San Vicente, Palawan is a travel hidden gem that locals love and visitors return to. The municipality sits between Puerto Princesa and El Nido, best known for Long Beach, a 14.7-kilometer stretch that ties together the barangays of Poblacion, New Agutaya, San Isidro and Alimanguan. It’s the country’s first Flagship Tourism Enterprise Zone, designed for sustainable growth.

Tourist spots and things to do

Start on Long Beach, a postcard runway of powder sand and sunset views along the west coast. A short ride inland takes you to Bato ni Ningning in Sto. Niño, a hilltop rock lookout with sweeping views over coves that glow at dusk. Port Barton, the town’s laid-back coastal village, is the jump-off for island-hopping to Twin Reef, Turtle Spot, Maxima and Exotic Island, plus side trips to Pamuayan and Bigaho Falls.

Popular activities include beach walks and motorbike beach-hopping on Long Beach, snorkeling at Twin Reef, swimming with sea turtles at Turtle Spot, kayaking to quiet coves and short treks to waterfalls. Day tours often bundle lunch, masks and island fees, keeping logistics simple.

Unique features and fun facts

Long Beach is among the longest white-sand beaches in the Philippines, far longer than famous counterparts yet still uncrowded. Port Barton keeps a community feel and is promoted as a model for community-based tourism, with turtle nesting areas protected by local groups and the LGU.

Best months to visit

Go in the dry season from December to April, sometimes stretching to mid-May, for the calmest seas and clearest snorkeling days. Palawan’s west coast is less typhoon-prone than many eastern provinces, which helps keep trips on schedule.

Local food and delicacies

Expect fresh grilled fish, kinilaw and lato seaweed salads in carinderias and beach cafés. Adventurous eaters try tamilok, a mangrove mollusk often served ceviche-style. Port Barton’s small dining scene mixes Filipino staples with traveler favorites like wood-fired pizza and fruit shakes.

How to get there

By plane: San Vicente Airport (SWL) has limited direct routes that change seasonally, so most travelers fly to Puerto Princesa or El Nido, then continue by land.
By van or jeep: Shared vans run 2.5–4 hours from Puerto Princesa or El Nido to either Poblacion/San Vicente or Port Barton. Typical fares range around ₱500–₱700 one way.
By boat: Island-hopping boats connect Port Barton to nearby islands; private hires can also shuttle between Poblacion and Port Barton in good weather.

Entry fees and rental prices

Joiner island-hopping in Port Barton typically costs ₱1,200–₱2,500 per person depending on the route and inclusions. Private boats start around ₱6,000 for small groups. German (Inaladelan) Island collects a separate entrance fee, and many tours include an environmental fee, often ₱200. Motorbike rentals hover near ₱500 per day. Rates vary, so confirm on arrival.

Impact on local jobs and economy

Tourism fuels work for boatmen, guides, cooks, tricycle drivers, homestays and small resorts. As a TIEZA flagship zone, San Vicente is planned to spread benefits across barangays through public-private projects like access roads and solar streetlights that support inclusive growth.

Environmental and sustainable practices

Island tours register at the Port Barton tourism desk, which enforces marine-protected rules, reef-friendly behavior and no-trash policies. Turtle sanctuaries and resorts run hatchling releases in season, while community groups help guard nesting sites. Visitors are urged to avoid single-use plastics and follow guides’ briefings.

Community notes

Talk to your boat crew and market vendors. Many were fishers who shifted to guiding and now help watch over reefs. On one recent tour, our guide paused above Turtle Spot to let a green sea turtle surface before anyone slid in, a small moment that shows how conservation is becoming part of everyday guiding here.

Whether you base in Poblacion near Long Beach or in Port Barton’s cove, San Vicente, Palawan stacks easy things to do with space to breathe. For travelers hunting a tourist spot that still feels like a hidden gem, this coast delivers.

By Direk Erine