If you’ve been meaning to get away from the frenzied pace of Manila but want to skip Boracay or pass on El Nido because of the huge crowds, then Club Agutaya in San Vicente, Palawan, might just be the destination you’re looking for. Nestled on the northwestern coast of mainland Palawan, San Vicente offers the kind of laid-back and stress-free vacation that’s becoming increasingly hard to find.
For years, San Vicente has been dubbed the “next Boracay” because of its famous 14-kilometer Long Beach, the longest white sand beach in the Philippines. To be honest, the sand isn’t quite as powdery white as Boracay’s. It’s more of a light beige, but it’s just as fine and soft under your feet.
I honestly think now is the best time to visit San Vicente while it still retains its sleepy charm and remains relatively untouched by mass tourism. If I had it my way, I’d love for the town to stay exactly as it is. At the same time, I understand that tourism provides opportunities and a source of livelihood for the local community. My only hope is that as more travelers discover San Vicente, they’ll help preserve the simplicity, serenity, and rustic charm that make this place so special.
*Last Updated: July 2026
GETTING TO CLUB AGUTAYA
As of this writing (July 2026), direct flights to San Vicente, Palawan have been suspended. For now, the best way to reach Club Agutaya is by flying to either Puerto Princesa or El Nido, followed by a van transfer. The journey takes approximately 3 hours from Puerto Princesa and 2 hours from El Nido, so simply choose whichever route works best for your itinerary.
One thing I truly appreciate about Club Agutaya is how hands-on they are even before your trip begins. Just send them a message, and they’ll gladly walk you through the entire journey, recommend the best travel option based on your arrival time, and even arrange your van transfers if needed. It definitely takes the stress out of planning the trip.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Accommodation: You can book a room in Club Agutaya via Booking.com since it’s sometimes easier to book here especially if you are a frequent Booking.com user, Or you can simply message them on Facebook—they’re very responsive and usually reply pretty quickly.
There are different room types to choose from, depending on your budget. The most affordable option is the Standard Twin Room, which starts at around ₱6,000+ per night, while the most luxurious option is the Villa Room with a Sea View, priced at around ₱17,000+ per night.
I know the rooms aren’t cheap, but you’re not just paying for the accommodation. You’re also paying for the impeccable service, the breathtaking views, and the exclusivity of the resort. The sense of peace and seclusion at Club Agutaya is more than enough to justify the price. In fact, there were moments when it felt like we had the entire resort to ourselves. We knew there were other guests staying at the resort, but we rarely saw anyone.
During my first visit in May 2019, the only time we actually saw a crowd was one afternoon when the resort hosted a sea turtle release. Yes, sea turtles! Watching the hatchlings make their way to the sea was such a memorable experience and an unexpected bonus to an already wonderful stay.
Also, keep an eye out for their promo rates, especially during the off-peak season. On my second visit to Club Agutaya in June 2026, we booked a Superior Twin Room for only ₱12,700 for 4 days and 3 nights. Since it was low season, we were even upgraded to a Villa Room, which was definitely one of the highlights of our stay.
Meals: I’d say that aside from the breathtaking views, the food at Club Agutaya also helps justify the room rates. Breakfast is complimentary, and despite the reasonable prices, the servings are surprisingly generous. More importantly, everything we ordered was delicious.
We stayed for 4 days and 3 nights, and our total food bill came to just a little over ₱7,000 for two people. That’s already with us ordering pretty much whatever we wanted throughout our stay. Considering the quality of the food, the generous portions, and the overall dining experience, I honestly found every meal worth every peso.
Tours: If you ask me, I’d be perfectly happy spending the entire day lounging in a hammock by the beach with a good book and the sound of the waves in the background. But if you’re in the mood to explore, you can hire a habal-habal to take you to nearby attractions such as Bato ni Ningning, a cliff overlooking Long Beach, or enjoy a scenic ride along the beach just in time for sunset.
If you have an extra day to spare, I also highly recommend visiting Port Barton, another paradise in San Vicente that has become especially popular among foreign travelers. Just inquire at Club Agutaya’s reception, and they’ll be more than happy to help you arrange a tour or recommend the best way to get there.
WHAT TO BRING AT CLUB AGUTAYA
Insect Repellent. Club Agutaya is surrounded by lush greenery, so it’s not uncommon to encounter mosquitoes, especially in the early morning and evening. Sand fleas (niknik) are also present in San Vicente, so I highly recommend bringing an effective insect repellent. I’ll talk more about them in the What You Need to Know section below.
Sunscreen. Protect your skin. Need I say more?
Sunglasses. Protect your eyes while enjoying the beach and those glorious San Vicente sunsets.
Camera or Smartphone. Bring a camera or a smartphone with a good camera because trust me, you’ll want to capture every corner of this place. Club Agutaya’s sunsets are absolutely breathtaking. Even on days when it rained from morning until afternoon, we were still rewarded with a spectacular sunset.
Enough Cash. There are no ATMs in San Vicente, although Club Agutaya accepts credit card payments. If you plan to dine outside the resort or visit nearby eateries, it’s always a good idea to bring enough cash.
A Good Book. Club Agutaya has several hammocks by the beach that make the perfect reading nook. Bring a good book, lie back, and embrace the art of doing nothing.
