You often get bombarded by touts when you step off any public transport, El Nido, Port Princesa and Palawan is generally the same. It’s often good to know local cheap transport links and have prices in the back pocket before taking the more expensive, tourist package ‘deals’. So in regards to getting from El Nido to Port Barton in particular here’s 2 ways that we gathered.
NB Prices may have changed since this article was written (March 2016)!
Option 1 – Hassle freefree, more expensive:
Ask in most tourist offices in El Nido Town Proper about a van to PB and they’ll quote either 700, 600 or even 800 Pesos! They usually offer departure times of 5am, 7am, 8am, 1pm, however more realistically they only run 7am and 1pm as if the other trips aren’t full, they hang around. This’ll drop you off about 4 hours later in PB after a couple of toilet stops. This route is OK, bit bumpy as the fully paved road stops at Roxas, but they drop you off where you are staying in PB.
NB Shop around for the best deal!
Option 2 – The cheaper (backpacker) way:
Local transport nearly always beats tourist options in regards to price, however it comes at a cost of time. These links and times are mere guidelines. This said, they generally run so as long as you’re not on a tight schedule, you should be fine!
Take the 8am bus to Roxas (from the El Nido terminal, 100PHP) to arrive at 11am, in time to catch the Jeepney from Roxas to PB (150PHP) at midday (there is only one Jeepney per day).
If you miss this Jeepney, you can always hire a motortrike, or failing that try and catch the Jeepney coming from Puerto Princesa (best to ask about the location to wait for this).
If you have any other tips or more detail getting to/from PB (or anywhere else in Palawan that’s your favourite place, let us know!)
