Coron, nestled in the enchanting Palawan province of the Philippines, is a must-visit destination for backpackers seeking to uncover natural wonders above and below the sea. Famous for its scuba diving in well-preserved WW2 wrecks, beaches and nightlife, Coron has a lot to offer travellers. This guide will cover absolutely everything you need to know, from getting there to getting around, where to stay, where to eat and where to party. I’ll also walk you through the best things to do in Coron (and tips for visiting) and give recommendations on how long you should spend in Coron.
How many days to spend in Coron
How long you spend in Coron depends on a few factors: how much time you have, whether you scuba dive, whether you’ve done the Expedition Tour from El Nido and how much you love Island Hopping. If you haven’t done the expedition tour, have the time in your itinerary and enjoy island hopping and scuba diving, you could easily stay for 4-5 days in Coron. During this time, you could experience 1-2 days of diving, 1-2 days of island hopping, and ticking off all the sights of Coron.
If you plan on doing the Expedition Tour or have just completed it and arrived in Coron, I would recommend 2-3 days in Coron. After so much island and beach time on the three-day expedition tour, you’ll probably want to skip some island-hopping tours in Coron. I think island hopping on the expedition tour is much better than island hopping in Coron (which is still pretty good). However, it’s still worth joining a group tour to the famous lagoons of Coron, even if you’ve done the expedition tour, as these experiences are fairly different. In 2-3 days, you could enjoy scuba diving, jump on a day tour to the lagoons and visit other viewpoints and beaches in Coron.
If you are really short on time, two days is the minimum I would spend in Coron. It’s quite a remote destination in the Philippines, and getting there takes time and money. Anything less than two days can feel pretty reductive and won’t allow you to see much. Even if you don’t like scuba diving and are over island hopping, you can find plenty of things to do to fill two days in Coron.
How to get to Coron
Navigating your way to Coron, a stunning archipelago nestled in the northern tip of Palawan, Philippines, is a bit of an adventure in itself. As Coron is an island, there is no way to reach it overland. There are only two ways to get to Coron: getting a boat from El Nido (a bigger town, further south of Palawan) or flying into the small domestic airport in Coron: Francisco B. Reyes Airport (also called Busuanga Airport).
How to get to Coron from El Nido
El Nido to Coron is a super popular travel route, so you have three options for getting between these destinations: booking a multi-day expedition boat tour, getting a ferry, and flying. Having completed an Expedition Tour myself, I cannot recommend this experience more, both as a tour and a method of transport. Expedition Tours are three-day boat tours running from El Nido to Coron (and vice versa), where you island hop, snorkel, and sleep under the stars on remote islands. You can read my full guide to this experience and why you should book it here.
If doing an Expedition Tour isn’t your vibe, or you are short on time and money, you can just get a regular ferry from El Nido to Coron. You can book this ferry through most hostels and travel agencies, at the ferry port or online through 12GOAsia. A few ferry companies operate along this route, such as Atienza Shipping, Montenegro Lines and Jomalia Shipping. All of the ferries depart between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. The journey is direct and takes around 4-5 hours, so you’ll arrive in Coron for dinner. It’s a little bit inconvenient as the timings mean you will lose a day in transit.
You can expect to pay 2900 PHP Philippine Pesos ($53 USD) for this ferry ticket. The ferry ports in El Nido and Coron are within walking distance of accommodations in town. However, if you’re coming from either of the Outpost Hostels, you’ll need to arrange a tricycle to and from the ports.
El Nido to Coron Flights
The other less popular way to get between El Nido and Coron is flying. Direct flights are running with a smaller airline, Airswift, 1-5 times a day (depending on demand) between El Nido Airport and Busuanga Airport in Coron. The flight time is only 40 minutes, and often, you can get flights departing first thing in the morning, so you don’t lose a whole day travelling. El Nido Airport is around a 20-minute tricycle drive from the city centre; however, Busuanga Airport is an hour’s drive from Coron Town. Make sure you factor this into your decision to book a flight. Flights between these destinations tend to be relatively expensive as there is no competition and a fair bit of demand for flights on this route. Flights usually start from around 4700 PHP Philippine Pesos ($85 USD) for a one-way ticket without checked baggage.
Getting to Coron from anywhere else in the Philippines
If you’re trying to get to Coron from anywhere in the Philippines besides El Nido, you must fly into Busuanga Airport. There are direct flights to Busuanga Airport from Cebu, Manila and Angeles in the Philippines. There are also sometimes direct flights on small planes from El Nido to Coron, but these are infrequent and can be a bit more expensive. If you’re coming from anywhere else in the Philippines (such as Siargao or Boracay), you’ll need to fly via Cebu or Manila, which can end up being more costly and involve a self-transfer, where you need to pick up your luggage, clear security and then re-check in for your second flight.
From Manila or Cebu to Coron is a breeze, with several airlines operating multiple flights daily, ensuring flexibility in travel plans. You can book one-way flights into Coron from Manila or Cebu for as little as 2400 PHP Philippine Pesos ($44 USD). This is with a budget airline, with no checked baggage and booking at least a week in advance. These flights typically last about an hour from Manila and a bit longer from Cebu, offering stunning aerial views of the Philippine archipelago.
However, given how popular Coron is and that many people have to fly to reach out, flights will be booked out, and prices can skyrocket, particularly in peak season. If you can, try to book your flights to Coron in advance to avoid paying a lot more. There’s no way to reach Coron overland, and ideally, you don’t want to backtrack via ferry to El Nido (which is expensive in itself), so flying is really your only option.
