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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
San Vicente
Go for 2–3 nights if you want a quiet, long white-sand beach without the crowds of El Nido or Boracay; skip if you need nightlife or a full range of island tours.
San Vicente is a small fishing and farming town on Palawan's west coast, home to the Philippines' longest white-sand beach (14.7 km). Development is still ramping up — the airport opened in 2018, a few resorts have followed — so the vibe is sleepy and raw. Most travellers come for the beach, a few nearby waterfalls and a slower pace than El Nido or Puerto Princesa. Two nights is enough for the main sights; three if you want a full day of doing nothing.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Dec–May
- Avoid
- Jun–Nov (rainy season, rough seas)
- Stay
- 2 nights
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 ₱1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid ₱2,500–4,500 excl. bed · High ₱4,500+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Fire and 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 |
|---|---|
| Tricycle ride (town to Long Beach) | ₱150–300 |
| Meal at a local eatery | ₱100–200 |
| Beer (bottle at a resort) | ₱60–100 |
| Island-hopping tour (half day) | ₱1,000–1,500 |
| Van to Puerto Princesa | ₱400–600 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SWL · San Vicente Airport
- Flights from Clark (Angeles) and Manila; about 15 min by tricycle to town.
Typical fares
- San Vicente Airport → Long Beach
- about ₱200 by tricycle, 15 min
- Van San Vicente → Puerto Princesa
- ₱400–600, 3–4 h (check)
- Van San Vicente → El Nido
- ₱500–700, 2–3 h (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
Tricycles are the main transport: ₱20–50 for short town trips, ₱150–300 to Long Beach from town. Some resorts offer bicycle or scooter rental. No public jeepneys run along the beach.
See and do
Known for
- Long Beach (14.7 km of white sand)
- Quiet, undeveloped coastline
- Kayaking and island-hopping to nearby islets
- Proximity to Port Barton
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Port Barton | Tricycle or van, about 45 min | About 1 h |
| Puerto Princesa | Van or bus, about 3–4 h | About 3.5–4.5 h |
| El Nido | Van, about 2–3 h | About 2.5–3.5 h |
Sleep
- Long Beach strip
- Most resorts and guesthouses line the beach; quiet, no nightlife.
- Poblacion (town proper)
- Budget inns and a few eateries; closer to the market and port.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Thank you | Salamatsah-LAH-mat |
| How much? | Magkano?mag-KAH-no |
| Too expensive | MahalMAH-hal |
| Where is the beach? | Nasaan ang beach?nah-SAHN ahng beach |
| Please take me here | Dalhin mo ako ditodal-HIN mo ah-KO DEE-to |
| Goodbye | Paalampah-AH-lam |
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
- ATMs are scarce: bring enough cash from Puerto Princesa or El Nido.
- Long Beach has no lifeguards: swim only in calm conditions and watch for rip currents.
- Development is patchy: some stretches of beach have no shade or facilities.
- Mosquitoes can be heavy after rain: bring repellent.
San Vicente is generally safe, but petty theft can occur on the beach. Avoid walking alone on isolated stretches after dark. The main risks are swimming without a lifeguard and mosquito-borne illnesses.
One and two days
No timed day plan for San Vicente yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Long Beach (14.7 km of white sand)
- Quiet, undeveloped coastline
- Kayaking and island-hopping to nearby islets
- Proximity to Port Barton
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: San Vicente, revision 5231922 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5231922
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/san-vicente). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.