The Calamian Islands in Palawan offer an abundance of activities for a wide variety of interests, all in a beautiful setting. There are beaches, mountains, ancient coves, lagoons, and spectacular sunrise or sunset. And for what you can do, there’s hiking, swimming, snorkeling, boating, diving, or even sunbathing — it is a long list! To help make the most of your trip, you must know the basics –like how to get to Coron, how to get around in the town, what to pack, etc. What you will read in this blog are practical tips, so you’ll be prepared and know what to expect. I trust that you will have a pleasant and memorable trip. So, let’s dive in.
Where is Coron?
Coron Town is in Busuanga. Busuanga is a municipality in Palawan province. The province of Palawan is in the southwest corner of Luzon. Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. Are we clear on this now?
There are two Coron.
Now, it is important to know that Coron Island and Coron Town are two different places. To avoid getting confused with these two, Coron town is on Busuanga Island while the other is a small island only half an hour offshore and by boat from Coron town. Now, Coron island is what you would need to see. Travelers from all over the globe must explore this island.
Planning the Trip
Coron is a vibrant little town with a rustic feel. No matter what time of the day, it is never boring. The best part is that everyone in the village seems happy. Although frequently flocked by locals and international tourists, this hub for divers had remained authentic and still untouched by the wave of western-style modernization. The infrastructure here is still primitive. That said, the roads and highways do need a lot of work. Nonetheless, don’t let that disappoint you, instead, enjoy all this Philippine apple has to offer. The old charm of rural living is still present. Thus, you will experience what it feels like to live in a remote country. And that is the town’s redeeming part! Powered by the 12Go Asia system
How to Get There:
Traveling to Coron by plane is the fastest way to get to the island. Cebu Pacific and Philippines Airlines both fly several times daily from Manila. I like PAL for their almost zero-delay or no-flight cancellations. Cebu Pacific, on the contrary, is known for its notoriety in flight cancellations, but they offer the cheapest airfares. Another company is Skyjet, but I have yet to experience their services.
Ferry from Manila to Coron:
A ferry sails from Manila and Puerto Princesa to Coron twice a week. It takes 15 hours of navigation.
From Clark airport (100 km north of Manila), there are four or five flight schedules daily. So, if you are in northern Luzon, use Clark Airport as your hub to avoid the unbelievable traffic congestion in Metro Manila.
How To Get to the Town of Coron from Francisco B. Reyes Airport (XCN)
The airport (XCN) is right in the heart of Busuanga Island, a 45-minute drive to the town of Coron. XCN is a small airport but bustling even in the wee hours. Transitioning from deplaning to finding transportation to the town center is easy-peasy.
For our ride, I pre-booked a coach service via AsiaTravel.com. It was my first time to avail of their services. Gladly, the company did not disappoint.
Suppose you did not book a transfer; no worries. You could hire a coach and a driver to take you to Coron town. They are waiting outside the airport building at the exit of the arrival area. These drivers know the flight schedules, so they’re there and all set to serve you! The standard fee for minivan fare is PHP 150.00 per person.
How to Get Around in the Town:
The most common mode of transportation to go around the town is tricycles. It is the Philippine version of the tuk-tuk in Thailand. Tricycle trips cost only PHP 10.00, but before hopping in, always agree on how much to pay. It is also possible to explore on foot. Unfortunately, there are no taxis (or Uber.)
Where to Stay:
If you haven’t noticed yet, Coron is a budget travel destination! As a budget traveler, I stayed at an Airbnb in the town center. It is not the best accommodation, but the beds are comfy enough. The nightly rate was $15.00, including breakfast. There are guesthouses, homesteads, and hostels for backpackers, ranging from PhP400.00 to P500.00 ($7.00 -8.00/night).
Who says those Ritchie-Rich don’t have a place here? Check these out: Two Seasons Coron Island Resort & Spa and Club Paradise Resort Palawan are luxury beachfront resorts. Stay in these resorts, and you will have a hassle-free vacation. They offer airport transfers, private tours, and a private beach area to hang out as much as you, please.
Where to Eat:
Kawayanan Grill –It is a local restaurant that offers grilled meats, seafood, and other Filipino dishes. Be ready to smell like smoked fish because right in the middle section of the restaurant are fire grills where they cook the guest’s food request. Seaweed salads and fruit shakes are their specialties as well. I loved the Coconut Shake here. Try it!
Altrove Coron –If you’re looking for a world fare, check out Altrove Coron for Italian dishes. Try their Margarita Pizza. It is the best I ever ate outside Italy! Interestingly, this is the very first restaurant I have entered with a “no-shoe policy!”
Best Time to Visit:
With the constant climate change nowadays, it is difficult to say when is the perfect time to go. The locals, however, say that December to May is the best month to visit the island. I came by in December and gladly enjoyed much of the sunshine. There were isolated rain showers on some days and a heavy downpour on one of the evenings, but none like typhoons that would have ruined our perfect vacation.
