Sunset Splendor
Facing the west of the Philippine seas, the San Vicente Long Beach enjoys a play of colors in the afternoon in most parts of its long stretch. I had to walk several meters though away when I stayed in Ursula Long Beach Traveler’s Inn down south as a hill blocks out the sun. I ended up in a river cutting through the 14km stretch. A scenic mangrove borders through the passage. I stayed there to wait for sunset and it didn’t disappoint. I just had to spread some Citronella Oil first on my exposed skin as mangroves and the beach have niknik (sand flies) aplenty. A regular off-lotion wouldn’t do. Worrying less about the sand flies had me focused on the sundown at the scenic river where local fishermen and small outrigger boats pass through as they go home at the end of the day.
San Vicente Long Beach is a vast gem ripe for development. I just hope they do it right and not go the way of our other mis-developed popular beaches. It has a potential to be big especially with the airport nearing operation this year. I’m hoping that if ever I set foot here again, I would still have the same awe as this first visit.
Essential Information
San Vicente Palawan is 186km from Puerto Princesa. Travel time is from 3-6 hours depending on your mode of transportation. On how to go to San Vicente from Puerto Princesa Palawan:
- There are Vans to San Vicente in San Jose Terminal in Puerto Princesa. Travel time is four hours with usually a stop in Roxas. Currently there are three vans servicing the route. Van are mostly airconditioned. Fare is P300
| VAN | SCHEDULE | CONTACT |
|---|---|---|
| Virus Vans | 4:00 AM and 1:00 PM | 0921–598–8611, 0928–931–2963 |
| Savior Vans | 7:00 AM, 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM | 0946–268–8877 |
| Cathy Vans | 7:00 AM, 1:00 PM | 0908–772–7633 Here |
- San Isidro Express is the only bus to San Vicente from Puerto Princesa which usually leaves 6:00 AM and 1:00 PM also from San Jose Terminal. Travel time is 5–6 hours. Fare is P200. The 1pm bus passes by Alimanguan.
There are several places to stay in San Vicente but if you want to stay by the long beach there are currently two choices the JuRiSu Resort and Ursula Long Beach Traveler’s Inn.
Ferdz Decena is an award-winning travel photographer, writer and blogger. His works has found print in publications such as Singapore Airlines’s Silver Kris, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay, Cebu Pacific’s Smile and Seair InFlight. He has also lent his expertise to various organizations like the Oceana Philippines, Lopez Group Foundation, Save the Children and World Vision, contributing quality images for their marketing materials.
