Coron, a town in the province of Palawan, is one of the most sought after destinations in the Philippines. And you can easily understand why. It has pristine white sand beaches, unbelievably turquoise waters, rich marine life, World War II shipwrecks and karsts-dotted landscapes that can rival the best that the world has to offer. Often referred to as the country’s Last Frontier, it is located at the upper region of Palawan, 595 kilometers from Metro Manila.
Coron is the perfect destination for the casual vacationers, the hardcore backpackers, the beach lovers and adventurous divers. Once you’ve visited, coming back for a second time is really something you won’t need to decide on; Coron would automatically make the decision for you.
► HOW TO GET TO CORON
Coron is located on the northern part of Palawan. The easiest way to get there is by taking a plane from Metro Manila. There is also an option of taking a ferry, but it would take an overnight ride before you arrive. Once you reach Busuanga Airport, there are vans that carry passengers to town for PHP 150.00 per head or PHP 1,500.00, should you want to rent the whole vehicle. The ride to town takes about 45 minutes.
Contrary popular notions, there are no easy way for tourists to hop from El Nido and Puerto Princesa, two of Palawan’s tourist hubs, to Coron. I just found that there are now numerous ferries than sail back and forth from Puerto Princesa and El Nido to Coron.
PLANE VIA NAIA ○ 1 HOUR FLIGHT TRAVEL TIME ○ FARE: FROM PHP3,000.00+/- ONE WAY
● CEBU PACIFIC - Flies four times daily | (02) 7020-888
● PHILIPPINE AIRLINES - Flies twice daily | (02) 777-5932
● SKYJET - Flies twice daily | (0917) 863-1333
FERRY VIA MANILA PIER 4 ○ 16 HOURS TRAVEL TIME ○ FARE: FROM PHP1,000.00+/- TO PHP2,200+/- ONE WAY
● 2GO - Sails twice weekly (Tue, Fri) | (02) 233-7000
● ATIENZA SHIPPING LINES - Sails twice weekly (Wed, Sat) | (02) 986-3118
FERRY VIA EL NIDO ○ FROM 5 TO 9 HOURS TRAVEL TIME ○ FARE: FROM PHP1,000.00+/- ONE WAY
● ATIENZA SHIPPING LINES - Sails once weekly (Wed) | (02) 986-3118
● BUNSO BIG OUTRIGGER BOAT - Sails once daily | (0910) 720-8443
● JESSABEL BIG OUTRIGGER BOAT - Sails thrice weekly | (0915) 850-1391
● MONTENEGRO LINES - Sails once daily | (043) 740-2881
● OVERCOMER BIG OUTRIGGER BOAT - Sails four times weekly | (0939) 554-3540
FERRY VIA PUERTO PRINCESA ○ 16 HOURS TRAVEL TIME ○ FARE: FROM PHP1,000.00+/- ONE WAY
● 2GO - Sails twice weekly (Wed, Sat) | (02) 233-7000
► SPEAK CORON
Although most people in Coron are very fluent in speaking Filipino and English, Cuyonon used to be the most prevalent language in the province. That is until the eighties, upon which time people flocked the area due to a boom in mining and fishing industries.
The Cuyonon language belongs to the Central Philippines, Western Visayan, Kuyan subgroup and has similarities to the Visayan Language. During my travels to Coron, I hardly ever heard people speak Cuyonon except for a few old locals.
Thank You – Salamat
Good Morning – Mayad nga timprano
Good Afternoon - Mayad nga ugtong adlaw
Good Evening – Mayad nga gabi
How Much? – Tagpira dia?
Where is… – Adin ang…
► HOW TO GET AROUND CORON
Tricycles are the main mode of transportation in Coron. The ones in town are larger than usual and can easily seat up to eight persons for a minimum fare of PHP10.00 per head. During my visits, I noticed how honest the tricycle drivers are in Coron, always giving my change up to the last centavo.
Habal-habals or single motorbikes are also available for rent for those wanting to explore Coron on their own.
► CORON TOURS AND GUIDES
Exploring the town of Coron won’t really require a guide since it is quite small and limited when it comes to places to visit. But once you go out and explore the numerous islands and beaches that dot the area, a tour guide/boatman is a must.
During my visits to Coron, I have always relied on the first boatman/guide I hired when I was new to the place. He was recommended by a staff at a local restaurant and has proven to be quite reliable, accommodating and easy to deal with.
