The Philippines - The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget - page 660

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
There are a growing number of places to stay on Sabang,
most of which are aimed at backpackers. With the
exception of the two upmarket resorts and Green Verde , all
of the cheapies only have electricity from 6-11pm and
cold-water showers.
Blue Bamboo A 10min walk west from the wharf
T 0910 797 0038. Owned by a friendly local, Lorena, this
place has cottages set up the hillside and is perfect for
those looking to escape it all (if you don't mind not being
on the beach). The budget backpacker rooms are very
simple, but great value, while the family rooms (P1000)
are some of the most luxurious in Sabang ( aside from the
resorts) and have great views over the bay. P350
★

beaches around here make a fantastic
day-trip from Port Barton. here's a
tourist assistance centre (daily 8am-5pm)
midway along the beach that can provide
more local information.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By jeepney Jeepneys leave by Ayette's Bamboo House .
You can change at Roxas for El Nido. Roxas (daily 7.30am;
1hr); Nido; Puerto Princesa (daily 9am; 5hr).

ACCOMMODATION
Ayette's Bamboo House Rizal St T 0928 408 1551.
Friendly place with a couple of budget rooms and nipa
huts with private bathrooms set back from the beach; if
they're full, the owner's mum can put you up at hers.
Fantastic rates for si ngle travellers (P200) and a great
restaurant, too. P500
Greenviews Resort T 0929 268 5333, W palawandg
.clara.net. The rooms here are set around a tranquil garden
area with two little gazebos and a few hammocks; the cosy
restaurant serves good Western a nd local food. There's free
wi-fi and they accept credit cards. P1700
El Dorado Sunset Resort T 0920 329 9049, W eldorado
sunsetresort.webs.com. This beachfront place has two
itty-bitty budget huts (P300) as well as a range of
traditional nipa rooms w ith pr ivate bathrooms and funny
egg-shaped toilet bowls. P700

Green Verde Towards the middle of the beach T 0910
978 4539. Small, clean and simple fan rooms with 24hr
electricity and cold-water showers. The popular restaurant
has the best budget meals on the strip, including decent
breakfasts (P90-160) and tasty curries (P155). The helpful
travel service is run by the owner's brother Miguel and can
help with everythi ng fro m Underground River permits to
Port Barton boats. P840
Paregosan Cottages (formerly Taraw Lodge and that's
still what the sign says) East of Green Verde T 0917 701
9034. Plain bamboo cottages with shared or priva te
bathroom (P700) on a nice broad stretch of beach. P500

8

PORT BARTON AND AROUND
On the northwest coast of Palawan,
roughly halfway between Puerto Princesa
and El Nido, Port Barton has become
something of a travellers' rest stop in
recent years. here are several white-sand
islands in the bay and Port Barton itself
has a glorious stretch of beach that is
home to half a dozen resorts. Jeepneys
from Puerto Princesa arrive on Rizal
Street, very close to the beach and the
town centre. Internet access is available at
Greenviews Resort, Summer Homes and
Jambalaya , all along the beach, but is
dependent on the town's electricity
supply, which can be sporadic. About
15km north along a rough coastal road
from Port Barton is the sleepy fishing
village of San Vicente , which has a market
and a pier where bangkas can be
chartered to Long Beach , an undeveloped
(for now) 14km stretch of stunning sand
that ranks as one of the most
extraordinary beaches in the country
- you can see both ends only on a
brilliantly clear day. he marvellous

EATING
Barton Bistro At the southern end of the beach. Serves
an eclectic mix of comfort food from fish and chips (P250)
to chilli con carne (P260); the little nursery with herbs
and veggies provides the greens for the day. Daily
7am-midnight.
Jambalaya This welcoming café serves Cajun-style
cooking halfway up the beach. The eponymous dish
(P220), a Louisiana-style mix of spicy rice, fresh fish and
veg, is a bestseller, and the Mega Mix Cornflakes (P250)
go down a treat for early birds. Freshly baked bread, too.
Daily 7am-9pm.

EL NIDO AND THE BACUIT
ARCHIPELAGO
In the far northwest of Palawan is the
small coastal town of EL NIDO , departure
point for excursions to the innumerable
islands of the BACUIT ARCHIPELAGO ,
undoubtedly one of the highlights of any
trip to the Philippines. his is spectacular
limestone-island country, with
jaw-dropping formations rising from the
sea everywhere you look. hese iconic