Hello my dear readers! Since I have not done a lot of cooking here in the Philippines, I will share with you today my experiences when I travelled in Coron, Palawan. I will share with you how much it cost us to go there, some of my experiences , and some suggestions to help you plan and budget your future Coron, Palawan trip. So brace for some pictures and information overload.
Travel to Coron,Palawan -Philippines
Coron, Palawan Travel
Calamian Island Tours and Travels
My husband and I decided to hire Calamian Island Tours and travels to take care of our activities in Coron, Palawan. They had several types of packages but we chose the Coron Island Escapade Package . It covered 2 nights and 3 days. This package covered the hotel accommodation, transport to and from the airport ( not inclusive of airfare), boat to take us to the island tours and lunch during the trip.
We took a Cebu Pacific Plane from Cebu to Busuanga Airport. The plane ride was one and half hours. The weather was on our side with the sun shining brightly and the sky was very clear. When we arrived in Busuanga airport, there was a welcoming committee of native drummers using their hand drums which set the mood of fun for the tourists. The check out at the airport was fast and swift. And the people were very hospitable and kind. We were met by the Calamian Tour personnel and she showed us our ride. Note that you are not the only one in this ride. This ride is similar to a public commute wherein there are several passengers, and each one are drop off to their destination.What I loved about the transport mode was, everything was organized. You just have to ride the transporation by its order, which means you do not get to choose your ride . There were no moochers- which was great. The ride to Coron was an adventure by itself. It was more or less 45 minutes from Busuanga. The road is lined by greeneries and you will see some bahay kubo ( native Filipino houses made by nipa hut and bamboo) on the side of the streets.
Balai Binda Breakfast
We were the last ones who were dropped in our hotel. We got the Balai Binda Hotel. Even though this hotel was nestled in the middle of the town where the market was located, I was impressed on how close it was to the banks, the restaurants, transportation and the bakeries that sold hot Pandesal every morning . My kids tried Pandesal for the first time and they loved it. They loved the smell and of course the taste. This made me thinking why haven’t I made Pandesal for them? Huh! Hmmmm, I am sharing the Pandesal recipe next post – brace for that post. Pandesal recipe here: How to make Pandesal
When we arrived in the hotel, we freshened up for our first tour – travelling around town and trekking to Mt Tapyas to see Maquinit Hot spring . I was not able to join my family in this activity because I was still nursing a fever- I want to get better for the island hopping the next day. According to the family, the hike was not too strenuous and the hot spring was very beautiful and clear.
2nd day: Coron Island Escapade Tour in which we will island hop to the 3 best beaches in Coron. This trip took 1.5 hours but it was all worth it. We visited three beaches : Malcapuya, Banana Island and Bugdos 2.
Malcapuya Beach Coron,Palawan
Malcapuya – they called this island Little Boracay because of the fine sand. We swam for an hour and we enjoyed some young coconuts which cost P 50.00/ piece . After enjoying the super fine sand, we transfered to Banana Island where we snorkelled and we saw these giant clams and this is where we had our lunch . Then we were serenaded by Jonelle, the tour guide and had some R and R. After rejuvinating, we moved to Bugdos 2 where we snorkelled some more and saw various kinds of colorful fishes. I particularly loved the clown fish -the Nemo movie starrer fish …
Clown Fish in Bulog 2 Island Coron,Palawan
Kayaking in Beach 91 Coron, Palawan
Snorkelling in Coron, Palawan
3rd Day: This was pretty much an island hopping activity in which the boat docked in the middle of the ocean and we swam and dove. We went to Twin Lagoon, Beach 91 and Coral Garden. Our experiences here were spectacular. We kayak, we bonded with our boat mates and we were able to hold a large jellyfish. We snorkelled some more and marveled the live corals in different color and sizes.
Coral Garden – Coron Palawan
Twin Lagoon Coron,Palawan
Twin Lagoon Coron,Palawan
After the three- day excursion, we decided to unwind and to simply relax in Coron Westown Hotel. This hotel is 15 minutes away from town which justify the quiteness of the place. The food in Westown is super delicious ( P 300.00/pax) , the staff were great and the rooms and the hotel in general was really clean. We loved this place.
