is +63 9215 299838. Email is summerhomes@indigo.net.ph
At the other end of the beach is Swissipini. I have not stayed here so can't comment except for that it looks good. In its heyday, apparently it was second to none. They are situated right on the beachfront. Accommodation looks good and starts at P450. In the restaurant they offer a broad menu and the food can be excellent some days and not so good on others. The restaurant setting is very beautiful though, so at least go for a beer.
Things to do at Port Barton
One of the main attraction is the waterfall, which is about 1 1/2 hour walk from town. It is beautiful to swim in. The walk is fairly easy, with only a gentle slope in places. You will have to walk through the shallow stream a few times, so wear the right footwear. The track is not sign posted. The locals say it is easy to find, but we had trouble and almost turned back.
There is lots of island hopping to do. The two pictures below were taken at Double Island, which is a bout 5Km by boat from the town.
If you don't have time to spend an overnight at Coconut Island Resort, at least go there for a day trip. It is on Cacnipa Island, 15Km from the town or about 45 minutes by boat. Snorkel in front of the resort and take a walk around the island. Click on the link at the bottom of this page for more information.
Getting to and from Port Barton
It is 152 Km by road from Port Barton to Puerto Princesa. By hire car it takes about three and a half hours and upto 5 hours by jeepney. The road from Puerto is excellent except for the last 22 Km, which is unsealed and very rough in places. This last stretch becomes impassable sometimes after a typhoon.
A jeepney leaves for Puerto Princesa at about 9AM every day. One also leaves Puerto Princesa every day for Port Barton. This is the only public transport to and from Port Barton, and it can be very full sometimes. One way trip costs P180.
If you are going on to El Nido, you will most probably go by boat (bangka). The views on this part of the trip are spectacular. The trip to El Nido will take about 5+ hours, depending on weather conditions. Expect to pay about P2,500 to P3,500 for a boat which can hold 4 people. Remember - the fee also covers their trip back to Port Barton, so don’t quibble too much over the price. The bigger the boat the more expensive, but the more comfortable the journey.
Leave in the morning – 7 is good. The South China Sea can get a bit choppy in the afternoons. Make sure your belongings are wrapped in plastic as they could get wet. Take some food and water with you, or other nibbly distractions. Offer your food and goodies to the boatmen. Cigarettes are welcome too.
If you are going on to Sabang, it is fastest to go by boat, although more expensive than public transport. It is more scenic too. If you are going by boat, try and fit in a night or two at Coconut Island Resort, which is on the way both to and from Sabang and to El Nido.
Other information about Port Barton
The first cellular phone site for Port Barton was commissioned on the 26th of December, 2004. A benefit of this will hopefully be that boat and hire car pooling will become possible, therefore reducing the cost of travel. Chartered boats and hire cars usually return empty. Cooperation between resorts may reduce the cost of travel around Palawan.
Cell Phone Yes Smart Internet Cafe/access Yes @ Summer Homes - P90 hr. (very fast) Electricity Yes 4am to 6am & 4pm to midnight. Banks or money changers No Make sure you bring Pesos in cash!!! Beware of the sand flies on the beach. They bite in the later afternoon and you don’t necessarily notice them. They are most prevalent during the summer months from February to May. See our section on Sand Flies and Tropical Ulcers.
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