Puerto Princesa to Port Barton
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What to expect when visiting 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.
3 ways to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton
There are three ways to travel the distance of 160 km (99 miles) from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton: by bus (4 hours), van (3-4 hours) and motorbike (4-5 hours). The journey takes between 3h - 5h and the quickest way is by van. The lowest priced tickets start from 380 PHP ($6.80) for the bus.Where to stay in Port Barton?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Port Barton at the bottom of this page.
Puerto Princesa to Port Barton by Bus
Another alternative to the mini-vans is to travel by bus from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton.
Although it’s a bit cheaper, we wouldn’t recommend it. Buses are non-airconditioned and have less comfortable seating than the van. A bus journey of 4 hours without aircon will be pretty exhausting.
Note that there are only 2 bus departures per day. These trips depart at 08:30 and 14:00, with a travel time of 4 hours.
In case you still want to travel by bus, see here how to:
Departure and arrival stations
Buses operating from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton depart only from San Jose Terminal. A ticket costs 380 PHP ($6.80). You can buy your ticket at the terminal, but make sure that you are at San Jose Terminal at least an hour before the scheduled departure.
The arrival locations for the buses are the same, which is at the Port Barton Bus Terminal in the town centre.
Bus schedule from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton
You can book your ticket through BookAway so you won’t need to wait at the ticket cue and go to the bus terminal 30 minutes early.
Puerto Princesa to Port Barton by Motorbike
Motorbikes are also available for rent in Puerto Princesa. This is a good option for the Puerto Princesa to Port Barton route if you prefer a more independent way of travelling. You can enjoy the rural sights and make a stop whenever you want.
Where to rent?
Most of the bike rental shops are located along Rizal Avenue, between Junction No. 1 and the Old Airport. The shops’ daily rental fees start from 500 PHP ($8.90) per day, depending on the type of motorbike you rent. They usually give discounts for long-term rentals.
The downside with renting a motorbike is that the shop often takes your passport as a deposit until you return the motorbike. The shop would also require you to return the motorbike with the same amount of fuel. Also, most motorbikes are not insured, so you have to rent a motorbike at your own risk.
Rental conditions
Always read the terms and conditions of the contract before you sign. Also, it’s a good idea to inspect the bike and list any scratches or minor damages. Be sure to provide one copy of the list to the shop.
Luggage transport
Vans at the San Jose Terminal are willing to bring your luggage for you for 50 PHP ($0.90) per bag. You can arrange the luggage pick-up with the dispatchers or drivers. The usual pick-up place is at Ballesteros Street in Port Barton.
Alternative: rent a car
Prefer to drive a car instead of a motorbike? Expect to pay 2,500 PHP ($44) to 5,000 PHP ($89) per day, depending on the car model. As a precautionary measure, also make sure you read the contract and understand it fully.
Puerto Princesa to Port Barton by Van
Taking a mini-van is the best option to travel from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton. There are many departures a day and they conveniently depart from Puerto Princesa Airport.
All vans are air-conditioned and fares start at 600 PHP ($10.70) for the 3-hour ride. There used to be many minivan companies operating on this route, but the last time we checked (April 2022), only 2 minivan operators are available.
Note that travellers often complain about drivers driving too fast and not always sticking to the exact schedule. In general, Fortwally receives better reviews than SBE transport.
Departure station
Vans from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton leave from two different locations: Puerto Princesa Airport (PPS) or San Jose Bus Terminal.
While airports are normally located outside the city centre, this is not the case for Puerto Princesa. Puerto Princesa Airport is actually located right within the city centre, while San Jose bus terminal is about 5 km north.
So whether you are coming from the airport or staying in the city centre, in both cases, it’s most convenient to book a van leaving from the airport.
SBE transport leaves from both locations, while Fortwally only departs from the airport.
Van schedules from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton
Pro-Tip: The van is the most preferred mode of transport in Palawan. The seats can fill up quickly, so always try to book a van at least 1 day in advance!
Arrival station
All vans will arrive at the Port Barton Bus Terminal, a 5-minute walk from the town centre. At the bus terminal, you will be asked to pay a small entrance fee of about 16.90 PHP ($0.30) per person.
