We capped off our two-week vacation back home with a 4-day trip to Coron, Palawan. It was our anniversary trip this year, where to next year?
ABOUT CORON
Coron Town, where most of the action is done, is actually situated in Busuanga Island. Coron is a separate island inhabited by the local Tagbanua Tribe. Both isles are part of the Calamian Group of Islands that make up the northern part of Palawan (see map).
The Tagbanua tribe basically man the whole area. The Certificate of Ancestral Domain Claim (CADC) gives the said indigenous community rights to Coron Island and the surrounding waters. This means they have jurisdiction over the island’s territory and natural resources, migration of local settlers and tourists, and have control over the preservation of Coron's natural beauty and its surrounding marine life.
Even though Coron's local government remains to run a conservative industry, it is no secret that the eco-tourism in the area is becoming popular.
Even though Coron's local government remains to run a conservative industry, it is no secret that the eco-tourism in the area is becoming popular.
According to one of our tour guides, the entrance fees for the tours (or a big part of it) are distributed among the tribe members, giving them an estimated monthly income of approximately Php. 1,000,000.
It is the Tagbanuas who decide which part of the island is open for tourists. Most of the areas in Coron are still closed, since the traditional tribe strive to preserve its natural state and pay homage to the “diwata”s of the Island. They also make it a point to keep the natural habitat of the Coron’s wildlife, from bayawak to balinsasayaw.
GETTING THERE
BY PLANE
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific now offer direct flights from Cebu to Busuanga. Good news for tourists coming from that part of the region!
Another option would be Skyjet Airlines, which includes Busuanga in the limited routes they offer.
If you are looking to save money and you’re not in a hurry, be sure to watch out for seat sales from these airlines or subscribe to promo alerts from Detourista (I subscribed!).
Try to book on a weekend and way earlier as much as you can.
If you are taking the plane on your way to Palawan, DO NOT pass up the chance to get a window seat to get an amazing aerial view of the islands. Unless you have a drone, you might not get the chance to see Coron this way.
BY FERRY
If you have the time, you can travel by sea via 2Go Travel Ferry. Trips from Manila to Coron is twice a week, every TUESDAY and FRIDAY. Ferry trips from Coron back to Manila is every THURSDAY and SUNDAY.
It is only one of their many routes, so check out their schedule for any changes and promos.
From Iloilo City, we took a Philippine Airlines flight via Cebu. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the time to go around the city or meet up with family because we only had an hour between connecting flights. We took the earliest one (06:55 a.m) in case of flight delays.
► VAN TRANSFER
Upon arrival, a number of hotel pick-ups will be waiting. Just let them know where you booked your stay and they’ll help you out right away. If you have not requested for any pick-up, there will always be shared rides ready for transport.
Transfers from Francisco B. Reyes Airport to Coron town is Php. 150 / pax, one way.
TIP: Travel agencies are handing out flyers and brochures when you exit the airport, take some so you can check for nice tour deals and compare prices if you haven’t booked any tours yet. The prices vary and so do the actvities. Be sure that the places you want visit are included in the packages.
► TRAVEL TIME:
From Cebu or Manila, it takes about an hour plane ride to Busuanga (USU). It takes approximately 40 minutes from the airport to the town with a lovely view of the countryside, giving you a New Zealand-ish feel.
GETTING AROUND THE TOWN
► TRICYCLE
Since the streets are narrow in Coron Town, tricycles and motorcycles could move in and out the town more easily than other vehicles. You can flag down a ride anywhere and they are usually very accommodating. If you are within the town vicinity, the fare per person is Php 10.
However, being slightly away from the town proper has its advantages. You get to have more peace and quiet, more chances of having large pools in your hotel, and you can get a good view of the bay if you’re in a slightly elevated area.
Coron Town is very congested, so if you don’t mind spending extra cash for all the extra perks, choose a location that's slightly away from the hustle and bustle of the streets. They charge about Php 20-30 per person for every ride.