BUDGET
Note: This budget is subject to change and will largely depend on your choice of room, food, mode of transportation, and other personal expenses. Unfortunately, as of this writing, flights to San Vicente have been suspended. Your options are to travel by van from either Puerto Princesa or El Nido.
Good for 2 persons (4D and 3N)
Room: ₱19,000 (This is a rough estimate only and based on the cheapest room available. Of course, this can go higher or lower depending on the room you choose and the current rates.)
Van Transfer: Php7,400 (we booked a shared van to San Vicente and hired a private van back to Puerto Princesa)
- Shared van: ₱700 per person, per trip from Puerto Princesa
- Private van: ₱6,000 per trip
Food: Php7,000+
Contingency: 2,000
You need to have: Php35,000++ for two persons is a very safe budget. This estimate does not include airfare or island-hopping tours, so your total expenses may increase depending on your itinerary, activities, and preferred mode of transportation.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CLUB AGUTAYA:
Sea Turtles. During my first visit, we were fortunate to witness the release of newly hatched sea turtles into the ocean during sunset. Club Agutaya runs a small sea turtle conservation program and releases hatchlings whenever it’s nesting season. Watching these tiny turtles make their way to the sea was truly one of the highlights of our trip.
Sand flea. As I mentioned earlier, San Vicente, Palawan is home to plenty of sand fleas—or niknik, as they’re commonly called. You may not notice them right away, or even feel their bites immediately, but trust me, they’re there.
During my first visit, I didn’t apply much insect repellent because I honestly thought nothing was biting me. It was only a few days later that the itchy bite marks started appearing all over my body.
Having learned my lesson, I came back for my second visit armed with plenty of Off! Lotion and Green SE7EN Lemongrass Balm. Unfortunately, I still went home covered in itchy bites on my arms, back, and legs. Based on my personal experience, they didn’t seem to offer enough protection against the niknik in San Vicente.
After doing some research, I learned that insect repellents containing 20–30% DEET or Picaridin are generally considered more effective against biting midges (niknik) than many other formulations. That’s definitely something I’ll be bringing with me the next time I visit Palawan.
Small Caves. Walk a few kilometers along the right side of Long Beach, and you’ll discover a few small caves where you can rest and cool off after a long stroll. Just keep an eye on the tide and don’t stay too long if high tide is approaching. Don’t forget to apply insect repellent, especially in the late afternoon.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CLUB AGUTAYA:
Seclusion. If peace and quiet are what you’re after, this is the place to be. There are no beach clubs, no loud parties, and no rowdy crowds. Just you, the sound of the waves, crickets chirping at night, and a sky full of stars.
The Staff. Without a doubt, the people are one of Club Agutaya’s greatest assets. Every staff member we encountered was warm, courteous, and genuinely welcoming. Not once did someone forget to greet us with a cheerful “Good morning,” “Good afternoon,” or “Good evening.”
What impressed me the most was how personalized their service was. Most of the staff actually knew their guests by name, making every interaction feel warm and personal rather than transactional.
Hammocks. I love hammocks. In fact, I’ve always wanted one at home, so having several hammocks by the beach was a dream come true. There’s nothing quite like lying in one with a good book while listening to the waves.
The Laid-back Lifestyle. Life in San Vicente moves at a much slower pace. You won’t easily find a tricycle waiting on every corner, so your best option is usually a habal-habal. The town also becomes noticeably quiet as evening approaches, making it the perfect place to unwind and call it a night early.
The Sunsets. Club Agutaya faces west, so you’re almost guaranteed a spectacular sunset every afternoon. I’d even say San Vicente gives Boracay a run for its money when it comes to sunsets. During one of our visits, it drizzled for most of the afternoon, but we were still rewarded with a breathtaking sunset before the day ended.
The Food. Club Agutaya is owned by Chef Maria, so you can expect every meal to be thoughtfully prepared, delicious, and reasonably priced. And can we talk about their complimentary bread? I honestly looked forward to it every meal.
The Sea Turtle Release. This doesn’t happen year-round, but during my first visit in May 2019, we were fortunate enough to witness the release of 16 newly hatched sea turtles into the ocean. According to the staff, the next scheduled release wasn’t until October, so the experience is very much seasonal. If seeing baby sea turtles make their first journey to the sea is on your bucket list, I highly recommend asking the resort about the best months to visit before booking your trip.
My Takeaways
I’ve been to Club Agutaya twice already. I know I could have tried other resorts in San Vicente, but I still chose to return on my second visit not just because of the beach, but because of the people.
Everyone is incredibly warm and welcoming, and they’re always willing to go the extra mile to make your stay as comfortable and convenient as possible. From the moment you book your stay, they’ll guide you every step of the way, from how to get to the resort to arranging your van transfers if needed. They make the entire trip feel effortless, especially if it’s your first time visiting San Vicente.
I also love its rustic charm, the lush greenery, the colorful flowering plants, and waking up to the sound of birds chirping every morning. Even though there are newer and more modern resorts in San Vicente today, Club Agutaya continues to be the place I keep coming back to.
It simply feels like home. And I mean that quite literally. Because the resort is so peaceful and uncrowded, there were times when dining at Café Lily, their main restaurant, felt like having my own private dining area. There were even moments when it felt like we had the entire resort, and almost the entire island, to ourselves.
If you’re someone who dislikes crowds, loves beautiful sunsets, appreciates the art of doing nothing, and enjoys good food, then San Vicente, especially Club Agutaya, is the perfect destination for you.
