Once is never enough.
Heck, when it comes to Coron, four times still won’t cut it. This little tourist town in Palawan one of the first destinations we set foot in as travel bloggers, but even after three more visits, we still can’t get enough of it. Its jagged corners are bursting with natural beauty and cultural significance: from the lakes and lagoons of Coron Island, to neighboring beaches, to shipwreck dive sites and coral gardens, to saltwater hot springs, to postcard-worthy views from its mountaintops. Heck, they even have an African Safari nearby.
Yet, every time we return, we always find something new. Coron changes fast, and it’s both good and bad. All it took was return to the top of Mt. Tapyas and we noticed just how much development has sprawled across this side of the island. New hotels and restaurants flank more of its paved streets. More tours are opened to tourists, whose numbers, I bet, more than doubled since our last visit. Prices climb at a near-scary rate.
Coron transforms faster than we update our travel guides, which is part of the reason why we return to Coron more more frequently than to other destinations. Anyway, here’s our latest, most updated Coron Travel Guide. Last updated: September 2018.
Understanding Coron and Busuanga
Coron is just one of the four municipalities that make up the Calamianes, a stellar group of islands that speck the waters of North Palawan. Busuanga Island is the largest of the group and is politically divided into two municipalities: Busuanga and Coron. Coron is the main tourism hub of the region and has more accommodations and tours, and is the usual jump off point to the surrounding destinations, which is why many of the attractions in Calamianes are often associated with Coron even when they are technically part of other towns.
For example, Calauit and Black Island are actually in Busuanga, but most people think they’re in Coron. The town of Culion is also often tagged Coron, when it is, in fact, a separate municipality.
Another confusing bit: Coron Town is NOT on Coron Island. As mentioned, Coron Town occupies half of Busuanga Island. Coron Island, emphasis on island, is a separate smaller island off the coast of Coron Town. Still with us? Here’s a map to help you digest it better.
How to Get to Coron
For tourists, the main gateway to the Calamianes Islands is Busuanga Airport (USU), more formally known as Francisco B. Reyes Airport. It is less than an hour away from the town proper of Coron.
But Coron also has a pier, and over the past few years, new boat routes have opened for tourists coming from Manila and other parts of Palawan like Puerto Princesa and El Nido.
Manila to Coron
Flying is the easiest and fastest way to reach Coron from Manila. Cebu Pacific Air, Philippine Airlines, and Skyjet all operate Manila-Busuanga flights.
We’ve tried multiple dates to compare prices, and found the following:
- Skyjet offers the lowest year-round fares.
- Cebu Pacific does more promos for Coron. So if you’re not in a hurry to travel, you can wait for a Cebu Pacific SALE and you can score roundtrip tickets for as low as P2400 (flights only) or P3100 (with baggage).
- Philippine Airlines has good rates, too. There are dates when PAL has much lower fares.
Cebu to Coron
Philippine Airlines offers competitive Busuanga fares from Cebu and Clark.
Clark to Coron
If you book in advance, you might snag these fares.
Puerto Princesa to Coron
2Go Travel ferries passengers from Puerto Princesa to Coron, leaving every Wednesday and Saturday at 11:59PM and arrives the next day at 3PM.
Here are the rates per accommodation type and additional fees.
El Nido to Coron
Montenegro Fastcraft launched in September 2016 a new Coron-El Nido (and vice versa) route, which cuts the travel time to only 4 hours. Schedule and rates below.
Busuanga Airport to Coron Town
As soon as you emerge from the airport’s Arrival area, you’ll be greeted by people asking you what hotel you will be staying. Don’t worry, these are barkers looking for passengers. I was hesitant to go with them because they were a bit too proactive, to say the least, but they are legit if they are in uniform. They are asking for your hotel so they would know which van/shuttle you should board.
- Travel time: 30-40 minutes
- Fare is P150 per person
- You can also hire the entire van for P1500.
The journey is scenic because you’ll be driving across a ranch. If you’re lucky, you’ll see herds of cows crossing the road.