Coron Town is very congested, so if you don’t mind spending extra cash for all the extra perks, choose a location that's slightly away from the hustle and bustle of the streets. They charge about Php 20-30 per person for every ride.
► E-TRICYCLE
Some town tours may be done with a van, but the one we chose used an electronic tricycle, which had a battery life of 2 hours. The driver brought 2 extra battery packs in case we run out of power in the middle of nowhere.
I tell you, it may be less luxurious than a van but, you are in a small island. The best way to enjoy it is by having the wind and smell of sea salt blow through your face. Let the puddles splash on your feet, let the sun warm your legs. Island life is not island life when you don’t get to experience those things.
► MOTOR BIKE / SCOOTER / ATV RENTALS
There are many vehicles for rent around town and the prices are pretty reasonable. Rentals for 2-3 hours range from Php. 350 – 500 and a whole day (8 hours) ranges from Php 500 – 800, depending on the type of vehicle you get. You will need a valid ID as a collateral.
In our case, we rented the scooter around 7:00 PM (after our tour) and returned it at 8:00 in the morning, before our next tour.
Instead of being charged for 12 hours, the owner only charged us the 8-hour rate. That may seem like a lot of money, but we really made use of our time. We got up at 6 am the next day and explored the other side of the island with the scooter for about 2 hours before our Coron Ultimate Tour. That made our 4-day trip even better.
We did the same the following day after our activity, but we asked the owner if we could return the scooter at around 10:00-11:00 a.m. instead of 8:00 since it was our last day. Hurrah! We were still charged the 8-hour rate but we went around until mid-day and found our way to Conception falls! Had we stayed a bit longer, we could have reached the far flung beaches.
Also, our scooters came with Japanese-style helmets, which looked all cutesy, but we never wore it. (NOT ADVISABLE).
ACCOMMODATION
With the growing number of tourists flocking Coron, there are, without a doubt, many choices of places to stay in. Depending on your preference, you can choose from 5-star hotels to budget-friendly inns. Be sure to watch out for deals and tour packages, there are hundreds online BUT beware of scammers. Always check the reviews and authenticity of the websites you go to and people you contact. Never shell out any money or information unless you are sure.
Always check the location of your chosen hotel as there are some located in Busuanga, which is far from Coron town. Some hotels are not easily accessible, so they charge a higher flat rate for boat or bus transfers. Some hotel transfers range from Php 150 to 1500 per person (one way).
If you are more spontaneous, you can just book right then and there but I suggest booking ahead of time to get a good room, especially during their peak season. You will have more choices and better deals from budget-friendly lodges to high-end resorts.
We got a good hotel deal from Agoda. We stayed in Coron Westown Resort (★★★★ Rating) which was about 10 minutes away from the town.
At first we were skeptical, but we were impressed by their friendly staff. We got a room right in front of the pool area, so we got to see the action even at night. There was hardly any noise, or maybe it's because we were just dead tired.
The WiFi is not so impressive, though. The best place to connect to their internet are the common areas, specifically the lobby. I think it was a good thing, though, because we were not glued to our gadgets and got to enjoy our stay the old fashioned style somehow.
The pools were nice and the ambiance was awesome. Free hearty breakfasts in the morning, who would not want that?
At first we were skeptical, but we were impressed by their friendly staff. We got a room right in front of the pool area, so we got to see the action even at night. There was hardly any noise, or maybe it's because we were just dead tired.
The WiFi is not so impressive, though. The best place to connect to their internet are the common areas, specifically the lobby. I think it was a good thing, though, because we were not glued to our gadgets and got to enjoy our stay the old fashioned style somehow.
The pools were nice and the ambiance was awesome. Free hearty breakfasts in the morning, who would not want that?
TIP: Downloading their mobile app will get you lower rates and some coupons. Always check the details and condition of your booking to avoid hassles when you get there. You can request for an early check-in or a smoke-free room if you wish. Some of the extras may require fees.
COFFEE CONQUEST
► La Morena Cafe
One of the good coffee shops in town. If you're looking for fine dining, you came to the wrong vacation spot. Most restaurants are quite conservative and rustic, making you appreciate the simplicity of things.