Furthermore, Coron, like the rest of the Philippines, has two seasons—wet and dry. The wet season is from June to November. That is when typhoons stop hitting. As far as the crowd, there was a vast multitude of travelers when we visited in December. The town was bustling and had a full plate. It is the tourist season, that’s why. If you do not like crowded places, avoid visiting during the holidays, like Christmas, New Year, Holy Week, and Chinese New Year. This is true for every famous island destination in the country.
Useful Information:
Take the morning flights to Busuanga instead of the afternoon.
The reason for that is you run the risk of cancellation if taking the last plane. The airport stops service at dusk. The airport has no runway light. The advantage of arriving in Busuanga at 6:00 in the morning is that you can start on your island-hopping tour immediately. Those who did not book can arrange a boat trip with a boatman in the town square. Plenty of clippers along the shore on the pier are waiting for passengers. The rate for a full-day tour is Php800.00 (about US$15.00) per person. Lunch included.
In the island-hopping day tour, your group will visit at least eight different points of interest. You will have enough time to swim, snorkel, take pictures. Or enjoy the sceneries before heading to the next inlet lake, beach, shipwreck spot, snorkeling ground, and lagoon. By lunchtime, the boatmen will anchor on a small island. Lunch will be set up on bamboo tables in an open native cottage. The boatmen will cook food on the boat. I must say that they prepare a delicious lunch! They usually served grilled or fried fish, barbeque pork or chicken, eggplant salad, seaweed salad, steamed rice, fruits, and water (no soda.) You will partake in lunch with your tour group. It’s a fun way to meet other travelers.
How many days is enough to tour the islands and lakes of Coron?
Good question! Most tour packages offer a three-day itinerary, while others would do two days. To avoid regret for not staying enough, I decided to take the four-day island hopping adventure. However, if budget is an issue, three days should be enough. As mentioned, the island tours are standard rates. That means regardless of which tour company you booked, they all charged the same prices with similar activities.
Bank services:
ATMs accept cards with both Visa and Master Card logos only. Also, there is a fee of PHP 200 for each withdrawal. Now, you don’t want to miss this information; ATMs are often offline or out of order. It can be frustrating and full of hassle if you need cash and rush to the nearest ATM only to find out it is not working. So, the solution is to spare enough pesos. Most accommodations, travel agencies, and restaurants take “cash only.”
Internet Connection
There is no need to buy a data SIM card in Manila. Even the small street vendors in Coron Palawan sell Data SIM. Also, every hotel and some restaurants offer Wifi. The interesting part is that snail mail is even faster to arrive than an e-mail because the internet speed in Coron is the speed of a turtle! That said, don’t expect a strong signal in this remote town.
Safety:
Coron is a very laid-back and peaceful town with minimal risk of robberies or violent situations. Also, thefts of unattended personal belongings are very rare. Nevertheless, you still need to be watchful with your personal belongings.
Health:
If you are diving and exploring the shipwrecks, make sure your tetanus shot is up to date. The ruined ships are fantastic, but I heard they are full of rusty metal.
What to Pack:
Waterproof backpacks – The waters are rough and high sometimes, and they could reach the boat. So you want to protect your shooting gadgets and electronic devices. Also, pack that waterproof cell phone case.
Snorkeling gears – Don’t forget this item for your must-activity in Coron! But, if you didn’t bring, just rent from your boatman. The rental fee is PHP 75.00 for the entire day.
Pair of aqua shoes – Spending a lot of time on the snorkeling grounds and beaches, you must bring pairs of aqua shoes. It will protect your feet from the sharp rocks or the risks of scraping them. But, unfortunately, such items are expensive to buy it there.
Sunblock – No activity on the island exempts you from the blasting heat of the sun. So, before you get roasted, apply that sunblock lotion or cream first and foremost.
Go-pro camera – An excellent gadget to capture the fantastic world underneath. Make sure you know how to use it or at least have practiced it before the trip.
Where to stay in Coron, Philippines
Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel
Located along Coron-Busanga Road, the Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel offers accommodations with views of the sea, 3.1 mi from Kayangan Lake. It is a 919 foot-walk to Coron Seaport. Coron Public Market is 1.2 mi away, while Maquinit Hot Spring is 1.9 mi from the property. Busuanga Airport, 14 mi from Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel, is the nearest airport. There is a 24-hour front desk and a gift shop at the property. In addition, a business center is available for the use of meeting facilities. BAYA Resto Lounge serves up a variety of local and international cuisine.
Asia Grand View Hotel, Coron
Located in Coron, a 3-minute walk from Dicanituan Beach, Asia Grand View Hotel provides accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden, and a shared lounge. The daily breakfast offers buffet, à la carte, or continental options. You can play pool, ping pong, and darts at this 4-star hotel, and bike rental is available. Maquinit Hot Spring is 3.7 miles from the accommodation, while Mount Tapyas is 0.8 miles away. The nearest airport is Francisco B. Reyes Airport, 13 miles from Asia Grand View Hotel.
My Opinion and Last Word
Have you been to Coron, Philippines? Any cool tips to share?
loved being in Coron, Philippines, and want to go back again. I hope my story has motivated you to visit Philippines.
Please leave a comment below! I’d love to hear from you to improve my knowledge.
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