Chilling in Port Barton and that is exactly what I did; no tours, no motorbike, just hammock time and working on my tan. I needed to chill too, the day before was a long day arriving all the from Bohol. Port Barton is perfect for that, the scenery is top notch where the green jungle meets the blue ocean. You can see that the traditional fisher town changed into a chill tourists destination and the fisherman offer tours to the islands and beaches. See below the tips and inspirations on Port Barton!
Transport to and from Port Barton
Like I said before, I did a long journey all the way from Bohol to Port Barton. I wanted to do it in two days, with an overnight in Puerto Princesa, but eventually all went very smooth and went directly to Port Barton. This is how I did it:
Tagbilaran, Bohol Ferry Terminal – Cebu Ferry Terminal: With the tricycle to the ferry terminal. Be there at least 1 hour in advance to check in, pay terminal fee (20PP). I booked the 2 hours Ocean Jet Ferry of 8:20 – 10:20 (500PP)
Cebu Ferry Terminal – Cebu Airport: White taxi, 300PP one way. I was able to share with two other Dutch girls and could split the costs.
Cebu Airport – Puerto Princesa Airport: Cebu Pacific ticket booked a couple of months in advance (2717PP for flex ticket) 13:30 – 14:50 arrival Puerto Princesa, Palawan.
Puerto Princesa Airport – Port Barton: Tourist vans are waiting outside the terminal to bring the tourists in ±3,5 hours to Port Barton (500PP). We left at 16:00 and arrived in the dark at 19:15 including several pee and beer stops…….
Buy a flex ticket with you airline, this could help in case you need to change the date due to unexpected weather conditions (rough seas, volcanic eruptions and/or typhoons).
From Port Barton tourist vans leave three times a day (8:00, 13:00 and 17:00) to the north of Palawan, El Nido. I booked mine at my accommodation; the standard price is 600PP per person and the trips takes ±4,5 hours including two stops.
What to Do in Port Barton
I did not do much here, I had only 1,5 day here since I arrived late the day before. Most of the time I chilled and went to White Beach. The beach boys offer a lot of tours you can here to the islands, snorkeling tours, starfish beach, anything. Since I all did this and will do this on my TAO Sailing Experience between Coron and El Nido, I choose not to book the tours here.
You have to make decisions sometimes and can’t do everything. But I on the other hand I was curious and love to be on the boat, that is why I booked a return trip to White Beach for 150 one way or 300 return. This is only a 15 min boat ride and nice to see Port Barton from the sea.
White Beach is a private resort with villa’s but you can buy a day pas for 50PP and use the facilities, read hammocks! There is a small restaurant where you can order food and drinks (mango juice 150PP). I read my e-reader in the hammock under the coconut tree, swam and walked to each side of the beach. Looked for shells and let it sunk in that so far it was a great holiday!
Around 15:00 I booked my boat back, but boat did not show up, but you can take any boat that is departing and there are a lot! So don’t pay the return in advance.
Where to Stay in Port Barton
I loved my accommodation, I must admit I have a good feeling for that. I booked the brand new Lunazul for 2500PP per night. I was lucky that my room with balcony was available for the extra night on my early arrival. The accommodation is close at the beach at the left side of the bay (facing the sea). I looked like its Spanish owned with regards to style and dished on the menu. Lunazul has a great vibe, friendly staff, fresh clean modern rooms and great Wi-Fi in the common area. It is a small accommodation, only 6 rooms so hope you are lucky to get one room!!
Where to Eat and Drink in Port Barton
Deep Moon: I had a great cappuccino (110PP) with a oatmeal bowl (220PP) with ocean view at this resort with restaurant. I went here twice because the bowl was really good and the place has a bench under the palm trees with ocean view.
Gorgonzola Pizza: This is one of the best restaurants in Port Barton. I did not expect such a good pizza in the middle of nowhere!! Unfortunately most of the pizza’s you can order are for two persons (they are huge!!). That is not handy if you are traveling by yourself; that is why I went for the pizza Calzone (510PP), but that was huge too. The place was busy and they work with a buzzer. Great pizza which was a perfect diversification of food during my trip.
Happy Bar: This is a popular place during sunset. The offer an all-day happy hour for 70PP; Mojito with nuts as a snack. Or order a cold beer and get a rum coke and snacks for free. Of course I went for the Mojito!!
Bikini Café: I think this nice trendy coffee place with bamboo interior is brand new; all look fresh and stylish. The coffee was good served with a bottle of cold water. I already had breakfast, but would have loved to try the breakfast here or the lunch menu. Give it a try!
Port Barton is perfect to chill for a couple of days, unfortunately I had to go to El Nido to be in time in Coron for the highlight of my Philippines trip; the TAO Sailing Experience.
Continue to El Nido like me or to Bohol and Siquijor or perhaps to Siargao?!