Where to Stay in Coron
There are so many lodging options in Coron but you might still want to strongly consider booking in advance specially during summer (March-May).
On our last visit, we were hosted by Coron Soleil, which is a newly built complex that harbors the Coron Soleil Garden Resort, a 4-star resort. But here’s the catch: located in the same complex is the more pocket-friendly Coron Soleil EXPRESS, a 3-star budget hotel. The thing is, guests staying at Soleil Express have access to the amenities of the complex, which means you’ll be able to enjoy 4-star resort amenities at the price of a budget hotel!
Here’s Coron Soleil’s psychedelic swimming pool, the centerpiece of the resort.
Top Budget Hotels Under P2000
If money is an issue, here are some of the top budget hotels under P2000 per night, according to Agoda users as of March 2019.
- Hop Hostel. Calle Nueva, Coron Town Proper. Check Rates and Availability
- Aquilah Homestay. Calle Nueva St. Brgy. Poblacion 5. Check Rates and Availability
- The Bay Area Coron. 183 National Hwy, Coron Town Proper. Check Rates and Availability
- Happy Camper Hostel. Coron Town Proper. Check Rates and Availability
Top Budget Guest Houses Under P1000
If you’re working with a really limited budget, consider no-frills, basic guest houses and inns. Here are the four highest-rated around and under P1000 per night, as scored by Agoda users.
- Ahras Place. Coron Town Proper. Check Rates and Availability
- Quiet Place to Stay in Coron. Check Rates and Availability
Search for more: Coron Hotels
Where to Eat in Coron
Food is expensive in Coron. According to our boatmen, it’s because many of the ingredients are being imported from Mindoro. But it doesn’t explain why seafood dishes are also expensive.
The price of restaurant meals range from P150 to P400. That P150 is often composed of just a cup of rice and a small serving of a Pinoy viand like tapa, adobo, or liempo. Pasta dishes are usually at P250, grilled seafood (squid or fish) at around P200, and fruit shake at P100-P120.
If you’re not picky, you’ll find cheaper meals at carinderias all around town, but they’re getting harder and harder to find these days. But you’ll find those serving tapsilog for P100 or less. There are small kerbside barbeque stands which costs P10-P25 per stick.
On our last visit, we chose to eat at various restaurants in town, but we found that many of them are overpriced, and they kinda taste the same. Haha. With the following exceptions:
- La Morena Cafe. We ordered this seafood pasta and a big glass of melon shake. Both are unforgettable.
- Carl’s BBQ. Order the Baby Back Ribs. Half slab is P350; Full slab, P520. Huge servings. And tastes great!
- Kawayanan Grill Station. Seafood Platter (P450). Good for 2-3 people. Fresh and grilled perfectly.
- KT’s Sinugba sa Balai. There’s nothing really special about the taste, but the serving here is big and prices affordable, reasonable.
- La Sirenetta. Kinilaw na Tuna.
Aside from La Morena, there are two other coffee places along the main road: Coffee Kong and Fika Indulgence. All three serve satisfying drinks and desserts.
Locals also kept on recommending Santino’s Grill and Amigos’ Smokes and Grill. We weren’t able to try ’em. We tried, but both were closed when we visited because…
Important! Most restaurants and cafes in Coron are open only during lunch time (11am-2pm) and at night (6pm onwards). If you decide to have late lunch at around 3pm, your options will be significantly narrower.
How to Get Around Coron
There are so many interesting and unique destinations in Coron and in nearby towns of Busuanga and Culion. If traveling just within Coron town proper, you can simply take a tricycle. Fare is P10 per person.
But when visiting island destinations, you have two options: join a group tour or charter a private boat.
If you join a Group Tour
You’ll be paying per person and will be sharing the trip with other tourists. You’ll find these tours offered by various operators throughout the town. This is great for those traveling alone or with a small group.
- Pros: You don’t need to worry about anything else. You just pay one time, show up, and the agency will do everything for you. You also get to meet other travelers.
