Coron in Palawan has been dropping jaws for years. This island is blissfully ringed by bone-white beaches and jade-colored lakes hemmed in by karst limestone hills. This is why Coron attracts many travelers.
In 1998, the indigenous tribe of Tagbanua in Coron Island – ancestors of some of the oldest people in the Philippines – were awarded Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC) No. 134, covering over 22,000 hectares of land and sea. This gave them the authority to manage and preserve the marine and land resources, and the right to regulate the entry of migrant settlers and organizations into the domain. Such power is imperative for the Tagbanua community to protect their land from exploitation and destruction caused by outsiders.
I hope this Coron Travel Blog will guide you and help you plan your trip to this amazing island in Palawan.
TRAVEL BLOG CONTENTS
HOW TO GET TO CORON
BY AIR
MANILA TO CORON
Airlines such as Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific fly between Manila and Coron, Palawan. From Coron airport, take a van bound for Coron Town. Fare is Php 150.
BY FERRY
MANILA TO CORON
2Go Travel ferry has trips from Manila to Coron every Tuesday and Friday at 1:30 PM. And from Coron to Manila every Sunday and Friday at 4:30 PM. See ferry trips schedule between Manila and Coron below.
| Departure | TIME | PORT | ARRIVAL | TIME | PORT |
| Tuesday | 01:30 PM | Pier 4 Manila | Wednesday | 04:30 AM | Coron Pier |
| Friday | 01:30 PM | Pier 4 Manila | Saturday | 04:30 AM | Coron Pier |
| Sunday | 04:30 PM | Coron Pier | Monday | 07:30 AM | Pier 4 Manila |
| Thursday | 04:30 PM | Coron Pier | Friday | 07:30 AM | Pier 4 Manila |
PUERTO PRINCESA TO CORON
2Go Travel ferry has trips from Puerto Princesa to Coron every Saturday and Wednesday at 11:59 PM. And from Coron to Puerto Princesa every Saturday and Wednesday at 09:00 PM. See ferry trips schedule between Coron and Puerto Princesa below.
| Departure | TIME | PORT | ARRIVAL | TIME | PORT |
| Saturday | 11:59 PM | Puerto Princesa Pier | Sunday | 03:00 PM | Coron Pier |
| Wednesday | 11:59 PM | Puerto Princesa Pier | Thursday | 03:00 PM | Coron Pier |
| Saturday | 06:00 AM | Coron Pier | Saturday | 09:00 PM | Puerto Princesa Pier |
| Wednesday | 06:00 AM | Coron Pier | Wednesday | 09:00 PM | Puerto Princesa Pier |
EL NIDO TO CORON
As of last year, Montenegro Lines started running ferries between El Nido and Coron, travel time is 3.5 hours and regulas fare is PHP 1,760 (USD 35/€31/SGD 48). See the boat/ferry/fastcraft schedule between Coron and El Nido, Palawan.
| FARE | DEPARTURE | ARRIVAL |
| Adult (Regular fare) – PHP 1,760 (USD 35/€31/SGD 48)
Student (with valid ID) – PHP 1,496 (USD 30/€26/SGD 41)
Senior Citizen (with SC ID) – PHP 1,257 (USD 22/€25/SGD 35) | El Nido – 6:00 AM | Coron – 9:30 AM |
| Adult (Regular fare) – PHP 1,760 (USD 35/€31/SGD 48)
Student (with valid ID) – PHP 1,496 (USD 30/€26/SGD 41)
Senior Citizen (with SC ID) – PHP 1,257 (USD 22/€25/SGD 35) | Coron – 12:00 PM | El Nido – 3:30 PM |
Montenegero Lines
Phone #: (043) 740 2881 / 0917 496 2009 / 0917 650 6468/ 0998 85 1428 / 0908 571 3984
Email: [email protected]
GETTING AROUND CORON
Tricycles are the main mode of transportation in downtown Coron. Fare is Php 10 per head if within the town proper, going to the port will cost you Php 20. To charter a tricycle to Maquinit Hotspring prepare about Php 350 for roundtrip fare.
Motorcycles are also available for rent in some guesthouses if you want to tour the countryside.
Maps are for sale ( Php 100) at Coron Galeri in Brgy. Poblacion 3 to help you navigate around Coron.
