Best Things To Do In Coron On A Budget

Unique, breathtaking, there aren’t enough words to describe this small island in the province of Palawan. It’s one of the best experiences I’ve had so far, as this place is still quite unspoilt and the locals really take care of their environment. So, what are you waiting for? Add it to your bucket list right now, as I give you a little itinerary and a glimpse of what your next adventure might look like.

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Day 1

1. Relax at Maquini Hot Spring

Adress: Sitio Maquinit, Barangay, Coron, Palawan, Philippines
Entrance fee: 200 PhP ($3)
Getting there: you can rent a tricycle for 300 PhP (remember that the road is quite bumpy) or if you’re on a budget > walk there, it will take you about 55mn but you’ll pass through friendly villages and be able to admire the scenery.

Open from 8am to 8pm (last entry at 7pm), the hot spring was clearly the best choice for detoxing and relaxing after traveling the day before. And when you see the photos, I’m pretty sure I won’t need to further convince you to put it on your own itinerary.

The place was pretty empty apart from a couple and a group of friends, which made the experience quite pleasant. I’d advise you not to stay in the water for more than 20 minutes at a time, as it’s quite hot – hence the name – and you don’t want to pass out.

There are plenty of benches to sit on and admire the view, as well as a wooden bridge that takes you to a vantage point overlooking the surrounding panorama.

You may even spot monkeys in the trees above the toilet. If you’re looking to take a break from the beach and enjoy nature in a peaceful atmosphere, look no further!

2. Admire the sunset

A free activity that will delight everyone. Who wouldn’t want to stop and admire this impressive landscape? The great thing about Coron is that you can see the sunset from just about anywhere, whether on the beach or from the road on your way to dinner.

Day 2

Whichever tour you choose, you won’t be disappointed as breathtaking scenery awaits you! As I visited Coron with my brother and we wanted to see as much as possible for a good price, we chose the Super Ultimate Tour, which turned out to be the best choice.

It cost us around $29 (food, towel, water, hotel pick-up, all entrance fees included). You can also rent snorkeling gear (or bring your own) and a kayak. Here‘s the excursion we booked if you want to check reviews and price.

The guides and boat staff were great, funny and we even had some very interesting conversations about anything and everything.

Oh and the guides are great at taking photos and videos, so you won’t have to worry about bringing home good quality memories of you and the places you visited!

3. Twin Lagoons

Turquoise waters, limestone cliffs, you’ll feel like you’ve entered another world here, and the experience doesn’t stop there. You’ll then have to swim or kayak under the rock face to reach the second lagoon.

4. Siete Pecados

Famous for its corals and marine life, this is where you can get out your snorkeling gear and enjoy what the ocean has to offer. Climb back aboard the boat when you’ve had enough of the underwater splendor and admire the tranquility of the ocean.

5. Beach 91

This is usually where you’ll have your delicious lunch, prepared by the staff on the boat while you’re having fun.

Once you’ve finished eating, you can choose to swim, relax on the white-sand beach or take photos!

6. Twin Peaks Coral Garden

Love corals and colorful underwater life? There’s no shortage of options in Coron, and Twin Peaks Coral Garden lives up to its name. It’s also close to another magnificent site that comes next in this guide.

7. Barracuda Lake

This freshwater and saltwater lake attracts divers from all over the world due to two phenomena known as “thermocline” and “halocline”. In principle, the deeper you dive, the higher the temperature (from 28°C to 38°C): this is the “thermocline”.

On the other hand, the “halocline”, as its name suggests, is the formation of a “cloud” caused by the meeting of fresh and salt water.

And if you’re not a diver, all you have to do is enjoy the lake and the massive limestone cliffs that surround it. It’s quite an experience, if you ask me! Not to mention the chance to spot one of the barracudas that still live in the lake!

8. Kayangan Lake

This is my favorite spot in all of Coron. I was, and still am, in awe of this magnificent lake. A trip to Coron wouldn’t be complete without seeing it!

You’ll take a short hike to the viewpoint, get your photo taken if you like (you should!) before heading to the lake.

9. Have dinner at Castizo

After a day of exploring, you’ll probably be tired, but what better way to recharge your batteries than with a good meal in a warm atmosphere!

We tried many dishes that evening at Castizo, and everything was very good and affordable! What’s more, the staff are friendly and took really good care of us. So if you like Spanish cuisine, go for it – you won’t regret it!

Day 3

10. Get a lovely breakfast at Tupi Cafe

Before you embark on your next adventure and after an excellent dinner, you still need to fill your stomach with a hearty meal. That’s what awaits you in the pleasant, cute surroundings of Tupi Cafe.

Their waffles, drinks and breakfast plates are very nice, but they also offer sandwiches, pasta and burgers. The ideal place to have breakfast at a rather low price!

11. Hike Mount Tapyas

Getting there: it takes between 30 and 40 minutes to reach the summit. You’ll have to climb around 700 steps, but the effort is well worth it.
What to bring: water (since there is nothing at the top besides a couple of benches) and comfortable shoes

You know the Coron sign at the top of the hill that reminds you of the Hollywood icon? That’s Mount Tapyas! Why include it in your itinerary?
Firstly, because it’s free, but also because you’ll have a breathtaking view of Busuanga Bay!

Where to stay in Coron

You have plenty of options when it comes to accommodation in Coron. Here are two of them:

• On a budget:
  Avisala Hostel Coron is an excellent choice if you want a comfortable stay in a pleasant atmosphere with friendly staff. The location is ideal and the dorms have curtains, as I like my privacy!

• Budget-friendly hotel:
  Charms Hotel is the perfect choice if you’re traveling with someone and want a budget stay where you get more than you pay for. You’ll be greeted with a nice cold drink, you can enjoy the pool and there’s even a free breakfast included in the price. The rooms are comfortable and cosy and the staff are helpful and friendly.

How to get to Coron

If you’re already in the Philippines, you have two options:

By taking a plane

This option is pretty convenient and not as expensive as you might think. It costs around $60 and 1h20 for a flight from Manila, or $30 and 1h40 from Cebu. It’s also more comfortable than the next option.
>There are also flights from Puerto Princesa and El Nido, but these are more expensive.

By ferry

As I like to travel slowly and we were already in El Nido, the cheapest option was to take the ferry. It will take you to Coron in around 5 hours and will cost you $45.

Best time to go

The best time to go to Coron is from December to May, as these are the driest months and you can enjoy sunny weather all day long. Don’t forget that this is a tropical climate, so it can be very hot and humid. So wear sunscreen at all times and drink plenty of water!

Good to know: upon arrival on the island, you will have to pay an Environmental, tourism and development fee of 200 PhP ($3,50).

Final Thoughts

Coron remains a great memory of my trip to the Philippines, as I’ve never seen lakes as clean and beautiful as on this little island. The people were so friendly and helpful that I wish I could have stayed longer. But all good things must come to an end, right? Or maybe not, as I plan to return to the island in the near future!

If you’re interested in El Nido, here’s my little guide!

🎯 Would you like to go straight to my recommendations?

🛌 Hostel: Avisala Hostel Coron
🏨 Hotel: Charms Hotel

🗺️ Recommended Tour:
– Coron Super Ultimate Day Tour

🚢 Ferry transfer: From El Nido to Coron

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