San Vicente

Island Hopping in Port Barton, San Vicente, Palawan

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Since the jeepney from Roxas arrived a little past 1 PM from Roxas, Palawan there’s really nothing that I could do in Port Barton but to walk around, sit on the beach and talk to locals. One of the locals that I have talked to offered me an island hopping tour. Originally the prices of the island hopping tour for 2 pax is 1,200 Pesos and for 3 or more pax it’s 500 Pesos each. Since, I was alone I agreed so that I would not pay the hefty amount of 1,200 Pesos all by myself. He said that for the 500 Pesos per person to proceed he will look for other people to join me. We exchanged numbers and I went back to my lodging. Night came, there was no message that the tour will proceed. Next day around 7AM came, there was still no message so I texted him back to confirm of the island hopping tour. I decided if he does not message me at 8AM, I would have to take the offer of another local who offered me 800 Pesos for a boat for island hopping. I got word that on off-peak season, the boats could go that low. 8AM came, I texted the other local and he replied that the boat will be ready at 9AM.

Beach at Port Barton

Went to meet the local at 9AM and turns out he was not the boatman. So he referred me to my boatman and first things first, we needed food to eat. We looked for fresh fish so that we could cook on the islands. Though the front of the beach of Port Barton has been filled with accommodations Port Barton is still a fishing village so what we did was we went to people who they knew buys fish from the fishermen and sells them again at the market. Unfortunately, their fishes has either been reserved by the resorts or had been delivered to Puerto Princesa or Roxas via their public jeepneys. We saw a woman peddling some fishes and since it was either too big or too small, we decided that we’re having squid for lunch. Bought some onions, tomatoes, kalamansi, snacks, water and some cooked rice. Just when I thought we were going to start, he suddenly said that he’ll get some utensils from their house so we can use it. I think that’s good service. Around 9:20AM we road the boat and it was time to visit the islands of Port Barton.

Where to Stay in Port Barton, San Vicente, Palawan

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After riding the boat from the Poblacion of San Vicente, Palawan we arrived in Port Barton and was looking for a place to stay for 2 nights. We had a budget of less than 400 Pesos per night but the lodgings there only offered us exactly 400 Pesos per night lodgings. But if we do not find a lodging with our budget then we’ll just have to camp out somewhere. Luckily, there’s a lodging that offered us 300 Pesos per night and that’s how we ended in El Dorado.

Anyways, below are the details of most accommodations in Port Barton.

Recommended Accommodations

I’m recommending this accommodation because of the sole purpose that they have a nice spot away from the center of town. Usually the beach in front of town is full of boats, so it’s a bit of a hassle to sit on the beach there.

Boats near the town center

Beach in front of the recommended lodgings

El Dorado Sunset Garden Resort

I’m recommending El Dorado because I stayed there on their Backpacker’s Room which was only 300 Pesos/night because I went there during the low peak season. They also have a friendly staff and they have one of the best chicken curry I have ever tasted.

Know more about El Dorado Sunset Garden Resorts here.

The rates below are their peak season rates.

1.500 Pesos/room/night Beach Front Private bathroom
1,200 Pesos/room/night Couple Private bathroom
1,000 Pesos/room/night Standard Private bathroom
700 Pesos/room/night Nipa Hut Private bathroom
400 Pesos/room/night Backpackers Common bathroom
No electric socket
  • All rooms are good for 2 pax.
  • They have a restaurant. Their chicken curry is a must try.
  • Beach front.

My 300 Pesos/night room

Contact Information

Mobile No.: 0920-329-9049
E-mail: lucy_deniega@yahoo.com
Website: eldoradosunsetresort.webs.com

Getting to Port Barton from the Poblacion of San Vicente, Palawan

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After our trip to Boayan Island we planned to move to Port Barton next. There are no direct roads that links the two barangays. We have 2 options either we take the van going to Roxas then ride the jeep there or wait for the boat coming from Port Barton to arrive and wait again for it to go back to Port Barton.

Port of Poblacion, San Vicente

It was already 10:30AM when we arrived at the Poblacion from Boayan Island. The jeep leaves to Port Barton from Roxas at around 11AM and Roxas is still a good 2 hours away. Facing facts, it’s not possible if we do that route. So all we had to do was wait for more than 4 hours until the boat going to Port Barton leaves. It was a long wait, but we decided to eat the waiting away. Below are instructions on how to get to Port Barton from Poblacion of San Vicente and vice versa. If you’re staying in Port Barton and you want to visit the Longest Beach in the Philippines for a day trip, this post may help you. Port Barton to Poblacion By Boat There’s a boat that leaves around 9AM from Port Barton that will head to the Poblacion of San Vicente. The schedule is not that clear so it would be better if you coordinate with the Tourist Assitance Center to know the schedule. The name of the boat is Magdalena. Fare is 100 Pesos per person for locals and 150 Pesos per person for foreigners. Travel time is approximately 1 hour.

The Magdalena at Poblacion of San Vicente

If the schedule is not fit for your schedule you can hire a boat with the boatmans under the Tourist Assistance Center. Usual price is 1,500 Pesos for 4 pax but prices are negotiable. Travel time is approximately 1 hour.

Where to Stay in Poblacion, San Vicente, Palawan

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Believe it or not, we stayed in a 55 Pesos/person/night dormitory type lodge inside the Public Market compound of Poblacion of San Vicente, Palawan.

It was a humble dormitory room inside the compound of their public market with only a banig (mat) and a pillow as bedding. For someone like me who’s more comfortable sleeping on a hard bed than the really soft ones this place is a sweet dream come true. It’s the cheapest I have seen in the country.

In front of the Public Market Dormitory

There are no lockers, so you must bring your stuff with you always, especially the important ones.

The bathroom are located outside and you’ll be sharing it with other people inside the market.

There’s also a time limit on how long you should stay outside the Public Market premises as they close the market compound gates at 10PM.

The room for men and women are separated.

Would I recommend travelers to stay in the Public Market Dormitory? Not really. Though it is open for anyone, the reason why this dormitory type of lodging is made is for the residents of San Vicente who got stranded in Poblacion. But if you want to stay there I won’t stop you. 🙂

Where would I recommend travelers to stay?

There are many options you can choose from when you want to stay in Poblacion of San Vicente but here are 3 of my recommended affordable lodgings.

John Eric Inn

What I like about John Eric Inn is that it’s located at the heart of town and only about 150 meters from the public market and the port. They also have 24 hours electricity. But what I really love about John Eric Inn is the price, it’s only 300 Pesos per night per person for 3 pax.

Rates

300 Pesos/room/night Fan Room with private CR
+50 Pesos/pax/night for extra pax exceeding 3 pax.

Contact Number: 0912-253-5224

Notes

  • They have electricity 24 hours.
  • There’s an internet shop nearby. 30 Pesos/hour.
  • There’s also a sari-sari stores nearby which is open from 6AM to 9PM.

Daplac Cove in Boayan Island, San Vicente, Palawan

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Update – April 4, 2012: Visitors to Daplac Cove are now not allowed.

Dear Boayan Island,

I remember how kind and gentle the people of Poblacion in San Vicente, Palawan were.

I remember walking on its port and seeing only a few bangkas on the dock.

I remember buying our supplies on the smiling tinderas at the public market.

I remember when we were on our way to you, I saw lots of trash on the water only to find out that they were markers and floating devices for cultured shells and seaweeds.

I remember approaching the turquoise water of your litte neighbor, Niaporay Island.

I remember the little nipa hut on its beach.

Then I saw you and were amazed by you. You were so little on the map but so big when I personally saw you.