Overall, Coron, Palawan was a very wonderful place- heaven on earth 🙂 with so many sites and adventures to explore.; three days was not enough. The people are friendly and it is worth all the penny we spent.My daughter loved Coron, Palawan so much that she want to live there after college. Hmmm, let me me see about this – well, as long as the mom tags along, right?
Accommodation: Balai Binda
Package Include: Coron Town Tour and COron Island Tour
TOTAL PACKAGE COST: P 28,000.00 ( around $ 650.00)
Although we prefered to hire Calamian Island Tour and Travels due to the convenience and ease, I really think that you can also get the packages cheaper if you book your trip yourself, so I listed some hotels and their numbers so that you can negotiate your trip. You can just call the hotel and and ask for rental boats and scout for more travel information because when I got there, I saw so many hotel choices and boat rentals. You will blend well also if you wear sleepers, shorts and shirts. ALSO, BRING CASH AS STORES DO NOT ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS.
Here is the Calamian Island Travels’ Facenbook page. They are very quick to respond and very accomodating:
https://www.facebook.com/calamiantours
List fo Hotels to Contact:Balai Binda : Cash only
email: reservations@balaibinda.com site: www.balaibinda.com
mobile: 63-929-322-1776
Rates: from P1,200 to P3,800
Coron Westown Hotel: Accepts credit card
Check in time. 2:00 PM
email: Coron Westown Resort @yahoo.com.ph
facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coronwestownresort
mobile: 63 915-415-4555, 63-917-704-6176
Deluxe Room: P 5,800 Promo P 3,800 ( the cheapest) to P10,800.00 promo rate P P 8,800.00 Breakfast: 300/pax
Coron Getaway Hotels and Suites – cash only ( need to pay in a bank and a voucher will be sent to you)
Check in time: 2:00 PM
email: corongateaway@gmail.com
mobile: 0632-887-7107,0915-846-9326
Site: corongateaway.com
Diamond Lodge
email: diamondlodge2014@gmail.com ( look for Loisa)
rate: P 1,500 – P4,500 including breakfast
Island View Inn – Cash only
Deluxe: P1,500/ 2 pax to P 2,500.00
email: islandsviewinn@yahoo.com
mobile: 063-917-547-6039, 063-906-232-0579, 063-999-993-0361
Site: www.islandsviewinn.com
FOR scuba diving: Corto Diving Center 0929-261-7818 P3,500/person
Welcome!
Hi, my name is Shobee. Welcome to The Skinny Pot, where we cook Easy Recipes from the available ingredients from our pantry and fridge! We’re your go-to source for simple and delicious recipes that make the most of what you already have at home. Talk about the pantry challenge. Read more...
Shobelyn Dayrit says
Hi, Loida. We went when the kids were in their summer vacation here in the US. It was July. I don’t recommend going in September to January, since it’s rainy. Hope you enjoy, and this Covid will be over soon. We are planning to go home next year, but this time, we are going to El Nido. Make sure you bring cash when you go .
Loida says
Hi, Shobelyn, sometime next year me and hubby plan to visit the Philippines. When is the best time to enjoy Coron, Palawan?
Shobelyn Dayrit says
It should be between El Nido or Coron. Coron, I can vouch for it, but I am planning to go to El Nido when I go back home.
Tonkin-Travel Vietnam says
Thanks for the detailed guide! I intend to use my 5-day off to travel in the Philippines, but now I don’t know to choose between Palawan and Coron. Which one is more beautiful and convenient to reach?
Shobelyn Dayrit says
The travel agency arranged the trip for us, so we did not have to worry about it. I cannot remember how much we spent but we made sure that we got extra cash for incidentals. At that time, restaurants was really cheap and they close real early.
Josephine GOH says
Hi Shobee
Thanks for sharing. I will be visiting Coron in Sep. We have booked our flight and accommodation and planned to join daily tour to places of interest like Twin Lagoon, etc.
Firstly, like to ask where are interesting places to go – we have 4 full days in Coron?
