The town of San Vicente, located about 175 km from Puerto Princesa, finally reopened to domestic tourists on March 15. The municipality opened alongside other destinations in Palawan, including El Nido, Puerto Princesa, and Coron.
Unlike its more popular neighbors, San Vicente offers a quiet and more laidback atmosphere while having the longest white sand beach in the Philippines. The appropriately named Long Beach is 14.7 km long, three times longer than Boracay’s white sand beach.
San Vicente is an ideal spot for travelers who wish to go off the beaten path; it lies three hours away by car from Puerto Puerto Princesa, and six hours away by boat from El Nido. As of writing, direct flights to San Vicente Airport are not available; however, flights to Puerto Princesa are available weekly via Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific.
All tourists coming into San Vicente will need to register at San Vicente’s official tourism website prior to their trip. Travelers coming outside Palawan will also need to submit a negative RT-PCR test, taken 48 hours before departure; proof of booking from a DOT-accredited accommodation; their complete travel itinerary and return flight ticket.
Meanwhile, tourists from within Palawan will need to present a valid ID along with proof of booking from a DOT-accredited establishment.
According to the San Vicente Tourism Office, domestic tourists who land in Puerto Princesa are also allowed to enter the municipality, provided they follow the health and safety protocols set by Puerto Princesa.
For the safety of both locals and tourists, standard minimum health protocols will also be strictly observed and enforced in San Vicente. For more information, visit sanvicentepalawan.gov.ph/tourism.
You can also check out our story about how one man and his Urals has been helping to put the lowkey tourist town on the map: Off the Beaten Path, written by Nina Unlay with photos by Sonny Thakur.
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