Palawan sights
Port Barton
A laid-back fishing village between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, with no big resorts, a sleepy beach, and island-hopping to sandbars, coral, and reliable sea-turtle sightings. The quiet, slow-paced alternative to El Nido.
About
Port Barton is the Palawan that El Nido used to be — a small, sleepy fishing village on the west coast roughly midway between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, with a deliberately undeveloped feel. There are no big resorts or wild nightlife; instead there's a quiet brown-sand beach, a handful of guesthouses and laid-back restaurants, limited (and sometimes scheduled) electricity, and a pace of life set by the boats and the tide. The main draw is the island hopping in its calm bay, which is cheaper, less crowded, and more relaxed than El Nido's: tours visit pristine sandbars, snorkelling spots over coral, and a marine area where green sea turtles are reliably seen grazing in the shallows. Getting there takes effort — a few hours by van from either Puerto Princesa or El Nido along a partly rough road — and that, more than anything, is what preserves its mellow, off-the-beaten-track charm. It's the choice for travellers who want Palawan's beauty without the crowds.
Good to know
Opening hours and entry fees vary by season — check before you visit.