This San Vicente Palawan Travel Guide focuses on the Poblacion and the area along Long Beach. If you intend to visit Port Barton (a barangay in San Vicente 3 hours away from Poblacion), we have a separate post for that here: Port Barton Travel Guide.

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Touted by local tourism officials as the “longest white beach in the Philippines,” the Long Beach of San Vicente straddles 14 kilometers of undeveloped shoreline, more than three times longer than Boracay’s White Beach. It’s expected to give this quiet town in Palawan a massive boost in tourism, especially now that its airport has been newly inaugurated and travelers are actively looking for alternatives to Boracay. If you want to visit, do it now, before it becomes too popular.

UNDERSTANDING SAN VICENTE, PALAWAN

Along with Taytay and Roxas, San Vicente is one of the municipalities sandwiched by El Nido and Puerto Princesa City. It is often overlooked, with most tourists skipping the town in favor of El Nido. According to the tourism office, in 2012 the municipality of San Vicente (including Brgy. Port Barton) had only 8,500 visitors, half of which were from Europe. That’s a tiny fraction compared to El Nido or Boracay. But that is about to change. The newly constructed airport will pave way to around 100,000 tourists that the government is anticipating next year.

There are two major settlements in the municipality: the Poblacion area and Port Barton. The Poblacion area lies on one end of Long Beach, which spans the coast of Barangays New Agutaya, San Isidro, and Alimangoan. If Long Beach is what you’re after, then this guide is for you.

The other major settlement is Port Barton, often mistaken as a separate town but is, in fact, just a barangay within San Vicente. The confusion probably stems from the fact that when locals say “San Vicente,” they usually refer to the town proper (near Long Beach). But Port Barton is 3 hours away from the poblacion by land. We’ll be discussing Port Barton in this post a little bit, but if it’s what you want to visit, we have a separate guide for it: Port Barton Travel Guide.

More info about San Vicente, Palawan:

• Language: Tagalog is spoken by the majority. But English is widely understood and spoken.
• Currency: Philippine peso (PHP, ₱). PHP100 is around USD1.92, EUR 1.56, SGD2.52 (as of June 2018).
• Mode of payment: CASH!
• Electricity Info: 220V, 60Hz. Socket Type A, mostly. In Poblacion and barangays along Long Beach, electricity supply is now 24/7. But in Port Barton, it’s still limited to between around 5pm until midnight, unless your hotel/inn has their own generator.

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WHERE TO STAY IN SAN VICENTE

The range of lodging options isn’t much, but it is expected that bigger resorts will be rising along Long Beach because investors have been scrambling to get a piece of it for the past several years.

Again, let me point out that there are two major settlements in San Vicente: one is the Poblacion and nearby barangays (close to Long Beach) and the other is Port Barton. They are 3 hours apart, so make sure you book a resort in the right location! If you want to visit Long Beach, check the address for words like Poblacion, New Agutaya, San Isidro, and Alimangoan (Alimanguan).

Here are some of the top-rated properties on Agoda:

• Sunset Beach Resort, Macatumbalen. Check Rates & Availability!
• Victoria Beach House, Alimanguan. Check Rates & Availability.
• Jurisu Resort, New Agutaya. Check Rates & Availability.
• Picardal Lodge, Poblacion. Check Rates & Availability!

Search for more Palawan Resorts!

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HOW TO GET TO SAN VICENTE

San Vicente Airport to Long Beach / Poblacion

San Vicente now has its own airport — San Vicente Aiport — which was inaugurated in May 2018. These airlines fly or will fly to San Vicente:

• Philippine Airlines (PAL Express). Clark to San Vicente. Operational since October 2018. Travel time is 1 hour 40 minutes.
• Skyjet Airlines. Manila to San Vicente. Starting July 2019. Travel time: 1 hour.
• Royal Air. Clark to San Vicente. Soon.

The San Vicente Airport is very close to the poblacion or Long Beach. You can easily ride a tricycle to your hotel.

Tricycle fare is P60-P75 per person. But if you want to charter the entire trike, you can do so for around P250. Fare can be higher if your hotel is on the far end of Long Beach.

Just tell the tricycle driver what your hotel is and they can drive you straight to it.