Alternatively, you can also book your tours thru the hotel you’re staying in, but at probably a higher price. Or you may also visit the Calamian Tourist Boat Association near Lualhati Park to get a boatman to tour you around the islands.
STANDARD TOUR RATES PER BOAT
AVEL AREVALO
Local Boatman / Tour Guide
Contact Number: (0939) 815-0044 | (0932) 363-7207
CALAMIAN TOURIST BOAT ASSOCIATION
Contact Number: (0920) 403-7965
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'43.8"N 120°12'08.2"E
► WHERE TO STAY IN CORON
Accommodation is really not a problem in Coron except during summer time. The town is host to numerous inns, lodges, hotels and island resorts. These range from backpacker-friendly to flashpacker kingdom-come rates. The main town has no beach area, so lodgings are limited to sea-view rooms. One, however, can opt to stay on island resort types, but be warned, it does come with a hefty price tag.
Alternatively, one can also stay at the town of Busuanga where a handful of mid-range to luxury resorts are located and has its own set of island hopping tours.
SEA DIVE RESORT
Room Rates: Check Here
Address: Don Pedro St., Brgy. Poblacion 1, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0918) 400-0448
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'52.2"N 120°12'06.8"E
CORON WESTOWN RESORT
Room Rates: Check Here
Address: Sitio Dipulao, Brgy Poblacion 6, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0917) 704-6176 | (0919) 993-5474
GPS Coordinates: 12°01'22.5"N 120°11'03.8"E
MOUNT TAPYAS HOTEL
Room Rates: Check Here
Address: Calle Nueva Street, Brgy. Poblacion 5, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0917) 500-5566
GPS Coordinates: 12°00'00.1"N 120°12'16.2"E
EL RIO Y MAR RESORT
Room Rates: Check Here
Address: Brgy. San Jose, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (02) 838-4956 | (02) 838-4957
GPS Coordinates: 12°11'29.8"N 120°06'09.6"E
CLUB PARADISE
Room Rates: Check Here
Address: Dimakya Island, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (02) 546-4214 | (0917) 568-4863
GPS Coordinates: 12°14'04.4"N 120°05'17.5"E
SANGAT ISLAND DIVE RESORT
Room Rates: Check Here
Address: Sangat Island, Brgy. Bintuan, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0916) 400-8801 | (929) 359-7518
GPS Coordinates: 11°57'49.2"N 120°04'13.5"E
TWO SEASONS ISLAND RESORT & SPA
Room Rates: Check Here
Address: Malaroyroy, Bulalacao Island, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (02) 410-2075 to 80 | (0917) 566-5820
GPS Coordinates: 11°46'38.4"N 120°08'01.2"E
PUERTO DEL SOL RESORT & DIVE CENTER
Room Rates: Check Here
Address: Brgy. Concepcion Busuanga, Palawan
Contact Number: (0908) 889-0866
GPS Coordinates: 12°01'33.4"N 119°59'00.5"E
SANCTUARIA TREEHOUSES
Room Rates: Check Here
Address: Km. 43, Barangay Sagrada, Busuanga, Palawan
Contact Number: (0916) 388-7938
GPS Coordinates: 12°03'58.8"N 119°58'13.4"E
BUSUANGA BAY LODGE
Room Rates: Check Here
Address: Sitio Lawi, Brgy. Concepcion Busuanga, Palawan
Contact Number: (02) 625-8627
GPS Coordinates: 12°01'25.9"N 119°58'37.3"E
HUMA ISLAND RESORT & SPA
Room Rates: Check Here
Address: Dicilingan Island, Busuanga, Palawan
Contact Number: (02) 553-0119
GPS Coordinates: 12°03'14.9"N 119°54'01.6"E
► WHERE TO EAT IN CORON
Coron is paradise for food lovers. There are numerous restaurants along the town streets that deciding where to eat sometimes poses a problem. The place has burger joints, pizza and pasta restaurants, grill houses, seafood places, bars and the usual cheap carinderia (eateries).
There are, however, no fast food restaurants in Coron, which is a good thing really; as it gives the town a very local vibe that’s somehow missing from most of the popular tourist spots in the Philippines.
