What to do in Port Barton: Philippines Itinerary

What to do in Port Barton, Philippines itinerary. Port Barton is the chill “undiscovered” part of Palawan, the popular island in the West of the Philippines. Unlike neighbouring El Nido, which has become incredibly popular over the years, Port Barton is still (just about) something of a well-kept secret. Probably not for long though, as more and more people seem to be discovering this hidden gem. When I visited, Port Barton struck just the right balance between relaxed (I’d sometimes have entire beaches to myself) and developed (there are some really good cafes and restaurants there). Read on for my guide on what to do in Port Barton, Philippines.

Remember to buy travel insurance for your trip. Call of the World readers receive a 5% discount on Heymondo travel insurance.

Why Should I Visit Port Barton

Port Barton is the perfect spot in Palawan if you want to bring it down a gear and spend a few days just completely relaxing. There are endless white sandy beaches to explore, boat trips and kayaking and the town has a laid back vibe.

Where is Port Barton

Port Barton is on the island of Palawan. It is located on the north-west coast between Puerto Princesa in the centre (Palawan’s biggest city and airport) and El Nido in the north (which is fast becoming a party town and also has its own smaller airport).

How do I get to Port Barton

You’ll arrive in Palawan either by flying into Puerto Princesa or El Nido, or by getting a ferry or boat from Coron to El Nido. The easiest way to get from either Puerto Princesa or El Nido is to book a shared van transfer. These can be booked in advance either through your accommodation, or via the 12Go ticket booking site. I booked my van transfer through 12Go, and I noticed that the price I paid was less than what other people were being quoted on the spot, even when they were haggling. Remember to specify Puerto Princesa airport in the search box if that’s where you want to be picked up rather than the city bus terminal. The airport pick up point is right opposite where you exit arrivals.

Best Time of Year to Visit

Port Barton is located on the island of Palawan, and the dry season there is generally from December through to April. I visited in the November shoulder season and had perfect weather with only the occasional shower, but the week before I visited was torrential rain. Generally speaking, even if there is rain forecast, it will only be for an hour or two as the clouds move over quite quickly. Definitely avoid typhoon season though. I recommend keeping an eye on a weather map such as the BBC weather map.

What is there to do in Port Barton?

Read on for my to do in Port Barton itinerary:

White Beach

Pristine white sand, coconut trees, turquoise waters – White Beach is absolute paradise. Although it’s the most popular beach in Port Barton, it’s still very quiet and relaxing. The easiest way to get there is to take a boat from Port Barton’s main beach, Itaytay Beach, where you’ll find a number of boat captains. Be prepared to haggle. Alternatively, you can drive there by scooter (but the road is very bumpy and can get quite muddy if it has been raining) or tuk tuk (the off-road tuk tuk driving is quite an experience, but not particularly comfortable). It’s also possible to walk there, but it’s quite a long walk in the heat. Like everywhere in the Philippines, you need to pay an entrance fee. This is 50 pesos at the time of writing. There’s a small restaurant at White Beach selling drinks and snacks.

Coconut Beach

White Beach’s lesser-known and quieter neighbour, Coconut Beach is also worth a visit. If you’re driving to White Beach you’ll pass by the entrance to Coconut Beach on the way. There are a few shelters next to the beach where you can sit in the shade and have drinks. There were also quite a few pigs roaming around! There’s an entrance fee for this one too: 50 pesos at the time of writing.

Papaya Beach

When I visited Papaya Beach I was quite literally the only person there. The catch? I walked there rather than getting transport (although you could get a boat or kayak here). There’s a track along the beach and then through jungle from Port Barton itself (I had to pay a man 50 pesos to kayak me across the river). Alternatively, you could take transport to Coconut beach and walk from there. I recommend using the app Maps.me to see the trails. There was a swing on Papaya beach hanging from one of the coconut trees where you can swing out over the water.

Itaytay Beach (Port Barton Main Beach)

You can wander down to Itaytay Beach from Port Barton itself. The town is so small that everything is within walking distance. Itaytay Beach is much busier, but is a fun place to chill out or have a few drinks in one of the neighbouring bars.

Rent a Kayak in Port Barton

Another fun way to explore Port Barton’s beaches is to rent a kayak and paddle from beach to beach. You can explore the more remote hidden beaches this way. It’s also possible to paddle out to Starfish Island, which is popular with the island hopping tours (see below). Remember to pack a hat and suncream! The sun is extremely strong here but the cooling effect of the wind when you’re on the water can be misleading.

Island Hopping

There are countless paradise islands surrounding Port Barton, so one of the best activities to do here is to join an island hopping trip. I recommend doing this near the beginning of your stay as it’s a good way to meet other people. The trips also include snorkelling, and the water is unbelievably warm. You can arrange island hopping tours either through your accommodation or just wander down to the beach and speak to one of the boat captains.

