Home Asia Chasing a Plate’s Guide to Port Barton, Palawan, Philippines

Chasing a Plate’s Guide to Port Barton, Palawan, Philippines

by Chasing a Plate
Rizza's Bar, Port Barton, Philippines

You need to get to Port Barton quick! This quiet beach village in Palawan is an oasis- they say it’s like El Nido was 20 years ago. Lazy days here consist of swimming, sun bathing and if you’re feeling particularly energetic, some island hopping. The only conundrum you’re likely to face is choosing which beach bar to drink at during happy hour! You seriously won’t want to leave, this place is a dream come true. Here are our picks for where to eat, things to do and some handy tips…

Chasing a Plate’s Pricing Guide
$ around150PHP-200PHP/$3.50-$4.50USD per person
$$ around 300PHP/$7USD per person
$$$ around 600PHP/$15USD per person

Getting to Port Barton

The quickest and easiest way to get to Port Barton is via mini-van. From El Nido, the fare is between 600-700PHP/$15-20USD per person and from Puerto Princesa around $350PHP/$10USD per person. They are sealing the dirt road which makes up the last 20 km/12 miles into Port Barton (about 70% complete at the time of writing) so you can expect the visitor numbers to rise rapidly once this is completed.

All visitors need to pay an environmental fee of 50PHP/$1 per person at the Port Barton Tourist Office. Your mini-van will terminate here so pay it on arrival.

Once you’re in Port Barton, the place is tiny and you can walk everywhere.

Must Do

Island hopping $$$

Island hopping in Port Barton is a lot more relaxed and cheaper than in the bigger beach resorts like El Nido. Book with Santa Cool’s run by Rizza who owns the beach bar next to Radio Palawan. It costs 800PHP/$20USD per person which includes the use of snorkelling gear and fins, lunch and even beer! The captain will take you to some fabulous spots for snorkelling and you might even get to swim with sea turtles.

Island hopping in Port Barton

Island hopping


Sunbathe and swim at White Beach $-$$

If you’re after a picturesque white sand beach framed by swaying palm trees then the aptly named White Beach should be on your hit list. You can actually walk here (it’s a sweaty 1 hour walk away) or you can contact the front desk at Deep Moon Resort (last resort at the left hand end of the beach) who run the only accommodation option on White Beach. They have a boat that goes to and fro between the beach and Port Barton bay. The price per boat ride seems to vary between 50PHP/$1USD to 300PHP/$6USD so try and haggle.

White Beach, Port Barton, Philippines

Lazing the day away at White Beach

Must Eats

Jambalaya Café $$
Left hand end of the beach

We agree that it’s kinda strange to have a restaurant dedicated to jambalaya in a small beach village in the Philippines, but once you have a taste you won’t care one iota. The Jambalaya Special is the dish to order- saucy rice, chunks of fresh fish, juicy tomatoes and a good whack of spice! Get there in time for happy hour at 5pm and climb up the ladder to one of their giant tables. You feel as though you’re waiting for the BFG to join you, it’s a hoot!

Jambalaya, Jambalaya Cafe, Port Barton, Pihilippines

The Jambalaya Special at Jambalaya Cafe


Olive’s Crib $

Ballesteros Road close to the basketball court

If you want local food, then you have to eat at Olive’s Crib. The menu changes daily depending on the day’s catch, it’s really affordable and the potions are plentiful, fresh and delicious. Try the vegetable salad and the chicken curry if you get a chance. They also do delicious Filipino breakfasts, with free coffee!

Chicken curry at Olive's Crib, Port Barton, Philippines

Chicken curry at Olive’s Crib


Besaga Beachfront Cottages Cafe $$

Right hand end of the beach

It’s a tad pricier than some of the other eateries in the area but Besaga offer great quality food and big portions. Their gigantic breakfasts which feature buttermilk pancakes will keep you full until dinner, their Filipino breakfasts are delicious (especially the garlic rice) and their fish and fries make for a tasty lunch. There’s no reason you’d be in a hurry but make sure you have some time up your sleeve if you’re dining here, the food can take awhile.