BISTRO CORON
Type: Rice Meals, Pasta, Sandwiches
Address: Coron-Busuanga Road, Brgy. 1, Poblacion, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0918) 305-0750
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'55.8"N 120°12'08.8"E
CORON VILLAGE LODGE BAR & RESTO
Type: Filipino Food, Pasta, Sandwiches
Address: Coron-Busuanga Road, Brgy. 1, Poblacion, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0918) 920-1517 | (0908) 882-5178
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'57.5"N 120°12'25.1"E
KAWAYANAN GRILL
Type: Grill, Filipino Food
Address: Calle San Pedro, Barangay 2, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0905) 320-2376
GPS Coordinates: 12°00'08.8"N 120°11'57.5"E
LA SIRENETTA
Type: Filipino, Seafood, International Food
Address: Real Street, Poblacion, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number:
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'51.8"N 120°12'03.8"E
LOLO NONOY’S FOOD STATION
Type: Filipino Food
Address: Coron-Busuanga Road, Brgy. 1, Poblacion, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0928) 506-8541
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'55.0"N 120°12'12.0"E
RAPHAELLA’S
Type: Filipino Food
Address: 132 Coron-Busuanga Road, Brgy. 1, Poblacion, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0928) 700-3075 | (0908) 773-2964 | (0915) 297-6426
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'57.6"N 120°12'26.1"E
SANTINO’S GRILL
Type: Grill, Barbecue Meals
Address: Coron-Busuanga Road, Brgy. Tagumpay, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0921) 967-7571 | (0915) 700-3881
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'32.6"N 120°12'42.1"E
TITA ESH EATERY
Type: Carinderia
Address: Malvar Street, near Central Bakery, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0928) 390-7785
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'51.2"N 120°12'14.6"E
LAURA’S GARDEN
Type: Restaurant
Address: Km.35, National Highway, Brgy. Sto Nino, Busuanga, Palawan
Contact Number: (0927) 418-3165
GPS Coordinates: 12°02'09.3"N 120°00'50.1"E
► WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN CORON
Tourist spots in Coron can be divided into five main categories; the town tour, the island hopping adventure, the Culion tour, the safari and the wreck diving activities.
The town tour can be done in half a day. For the island hopping adventure, it would take at least one full day for the Coron Island Loop and another one for the Malcapuya Loop. A trip to the municipality island of Culion would take almost the whole day, similar to the safari tour of Calauit Island (unless you plan on visiting a few more islands right after). For wreck diving, I imagine it would take several days to complete all 11 World War Two Japanese wrecks around Coron (I haven’t tried this out yet).
A note on the Coron Island Loop, there are some variations of this tour depending on where you really want to go as a group, but usually the tour consists of five to six locations for the whole day.
LUALHATI PARK
Address: Barangay Poblacion, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: None
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'29.9"N 120°13'42.8"E
MAQUINIT HOT SPRINGS
Address: Sitio Maquinit, Barangay Tagumpay, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0918) 344-4633
Entrance Fee: Php150.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'29.9"N 120°13'42.8"E
MOUNT TAPYAS
Address: Poblacion, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Free
GPS Coordinates: 12°00'03.3"N 120°12'13.2"E
ZIPLINE CORON
Address: Poblacion, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php500.00++
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'44.2"N 120°12'06.8"E
PHOTO BY TRAVELWITHCHICHI
BANOL BEACH
Address: Isla Higantes, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php100.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 11°56'59.3"N 120°11'35.9"E
BARRACUDA LAKE
Address: Isla Higantes, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php100.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 11°57'22.9"N 120°13'00.4"E
PHOTO BY OMAN SERAPIO
CORAL GARDEN
Address: Isla Higantes, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Free
GPS Coordinates: 11°57'49.0"N 120°10'50.2"E
CYC BEACH
Address: CYC Island, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Free
GPS Coordinates: 11°57'49.0"N 120°10'50.2"E
KAYANGAN LAKE
Address: Isla Higantes, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php200.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 11°57'33.1"N 120°13'34.2"E
