Port Barton

Understand

Port Barton attracts mostly non-luxury seeking, status anxiety free vacationers. It is a popular choice for budget backpackers and other adventurous international travellers, who appreciate and enjoy the remote, rural, relaxed, friendly atmosphere and natural beauty that this quiet and peaceful beachside village, on the edge of the rainforest, has to offer. Port Barton is not as popular or progressively developed as Boracay or Puerto Galera. Therefore, it does not attract busloads of domestic tourists. Also, due to its remote location (a blessing in disguise perhaps) Port Barton does not suffer from hordes of photo snapping, day trippers, as does the more accessible, touristic Sabang, or the more promoted and air ported El Nido. Port Barton is still, so far, largely unspoiled, pleasantly unsophisticated and slightly primitive, and that's exactly what seems to make it an attractive destination. Electricity is now available 24–7. However, there are no banks, but ATM is available now in Acosta residence beside white hauz inn, hospitals, doctors or five-star hotels, and WiFi Internet access is quite good now in a lot of places (Satellite internet) UPDATE: As of December 2024, the description of Port Barton as a destination for "adventurous international travellers, who appreciate and enjoy the rural, relaxed atmosphere and natural beauty that this quiet and peaceful beachside village" is badly outdated. The place is a service-oriented town with little local character catering mostly to European and Australian tourists. You can go there for receiving commercial services in a relatively relaxed setting in a company of foreign tourists, but not for immersive adventure-oriented travel.

Getting there

From Puerto Princesa New Market bus station, there is a daily bus going to Port Barton (₱200). There are also several minivans ferrying tourists from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton leaving roughly every 2 hours and taking around 3 hours (₱350). Or you can rent a vehicle with driver from the airport. Travel time approx. 2½ hours, cost around ₱3000 (negotiable) for a vehicle that seats up to 7. Coming from Sabang or El Nido you can take a bus to San Jose and either catch the bus from Puerto Princesa (if you arrive in time) or hire a motorcycle to take you the rest of the way to Port Barton. There are also 2 minivans departing El Nido for Port Barton at 8AM and 1PM (~₱500). From El Nido and Sabang there are daily boats going to Port Barton and you can also hire your own boat. Especially in the rainy season it might be necessary to hire a boat, since there are not many travellers around at that time.

Getting around

The village is so small that walking is the only feasible option. Going to the nearby islands you can hire a boat, rent a kayak or join organized trips.

See

The main attraction is the beautiful beach.

Do

Nearby are numerous islands with spectacular beaches, rainforest and good snorkeling. Local boatmen will take you out "island hopping" for a day for ₱1200, although be sure to negotiate just how many islands constitute "hopping" before you pay up. Although dynamite-fishing has been a problem in the past, nowadays it is no longer practiced and the locals can find you unspoiled spots. It is also possible to rent a kayak and visit the closer islands independently. There are 3 dive schools. One is called 'Sea Dog Diving' run by Keith Dudley, at the right side of the beach; second one is NFH Port Barton Dive Club, beside the van terminal provide PADI fun and training dives and is Aqualung certified for equipment maintenance and repairs. The last one is called 'easy dive', at the southern end of the beach run by Doris Hufnagel and assisted by the local diver named Benny. The run PADI courses and fun dives. For fun diving and PADI courses Port Barton is superb, with great coral and marine life. There is also limited trekking in the rainforests around Port Barton. At the northern end of the beach there is a small path leading to a waterfall (about 3½ km each way) where you can swim in the cool water. There are also plenty of leeches in any standing water around there, so perhaps not for the faint hearted. Besides that, the trail is totally overgrown and you will probably need local assistance on the way to be able to find the waterfall. But hey; this means that once you've actually found it the reward is even bigger. As of beginning of 2019, there are two ATMs in Port Barton. They accept all major Western cards. The maximum withdrawal is ₱10,000 and the fee is ₱250 + additional card fees. There are other ATMs in Puerto Princess and El Nido.

Eat

There are a couple of basic restaurants on the beach, both offering almost identical menus of the basic backpacker fare. Expect banana pancakes and muesli. In the village you can find a few basic outlets offering Filipino food. El Bulsero along the beach is a good economical option for breakfast. For a more extensive menu including some Thai dishes and such delights as a full English breakfast or sausage, egg and chips check out the restaurant at Summer Homes Resort or NFH Resto Bar who, with draft beer on tap. For a cup of great brewed coffee, home-made bread, some great floral tasting local honey, or a huge plate of authentic 'Jambalaya' visit Jambalaya Cafe on the beach. It's owned by a Scotsman and his Filipina wife. It's friendly and homey, the menu is super small and everything on it is excellent - fresh and home-made with local flair. It's right on the beach so the view is spectacular. It only has three tables, so you may want to make a reservation or arrive early to beat the other travelers. They also offer free internet to customers. Try to beat the local 'Jambalaya Chilling Champions' record, in the name of a Dutch couple who spent a record-breaking 8½ hours non-stop in the small Jambalaya café.

Drink & nightlife

Port Barton a place to relax and do nothing, and is definitely not known for its nightlife. You can grab a beer in the few beach-side restaurants and some of them also offer liquor and wine.

Sleep

When you arrive at the beach you can allow a local fellow to tag on to you, escort you to the resort of his choice, one that pleases him. Or you can simply leave your luggage at the Tourist Assistance Centre, while you comfortably wander around looking for somewhere to crash. You can also choose to first go directly to the Jambalaya Café, where you can also safely dump your heavy luggage for a while. Here is a list of some places to stay (with approx cost) in Port Barton, (in June 2019): prices are from.

Russell Place - ₱300 Gerbise Pension House - ₱300 Café Sabang – ₱300 Mamacitas Pizza place Inn - ₱335 D Port Kitchen Inn - ₱350 Dragon House Dorm - ₱350 Eldorado Sunset Resort - ₱390 Coco Rico Hostel - ₱390 Stellbucks Eco Lodge - ₱400 Judeth's Summer House - ₱500 Casa Bievenida - ₱500 Acuario Beach Inn - ₱500 Nellie's Tourist Inn - ₱500 There are also a few resorts on the nearby islands, Coconut Garden Island Resort and Blue Cove Island Resort. High season is generally from December to May, it's