- Cons: You have almost no control of the itinerary and how much time you will be spending at each stop.
If you charter a private boat
You will need to book with Calamian Tourist Boat Association. Their office is at the near end of the Lualhati Park. They have standardized the rates of boat trips depending on the size of the boat needed, the number of passengers, and your destination.
Is it cheaper? Only if you’re a big group. Rates depend on the boat size. For example, for Coron Island Tour, a boat that can accommodate 2-4 passengers costs P2700, 5-8 pax for P3250, or 9-15 pax for P3800. Obviously, you’ll be maximizing this if you’re a group of 10 or bigger.
- Pros: Although there is a suggested itinerary, you have total control of your time and schedule. If you want to stay longer somewhere, you can. If you want to skip a stop, you can too. And as I said, if you’re a big group, it will turn out much cheaper than joining a group tour.
- Cons: The published rates cover only the boat fee. NOT included are the tour guide fee (P500) and entrance fees. Food is NOT included either, so you will need to bring your own provisions. Fortunately, the public market is near the port and the boatmen can prepare and cook your meals at no extra cost, so you can simply shop for ingredients before your trip.
Coron Tours
The following are some of the most popular tours in Coron with the usual destinations covered. Inclusions vary so please confirm with the tour or boat operator first before you seal the deal. I also indicated the usual rates as of March 2017, but bear in mind that these rates vary from operator to operator.
We also provided links to corresponding tours. However, we have to say that we actually find the tours online a bit pricier than usual. I would still just find another tour when I’m there. But if you have your trusted booking sites and you’re more comfortable booking with them, go ahead.
For you want to pull a DIY or charter a private boat, you’ll find the entrance fee rates in the photo caption. However, like I said, if you’re joining a group tour, you don’t need to worry about the entrance fees because they’re included in the group tour package.
Coron Island Tour
Group tour: P1500-P1800 per pax (All in)
Private boat: P2700 for 2-4 pax, P3250 for 8 pax, P3800 for 9-15 pax
This is the classic Coron Island Tour. The usual Group Tour rate is somewhere between P1500 and P1800. However, you’ll find tours for only P1300 or even as low as P750. Why the big difference? Check the itinerary. The most iconic attractions in Coron are Kayangan Lake and Twin Lagoon. Many of the offers we found don’t cover both. Some just include Kayangan Lake and a few other stops, or Twin Lagoon and a few other stops. If you want to make the most of your stay, book a tour that has both in the itinerary.
Coron Town Tour
Group tour: P550+ per pax
Alternatively, you might want to do this by yourself because all these are accessible by tricycle and even walking (except Maquinit)
Mt. Tapyas does not require an entrance fee. It’s best enjoyed at sunrise!
Maquinit Hotsprings can be reached by tricycle. Fare is P350 roundtrip. Entrance fee: P200 per person. Best enjoyed after climbing Mt. Tapyas.
Calauit Safari Park Tour
Group tour: P2500-P3000 per pax
Private boat: P9300 for 2-4 pax, P10400 for 5-8 pax, P17000 for 15 pax
If you’re joining a Group Tour, you have two options: by land or by sea.
If by sea, you will be stopping at the following:
Other stops: North Cay, South Cay
I personally prefer touring by sea because I am in love with Black Island, which is often not included in land tours.
If by land, your stops will be 2 – 4 in the following, depending on the agency. Make sure to check the itinerary first before booking with any travel agency:
- Calauit Safari Park
- Concepcion Falls
- Malbato Chapel
- North/South Cay
- Pamilacan Island
- Lusong Coral Garden and Gun Boat Wreck
There are other tours that include these stops: Calauit Safari Park and either Pamilacan Island or North Cay. I’ve been to both Pamilacan and North Cay, and Black Island is so much better.
Malcapuya Island Tour (aka Island Escapade Tour or Beaches Tour)
Group tour: P950-P1700 per pax
Private boat: P4350 per 4 pax, P5450 per 8 pax, P7100 per 15 pax
Stops: Malcapuya Island, Banana Island, Bulog Dos Island. Some tours include Malaroyroy Island.