SIETE PECADOS
Address: Isla Higantes, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php100.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'02.7"N 120°13'49.0"E
SKELETON WRECK
Address: Isla Higantes, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php100.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 11°56'28.7"N 120°11'31.0"E
TWIN LAGOON
Address: Isla Higantes, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php100.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 11°56'52.1"N 120°12'35.2"E
CULION CHURCH
Address: Culion Island, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number:
GPS Coordinates: 11°53'32.9"N 120°01'27.2"E
CULION MUSEUM AND ARCHIVES
Address: Culion Island, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (048) 550-9709
Entrance Fee: Php100.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 11°53'30.4"N 120°01'24.8"E
BANANA ISLAND
Address: Banana Island, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php200.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 11°46'18.9"N 120°07'32.2"E
BULOG DOS ISLAND
Address: Bulog Dos Island, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php100.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 11°46'56.3"N 120°08'04.3"E
MALCAPUYA ISLAND
Address: Malcapuya Island, Coron, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php200.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 11°47'24.8"N 120°06'56.0"E
CALAUIT SAFARI PARK
Address: Calauit Island, Busuanga, Palawan
Contact Number: None
Entrance Fee: Php200.00 Filipinos | Php400.00 Foreigners
GPS Coordinates: 12°16'26.1"N 119°53'03.9"E
CONCEPCION FALLS
Address: Barangay Concepcion, Busuanga, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Free
GPS Coordinates: 12°03'20.3"N 119°58'34.8"E
BLACK ISLAND / MALAJON ISLAND
Address: Malajon Island, Busuanga, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php200.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 12°09'15.5"N 119°49'06.4"E
CALUMBUYAN ISLAND
Address: Calumbuyan Island, Busuanga, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php150.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 12°00'38.0"N 119°56'29.3"E
LUSONG GUNBOAT WRECK
Address: Lusong Island, Busuanga, Palawan
GPS Coordinates: 11°58'15.4"N 120°01'21.8"E
PHOTO BY ROSLYN ROSALIA
NORTH CAY ISLAND
Address: North Cay Island, Busuanga, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php200.00
GPS Coordinates: 12°03'56.1"N 119°52'40.7"E
PAMALICAN ISLAND
Address: Pamalican Island, Busuanga, Palawan
GPS Coordinates: 12°04'57.6"N 119°52'30.0"E
PHOTO FROM GOOGLE MAPS
PASS ISLAND
Address: Pass Island, Busuanga, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php150.00 per person
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'28.7"N 119°55'20.6"E
SOUTH CAY ISLAND
Address: South Cay Island, Busuanga, Palawan
Entrance Fee: Php200.00
GPS Coordinates: 12°03'26.1"N 119°52'39.7"E
► WHAT TO BUY & WHERE TO SHOP IN CORON
There are numerous souvenir shops in Coron, most of them offering the usual triad of tourist t-shirts, ref magnets and key chains. The designs are usually similar in every store but there are a few notable boutiques selling more unique and creative designs.
Besides cashew nuts and cheap seafood, be sure to bring home a few Tagbanua-inspired wood carvings native to the island.
CORON PUBLIC MARKET
Address: Barangay Poblacion, Coron, Palawan
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'44.6"N 120°12'07.7"E
CORON SOUVENIR AND GIFT SHOP
Address: Brgy. Polacion 5, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0920) 203-0302 | (0918) 562-6314
GPS Coordinates: 12°00'05.0"N 120°12'01.2"E
MAKULIT T–SHIRTS & ACCESSORIES
Address: Coron-Busuanga Road, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0947) 707-0435
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'55.3"N 120°12'09.7"E
GINA’S CASHEW NUTS
Address: Coron-Busuanga Road, Brgy. Tagumpay, Coron, Palawan
Contact Number: (0993) 313-4819
GPS Coordinates: 11°59'33.4"N 120°12'41.5"E
► CORON TOURIST SPOTS MAP
► CORON SAMPLE ITINERARY
I stayed for five days the first time I visited Coron and found it to be the perfect duration for a first time visitor. Four days can cut it, but you’ll have to leave out visiting the Calauit Safari Park or the Culion Island tour. For those with a very tight schedule, the usual three-day weekend tour of Coron can also be possible, but you definitely have to come back again as you really can’t explore most of what Coron has to offer with such a limited time.