Besaga Beachfront Cottages cafe, Port Barton, Philippines

Fish and fries at Besaga


Mabuti $
Risal Street

For delicious fruit shakes and ice-cream, Mabuti is the place you want to head. Looking like it belongs in an upmarket beach resort with its white wooden tables and palm trees overhead it’s a peaceful place to hang out. Try their banana ice-cream with a scoop of chocolate- a winning combination!

Ice cream, Mabuti, Port Barton, Philippines

Chocolate & banana ice cream at Mabuti


Rizza’s Beach Bar $

Middle of the beach

The place to drink in our opinion! Run by the gorgeous Rizza and located next to Radio Palawan right on the beach, this tiny bar has everything you need- cold beers (they do a mean rum and coke too), feet in the sand, a view out to the bay and friendly staff.

Rizza's Bar, Port Barton

Watching the sun set at Rizza’s Bar on the beach

We hope this Port Barton travel guide has helped you eat and explore like a traveller, not a tourist.

Found this post useful? Check out our 48 hours in Bohol post.

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Port Barton Travel Guide, Philippines

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11 comments

Cameroon 06/05/2017 - 11:43 pm

Mabuti is great, you can also have a great breakfasts now (scrambled egs, crapes, even shakshuka) and there’s also something for lunch – veggie burgers now, if I remember correctly. It’s a bit pricier than other places but absolutely worth it.

Chasing a Plate 07/05/2017 - 6:39 am

Thanks so much for checking out our post! Awesome to hear Mabuti is now serving breakfast and lunch! It was such a beautiful spot. Take us back to Port Barton- we LOVED it! Cheers, Sheena

Mick 20/11/2017 - 11:40 pm

Hey guys!
I just got back from Port Barton two days ago – and everything you mentioned is on point (also the dirt /muddy road to get there was rather scary!)

I hope it stays rather undiscovered – it’s so peaceful and feels rather unexplored. Can’t imagine what it would be like 5 years from now!

Great read – thank you!
Mick

Chasing a Plate 21/11/2017 - 12:31 am

Hi Mick, thanks so much for checking out our post! Sounds like you had a wonderful time in Port Barton- we agree, we hope it stays undiscovered. It’s a really special place and we loved it too. Hope our post helped you out a bit on the eating and drinking front Mick! Thanks for taking the time to comment. Cheers, Sheena & Thomas

Dave Finger 23/04/2018 - 6:30 pm

Thanks so much for your tips and advice on Port Barton. After spending a month in the Philippines we have to say that it was one of our favourite spots. So chill and relaxed you are so right it’s probably what El Nido was 20 years ago. The only other tid bits we would add to yours is to check out Mojitos in the jungle. Definitely our fave spot to eat while we were in town. I’m not sure how long it’s been there but we just followed some signs in the town. Also, we took an island tour with tribal experience and had such an amazing time!

Chasing a Plate 24/04/2018 - 12:39 am

Hi Dave, thanks so much for taking the time to write and we’re so happy to hear you had a brilliant time in Port Barton! It’s an idyllic spot isn’t it? Thank you for the info re Mojitos and Tribal Experience! Making a note for next time. I hope we can get back there soon- we visited in December 2016. Thanks for checking out the post and we’re so glad it was helpful! Cheers, Sheena

Cebu Tours 09/06/2018 - 1:41 pm

Wow! These looks amazing! I wanna try it someday. I’ve never been to Palawan before but it is on my list of places I wanna visit here in the Philippines. Anyways, I totally love your photos and I enjoy reading your post. Thanks a lot!

Chasing a Plate 09/06/2018 - 10:37 pm

Hi there, thanks so much for checking out our post! We LOVED Port Barton- it was such a special place. As is the Philippines in general! We can’t wait to return and do some food hunting and filming for our YouTube channel. Thanks again for taking the time to say hi! You definitely have to get to Palawan one day! Cheers, Sheena

Where to Stay and Eat in Port Barton - WanderNerd 05/05/2019 - 3:07 pm

[…] ChasingAPlate […]

global treats 19/07/2019 - 11:28 am

Good info. I am here at the minute and our accommodation has 24 hour electricity and hot water and even wifi (though it isn’t the best). Maybe Port Barton is upgrading!

I will write about it soon at http://www.globaltreats.net

Cheers

Chasing a Plate 20/07/2019 - 1:17 am

Fantastic! Enjoy your time in Port Barton- it’s a special place. Cheers, Sheena

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