Port Barton Palawan
Port Barton is a bit off the well beaten path but it still gets a steady flow of visitors and is a good place to chill for a few days. The beach itself is pretty nice but the water is shallow and goes way out during the low tide. Port Barton also gets the occasional blue colored jellyfish invasion.
Local boatmen take visitors to the nearby islands to snorkel and swim or just do some sightseeing.
There are several budget accommodations and most of the resorts are right on the beach. I found food to be a bit dear in town, but Judy’s Resto Bar bucks the trend and has become a popular hangout for backpackers and others. The Villa Evergreen also has good food served inside or outside under the shade trees.
Judy’s Place
Villa
Evergreen
Marc – does street performances in France and travels in the off season – cool guy!
Port Barton
Pitong is a manager of the El Busero – a backpackers favorite because of its low priced accommodation. Rooms above the bar/restaurant can be bargained down to 250 pesos a nite, provided you plan to stay a few nights with them. The regular one night rate is 300 pesos.
The view is great from any point on the bay. The water is very shallow and goes way out during low tide.
Low tide in Port Barton.
Port Barton boatmen
Blue jellyfish
There were quite a few of these blue jellyfish when I was there. They come and go but most of the swimming is done from the neighboring islands where the currents keep the jellyfish away.
Boats are hired out for the day – the costs depend on how many people are in the boat and how long you want to be out there.
Ai-Ai of the El Busero.
Rhea – owner of Rhea’s Canteen. She is a friendly gal but has not yet found the formula to attract customers.
Joseph, my neighbor from Austria was a cool cat. He liked it that everyone already knew his name – “Hey Joe!”
Pamuayan Falls
Trail to San Vicente
The Pamuayan Falls is 3 to 4 kilometers from town on the old logging road to San Vicente. It can be walked in an hour or so or you can take a bike if you are lazy. Joseph (above) walked it but I rode.
I was actually trying to see if the road went through to SanVicente but it petered out and I had to go the long way around.
Palawan jeepney
The Port Barton jeepney is the most rugged rig that I have yet seen in the Philippines. The road from the highway to Port Barton was, at one time, a real nightmare. You can still take the jeepney all the way to Puerto Princessa for 250 pesos but it now takes only 3 hours.
Note the chain – ready to catch the drive shaft should it break!
Port Barton kids
360 Palawan
Staff at 360 Palawan Resort where I uploaded most of these pages using the wi-fi. (50 pesos per hour)
Esteban the monkey
There is one scuba diving shop but most do not come here to dive. Reader Bruce tells me that there are some good dives in the area.
The footbridge at the south end of the bay.
Jambalaya
Footbridge at the north end of the beach.
Port Barton Palawan
Beach at Port Barton
…gotta love the philippines!
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
Thanks for the information. I cant wait for April, to be there.
DP HOW WAS THE ROAD TO PORT BARTON OFF THE MAIN ROAD. I REMEMBER THE TURN OFF ON MY WAY TO ROXOS IF THINK THE SIGN SAID IT WAS ABOUT 25K. I WOULD LIKE TO THE SAME RUN FROM PP.
PATRICK
Hello Patrick,
I have heard that the road to Port Barton was treacherous in the old days but now it is pretty basic.
cheers
dp
hey dp! good site you got here!
i and two of my buddies are planning to bike (mt bike) from el nido to port barton, passing through san vicente to visit a friend this march. just wondering if you have an idea if it is possible to bike from san vicente to port barton without passing through roxas, and how far? i understand that there is an old logging road between san vicente and port barton. of course, we are prepared to carry our bikes on our shoulders. thanks
Wow!! ganda ng barton… hehehe
hello..im raellen regalado a marketing staff of 3bs travel and tours..pls contact my mobile number to avail discounts in visiting the tourist destinations in our place here in palawan. I will personally assist you in your visit. Here is my email add raellen
+639078779507
thank u and more power!
Hello raellen,
good luck – I left your contact number in the post but removed the email address because because leaving it in the post will make you very vulnerable to mountains of spam
I wish your business becomes a great success!
dp
hi dp,
it’s me judy, the owner of Judy’s Bar and Resto. I am sorry to inform you that my place has already been close since June of this year because i had an order from the property owner to discontinue my rent in their place so i had no choice but to leave the place. But since it is low season, i didn’t hesitate to give it up. i just want to apologize for the inconvenience if my place is no longer operating to cater especially the recommended customers, but i promise that i will continue my business through the public’s demand to stay in business, i am relocating to the beachfront, 2nd lot to the left of Jambalaya though this time, i am not using the same name but probably a SHORE BAR/CAFE. Hope you will continue recommending my new place. The opening of my new place will be before december 2011. Thank you very much and more power! Hope to see you sometime soon.
Judy
Hello Judy :)
I wish you good success with the Shore Bar / Cafe
I liked your old place and think that you have the best value in Port Barton as far as restaurant food goes.
Maybe the boatmen to the islands can leave right from your doorstep now!
dp
I lived there for 16 years..Nao Nao before there was a medical clinic in Port Barton only a mid-wife ( Ate Nits).. A layed back place as long as you are not involved in politics or trying to make money. Everyday is an adventure and some of the natives still think like they did 4 centuries ago.
Hello Dutchpickle! Nice to see ur blog about Port Barton.Its great to see all pictures of our village.Regarding the post of Dr.Tom Gerard, i am the daughter of that midwife “Ate Nitz” i remember him as American Doctor bringing free donation of medicine to Port Barton Healthcare Center.My mom so called was retired from her midwifery service in that village now. This blog is really informative and big help for new tourist who are planning to visit beautiful Port Barton. Thank you and More Power!
I finish my elementary & highschool education in Port Barton.Its happy to see this interactive and informative site.To Dr.Tom Gerard,I remembered you as Dr.Tomas -the American Physician living in Naonao Port Barton.Ate Nits is my mother & she worked there as midwife but now she retired already.Thanks Dutchpickle andMore Power.
thank you for your comment…
so nice !
dp
Hello there!
I was in Port Barton way back 2002-2003…that was when we are implementing the Barangay Environmental and Sanitation Project (BESP). The was about the Potable Water System project funded by the World Bank thru the provincial government of Palawan, that was about a decade ago…
I just want to invite all the Resort Owner there in Port Barton, if you want to ad your establishment in our magazine, the BoracayMag please contact me through my email/fb account orpillavirgilio@rocketmail . com or call or text me. You can read our magazine via online just click or browse www . boracaymag . com
Thank you….