Where to stay in Port Barton?

There are a number of places to stay in Port Barton, ranging from hostels to private guesthouses. I stayed in Russell Place, where you can get a private triangular cabin with a double bed. I highly recommend – it was very relaxing staying here and nice to have my own space. Other popular places to stay include CocoRico Hostel and Lady Ghagha Pension House.

Be aware that most of the accommodation in Port Barton is pretty basic. Air con is not really a thing here (accommodation and restaurants use fans instead) and showers all seem to be cold water only. The wifi was working quite well when I visited, but there was the occasional interruption. There are sometimes powercuts in the area.

Read: Stay at Russell Place, Port Barton, Philippines

Where to eat in Port Barton?

I found the food in Port Barton quite a bit better than some other parts of the Philippines I visited. I usually love trying local food when I travel, but I found a lot of the food available in the Philippines quite unhealthy. It is usually possible to find healthy Filipino food if you look hard enough, but in Port Barton it’s much easier. There are also a lot of Western and fusion options.

Fat Cat Bistro: The chef here is extremely talented. I ended up eating at the Fat Cat Bistro quite a few times. I was feeling lazy and it was right opposite my accommodation! But the breakfast there was delicious (a huge bowl of fresh fruit and yoghurt) and the pizzas are incredible. My absolute favourite is the Turkish eggs, which comes with delicious home-made hummus and pickled veggies. They also do quite a bit of fresh food – lots of fruit and veg – which can actually be hard to come by in the Philippines.

Dam Dam Place: The vibe here is very chill. You can sit on cushions at low tables and it’s a good spot just to hang out for a while. Dam Dam Place has both Filipino and Western options, and I was pleased to see plenty of vegetables. I enjoyed their chicken curry and they also do a good value breakfast with eggs and fresh fruit. The staff are also super lovely!

Milano Café: This Italian cafe is perfect for coffee lovers. What I loved about Milano Café is the cool and comfortable interior where you could easily sit for a few hours if you need to work or just want to escape from the heat. They offer a whole range of food throughout the day – including classic Italian childhood favourites like Nutella on toast! Don’t worry – they also do healthy options like eggs and granola fruit bowls. For those of us like me who don’t drink coffee there’s a whole section of the menu including teas, hot turmeric with milk and iced matcha latte.

Practical Information for Visiting the Philippines

As well as this What to do in Port Barton: Philippines Itinerary, I’ve also included some practical guidance for visiting the Philippines below:

Money in the Philippines: (PHP)

If you’re visiting the Philippines you’ll need Philippine pesos (PHP). To get PHP at the best rates, I highly recommend getting a WISE card before you go. This allows you to convert money into Philippine pesos (or any other currency!) at the best rates and then spend on your Wise card as though it were a local bank card or withdraw cash in the Philippines without hidden fees. Wise is a UK-based financial services company (available in most countries worldwide) and is highly regulated in the various regions it operates in (in the UK it is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority).

Note that almost all businesses in the Philippines are cash only. There are plenty of ATMs but almost all of them charge a pretty hefty fee. Consider bringing cash with you to the Philippines.

Get your WISE card here.

Best Travel Insurance Providers for the Philippines

As well as planning What to do in Port Barton: Philippines Itinerary, you should also make sure you have travel insurance for the duration of the trip. Here are two excellent travel insurance providers that I highly recommend for solo travelers or families visiting the Philippines:

1. Heymondo Travel Insurance

I personally use Heymondo for all my trips, and it’s one of the easiest and most reliable travel insurance options I’ve found. Their app is incredibly user-friendly, allowing you to access your policy, make claims, and contact support directly from your phone. Heymondo offers excellent coverage, including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, lost baggage, and more. I highly recommend it for anyone planning to visit the Philippines.

Why choose Heymondo?

• Comprehensive coverage: Offers medical, cancellation, and baggage coverage.
• User-friendly app: Manage your policy easily from anywhere.
• Global assistance: 24/7 emergency assistance available.

👉 Purchase Heymondo travel insurance here.

2. SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

For digital nomads, long-term travelers, or those planning an extended stay in the Philippines, SafetyWing Nomad Insurance is an excellent choice. It’s specifically designed for globally mobile individuals, and their flexible plans can be tailored to suit your travel style. SafetyWing covers medical expenses, emergency evacuation, trip interruptions, and even COVID-19-related issues—making it ideal for travelers who need long-term protection.

Why choose SafetyWing?

• Flexible plans: Ideal for long-term travelers or digital nomads.
• COVID-19 coverage: Includes coverage for COVID-19-related disruptions.
• Affordable pricing: Competitive rates for extended travel coverage.

👉 Find Out More About SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

Plan Your Trip to the Philippines: Useful Travel Resource Links

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