CORON, PALAWAN

Coron is located in the Province of Palawan, Philippines on Busuanga Island. Coron is very famous because of its majestic crystal blue waters and it is populous not only for locals but also for foreign tourists. Coron is like a town of whites where most of the people roaming around  are Americans, Europeans and other individuals from different parts of the globe. 

How to get there:

Take a flight from Cebu Pacific & Philippine Airlines to Busuanga but I suggest to book your tickets in advance to avail much cheaper fare rates. Busuanga Airport is a 30-40 minutes ride away from the town so you'll really need to take a van to get there.
I had no hotel reservations yet when I reached the small town of Coron because I was thinking that the hotels posted through Internets/blogs are quite different in the actual. There are a lot of hotels, guests houses and lodging inns that ranges from expensive to cheaper ones in the area but I find Palanca Guest House very interesting since the Manager gave me a discount. Yes, she offered me a 200.00 discount per night since I am just alone from 1,200.00 down to 1,000.00 and I just saved hundreds of pesos for a couple of nights.(I Actually made some jest and use my charm so she could gave me a discount and it really worked. lol)

PALANCA GUEST HOUSE
24 Don Pedro St. Bgy. 3, Coron, Palawan
Ms. Dianne Palanca- Manager
Contact# 0906-246-92606/0999-491-9933
Website: www.coronpalancaguesthouse.com

TRIKE DRIVER: Kuya Jovanie, highly recommended
He is very nice(shy type) you can actually ask Ms. Dianne if you want him to be your  town tour guide.

 Dianne Room

Reception & Dining Area

I met a couple who are also staying in the same hotel and they'll be heading to the places same as mine on the first day. They rented a tricycle for 550.00 town tour and that includes Lualhati Park, Souvenir Shops, San Agustin Church, Cashew Nuts Producer, Mt. Tapyas and Maquinit Hot Spring. So I asked them if would it be okay to join their tour and so I could save 367.00 for the trike. clever isn't it? 

MT. TAPYAS

Your trip to Coron would not be complete without climbing the renowned Mount Tapyas. This mountain  has more than 700 sweaty & tiring cemented steps but gives you the remarkable view of the Island when you get to the summit.

view from Mt. Tapyas

sunset at Mt. Tapyas

MAQUINIT HOT SPRING

Maquinit hot spring is like 5 kilometres away from the proper town and riding the open tricycle going there is very bumpy. According to the driver, private owners and the municipal government are still on a long negotiations on fixing the highway. 

Finally, after the tiring trek it's now time to soak in this very relaxing natural running hot salt water and it was really perfect while you are laying on the hot tub and listening the waves from the ocean. I wasn't expecting a lot of people will be in this place since it was already 7 in the evening and it was Sunday but they are sitting and sopping wet every edge of the pool.

ISLAND HOPPING

The most pre eminent moment when you visited Coron is the Island hopping where you can see the different beaches & limestones. If you have been to El Nido you could somehow distinguish which is exceptionally beautiful between the two Islands in Palawan. But what I like most in El Nido is you can plunge any time you want in the shore unlike Coron it is filled with unlawful residents, boat docking areas and a reclaimed areas for Public Market. On the other hand, both Island are very tremendous in terms of their white sand beaches and blue crystal waters.

KAYANGAN LAKE

Kayangan Lake is one of the finest attraction in Coron with 70% fresh waters and 30 % salt according to the boatman/my photographer. When I saw this enchanting place I really can't wait to drop down to this unambiguous waters even my iPhone joined me (and until now it's not really working at all). 

TWIN PEAKS

Twin peaks is one of the best spot for snorkelling in the Island where you can mingle the different types of fishes and different colours of corals.

BANOL BEACH

Banol beach is being watched over by the locals called Tagbanuas.  Meanwhile, you can't resist dipping into the salt water because of its refined white sands & precious blue waters.

CYC BEACH

This is the only public beach and has no entrance fee according to our boatman. It also has white sands, mangroves and splendid blue waters covered around the small Island.

BALINSASAYAW BEACH RESORT

The best site for snorkelling aside from twin peaks where corals are as huge as planted trees and  has rare  clown fish (nemo as we call it) associating with the tourists.

TWIN LAGOONS

I have imagined that this lagoons are as huge as the  pond in El Nido but it's not, though it still beautiful because of its huge minerals covered around it.

WHERE TO EAT

SANTINOS GRILL

Santino's Grill are famed with their steaks and seafood dishes.

You may also want to try Kawayanan Grill located at National Highway, Coron. Unfortunately, it was 8 in the morning when I went there and they do not serve breakfast meals.

Banana Pancake

EXPENSES

Round trip Airfare:     1,382.40/promo

Van                                300.00/round trip 

Hotel Accom               2,000.00/good for 2

Town Tour (Trike)         183.00 (550.00/3)

Maquinit Hot Spring       200.00

Island Hopping               850.00/pax good for 15pax(Inclusions are: Entrance Fees, Lunch & Snacks)

(Ms. Dianne asked me if  I want rent a boat for the Island hopping and it costs 1,500.00 without meals or Ican join in a group of different people for 850.00 with meals. I opted to join with the strangers which is much cheaper and at the same time I will meet new faces and new people.)

Meals: Dinner Day 1      240.00/1 Whole Chicken with Rice/Allan Roasted Chicken

            Breakfast Day 2  100.00/Danggit with Egg & Fried Rice-Palanca 

            Lunch                   included in Island hopping

            Dinner                  330.00/Sinigang na Hipon with rice at Santino's Grill

            BFast                      85.00/Banana Pancake with Brewed Coffee at VMG's Restaurant

            Lunch                   125.00/Fried Chicken (Resto Few step away from Palanca)

Terminal Fee                      75.00

Others: Trike Fares

             Snacks

              Coffee

             Souvenir                00.00           

Total expenses           Php 5,870.40    (souvenirs and others expenses are not yet included)    

Thanks for reading!