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Frankie D
New York City, New York

Peaceful resort for a family getaway. Exceptional service!

5.0 of 5 bubblesReviewed Jan 27, 2024
We usually don't leave reviews, but had to share what a truly 5-star experience we had at Portulano! Instead of opting for a crowded, touristy destination for our Christmas stay, we intentionally chose a smaller, more intimate resort. It turns out we were the sole guests during our stay — and we were overwhelmed by the incredible service and personalized attention we received! Shella Mae did a great job communicating with us while we were booking our stay. From the moment we arrived, the staff’s warm welcome made us feel at home.

If you are looking for a peaceful, calm environment, this is the place. Our room was clean and comfortable and had a lovely ocean view. We were impressed by the thoughtful, eco-friendly decor throughout the resort, featuring recycled items that have been ingeniously repurposed (like chairs and tables made from old tires!).

It was our first time scuba diving, and our instructor Elmer made us feel comfortable and prepared. The reef is easily accessible even for beginners, and it’s full of colorful marine life.

Don’t expect to be strolling on a sandy beach during your stay. You can do just about anything else! Other than diving, kayaking, and paddleboarding, there’s a pool table, ping pong table, board games, and an abundance of cozy nooks with comfortable chairs and ocean views.

The food served was home-cooked and delicious - our chef Dory even asked us for requests, and we gladly requested more Filipino dishes! We celebrated a birthday during our stay, and the staff went above and beyond to make the occasion special. We’re already planning to come back and stay longer next time! Special shoutouts to the other staff, including Ana, Michaela, and the young men who helped us with our luggage.

Thank you to everyone at Portulano Dive Resort who made our stay truly memorable. We will surely visit again — this time with more family members and friends.
Date of stay: December 2023
Trip type: Traveled with family
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    Reviews (151)
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    3 - 8 of 151 reviews
    Reviewed January 22, 2023

    Portulano is tucked above a marine protected area along the beautiful Bauan coastline. From the moment we stepped onto the Portulano boat, we were welcomed by the staff—they helped carry our bags, cooked special meals to accommodate some of our family members’ dietary restrictions, and traded stories with us. The individualized dive instruction from Arnel and Carmela is careful, thorough, and fun! All the dive masters are extremely knowledgeable about the local area, and it shows during the dives—each dive was full of discoveries of different wildlife, from numerous nudibranches to octopi. We can truly say that the Portulano community welcomed us into the fold and we can’t wait to return!

    Date of stay: December 2022
      • Value
      • Location
      • Service
    Thank Anna C
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Reviewed January 20, 2023

    I last visited Portulano Dec 2022 and like always, it didn't disappoint!

    If you're looking for a place to relax, or snorkel, or dive, or unplug, or any combination of those, this is the place.

    The staff is great, the food is good. They have vegetarian options. They source everything locally and they seem to keep a fairly healthy menu.

    As far as diving is concerned, they have rentals available and they take safety seriously.

    And then the lounges! They're everywhere! They're so many places to hang out and relax and read a book or have a nice chat. Portulano's vibe is very cozy and inviting. It embraces you if you welcome it. I'd go every weekend if I could!

    Date of stay: December 2022
    Thank NickieManjon
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Reviewed September 4, 2022 via mobile

    Portulano is a small owner-run resort with excellent family-style service. The staff are all accommodating and professional. There is plenty of space to relax outside the room. The best draw for this resort however, is the fact that the house reef is truly stunning. Highly recommended!

    Date of stay: May 2022
    Trip type: Traveled with friends
    Thank zeehanj
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Reviewed June 19, 2022

    Well run dive resort. Friendly, accommodating staff. Rooms were comfortable and clean. Food was yummy and portions were generous. House reef is easily accessible from the shore and featured tons of marine animals. Had a great time!

    Date of stay: June 2022
    Trip type: Traveled with friends
    Thank Vjsanj
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Reviewed May 29, 2022

    I rented a single room for 6 days. It was my treat to myself. There was virtually no one there as far as divers were concerned. Three days I had the resort to myself. Elmer was my dive master. He really took care of me since I am partially crippled . My friend Niko Santos stayed there for two dives. He is also a dive master. Every one was terrific helping me get dressed for my dives. The water was so warm that I did not need a suit. So much better diving there compared to Puerto Galera. I saw most of the critters on my bucket list here. Then there was the restaurant crew. They treated me like I was the Owner of the place. Now I am a very picky eater so some I did not or could not eat. Allergies to sea food. The one complaint I had was lack of desert. Another suggestion is to set up a small store that you could buy snacks.
    It was expensive for me to dive as I was the only diver in the whole resort. The beds, ac where great. If you want quiet , this is the place for you. No phones, no TV, but the internet worked most of the time.

    Room tip: Ask for a room with ac.
    Date of stay: May 2022
      • Location
      • Rooms
      • Service
    Thank Whandforth
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Carmela Sevilla, Owner at Portulano Dive Resort, responded to this reviewResponded June 1, 2022

    Hi Bill, glad you enjoyed your stay. We really wanted you to be comfortable and to be able to enjoy your dives and your stay. Take care always!

    Report response as inappropriate
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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