San Vicente is the part of Palawan that most tourists miss. It has the longest white sand beach in the Philippines, some of the clearest water outside El Nido, and a fraction of the visitors. If you want to experience what El Nido felt like before it became famous, San Vicente is where you go now.
Quick Answer
San Vicente is a municipality in northern Palawan home to Long Beach — 14 km of white sand, the longest in the Philippines. It is 180 km from Puerto Princesa (2.5 to 3.5 hours by van). Van transfers cost ₱750 per person shared or ₱5,500 for a private van. ATMs are limited — withdraw cash in Puerto Princesa.
What is Long Beach?
Long Beach is a 14 km stretch of white sand on the western coast of San Vicente facing the South China Sea. It is officially the longest white sand beach in the Philippines — longer than Boracay’s famous White Beach by a factor of six. At its quietest it is almost entirely empty. Even during peak season you can walk for 30 minutes in either direction from your resort and be completely alone.
The beach faces west, which means sunsets from Long Beach are spectacular every clear evening.
How to Get to San Vicente from Puerto Princesa
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Distance | Approximately 180 km |
| Travel time | 2.5 to 3.5 hours by van |
| Shared van price | ₱750 per person |
| Private van price | ₱5,500 per vehicle (up to 10 pax) |
| Pickup | Puerto Princesa Airport or city hotel |
| Drop-off | Your Long Beach resort |
The route goes north from Puerto Princesa along the national highway before turning west toward San Vicente. The final stretch descends through hills to the coast — your first view of Long Beach appears as you crest the last hill before town. Book your Puerto Princesa to San Vicente van transfer here.
San Vicente vs El Nido — Which is Right for You?
| San Vicente | El Nido | |
|---|---|---|
| Beach | 14 km, almost empty | Multiple beaches, crowded |
| Island hopping | Limited options | 4 standardized tours daily |
| Lagoons | None nearby | Big Lagoon, Secret Lagoon |
| Crowds | Very few tourists | Very busy in peak season |
| Accommodation prices | 20–40% lower than El Nido | Higher, especially peak season |
| Food options | Limited, mostly local | Wide variety of restaurants |
| ATM | Limited, unreliable | One ATM, sometimes empty |
| Travel time from Puerto Princesa | 2.5 to 3.5 hours | 5 to 6 hours |
What to Do in San Vicente
- Walk Long Beach — 14 km is a full day’s walking. Most visitors do a 2 to 3 km stretch in each direction from their resort. The northern end of the beach near Alimanguan is the quietest section.
- Swimming and snorkeling — the water off Long Beach is calm and clear in the dry season. Bring your own snorkel gear as rental options are limited.
- Island hopping — smaller scale than El Nido but several small islands are visible offshore and accessible by bangka. Arrange through your resort.
- Sunset watching — Long Beach faces west. Every evening is a private sunset show from your resort.
- Day trip to Port Barton — Port Barton is only 30 minutes from San Vicente by road. Combine both in a single Palawan trip easily.
San Vicente Airport
San Vicente has its own small airport (SWL) with limited direct flights from Manila. Schedules change seasonally — check current availability before booking. When flights are running, this cuts out the Puerto Princesa to San Vicente van transfer entirely. However most travelers find it more convenient to fly into Puerto Princesa (more flights, lower fares) and take the 2.5 to 3.5 hour van north.
Practical Tips
- Bring all cash from Puerto Princesa — ATMs in San Vicente are limited and not always working
- Book accommodation in advance during peak season — San Vicente is growing fast and good rooms fill up
- Bring your own snorkel gear — rental options are limited compared to El Nido
- Download offline maps — mobile signal in parts of San Vicente is weak
- Bring reef-safe sunscreen — increasingly required at local marine areas