► Four Sisters Coffee Shop
If you are looking for "conservative and rustic", this is it. No yelp or website for this one. I don't even think this is in Trip Advisor. We only stumbled upon this tiangge in the middle of nowhere. No organic coffee of anything, just your local 3-in-1 coffee, a pot of hot water, and a spectacular panoramic view the greens and blues. Again, these simple things should be greatly appreciated.
TOURS
At first, we wanted to do DIY tours to get around the island the way we want to but eventually crossed to the dark side and gave in to plan B. Group tours. I think we made the right decision, since it was only the two of us. Had we chosen the DIY option, we would have probably spent more. Fussed more. Argued more.
As I have said, different agencies offer different rates. Some might have better destinations, food, and crew than others.
GROUP TOURS
If you want a hassle-free vacation, go all-in with the group tours. It will be cheaper and you will get to know random interesting (or annoying) people.
PROS: You do not need to worry about entrance fees and meals as they are included in the package. If you are lucky, some tours include free use of a kayak.
PRIVATE TOURS
If you prefer a more customized experience, you can hire a boat to take you around for the whole day, regardless of your destination. If I am not mistaken, rates usually start from Php 2000 or 2500 for a bangka and may increase depending on the number of people and destination.
PROS: You can choose and plan your trip! If there are places you want to skip or replace, you can do so as long as you have ample time.
For people with a lot of food sensitivities, this is an excellent option because you get to choose your meals.
Check the talipapa for official rates on boat rentals. Some boatmen might take advantage and give you raised prices, so it is good to be aware of the tariff rates. If you are a big group, this will really be cheaper.
Meals are also not included, so you have to buy your ingredients and have your boat crew cook it for you. If you have enough time, this is a good way to see their market and make sure everything you get is fresh.
THINGS YOU NEED TO BRING:
- SUNBLOCK AND INSECT REPELLENT. Mosquitoes are a huge problem in Palawan.
- SUNGLASSES AND A HAT. Boat rides could take up to an hour or more, so protect your skin from the sun.
- SNORKELING GEAR. If you already have one, good. If not, no need to worry because there are tons for sale or for rent everywhere. Put your haggling skills to good use!
- AQUA SHOES. It is optional, but for worriers like me, you might need one as a precaution.
- CAMERAS. Or it didn't happen. Kidding. It is always nice to keep memories of your vacation. Don't let this be the center of your purpose, though. Enjoy what is in front of you! You might miss out on the little awesome things if you're too focused on gadgets the whole time. Don't forget extra batteries!
- WATERPROOF BEACH BAG. This is a must if you are riding a boat, especially if you have your phones and wallets with you.
- TOWEL. You will be crazy not to bring one.
- FIRST AID KIT. You know, just in case.
REEFS AND WRECKS TOUR
► LUSONG GUNBOAT
► EAST TANGAT WRECK
► SANGAT CORAL GARDEN
► PASS ISLAND
CORON ULITMATE ISLAND TOUR
► KAYANGAN LAKE
Find the Tagbanua Tribe members guarding Kayangan Lake. People are not allowed to swim without lifejackets now.
HIDDEN LAGOON
TWIN LAGOONS
EXTRA TRIP TO BUSUANGA
Since we've rented a motor bike, we decided to ride all the way to the opposite side of the island. The road was mostly cemented and it was not too hot. to be honest, I was creeped out. The view was lovely, but my mind got a bit too stimulated by the sound of the crickets as we drove through the highway. In some parts, the trees (draped with vines and roots) would form an arch over the road. It was the perfect psycho-suspense thriller movie scene, and it kept me glued to my seat.
Of course, the whole road trip was justified with the awesome stopovers we had.
Viewpoint overseeing Busuanga Bay Lodge, Al Faro Cosmio, etc.
On route to Conception Falls, a 5-minute trek from the main highway.
Conception Falls. The water was cold but there wasn't much when we arrived, so we didn't get to swim. No time too!
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