Destinations

Port Barton or El Nido: Which One Fits Your Trip

By Islafy Team · Oct 02, 2026 · 6 min read
port-barton el-nido comparison palawan
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The short answer

Go to El Nido for the scenery. The lagoons and limestone islands of Bacuit Bay have no equal in Palawan. Go to Port Barton for the quiet: a village beach, small boats, and reefs you share with almost nobody. The two are about three hours apart by van, so many travellers do both.

Scenery and island hopping

El Nido: Four set tours (A, B, C and D) run through tall karst islands, lagoons you paddle into by kayak, and beaches hidden behind rock walls. It is the most dramatic boat day in the Philippines. It is also busy, and the famous stops fill with boats by late morning.

Port Barton: Low green islands, white beaches and coral reefs. The highlights are swimming with sea turtles at German Island, the beach at Exotic Island, and the reef stops in between. Boats are small, and you can go an hour without seeing another group.

Winner: El Nido for scenery. Port Barton for snorkelling in peace.

Crowds and atmosphere

El Nido is a real tourist town. There are dozens of restaurants, bars with live music, tour desks on every corner and traffic on the main street. If you like having choices in the evening, this is your place.

Port Barton is still a fishing village. The streets are sand, roosters wake you up, and the beach is everyone's front yard. Evenings mean a handful of beach bars and an early night.

Winner: Port Barton, unless you want nightlife.

Costs

  • Island hopping in El Nido: P1,500 to P1,800 per person for a shared tour, plus about P400 in municipal eco fees and P200 for each lagoon you enter.
  • Island hopping in Port Barton: roughly P1,200 to P1,800 per person depending on the route and operator, with fewer extras on top.
  • Rooms and food: noticeably cheaper in Port Barton, where most places are simple guesthouses and local kitchens.

Winner: Port Barton.

Comfort and practical things

  • Power and internet: In Port Barton, daytime power cuts and weak Wi-Fi are normal. El Nido is better, but outages of a few hours still happen.
  • Cash: El Nido has several ATMs, and they sometimes run empty. Do not count on an ATM in Port Barton. Bring enough pesos for your whole stay.
  • Health: Both have only basic clinics. For anything serious you go to Puerto Princesa.

Winner: El Nido.

Getting there

El Nido: 5 to 6 hours by shared van from Puerto Princesa (P600-800), or a direct flight from Manila to Lio Airport.

Port Barton: 3 to 4 hours by shared van from Puerto Princesa, from about P500. The last section of road is rough.

Between the two: daily vans take about 3 hours and cost P500-600.

How many days

Give Port Barton two or three days: one for island hopping, one for doing nothing. Give El Nido three to five: two boat tours, a beach day at Nacpan, and a spare day for weather.

Who should pick which

  • First trip to Palawan, short on time: El Nido
  • You have seen lagoons before and want rest: Port Barton
  • Travelling on a tight budget: Port Barton
  • You need reliable internet for work: El Nido
  • Families with small children: Port Barton, for the calm shallow water and short boat rides

Doing both

The easy order is Puerto Princesa, then Port Barton, then El Nido. You travel north in two short van rides instead of one long one, and you finish with the big scenery. From El Nido you can fly out, or take the ferry on to Coron.

In this article

Spots

German Island
Port Barton
A pristine white sand beach island with a resident sea turtle population. Famous for turtle snorkeling encounters.
Beach from ₱700
Exotic Island
Port Barton
A tiny paradise island with white sand, palm trees, and excellent snorkeling. The highlight of Port Barton island hopping.
Island from ₱700
Big Lagoon
El Nido
A stunning emerald-green lagoon enclosed by towering limestone cliffs. One of El Nido's most iconic destinations.
Lagoon from ₱1,800
Nacpan Beach
El Nido
A 4-kilometer golden sand beach with gentle waves, coconut palms, and stunning sunset views. One of the best beaches in the Philippines.
Beach

Services

Van Transfers
Van Transfer Verified by Islafy

The garage is on Gumamela Street in Villa Libertad, Lio, and is staffed 24 hours. There is a second pickup point at Banig Beach Resort, Corong Corong.Delivery and pickup are free where the location allows — to your hotel in El Nido town, to Lio Airport or to Nacpan Beach. Deliveries are not scheduled or guaranteed in advance, but are provided whenever possible, so let them know ahead of time.Drop-off is available at your hotel in El Nido town, at Lio Airport, or in Puerto Princesa City — the last on rentals of five days or more, with a ₱3,500 drop-off fee.

from ₱700

Areas

Port Barton
Port Barton
Port Barton is a sleepy fishing village turned backpacker haven, tucked along the western coast of Palawan between Puerto Princesa and El Nido. It's the antidote to over-tourism: a place where roosters still serve as alarm clocks and the beach is your front yard. The village has a handful of beachfront guesthouses, reggae bars, and dive shops. Island hopping here is excellent and far less crowded than El Nido or Coron. The surrounding islands have pristine coral reefs, white sand beaches, and sea turtle nesting sites. Electricity was intermittent until recently, and Wi-Fi is still spotty, which is exactly the point. Port Barton attracts travelers who want to disconnect and enjoy Palawan at its most authentic pace.
18 spots
El Nido
El Nido
El Nido is the crown jewel of Palawan, famous for its towering limestone karst cliffs, hidden lagoons, and pristine white-sand beaches. Located at the northern tip of mainland Palawan, it serves as the gateway to the Bacuit Archipelago, a stunning collection of 45 islands and islets. The town itself is a laid-back beach community with a growing food scene, beachfront bars, and a vibrant mix of backpackers, families, and luxury travelers. Island-hopping tours (A, B, C, D) are the main attraction, each visiting different combinations of beaches, lagoons, and snorkeling spots. Beyond the tours, El Nido offers world-class diving, kayaking through secret lagoons, cliff climbing, and some of the most photogenic sunsets in Southeast Asia.
26 spots