How to get from El Nido to Port Barton

Why visit Port Barton?

Port Barton is a small coastal village in the Philippines, in the town of San Vicente, Palawan. It’s nowhere near as famous as Coron or El Nido, but that’s exactly why you should include Port Parton in your itinerary.

Backpacker huts dot its jagged coastline, which opens to turquoise waters overlooking the islands nearby. Island-hopping is a must when in Port Barton, as well as diving, camping and trekking to its many waterfalls. Our favourite? Doing nothing. The island’s calm vibe makes one want to just lay on the beach and savour nature’s gifts.

There are 3 ways to travel the 180 kilometres (112 miles) from El Nido to Port Barton. You can choose between the bus, van and private transport. The journey takes 3 hours 30 minutes to 5 hours and the quickest way is by van. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 410 PHP ($7).

When travelling from El Nido to Port Barton, your best option is to take a van.

The van ride is a direct trip that would take around 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours, and tickets start from 670 PHP ($11.50) per person.

The last stop for shared vans is the Port Barton Bus Terminus in the town centre. Note that they’re not allowed to drop you off at your hotel, so you’ll need to walk or take a tricycle from there.

Taking the bus from El Nido to Port Barton involves one extra transfer. You’ll start with a bus ride to Roxas, then continue the journey with a tricycle to Port Barton.

Overall, the travel time will take at least 4 hours 30 minutes, excluding the transfer time. This option is slightly cheaper than the van, but less convenient.

Step 1: El Nido to Roxas by Bus

From El Nido Bus Terminal, you’ll need to catch a bus heading to Puerto Princesa. Let the bus conductor know that you will get off at Roxas Bus Terminal.

The earliest option is the Cherry Bus Economy, which leaves at 07:00. Ticket prices from El Nido to Roxas start at 210 PHP ($3.60), but prices can change depending on the bus type and schedule.

The bus ride takes around 3.5 hours. Once you arrive, local dispatchers can guide you to the tricycle heading to Port Barton.

For more information on bus schedules, read how to get from El Nido to Puerto Princesa.

Step 2: Roxas to Port Barton by Tricycle

You can take a local tricycle from Roxas to Port Barton, or a habal-habal (motorbike taxi) if you’re not carrying much luggage. The ride takes around 1 hour and fares start from around 200 PHP ($3.40).

Another alternative is to take a tuk-tuk from Roxas Terminal to San Jose Junction, about 10 km away on the main highway. From there, you can try to flag down a van heading to Port Barton. Just note that passengers boarding at the junction are considered chance passengers, so a seat is not guaranteed.

There used to be one jeepney trip a day on this route. But the last time we checked (July 2025), it was no longer operating.

A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from El Nido to Port Barton.

Rates start from 6,100 PHP ($105) for a 12-seater private transfer. Divide the cost, and that’s about 510 PHP ($8.80) per person. Travel time is around 4 to 5 hours.

Private Transport options from El Nido to Port Barton