Port Barton: getting there from Puerto Princesa and El Nido

How this page is built: we compile operator timetables, government and park notices, and booking-platform listings. Each figure names its source and the month we checked it. Nothing here is first-hand, and van departure times shift with demand.

Figures marked "reported by" or "as listed on 12Go" come from secondary guides or booking platforms; confirm them at the van office, the tour desk or with the operator before you travel.

At a glance

From Puerto Princesa

12Go's Oct 2026 search listed shared vans from Palajuanders, Recaro, SBE and JCalbert, leaving between 04:00 and 19:00, with scheduled times of 3.5 to 4 hours. SBE also runs an ordinary bus at 08:45 and 13:30. The route carried a 4.4 rating from 300 reviews on 12Go.

Fares reported by local guides differ from the platform prices. An SBE van fare of PHP 600 and about 3.5 hours is reported by Things To Do Puerto Princesa, Oct 2026 (page updated Aug 2026), with six departures from the SBE garage on BM Road at Cabanag Street: 06:00, 08:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00. Lexxus Shuttle is reported by Pamasahe.com, Oct 2026 (page updated Sep 2026), at PHP 500 and about 3.5 hours, leaving Puerto Princesa at 08:00, 13:00 and 15:00; that page notes fuel surcharges may apply.

Both are secondary guides. Confirm the fare and the last departure at the van office or with your accommodation before the day of travel.

The same Things To Do Puerto Princesa guide reports that the final 22 km spur from the national highway into Port Barton is now paved. Vans arrive at the Port Barton terminal in Barangay San Pedro, according to that guide.

Partner link Puerto Princesa to Port Barton vans on 12Go

From El Nido

Port Barton sits roughly between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, so it works as a stop on the road north or south. 12Go listed shared vans at 08:00, 13:00 and 17:00, run by Recaro, SBE, Palajuanders, JCalbert, Lexxus and Fortwally, with scheduled times of 3.5 to 5 hours. The route had a 4.4 rating from 174 reviews.

For the drive the whole way between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, see Puerto Princesa to El Nido.

El Nido Paradise also sells a 3 day, 2 night boat expedition from Port Barton to El Nido along the west coast, camping on beaches on the way. We did not capture its price.

Partner link El Nido to Port Barton vans on 12Go

Return trips to Puerto Princesa

Things To Do Puerto Princesa reports SBE vans leaving Port Barton at 06:00, 08:00, 10:00, 13:00, 15:00 and 17:00. Pamasahe.com reports Lexxus returns at 08:00, 10:00 and 13:00. For a same-day flight out of Puerto Princesa, an early van leaves the most margin; 12Go's 3.5 to 4 hour schedule does not include time for stops or traffic.

Island hopping and fees

Two operator listings checked in Oct 2026 describe the shared Tour A, sometimes sold as "The Essential":

El Nido Paradise says Tour A is the only shared tour running in Port Barton, with its Tours B and C sold as private charters; its private Tour A starts at PHP 8,500 per boat.

The two sources we found disagree on the Port Barton environmental fee. The Tiu Boat Tours listing names PHP 200 per person, not included in the tour price. Van Hire Palawan (guide updated Apr 14, 2026) reports a PHP 50 environmental card, paid once per stay. Ask the tour desk which one applies. Either figure is below El Nido's eco-tourism fee of PHP 400 for visitors from outside Palawan (Palawan fees).

Tours run only when the Coast Guard allows. El Nido Paradise notes that on days when the outer bay is closed, the tour stays on sheltered spots inside the cove.

Flying in via San Vicente

San Vicente Airport (SWL) is in the same municipality. Only one route there is reported by FlightMapper, Oct 2026: Cebgo from Cebu on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, schedule shown as effective to Oct 29, 2026. Transfer times from the airport to Port Barton vary between sources, so we leave them out; more on Palawan airports.

Season note

PAGASA's calendar has a rainy season from June to November and a dry season from December to May. Under the Coast Guard's MC 02-23, vessels may not sail when Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 or higher is raised, which can cancel island hopping for days at a time. See Best time to visit Palawan.

Related pages

• Puerto Princesa to El Nido
• Palawan airports
• El Nido island hopping tours
• Palawan fees
• Palawan trip cost
• Palawan travel guide

Last checked Oct 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page; tell us if an operator has changed a fare or schedule.

FAQs

Is Port Barton worth visiting?

It suits travelers who want a quieter base between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, with shared island hopping from PHP 1,500 to 1,700. It has fewer tour routes than El Nido and no airport or ferry of its own.

Is Port Barton better than El Nido?

It depends on the trip. El Nido has more tours, an airport and a ferry to Coron. Port Barton is smaller, and the environmental fee figures we found for it (PHP 200 on one tour listing, PHP 50 once per stay in one guide) were both below El Nido's PHP 400 eco-tourism fee in Oct 2026.

How do I get from Puerto Princesa to Port Barton?

Take a shared van, about 3.5 to 4 hours, listed at USD 6.38 to 10.36 on 12Go in USD. SBE also runs an ordinary bus at 08:45 and 13:30.

How long is the van from El Nido to Port Barton?

12Go lists 3.5 to 5 hours, with shared vans at 08:00, 13:00 and 17:00. Seats were USD 7.53 to 9.64, as listed on 12Go in USD.

Is there an airport in Port Barton?

No. San Vicente Airport is the nearest, with Cebgo flights from Cebu four days a week; most visitors arrive by road from Puerto Princesa.