CORON TOURIST SPOTS
CORON TOWN TOUR
MT. TAPYAS
MAQUINIT HOT SPRING
CORON CHURCH
CORON ISLAND LOOP
KAYANGAN LAKE
BARRACUDA LAKE
CYC BEACH
SIETE PECADOS
TWIN LAGOON
BANOL BEACH
REEF AND WRECKS
SKELETON WRECK
LUSONG GUNBOAT AND SHIPWRECK
CORAL GARDEN
PASS ISLAND
EAST TANGAT WRECK
CORON ISLAND ESCAPADE
MALCAPUYA ISLAND
BANANA ISLAND
Bulog Island
CALAUIT SAFARI
CALAUIT SAFARI PARK
BLACK ISLAND BEACH AND CAVES
PANIAITAN VILLAGE
CONCEPCION FALLS
BINTUAN MANGROVE BOARDWALK
MALBATO CHAPEL ON THE HILL
CULION TOUR
CULION 7TH CENTURY CHURCH
CULION MUSEUM
HISTORICAL LANDMARK
BOGOR MARINE PARK
ALSO READ: CULION TRAVEL GUIDE
IMPORTANT: Wear rash guard, aqua shoes or full sole fins when swimming to avoid getting stung by sea urchins, jellyfish or stonefish. I recommend hiring a tourist guide if you’re renting a boat so someone can watch over you and guide you where to swim safely.
CHEAP CORON TOUR PACKAGES
Here’s a list of cheap tour packages in Coron. Rates mentioned are for joiner tours (you’ll be joining other tourists) . Private tours are more expensive.
Coron Island and Lakes Tour (TOUR A)
- CYC Beach
- Coral Garden
- Atwayan Beach (picnic lunch)
- Hidden Lagoon
- Quin Reef
- Kayangan Lake
TOUR RATE: PHP 1,025/ USD 20 (EURO 17/SGD 27/MYR 85)
Coron Ultimate Tour
*If it’s your first time in Coron, and you want to see the best of Coron in 1 day, I’d recommend this tour.
- Kayangan Lake
- Twin Lagoons
- Siete Pecados Marine Park
- Banol Beach (Lunch)
- Snorkeling at Skeleton Wreck
- Malwawey Reef & Coral Garden
- CYC Beach
TOUR RATE: PHP 1,950/ USD 39 (EURO 32/SGD 52/MYR 162)
Coron Island Escapade Tour (Tour C)
- Malcapuya
- Bulog Dos
- Banana Island
TOUR RATE: PHP 1,650/ USD 33(EURO 27/SGD 44/MYR 137)
Coron Calauit Safari and Beach Tour
- Calauit Wildlife Sanctuary
- North Cay or Pamilacan Island
TOUR RATE: PHP 3,000/ USD 60 (EURO 50/SGD 79/MYR 249)
Coron Reefs and Wrecks Island Hopping (Tour D)
- Bulog Dos Island
- picnic lunch at Pass Island
- Lusong Coral Garden
- Lusong Gun Boat Shipwreck
TOUR RATE: PHP 1,600/USD 32(EURO 27/SGD 42/MYR 133)
Coron Town Half Day Tour
- Mt Tapyas View Deck
- Maquinit Hotspring
- Public Market
- Town Plaza
- Lualhati Park
- Souvenir Shops
- St. Augustine Church
- Cashew Harvest
TOUR RATE: PHP 1,000/USD 20 (EURO 17/SGD 26/MYR 83)
CORON BOAT RENTAL RATES
Lunch, tour guide, snorkeling gears, cottages and entrance fees not included. You have to settle them on your own. Here is a list of the standard rates of boat rental in Coron.
| Destination | 2-5 Pax | 6-9 Pax | 10-15 Pax |
| Coron Island | Php 2,000 | Php 2, 500 | Php 4,000 |
| Sangat/Lusong | Php 3,000 | Php 3,500 | Php 6,000 |
| Banana/Malcapuya | Php 3,500 | Php 4,000 | Php 6,000 |
| Culion | Php 3,500 | Php 4, 000 | Php 6,000 |
| Dibatoc Island | Php 3,000 | Php 3,500 | Php 4,500 |
| Calumbayan/ Pass Is | Php 3,500 | Php 4,500 | Php 6,500 |
| Diwaran | Php 3,500 | Php 4,500 | Php 6,500 |
| Tara | Php 7,000 | Php 9,000 | Php 15,000 |
| Coral Bay/ Maglalambay | Php 3,500 | Php 4,500 | Php 6,500 |
| North and South Cay Islands | Php 4,000 | Php 5,500 | Php 8,000 |
| Calauit Safari Park | Php 7,500 | Php 9,000 | Php 15,000 |
| Panlaitan/Black Island | Php 5,000 | Php 7,500 | Php 10,000 |
| Linapacan | Php 7,500 | Php 9,500 | Php 15,000 |
| El Nido/Taytay | Php 14,000 | Php 18,000 | Php 25,000 |
*Source: Calamian Tourist Boat Association, Inc.