The last day can usually be adjusted to fit in one more half-day tour, depending on the time of your flight (the latest one is at 5:05pm via Philippine Airlines, as of this writing), you just have to leave really early and make sure your guide understands what time you need to be back at the airport. The risk, is of course, all yours. :D
DAY 1
Late Morning Arrival from Manila
Check in at Hotel
Lunch
Walk around Town
Buy Souvenirs
Zipline at Lualhati Park
Climb Mount Tapyas until Sunset
Early Dinner
Visit Maquinit Hot Springs
DAY 2
Breakfast
Buy lunch at Market (to be cooked by boatman)
Coron Island Loop Tour
- Siete Pecados
- Skeleton Wreck
- Banol Beach (Lunch)
- Kayangan Lake / Barracuda Lake
- Twin Lagoon
Back to Coron Town
Dinner
DAY 3
Breakfast
Visit Culion Island
- Culion Church
- Culion Museum and Archives
* Get Back to Coron Town and Depart to Airport END OF CORON 3-DAY ITINERARY
- Lunch at Culion
Visit Coral Garden
Visit CYC Beach
Back to Coron Town
Dinner
DAY 4
Breakfast
Buy lunch at Market (to be cooked by boatman)
Malcapuya Island Loop Tour
- Malcapuya Island (Lunch)
- Banana Island
- Bulog Dos Island
Back to Coron Town
Dinner
DAY 5
Very Early Breakfast
Early Check Out
Calauit Safari Park Tour
Early Lunch
* Depart to Airport ALTERNATE LAST DAY FOR 3-DAY OR 4-DAY CORON ITINERARY
► CORON TRAVEL BUDGET
Touring around the town of Coron is fairly inexpensive as most of the tourist spots within town are walking distance of each other. Food is also fairly cheap, with lots of choices from carinderia eateries to restaurants. The cost for your Coron tour, however, starts to pile up once you avail of island tours (especially the Calauit Safari). It gets really expensive if you rent a boat all by yourself, but if you’re willing to share a boat with other travelers, the fees become relatively affordable.
The Coron budget guide I outlined below follows the itinerary I shared above. Feel free to customize it by choosing only the island hopping tours you want to suit your own travel budget.
● TRANSPORTAION: PHP 730.00 Solo | PHP 580.00 Couple (PHP 1,160.00 each)
Day One
PHP 150.00 - Van from Busuanga Airport to Coron Town
PHP 350.00 - Roundtrip Tricycle to Maquinit Hot Springs
Day Two
PHP 10.00 - Tricycle from Hotel to Port
PHP 10.00 - Tricycle from Port to Hotel
Day Three
PHP 10.00 - Tricycle from Hotel to Port
PHP 10.00 - Tricycle from Port to Hotel
Day Four
PHP 10.00 - Tricycle from Hotel to Port
PHP 10.00 - Tricycle from Port to Hotel
Day Five
PHP 10.00 - Tricycle from Hotel to Port
PHP 10.00 - Tricycle from Port to Hotel
PHP 150.00 - Van from Coron Town to Busuanga Airport
● TOUR: PHP 18,700.00 Solo | PHP 20,000 Couple (PHP 10,000.00 each)
Coron Island Loop Tour: PHP 2,700.00 Solo | PHP 3,400.00 Couple (PHP 1,700.00 each)
Boat Tour Fee: PHP 2,000.00
Banol Beach Entrance Fee: PHP 100.00
Barracuda Lake Entrance Fee: PHP 100.00
Kayangan Lake Entrance Fee: PHP 200.00
Siete Pecados Entrance Fee: PHP 100.00
Skeleton Wreck Entrance Fee: PHP 100.00
Twin Lagoon Entrance Fee: PHP 100.00
Culion Island Tour: PHP 3,600.00 Solo | PHP 3,700.00 Couple (PHP 1,850.00 each)
Boat Tour Fee: PHP 3,500.00
Culion Museum Entrance Fee: PHP 100.00
Malcapuya Island Loop Tour: PHP 4,000.00 Solo | PHP 4,500.00 Couple (PHP 2,250.00 each)
Boat Tour Fee: PHP 3,500.00
Banana Island Entrance Fee: PHP 200.00
Bulod Dos Island Entrance Fee: PHP 100.00
Malcapuya Island Entrance Fee: PHP 200.00
Calauit Safari Tour: PHP 8,200.00 Solo | PHP 8,400.00 Couple (PHP 4,200.00 each)
Boat Tour Fee: PHP 8,000.00
Calauit Park Entrace Fee: PHP 200.00
● ACCOMMODATION: PHP 2,000.00 Solo | PHP 2,000.00 Couple (PHP 1,000.00 each)
PHP500.00 - Cheapest accommodation in Coron
x 4 - Nights
● FOOD: PHP 1,300.00 Solo | PHP 2,600.00 Couple (PHP 1,300.00 each)
PHP100.00 - Average cost of a meal per person on a carinderia.
x 13 - 4 breakfast, 5 lunch, 4 dinner
5 days 4 nights budget total for a solo traveler: PHP 22,730.00
5 days 4 nights budget total for two persons traveling together: PHP 25,180.00 (PHP12,590.00 each)
CORON TRAVEL GUIDE AND ITINERARY
UPDATED AS OF NOVEMBER 24, 2016
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