From here, you can either walk to your accommodation or hop on a bike or truck to bring you to your accommodation. We recommend checking on Google Maps how far it is to walk and then deciding whether you need transport or not.
The drivers at the bus station will likely always tell you that you’ll need a ride because it’s too far, no matter how near or far it really is.
Our favourite places to stay in Port Barton
Port Barton loves wooden huts and beach-front cottages, and so do we! For affordable prices, you can spend a few nights in unique accommodations that are surrounded by nothing but nature. In other places, you’d be paying top dollar for that.
Here are our favourite stays in Port Barton:
Parrots Boutique Resort - Treating Yourself
Area: Port Barton Town — approx. 10-minute walk to closest restaurants and Port Barton beach
Parrots Boutique resort boasts a sleek and minimalist design that oozes tranquillity. The pool area is perfect for chilling around and the beach is only a 5-minute walk away.
You’re also super close to the town, so the location couldn’t be better. Before starting your day, you can enjoy a complimentary breakfast on the sun terrace or around the pool.
- Lovely swimming pool
- Close to the beach
- Great location
- Stylish design
Double rooms start from $50 per night
Prince John Beachfront Cottages - Mid Range
Area: San Vicente Village — approx. 15-minute drive to town centre
A BBQ and a view of the sea. Doesn’t that sound great? This place is the epitome of beach vibes, being only steps away from the crystal-clear ocean. You can literally hear the waves crashing from your comfortable bed.
There are too many places to hang out here — on the beach, in a hammock, on a swing, on the restaurant’s terrace. You’re spoilt for choice, and we promise you’ll never want to leave here.
- Beachfront cottages
- Great restaurant with seafood
- Solar-powered
- Amazing owner
Double rooms cost $30-$50 per night
Green Hill Restaurant and Cottages - Budget Friendly
Area: Next to White Beach — approx. 15-minute drive to town centre
Ever wondered what it would be like to live in a treehouse-style cottage overlooking the sea? Well, Green Hill Cottages can tick that box for you. This unique accommodation set on the hillside is the perfect way to relax and connect with nature.
Here, you get the best of both worlds too. Whilst you’re surrounded by jungle, you’re also only minutes from the beach. This is a must-stay spot in Port Barton.
- Unique cottages
- Surrounded by jungle
- Incredible sea views
- Close to the beach
Double rooms cost $15-$30 per night
Russell Place - Budget Friendly
Area: Port Barton Town — about 10-minute walk to closest restaurants and Port Barton Beach
If you’re looking for somewhere in the centre of Port Barton, this might be a better option than the one above. But don’t worry, you’ll still get to experience a unique stay — the wooden huts are pretty cool.
There are both dorm room huts and private huts available, plus a common area for everyone to chill in. This creates a great ambience that makes it easy to connect with other travellers.
- Cool wooden huts
- Great location
- Friendly staff
- Dorms and private huts available
Double rooms cost $15-$30 per night
Frequently Asked Questions about Puerto Princesa to Port Barton
What is the distance from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton?
The distance from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton is 160 km (99 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton?
The fastest way to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton is by van and takes 3-4 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton?
The cheapest way to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton is by bus with ticket costs starting from 380 PHP ($6.80).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Abby is a writer who finds joy in mountains, beaches, and road trips. She considers her solo backpacking trip to the rice terraces of Bontoc one of the most fulfilling moments in her life. She’s loyal to the islands of her home country, the Philippines, but Thailand’s beaches also have a special place in her heart.
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Merci pour vos articles précieux. Savez vous si il y a des taxis de l aéroport à Port Barton nous ne voulons pas partager de bus. Mais prendre un taxi juste avec nos enfants
Hi Cindy, taxis to Port Barton are available from Puerto Princesa Airport. You can choose from several companies at the airport or you can book one online beforehand through BookAway. Rates start from PHP5,600 ($100). Have a great time in Palawan!
PS J’ai répondu à ce commentaire en anglais, donc d’autres nationalités peuvent également bénéficier de cette info. Je recommande d’utiliser Google Translate pour le lire en français.
very helpful so excited to go to Palawan and will visit the amazing islands.
Thanks! Enjoy these stunning Islands! Hope you’ll have a great time!