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Puerto Princesa to San Vicente

Another way to reach San Vicente is via Puerto Princesa International Airport, which is located 5 hours away. As a major tourist destination, the city is served by all major local airlines. But the cheapest flights are operated by AirAsia, which flies from Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Davao.

Years ago, getting from Puerto Princesa to San Vicente can take as long as 5 hours on a mostly rough road cutting across the forest. It would get even more difficult in the rainy season because the dirt road turned into chocolate marshmallows. True story. Haha. The roads are better now.

By Bus

To take the bus, you need to get to San Jose Terminal first. At the airport, walk to the gate of the airport, where the tricycles are stationed. Hire a driver and ask to be taken to San Jose Terminal. Fare is P120 per ride. Split the cost if you’re a group. Alternatively, you can take a trike+jeepney combo, which is cheaper. But since I’m guessing you have heavy bags in tow, just go straight to the San Jose Terminal.

At San Jose Terminal, board the bus bound for San Vicente. There are two trips daily: one set to leave the terminal at 6am and the other at 1pm. Make sure you board the right bus. Don’t ride the bus going to Port Barton!!!

Travel time: 5-6 hours
Fare: P200

By Van

The faster option! The van can take you to San Vicente in only 4 hours. Multiple vans ply this route from 4am until 5pm. Fare: P300.

Here are some van operators you can try:

Virus Shuttle Vans
Puerto Princesa to San Vicente: 4am, 1pm, 5pm
San Vicente to Puerto Princesa: 4am, 1pm, 5pm
Contact: 0998 577 5008

Cathy Transport Vans
Puerto Princesa to San Vicente: 8am, 2pm
San Vicente to Puerto Princesa: 7am, 2pm
Contact: 0946 191 2528

Savior Vans
Puerto Princesa to San Vicente: 7am, 9am, 11am, 1pm
Contact: 0946 268 8877

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El Nido to San Vicente

If you’re coming from El Nido, there are vans that can take you to San Vicente directly. However, the number of vans available in a day is very limited, so make sure you catch one on schedule. There’s a van leaving El Nido at 8:00 am and 6:00 pm.

Fare is P400.

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Port Barton to San Vicente Poblacion

The easiest way to reach San Vicente town proper from Port Barton is by boat. There used to be a boat called Magdalena that ferries passengers to the poblacion from Port Barton at 9am for only P150. However, it is no longer operational.

But you can charter a private boat good for up to 3 pax:

Travel time: 1 hour
Fare: P3000

You may also travel by land. Unfortunately, I haven’t tried it yet so I have absolutely no clue.

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THINGS TO DO IN SAN VICENTE

Long Beach

The main attraction in this side of San Vicente is Long Beach, a 14.7-km stretch of sand that is touted by local tourism officials as the “longest white beach in the Philippines.” But to manage your expectations, the truth is, it is not that white, more like beige or light brown. It is also not one looooong beach, more like a series of six strips, interrupted by rocky cliffs that jut out into the sea, breaking what could have been a continuous expanse of supple paradise.

It’s best explored by motorcycle (habal-habal), which can accommodate up to two passengers at once (plus the driver). From Poblacion, the fares vary depending on which part of the beach you want to visit: from P25 (New Agutaya) to P100 (Alimanguan).

You can also arrange a motorcycle tour and go beach hopping for half a day! The rates are P350 if you’re alone or P250/person if you’re a party of two.

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Bato ni Ningning (Erawan Beach)

This is my favorite beach in San Vicente. It’s located in Barangay Sto. Nino, much farther from Long Beach. The sand here isn’t flat and compact. The waves and the winds mold it constantly to create soft but rugged dunes that roll inland smoothly. A small hill stands on its northern end, and at its foot snakes a small, stagnant estuary where the tides overflow to.

One of the spots you wouldn’t want to miss is Bato ni Ningning, said to be one of the filming locations of the television series Ningning. This offers a great view of the beach, adorned by palm trees in the foreground.

To get to Bato ni Ningning or Erawan Beach, you can charter a habal-habal for P200 if you’re solo or P300 per person if you’re a group of two. This is already roundtrip so the driver will wait for you and take you back.