Culion Historical Tour
Group tour: P1300 per pax
Private boat: P4350 for 2-4 pax, P4900 for 5-8 pax, P7100 for 9-15 pax
You might also want to check out this travel guide if you want this trip Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style: Culion Travel Guide
Glittering Fireflies and Plankton Tour (with Buffet Dinner)
Group Tour: P950 per pax
Package includes: Buffet dinner, hotel transfers, guide fee, and kayak fee
Pick-up at 6pm, tour ends at 9:30pm
Private Tour NOT AVAILABLE
I can’t stop raving about this tour. This is super magical! Although the fireflies are cool, the real stars of the night are the bioluminescent plankton. When you dip your hands in the water, it sparkles. And when you tap the sides of the boats, the most amazing thing happened: the water beneath us glittered and the lights spread out across the water! If I didn’t hold my jaws in place, they would have dropped into the water. It was insane!
We tried taking photos and videos but it’s just too dark. But it is similar to what’s happening in this video. Not the same, but close to it.
To book, you can message this FB Page: Calamian Islands Travel and Tours
Lusong Ship Wreck and Bulog Dos Tour
Stops: Lusong Shipwreck, Lusong Coral Garden, Bulog Dos Island, Pass Island
Group Tour: P1600 per pax
Sample Coron Itinerary + Breakdown of Expenses
The best thing about Coron is that the neighboring islands — all equally mesmerizing — are just a boat ride away. Thus, a trip to Coron will never be complete without a visit to the other destinations surrounding it. Because boat rides and tours are all organized into day tours, it is very easy to build an itinerary.
Below is a sample 4-day 3-night itineraries for 2 pax. I set the meal allowance at P200 per meal outside organized tours. This Coron itinerary assumes you will be staying at a guest house at P1000 per night (P500 per person).
As always, please make the necessary adjustments to fit your flight schedule, duration of stay, or tour preferences.
Day 1: ARRIVAL, DIY TOWN TOUR
09:30 am – ETA Busuanga Airport, travel to Coron: P150
10:30 am – Arrival in Coron, check in at hotel
11:10 am – Lunch: P200
12:00 pm – Canvas tour prices, book tours
04:00 pm – Climb to Mt. Tapyas Viewdeck: FREE
06:30 pm – Maquinit Hot Springs: P350 fare (P175) + P200 entrance fee
08:30 pm – Dinner: P200
Day 2: CORON ISLAND TOUR
07:00 am – Coron Island Tour: P1500
06:00 pm – Fireflies & Night Tour: P950
Day 3: CALAUIT TOUR
07:00 am – Calauit Safari Park Tour: P2500
08:00 pm – Dinner: P200
Day 4: DEPARTURE
06:00 am – Wake up call
07:00 am – Breakfast: P100
08:20 am – Van travel to airport: P150
09:20 am – ETA Busuanga Airport, Terminal Fee: P100
That’s a total of P7925, excluding airfare.
If that’s still too steep for you, you can remove the Fireflies Tour (please don’t! It’s really good!) and then replace Calauit Tour with something cheaper like Malcapuya Island Tour. This will bring down the total cost to only: P5975!
If you’re able to snag a P3200 promo fare (believe me, it’s possible!), the total is only at P9175.
Other tips for the Poor Traveler
- If the cost above is still much higher than your budget, stay at a cheaper place. There are fan rooms available for only P400 per night.
- Build a group. Instead of joining a group tour, build a big group that you can share a private tour with. If you can create a party of 8 or more, it would bring down the cost significantly.
- Pick a room within walking distance of Lualhati Park. Tricycle ride costs P10 per person.
- Leave No Trace! Take your trash with you when you leave, and respect wildlife. Coron is naturally beautiful. Let’s keep it that way!
2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣0️⃣ • 1️⃣ • 1️⃣7️⃣ (updated)
2️⃣0️⃣1️⃣7️⃣ • 5️⃣ • 1️⃣8️⃣ (first up)
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