Where to go in Palawan after Coron, El Nido, Puerto Princesa? Try San Vicente, Palawan!
During our stay we kept asking the locals what else could be seen aside from their long beach. They were referring us to Port Barton which is hours from San Vicente.
Kuya Gilbert has his own tricycle and boat. We were fetched around 5am at Peace and Love Resort.
Travel to San Vicente will take approximately 4 hours from Puerto Princesa. The first trip from San Jose terminal is 7am and last trip is 1pm. As of this writing the construction of San Vicente airport is ongoing. We had our accommodation in Puerto Princesa on our first day since we arrived in the afternoon.
Feedback Tenzai Pension House:
- The staff were very accommodating. They offer free airport shuttle and provide welcome drinks.
- The room was spacious and they had a common area which was cozy and homey.
- Pillows and linens smelled good. The place looked like it was well-maintained.
| Day 0 | ||
| Group Rate | Rate per Head | |
| Check-in Tenzai Pension House | 1400 | 466.67 |
| Tricyle to Kalui | 15.00 | |
| Dinner (Kinabuchs) | 700 | 233.33 |
| Bought drinks for San Vicente | 150 | 50.00 |
| Beer at Kinabuchs | 50.00 | |
| Tricycle to Tenzai Pension House | 15.00 |
The van driver offered to pick us up at our accommodation and bring us to Peace and Love resort in San Vicente with the standard rate of P300. This is very convenient for us.
After our 4 hour van travel, we went ahead to check the famous long beach after checking-in at the resort. The beach was really long. We were not able to walk towards the end of it during the trip. The shoreline was wide. I imagined this was what Boracay looked like before it was commercialized. The sand was fine and you would notice a lot of coconut trees on the shoreline.
Locals are not used to tourists unlike other tourist spots. Rates were way cheaper. We asked a local if we could buy coconuts we saw from the trees outside his house. He gladly picked them from the tree and opened a half dozen for us. I gave him P50 and he started to open more thinking the money was too much.
Before the day ended we saw fishermen selling the fishes they have caught for P50/kilo. We gladly bought and brought them back to the resort for cooking (dampa style). They also caught a stingray which they did not sell of course.
| Day 1 | ||
| Van to San Vicente | 300.00 | |
| Check-in Peace and Love Resort | 3500 | 1166.67 |
| Buko (Unlimited! We finished 7 pcs) | 50 | 16.67 |
| 2 Kilos Fish | 100 | 33.33 |
| Habal-Habal | 20.00 |
During our stay we kept asking the locals what else could be seen aside from their long beach. They were referring us to Port Barton which is hours from San Vicente.
While walking near the market on our second day in San Vicente, we saw their tourism office. We inquired and hola we were surprised that there were tours available just like in El Nido.
Rate is P800 per head with packed lunch. We were then referred to Kuya Gilbert, the owner of the boat. It was already 11am, and a bit cloudy so we thought of delaying the tour until the next day to be able to start the tour early.
We enjoyed the infinity pool at the resort on our second day instead. Food served at the resort tasted good and was worth the money. We tried their pasta and pizza. Serving was big enough for 3-4 pax. Their Penne Mezzo Fromaggi tastes so good. They also had free videoke on our last night.
| Day 2 | ||
| Bread and Shake | 80 | 26.67 |
| Grocery (Water and Chips) | 200 | 66.67 |
| Buko (Unlimited!) | 60 | 20.00 |
| Fruits | 70 | 23.33 |
| Habal-Habal | 20.00 |
Kuya Gilbert has his own tricycle and boat. We were fetched around 5am at Peace and Love Resort.
Tour A started with Twin Reef and Wide reef. These are snorkeling sites. I'm not sure if it was just because of the cloudy weather, but the water was not that clear and fishes were few compared to other snorkeling sites I have been to.
Here are some pictures of Exotic Island and German Island.
We ended the tour at 12noon because we had to go back to Puerto Princesa for our flight to Manila. We again had our van driver pick us up at the resort to San Jose terminal. From San Jose terminal you can ride a tricycle to the airport which costs P100 per way. We ate at Bona's Chaolong before heading back to the airport.
| Day 3 | ||
| Tricycle (2-way) | 150 | 50.00 |
| Sea tour (Tour A) | 800.00 | |
| Tip | 170 | 56.67 |
| Van to San Jose Terminal | 300.00 | |
| Trike from San Jose terminal to Bona's Chaolong | 100 | 33.33 |
| Dinner at Bona's Chao Long | 150.00 | |
| Tricycle from Bona's Chao Long to Airport | 7.00 | |
| Terminal Fee | 200.00 | |
| *Bakers Fare Hopia sold at the airport (P85 per box) |
Feedback Peace and Love Resort:
- You can opt to have them cook fish that you may have bought in the market or at sea. Price is 200 per dish but they could only cook max of 4 pieces per dish.
- Resort is not near the beach. It is a 15-20 minute towards the end of the long beach.
- The room was not what I expected. The mattress was hard. The television was small and cable signal fluctuated. Towels were also so thin, it barely absorbs water.
San Vicente boat tour tips:
- Boat of Kuya Gilbert is new and can accommodate 20 pax
- Suggest food that Kuya Gilbert can cook during your trip
- You can choose to book the boat directly with Kuya Gilbert instead of going to the tourism office. Ask for a discount. :)
Contact Numbers:
Kuya Arnel (Van to San Vicente): 09071586178
Kuya Gilbert (boat tour): 09282277101
Peace and Love Resort: 09166609839
Total Expenses per head: P 4120
