PALAWAN: Coron Travel Guide (Budget + Itinerary)

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.

coron 7 (1 of 1)

I hope this Coron Travel Blog will guide you and help you plan your trip to this amazing island in Palawan.


HOW TO GET TO CORON

 

coron5small-1

 

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

 
coron island 3

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.

 

DepartureTIMEPORT ARRIVALTIMEPORT
Tuesday01:30 PMPier 4 ManilaWednesday04:30 AMCoron Pier
Friday01:30 PMPier 4  ManilaSaturday04:30 AMCoron Pier
Sunday04:30 PMCoron PierMonday07:30 AMPier 4 Manila
Thursday04:30 PMCoron PierFriday07:30 AMPier 4
Manila

 

 

PUERTO PRINCESA TO CORON 

coron island

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.

 

DepartureTIMEPORT ARRIVALTIMEPORT
Saturday11:59 PMPuerto Princesa PierSunday03:00 PMCoron Pier
Wednesday11:59 PMPuerto Princesa PierThursday03:00 PMCoron Pier
Saturday06:00 AMCoron PierSaturday09:00 PMPuerto Princesa Pier
Wednesday06:00 AMCoron PierWednesday09:00 PMPuerto Princesa Pier

 

 

EL NIDO TO CORON

coron palawan 12

 

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.

 

 

FAREDEPARTUREARRIVAL
 

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 AMCoron – 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 PMEl 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

coron town

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

 

coron4small-1

MT. TAPYAS

MAQUINIT HOT SPRING

MAQUINIT HOT SPRING

A1

CORON CHURCH

 

CORON ISLAND LOOP

 

KAYANGAN LAKE PHOTO

KAYANGAN LAKE

BARRACUDA LAKE PHOTO

BARRACUDA LAKE

CYC BEACH PHOTO

CYC BEACH

SIETE PECADOS PHOTO

SIETE PECADOS

TWIN LAGOON

BANOL BEACH PHOTO

BANOL BEACH

 

 

REEF AND WRECKS

SKELETON WRECK PHOTO

SKELETON WRECK

 

LUSONG GUNBOAT AND SHIPWRECK

CORAL GARDEN

PASS ISLAND

EAST TANGAT WRECK

 

CORON ISLAND ESCAPADE

MALCAPUYA ISLAND photo

MALCAPUYA ISLAND

BANANA ISLAND photo

BANANA ISLAND

 

 

coron11small-1

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 PALAWAN 2

CULION 7TH CENTURY CHURCH

CULION PALAWAN 3

CULION MUSEUM

CULION PALAWAN

HISTORICAL LANDMARK

CULION PALAWAN 7

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

 

coron 2 (1 of 1)

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)

BOOK TOUR HERE 1

 


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)

 

BOOK TOUR HERE 1

 


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 Island Escapade Tour (Tour C)

 


 

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)

BOOK TOUR HERE 1


 

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)

BOOK TOUR HERE 1

 


 

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)

 

BOOK TOUR HERE 1


CORON BOAT RENTAL RATES

 

coron 3 (1 of 1)

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.

 

Destination2-5 Pax6-9 Pax10-15 Pax
Coron IslandPhp 2,000Php 2, 500Php 4,000
Sangat/LusongPhp 3,000Php 3,500Php 6,000
Banana/MalcapuyaPhp 3,500Php 4,000Php 6,000
CulionPhp 3,500Php 4, 000Php 6,000
Dibatoc IslandPhp 3,000Php 3,500Php 4,500
Calumbayan/ Pass IsPhp 3,500Php 4,500Php 6,500
DiwaranPhp 3,500Php 4,500Php 6,500
TaraPhp 7,000Php 9,000Php 15,000
Coral Bay/ MaglalambayPhp 3,500Php 4,500Php 6,500
North and South Cay IslandsPhp 4,000Php 5,500Php 8,000
Calauit Safari ParkPhp 7,500Php 9,000Php 15,000
Panlaitan/Black IslandPhp 5,000Php 7,500Php 10,000
LinapacanPhp 7,500Php 9,500Php 15,000
El Nido/TaytayPhp 14,000Php 18,000Php 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:

 

       DestinationFee
 

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

coron malcapuya 2 (1 of 1)

 

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.

 

ActivitiesBudget
Van to and from airport  (roundtrip)Php 150 x 2 = Php 300
AccomodationPhp 500 x 3 = Php 1,500
FoodPhp 150 x 3 (meals per day) = Php 450 x 3 (days) = Php 1,350
Coron Town TourPhp 600
Coron Ultimate Island HoppingPhp 1, 500
Malcapuya,  Banana  and Bulog IslandPhp 1, 200
GRAND TOTALPhp 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

 

agoda micasa

Micasa Lodge

National Highway, Brgy Poblacion 1, Coron Town

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

agoda underwater garden

Coron  Underwater Garden Resort

Baquit Island, Coron Palawan

CHECK  ROOM RATES HERE

 

 

Mid-range

 

agoda la natura

La Natura Resort

Brgy. 6 Kapyas, Coron

 CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

agoda coral bay

Coral Bay Beach and Dive Resort

Brgy. Maglambay, Pototan Island

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

High-end

agoda el rio

El Rio Y Mar Resort

San Jose Busuanga

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

agoda huma

Huma Island Resort and Spa

Dicilingan Island, Brgy. Sagrada Busuanga

CHECK AGODA ROOM RATES HERE

 


 

WHERE TO EAT IN CORON

coron18Small-1

 

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

 

coron 4 (1 of 1)

Day 1ACTIVITIES
10:00 AMArrival at Busuanga Airport
11:00 AMArrival at Coron Town by van
11:10 AMCheck in at Hotel
11:30 AMLunch
12:00 PMRest
01:00 PMStart City Tour

Coron Church, Coron Souvenirs, Zipline at Lualhati Park

04:00 PMClimb Mt. Tapyas for Sunset
06:00 PM Head to Maquinit Hot Spring
08:00 PMDinner

 

DAY 2ACTIVITIES
07:00 AMBreakfast
08:00 AMStart of Coron Island Hopping Tour

Kayangan Lake, Siete Pecados,

11:30 PMLunch at Banol Beach
12:30 PMSkeleton Wreck, Twin Lagoon, CYC Beach
05:00 PMReturn to Hotel
07:00 PMDinner

 

 

DAY 3ACTIVITIES
07:00 AMBreakfast
08:00 AMStart of Coron island Escapade Tour

Bulog Dos

11:30 AMLunch at Banana Island
12:30 AMSnorkeling and Swimming at Banana Island
02:00 PMMalcapuyaIsland
04:00 PMReturn to Coron Town/Hotel
07:00 PMDinner

 

DAY 4 ACTIVITIES
06:30 AMBreakfast
07:00 AMHead to Calauit Safari for the Tour

Black Island Beach and Caves, Paniaitan Village

7:00 PMDinner

 

DAY 5ACTIVITIES
Culion Tour

 

 


 

 

CORON TRAVEL TIPS

 

coron palawan 7
 

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

coron palawan 14

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

 


FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK FOR TRAVEL GUIDE UPDATES

 

FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM 

error: Content is protected !!