The first stop on our 6 week adventure around the Philippines was Coron. We had heard great things about Coron island hopping so knew we were in for a fun few days! We spent 4 nights there but could have easily spent more as it ended up being one of our favourite destinations in the Philippines.
How to get to Coron
We arrived to Coron from Manila. The flight was an easy 1 hour 15 minute journey with Cebu Pacific. You will notice when booking flights that the closest airport to Coron is known as Busuanga as this is the name of the mainland island (Coron is just a town on the island).
From the airport, Coron Town is approximately a 45 minute drive. Usually if the transfer is not included in your accommodation, you can ride in a van for Php150.
Alternatively, if you travelling from El Nido there is a 3.5/4 hour ferry that departs daily from El Nido at 6 am. This can be booked through ‘Palawan Days’ online prior to departure. There are two ferry companies, however, the one we used was Montenegro Ferries. The cost is Php1855 per person for a one-way transfer (approx. 50AUD). Check out BookAway for convenient options on how to go from El Nido to Coron.
While the Philippines is a laid back country, there are limited options in terms of flights / ferry times meaning which ever form of transport you choose to take it should be booked in advance. We would even recommend booking ferries at least 2 days in advance as we heard they can book out in peak time. And be warned flight prices go up…. do not wait and hope for a last minute deal!
Exploring Coron Town
Coron Town is bustling with activity. You can tell that the area has only become touristy in the last few years with many local shops mixed in between recently opened restaurants and cafes.
Coron Town is where you should come to book all tours / activities as well as the location of restaurants, bars and shops. In our opinion it is a good idea to stay close to Coron Town.
Getting Around
Tricycles are the way to go! Depending on where you are coming / going to, it is possible to ride for Php50 to Php100. Within Coron Town however, tricycles are cheaper again.
Motorbikes are also an option if you plan to explore Busuanga Island. The price to rent a motorbike in Coron is approximately Php500 per day. We did not journey outside of the main area, so can not comment on the quality of the roads.
Things to do in Coron
Before arriving to Coron, we did not realise how many activities there are to do! Our main reason of visiting however was to explore Coron island hopping seeing as there are over 1780 islands in Palawan.
Coron Island Hopping
The main activity to do while visiting Coron is an island hopping tour. Pretty much all companies offer similar packages at similar prices, however, we chose to use Yuane Tours. They were fantastic and would highly recommend.
We were eager to explore as much as possible so did three tours across three days. They were Tour A, the Ultimate Tour and a Private Tour. Each were great for different reasons. Definitely book into the tour the day before you want to go as they leave early. So don’t expect to be able to show up the day.
Below is a list of the locations that Tour A and the Coron Island Ultimate Tour visit:
Tour A (Php950 per person (AUD 25))
- Cyc Beach
- Coral Garden
- Green Lagoon
- Kayangan Lake
The Ultimate Tour (Php1500 per person (AUD 40))
- Twin Lakes
- Skeleton Wreck
- Barracuda Lake
- Kayangan Lake
- Coral Garden
Yuane Tours will pick you up from where you are staying between 8am – 8.30am. You will return at roughly 4pm. The tours include pick up/drop off, buffet lunch and soft drinks, lifevests and entrance fees
On each tour you will stop for lunch at a remote location. The lunch they prepare is very impressive considering everything is cooked on board the boat. Food includes fresh fish, crab, pork, rice, vegetables and some soft drink! If you are lucky, maybe even some of their local rum with coke!
Hike Mt.Tapyas
If you want to see the best view over Coron (and don’t mind the exercise) then Mt.Tapyas offers some incredible views.
A total of 742 steps along a small track will have you reach the summit of the mountain. Here you will find a ‘Coron’ sign similar to the one you find in Hollywood!
The walk itself is only about 15 minutes and offers the best view you will find in Coron!
Maquinit Hot Spring
What better way to finish a busy day than visiting a Hot Spring. Located about 20 minutes drive from Coron Town, you will find Maquinit Hot Spring. If your timing allows, we would suggest going at sunset. While it will be busier than during the day, the purple/pink colours in the sky make for an unreal experience!
Accomodation:
Coron Town is an ideal area to position yourself as this is where the day boat tours take off from. It is also the location of majority of restaurants / convenience stores.
Luxury
- Two Seasons Coron Island Resort & Spa – located on an island off the mainland, this is the most exclusive beachfront resort in the area.
- Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel – best luxury option on the mainland. Includes all the perks of a swimming pool, gym, restaurant etc.
- The Funny Lion – boutique hotel that is tastefully decorated. Our number one choice!
Mid-Range
- The Palladium Hotel – great option for people who want to be close to town but away from the noise. Best mid-range option with a pool!
- Coron Westown Resort – features all the perks of a luxury hotel but at a less expensive price.
Budget
- The Bay Area Coron – centrally located in Coron Town with free wifi and air conditioning!
- Happy Camper Hostel – located in Coron Town, this hostel is well reviewed for anyone looking for a budget stay.
Coron in Review
Our time in Coron was full of fantastic memories! Due to its close proximity to Manila, we would highly suggest this location as a must-do on any trip to the Phillipines. Coron Island Hopping is by far some of the most incredible we experienced during our 6 week adventure through the Philippines.
X KoTravellers
