In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
San Jose, Palawan
Spend 1–2 days in San Jose as a bus hub for Port Barton or El Nido; stay near the town centre for easy transfers.
San Jose is a small town on Palawan's eastern coast that serves as the main bus interchange for trips to Port Barton and El Nido. One night is enough to catch a bus or hire a motorbike and explore nearby beaches; a second day adds flexibility for side trips.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Dec–May
- Avoid
- Jun–Nov (rainy season)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PHP
- Money
- Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₱1,200–1,800 excl. bed · Mid ₱1,800–2,800 excl. bed · High ₱2,800+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US flat pins common; check your devices for 220 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if no service charge.; Grab / taxi: Round up.; Boat crew: ₱100–200 per tour.; Massage: ₱50–100.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.
- Toilets
- Called 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a local café | ₱50–80 |
| Grilled fish plate with rice | ₱120–200 |
| Motorbike hire, per hour | ₱300–400 |
| Bus fare Puerto Princesa → San Jose | ₱250–300 |
| Tricycle ride in town | ₱20–50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PPS · Puerto Princesa International Airport
- About 2 h by bus to San Jose
Typical fares
- Puerto Princesa → San Jose bus
- about ₱260, 2 h (check)
- Motorbike hire, 1 h
- about ₱350
- San Jose → Port Barton, motorbike
- about ₱350, 15 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Buses from Puerto Princesa, Sabang and El Nido stop here; hire a motorbike for the last leg to Port Barton. No local bus schedule – runs only when enough passengers board.
See and do
Known for
- Bus hub to Port Barton and El Nido
- Coastal views
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Port Barton | Bus from Puerto Princesa to San Jose (≈2 h), then motorbike hire 15 min to Port Barton | ≈2 h 30 min total |
| El Nido | Bus from San Jose northbound, about 3 h to El Nido town | ≈3 h |
Sleep
- San Jose town centre
- Guesthouses and small hotels within walking distance of the bus terminal.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much? | Magkano?magkano |
| Where is the bus stop? | Saan ang hintuan ng bus?saan ang hintuan ng bus |
| I would like to hire a motorbike | Gusto ko magrenta ng motorsiklogusto ko magrenta ng motorsiklo |
| What time does the bus leave? | Anong oras aalis ang bus?anong oras aalis ang bus |
| Is there a room for tonight? | May kwarto ba para ngayong gabi?may kwarto ba para ngayong gabi |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Smile, handshake; 'po' to elders; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Beckoning: Palm down, wave; avoid: Palm up (used for animals)
- Invitations: Accept food offered or decline politely; avoid: Refusing bluntly
- Time: Expect 'Filipino time' socially; avoid: Lateness for flights and boats
- Churches: Covered clothes; avoid: Loud tours during Mass
Scams and watch-outs
- Bus from Puerto Princesa may not run daily; check ahead or be ready to hire a motorbike (check).
- Roads can be muddy during the rainy season.
San Jose is generally safe for tourists; petty theft is low but keep valuables secure on buses and motorbikes.
One and two days
No timed day plan for San Jose, Palawan yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Bus hub to Port Barton and El Nido
- Coastal views
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata — San Jose, Palawan: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1117388
- Philippines Department of Tourism: philippines.travel/
- Wikivoyage: San Jose (Palawan), revision 5199761 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5199761
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
San Jose, Palawan
Punta dito, paki
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
Bus and motorbike fares are cash; carry small notes.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/san-jose-palawan). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.