Secondly, are daily tours expensive as I am wondering how much cash should I bring.
Personal Best Regards
Josephine
shobee says
I’m so excited for you!!! Enjoy !
marmel H says
hey sis, I’m planning to treat my family this December go to coron palawan . I’m so excited
shobee says
Thanks for this info.
Shaira says
My family and I haven’t been to Coron, Palawan. That’s the reason why we would like to spend a few days there this summer. I booked a tour package from UltimateCoronExperience.com/ 09184659010. I chose the Ultimate Coron Sulit Tour for 6,068 php and we will stay at the Casa Coron. The Ultimate Coron Sulit Tour includes hotel accommodation, round trip airport transfers, private boat service, boatman and tour guide fees, Coron town tour, island hopping tour, island entrance fees and permits, breakfast, picnic lunch and snacks, as well as life vests, mask and snorkel. I guess that’s the most sulit package they have considering the inclusions.
shobee says
Thank you. I think the Balai Binda was the best deal in there,because the stay includes a very hearty breakfast and it is close to the market. I also suggest to get some dinner food ahead of time because restaurants close really early. I looked around the area and there were places that are good to stay too, but that time, the stay did not include breakfast. I highly recommend hiring a travel agency because it can get difficult to get a boat once you are there. And aside from that, when you rent a boat yourself, you have to prepare your meal for the trip. There is a nice hotel which I mentioned, but it was expensive. I am sure you are going to enjoy COron. The water, the place and our guides were really great. My children still remember that trip.
Mernel Dimacs says
Hi Shobelyn! I had fun reading your blog.Can’t wait to be there on May. Do you have any suggestions where the best place to go and stay?With in the budget of course :). You’re kids looks adorable! 🙂
shobee says
Hello.You,can,call Calamian Travels for exact cost but in my calculation, you might spend $1000 for 4 peoople and that is good for 4 days.
mini says
Hi, lovely pictures. Looking forward to visit this beautiful place with my husband. We are from India. Can you please share what might be the total package cost for 2 for 7 days ? Thank you. Love!
shobee says
You’re welcome, Ral. I hope you will have fun there.
Ral says
Hi Ms. Shobee! WoW! Thanks for sharing this in your blog.
We can’t wait for our vacation in Palawan this December :)..
Evelyn Vergara says
Hi Shoby ok naman ako. Thank you for all of your efforts in sharing/ giving information about different things. Pati na rin yung mga recipes mo. They’re really helpful to many of us. Magaling ka palang cook. 😀
shobelyn@easytocookmeals says
Mi, it is per person and lesser cost for the kiddos. Yup, you should put it in your iterinary because it is a very, very, fun experience for the kids. I cannot even explain it heheh. Check their facebook accout which is listed above. Love you. Mwah!
Mimi says
Hi ate Shobee! I’m enjoying reading your blogs and posted pics.. Just curious how many person/ kids limit with the package..so nice to put coron in the wish list of itirenary….thanks!
shobelyn@easytocookmeals says
Tita. Yes, you should. Kumusta po?
Evelyn Vergara says
Nice place shoby. It looks like you all had great fun out there. Next time i go home ‘will include it in my itenerary. Thanks for sharing it.
shobelyn@easytocookmeals says
Thank you, Julie. It is even bluer in real life 🙂
Julie @ This Gal Cooks says
Wow, Palawan looks like such a beautiful place. I can’t get over how clear blue the water is. Lovely! It looks like your family had a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
shobelyn@easytocookmeals says
It was so pretty there. Picture cannot justify how beautiful this little piece of heaven. And I love that people were very honest. They stuck to their fare cost which was P 8.00 hahahaa. Thanks for visiting, Lindsay.
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum says
How fun! I loved reading through this post – thanks for sharing Shobelyn! We never got to Palawan when we were in Cebu, but we would love to go someday! Our friends traveled there and they really enjoyed it. 🙂 Looks like you and your family had a great time, and I can’t wait for your pandesal recipe!
shobelyn@easytocookmeals says
It is really a nice place. Photos cannot justify it.
Raymund says
I will definitely visit this when I go back to the Philippines, such a nice place