If you rent a boat, entrance fees are not included. Here’s a list of entrance fees in Coron:
| Destination | Fee |
| Kayangan Lake | Php 200 per person |
| Barracuda Lake | Php 100 per person |
| Banol Beach | Php 100 per person |
| Skeleton Wreck | Php 100 per person |
| Siete Pecados | Php 100 per person |
| Maquinit Hotspring | Php 150 per person |
| Grand Total | Php 750 |
CORON TRAVEL BUDGET
I stayed 10 days in Coron and did a side trip to Culion before heading to El Nido. My tour was sponsored so I only paid for the accommodation in Coron, but to give you an idea of how much to spend, here’s my sample Coron trip budget which is good for 3 days.
| Activities | Budget |
| Van to and from airport (roundtrip) | Php 150 x 2 = Php 300 |
| Accomodation | Php 500 x 3 = Php 1,500 |
| Food | Php 150 x 3 (meals per day) = Php 450 x 3 (days) = Php 1,350 |
| Coron Town Tour | Php 600 |
| Coron Ultimate Island Hopping | Php 1, 500 |
| Malcapuya, Banana and Bulog Island | Php 1, 200 |
| GRAND TOTAL | Php 6,450 |
*You can lower this down if you skip the Malcapuya, Banana and Bulog Dos island hopping tour. But I suggest you don’t, since these beaches are really breath-snatching.
WHERE TO STAY IN CORON
Budget
Micasa Lodge
National Highway, Brgy Poblacion 1, Coron Town
Coron Underwater Garden Resort
Baquit Island, Coron Palawan
Mid-range
La Natura Resort
Brgy. 6 Kapyas, Coron
Coral Bay Beach and Dive Resort
Brgy. Maglambay, Pototan Island
High-end
El Rio Y Mar Resort
San Jose Busuanga
CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
Huma Island Resort and Spa
Dicilingan Island, Brgy. Sagrada Busuanga
WHERE TO EAT IN CORON
Big Mama’s Pinoy Hot Pot and Grill
Brgy. Poblacion 4, Coron
Kawayanan Grill
Calle San Pedro, Brgy. 2 Coron
Tita Eash Eatery
Malvar Street
Coron
Lolo Nonoy’s Food Station
Palawan National Highway Coron
Bistro Coron
Coron-Busuanga Road
Brgy.1 Poblacion Coron
CORON ITINERARY
| Day 1 | ACTIVITIES |
| 10:00 AM | Arrival at Busuanga Airport |
| 11:00 AM | Arrival at Coron Town by van |
| 11:10 AM | Check in at Hotel |
| 11:30 AM | Lunch |
| 12:00 PM | Rest |
| 01:00 PM | Start City Tour Coron Church, Coron Souvenirs, Zipline at Lualhati Park |
| 04:00 PM | Climb Mt. Tapyas for Sunset |
| 06:00 PM | Head to Maquinit Hot Spring |
| 08:00 PM | Dinner |
| DAY 2 | ACTIVITIES |
| 07:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 08:00 AM | Start of Coron Island Hopping Tour Kayangan Lake, Siete Pecados, |
| 11:30 PM | Lunch at Banol Beach |
| 12:30 PM | Skeleton Wreck, Twin Lagoon, CYC Beach |
| 05:00 PM | Return to Hotel |
| 07:00 PM | Dinner |
| DAY 3 | ACTIVITIES |
| 07:00 AM | Breakfast |
| 08:00 AM | Start of Coron island Escapade Tour Bulog Dos |
| 11:30 AM | Lunch at Banana Island |
| 12:30 AM | Snorkeling and Swimming at Banana Island |
| 02:00 PM | MalcapuyaIsland |
| 04:00 PM | Return to Coron Town/Hotel |
| 07:00 PM | Dinner |
| DAY 4 | ACTIVITIES |
| 06:30 AM | Breakfast |
| 07:00 AM | Head to Calauit Safari for the Tour Black Island Beach and Caves, Paniaitan Village |
| 7:00 PM | Dinner |
| DAY 5 | ACTIVITIES |
| Culion Tour |
CORON TRAVEL TIPS
Wear rash guard, aqua shoes or full sole fins when swimming and snorkeling to avoid being stung by sea urchins, jellyfish or stone fish.
Do not step or touch corals when snorkeling.
There are entrance fees imposed by Marine Park Managements and Tagbanua Tribes of Coron Island. See table above.
Some areas are sacred sites of the Tagbanua tribe, so please be respectful. Avoid being loud. And do not leave your trash nor collect plants or sand.
Coron uses 220 volt outlet.
Bring mosquito repellant and personal medicines.
There are 4 ATMs in Coron but I still recommend you to stack up cash (Philippines Peso). Almost everything is on cash basis but some resorts and establishments accept major credit cards and they have money changing services.
EXTEND YOUR TRIP
ALSO READ:
CULION TRAVEL GUIDE
El Nido Travel Guide
PUERTO PRINCESA TRAVEL GUIDE (Budget + Itinerary)
SAN VICENTE PALAWAN TRAVEL GUIDE + ITINERARY 2019
DIY PUERTO PRINCESA CITY TOUR
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