5 things you can’t miss in CORON – Philippines 

Coron is another one of those famous tourist destinations in the Philippines. I can almost guarantee if you are planning trip to the Philippines, Coron will be on your list! I have been here twice and I have loved it each time – in fact, I think some of the islands here are much more beautiful than El Nido!

Coron is extremely popular for its World War II Wreck diving spots, its untouched corals, rock formations and incredibly clear waters. Its cliff formations are quite similar to El Nido, but this is the place to come if you love snorkelling or divings. The water is in the top 3 clearest I’ve ever swam in. Although there isn’t much to do in Coron compared to other places in the Philippines, I have written this blog to help you plan your time in this beautiful destination.

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How to get to Coron 

Coron is smaller island, North of Palawan, there are only two ways to get here; ferry or flying. Coron has a small airport which does have routes from larger cities such as Manila and Cebu City. If you are short on time, I would recommend looking into flights on Skyscanner.

If you have a little more time to spare you can catch a ferry from either Manila or El Nido. The ferry from Manila is operated by 2GO Travel and takes around 12-14 hours. A ferry from El Nido operates at 7am, 12pm and 12.30pm. This ferry takes roughly 5 hours and can be booked on 12go Asia.

Best time to visit?

Similar to El Nido, the best time to visit Coron is during the dry season which runs from December to April. During this time, you will most likely have calmer seas and hot, clear weather. 

I visited in March and found the weather to be perfect! It was still quite humid, but it wasn’t as bad as other places in the Philippines.

How long to spend here? 

I would recommend a minimum of 2 full days here. Unlike places like El Nido, the town isn’t as nice here and there isn’t much to do on the main island itself. The most popular activities here can only be visited by a boat tour, and most of them you can visit in one day. That would give the second day to explore the little activities there are surrounding the town, such as Mt Tapyas and the hot springs. 

Where to Stay?

There are many beautiful places to stay in Coron, but I only have one that I highly recommend to all types of travellers. This accomodation is great for backpackers, budget travellers, families and couples. And that accomodation is Hop Hostel! This is the nicest hostel I have ever stayed in, it was clean, had great AC, great amenities and much more. You can also book a king bed in a dorm room, if you want more comfort!

There are 3 types of rooms available at Hop Hostel; dorms, double privates and privates suitable for 4 people. Due to its popularity, it does sell out quickly. So, if you want to book here, I would book in advance!

What to do in Coron

1. Island hopping

The most famous thing to do in Coron is island hopping of course! Exactly like El Nido, there are tours A, B, C, D to choose from. Each tour will be beautiful, but each has something different to offer. 

I’ve completed 3 tours in Coron over my last two visits: The Palawan Super Ultimate Tour, Tour C and a private boat tour. I would highly recommend the Super Ultimate tour if you are short on time because it covers all the main attractions. Tour C is perfect if you are looking for more of a beach day and relaxing tour. And if you are in a big group, I recommend booking a private tour and combining the islands you would want to see. 

• TOUR A – Coron Islands and Lakes: CYC Beach, Coral Garden, Atwayan Beach, Hidden Lagoon, Quin Reef, Kayangan Lake 
• TOUR B – (Another name for the Super Ultimate Tour) 
• TOUR C –Beaches and Sandbars: Malcapuya Island, Banana Island, Bulog Dos Sandbar 
• TOUR D – Coron Reefs and Wreck Islands: Bulog Dos Island, Pass Island, Lusong Coral Garden, Lusong GunBoat Shipwreck 

2. Mt Tapyas 

Mt Tapyas is the only hike in Coron and a very popular viewpoint for sunset or sunrise. It offers sweeping views over the hills, town, and islands. It isn’t an easy hike though! To get to this viewpoint you will need to climb 721 steps. This can be extremely challenging in the heat, as the path doesn’t offer much shade. 

The starting point for Mt Tapyas can be reached by foot, from most accommodations in Coron Town. At the time of writing this blog there is currently no entry fee for this activity. If you are planning on completing this hike, I recommend taking at least one bottle of water with you. 

3. Cabo Beach

Cabo Beach is a secluded beach in Coron, which will take about a 20-30minute scooter or tuk-tuk ride. There isn’t much to do on this beach but relax under the sun or swim in the ocean. It does make for a good half day trip if you want to escape the busy crowds for a little bit. 

There is a small entrance fee to this beach. 

4. Hop Hostel rooftop bar for sunset! 

Hop Hostel is not only the BEST hostel I have stayed at so far on my travels, but also has an amazing rooftop bar! This is the perfect place to have a drink and watch the sunset. The bar is accessible to people who aren’t staying in the hostel, with no extra costs. Hop hostel has architectural design very similar to places in Greece, so it really does make you feel like you are in another country. 

The sunsets are beautiful too, with views stretching as far as the eye can see. It really is one of the best places to watch the sunset in all Coron. 

5. Visit the Hot Springs

This is something I will admit I haven’t done myself (mainly because it’s been way too hot to want to sit in hot water!). But the hot springs are a popular spot for both locals and tourists, especially at night-time.

The Maquinit Hot Springs are about a 30-minute drive from Coron Town either by tuk-tuk or scooter. There is also this land tour, which has a few other activities around Coron Town. The hot springs operate from 8am-8pm and cost 200 PHP per person. If you are looking for something relaxing to do with your time in Coron, I would check this place out! 

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