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Island Hopping

San Vicente has 22 islands off its coast, which is laced with dozens of beaches. Many of these islands and coves are easily accessible from Poblacion. You can join a group tour or charter a boat to Port Barton and these islands:

• German Island (Inaladelan Island)
• Paradise Island
• Boayan Island
• Exotic Island & Maxima Island
• Twin Reef
• Starfish Island
• Capsalay Island
• Blue Cove
• Daplac Cove

If you join a group tour, you will get to visit 4-5 islands in one day for only P1200 per person. Tour starts at 9am and ends at 4pm.

If your eyes are fixed on just one of them, you can charter a pumpboat from Poblacion. Here are the one-way boat rates:

• Port Barton: P2500
• German Island (Inaladelan Island): P2500
• Double Island: around P2500
• Blue Cove: around P2500
• Daplac Cove: around P2500
• Exotic Island: around P2500
• Boayan Island: around P2500
• Velasco Island: around P3000

Travel time is 45 minutes to 1 hour, except Velasco island, which takes 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Each boat is good for 3 passengers. P500 per additional person.

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SAMPLE SAN VICENTE ITINERARY

Here’s a sample 3-day-2-Night itinerary. Feel free to adjust to match your preferences. Also included is the breakdown of expenses. This itinerary assumes the following:

• You’re a party of 2, splitting some expenses.
• You’re staying at a resort along Long Beach or in Poblacion.
• You’re flying in via San Vicente Airport. Have lunch before your flight.

DAY 1: LONG BEACH
12:30 pm – Arrival at San Vicente Airport
01:00 pm – Ride tricycle to resort, P60
01:30 pm – Hotel check in
02:30 pm – Long Beach Motorcycle Tour, P250 (P500/2pax)
04:00 pm – Erawan Beach/Bato ni Ningning (included)
06:00 pm – Back to resort
07:00 pm – Dinner, P200

DAY 2: ISLAND HOPPING
09:00 am – Island Hopping, budget: P1400
04:00 pm – Freshen up at hotel, rest
06:30 pm – Dinner, P200

DAY 3: DEPARTURE
09:00 am – Breakfast: P150
10:00 am – Hotel check out
11:00 am – Tricycle to airport, P150 (P300/2pax)
11:50 am – Flight check-in
12:50 pm – Flight out

The itinerary above will set you back around P2500 (USD 48, SGD 64) per person excluding airfare and hotel accommodations but including a little allowance.

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OTHER TIPS FOR THE POOR TRAVELER

• Bring insect repellent lotion. Some parts of the beach have sandflies, which can be really nasty. I have friends who unfortunately had to deal with sandfly bites. They’re not pretty. Watch out for mosquitoes too!
• Bring your own reusable water bottle, so you don’t need to buy bottled water over and over again. Just have the bottle refilled at your hotel or at your lunch/dinner stops. Not only will you save money, you also get to reduce waste.
• If you choose to stay in Port Barton, know that electricity is available only from 5:30pm to 12 midnight. If you plan on taking work with you and you need power, choose a hotel with generator. Bring power banks (mobile batteries) for your phone! If you’re staying in Poblacion or Long Beach the entire time, no need to worry about power interruptions.
• Puerto Princesa Airport collects a P200 terminal fee. Make sure you don’t spend every single peso you have before your flight out.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is San Vicente safe?

Palawan in general has a very low crime rate. But common safety practices should be observed. Don’t leave your belongings just anywhere and make sure you lock your room doors especially if you’re leaving. There are also no hospitals here, only a small clinic, so please be very careful. The nearest major medical center is in Roxas but there is a rural health unit in San Vicente, with 2 doctors. Terrorism is unheard of in San Vicente.

Are there ATMs or money changers in San Vicente?

There are no banks or ATMs in San Vicente, so make sure you’re stuffed with pesos before you arrive. Withdraw or exchange while you’re in Puerto Princesa or Manila.

When is the best time to visit San Vicente?

December to April. These months are the driest and sunniest. Thanks to its location and isolation, mainland Palawan isn’t hit by typhoons as often as the other parts of the Philippines, but the rest of the year still catches a lot of rain especially in August and September.

San Vicente is not popular among domestic tourists, who mostly flock in El Nido and Puerto Princesa. The majority of visitors comes from other countries, mostly Europe. Hence, peak season here is from December to February, when foreign tourists from the north go on tropical vacation to escape the winter cold.

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