How to get around Coron
Coron Town and Coron Island are fairly compact, so getting around is not difficult. It’s also fairly touristic, so there are many options for getting around. Whether on foot, by motorbike, via a shared tour or a tricycle, you shouldn’t have too much trouble navigating Coron. How you choose to get around depends greatly on what you want to do in Coron and where you decide to stay. Most hostels are in Coron Town (where the port is), which is the most central part of Coron. Outpost Hostel is located on the outskirts of Coron Town, but it’s still walkable and easy to access, given how small Coron is. For tours such as island hopping and visiting the famous lakes and lagoons, you’re usually picked up and dropped off at your accommodation, so there’s no need to organise any transport for these days.
Getting around Coron on foot
Regardless of where you stay in Coron, you should be able to walk to most places. In Coron Town, all restaurants, cafes, and bars are walkable. You can also walk from the port to most accommodations (with the exception of Outpost, as it’s located up a hill on the outskirts, so it’s recommended to walk with your luggage). You can also walk to Coron Viewpoint, which is in the middle of town. Walking around the town feels very safe, even at night as a solo female, as there are lots of tourists. The one thing to note is Coron Town is not very aesthetically pleasing. It’s dusty with lots of tricycle traffic, so you’d mainly be walking around out of necessity to get somewhere, as opposed to walking out of enjoyment of the scenery.
Getting around Coron by tricycle
There is no Grab or rideshare apps in Coron, but there are a plethora of tricycles everywhere. For quick journeys around town, if you have luggage with you or just can’t be bothered walking, the local tricycles are the way to get around. These motorised tricycles are easy to find with their colourful exteriors. Stand on any road and wave your hand, and a driver is sure to stop. Even if you’re further out on the outskirts of Coron Town (near Outpost), a tricycle will stop within a few minutes. There are no set prices, and you are encouraged to haggle to get a fair price. Prices are generally pretty affordable, with the average cost per ride being only 70 PHP Philippine Pesos ($1 USD).
You can also get tricycles to destinations further afield, like Maquinit Hot Springs and Cabo Beach. These are major tourist spots, so you’d have no trouble hailing a tricycle to get you back to Coron town afterwards. Expect to pay less than 200 PHP Philippine Pesos ($3.50 USD) for a one-way journey to either Maquinit Hot Springs or Cabo Beach. This could be much less, depending on your haggling skills and how many people you are sharing a tricycle with.
Getting around Coron by motorbike
Coron is not one of the places in the Philippines where you need to drive a motorbike to get around. If you don’t feel comfortable driving a motorbike, you can easily get around on foot or in tricycles. However, this is a good way to get around if you want the sense of adventure and experience of driving a motorbike. Renting a motorbike means you have the freedom to explore at your own pace and don’t need to worry about paying for tricycles.
The roads are quiet and in good condition, so it’s a fairly easy place to drive a scooter. If you have your own scooter, you could drive around the main road that loops around the Island, as many parts are jungle and look like they’re straight out of Jurassic Park. For a one-day semi-automatic scooter rental, expect to pay around 300 PHP Philippine Pesos ($5 USD).
Where to stay in Coron
Given how popular Coron is as a tourist destination, there are quite a few hostel options to choose from. The majority of hostels are based in Coron Town, which is the best area to stay in for access to restaurants, cafes, bars and the port. Each of these hostels in Coron offers something unique: Outpost for its social vibe, Hop Hostel for a touch of luxury on a budget, and The Hub for its central location and budget-friendly prices.
Outpost Hostel- best social hostel
Outpost Hostel is a super famous hostel in Coron. It is the second Outpost Hostel in the Philippines, following the wildly popular Outpost Hostel in El Nido. It is a bit more expensive than other backpacker accommodations in Coron, but you get a lot of value. The beds are pod-style with privacy curtains, big security lockers and strong A/C. Showers are clean with strong water pressure and hot water. What you really come to Outpost for is the social vibe. They run daily tours such as island hopping and to the lakes and lagoons, as well as nightly events such as beer pong, scavenger hunts and trivia nights. They have a pool with a sunset view, a restaurant, and a bar on their rooftop. The staff are amazing and make a real effort to introduce everyone, which is perfect for solo travellers wanting to make friends.
The one downside to Outpost is the location, which is on the outskirts of Coron. It means you will most likely need to get a tricycle from the port (whereas other hostels are walkable). However, given how small Coron is, the location isn’t a major deal, as you can still walk into town easily. Also, while they have a bar and restaurant on-site, it’s not too much of a party hostel in that you won’t be able to get an early night’s sleep. If you choose to stay elsewhere, you can still visit Outpost to join their events or have dinner or drinks at their rooftop bar.
Hop Hostel- best flashpacker hostel
Hop Hostel is the best flashpacker hostel in Coron with its sleek design and modern amenities. They have a roof deck that provides 360-degree views of the island, restaurant, bar, garden area, lush swimming pool, and many nice places to chill. The beds are pod-style with privacy curtains and proper duvets (not just sheets or blankets), so you’re guaranteed a good night’s sleep! The location is pretty centrally located in town but tucked away on a smaller street, so it’s not noisy at all at nighttime. They have a bit of a social vibe in the bar, restaurant and pool areas, but they don’t run events or go out of their way to foster a social atmosphere. Hop Hostel is perfect if you want a good night’s sleep and to treat yourself to a hotel-like experience. If you do want a social vibe, you can always visit Outpost Hostel
The Hub Backpackers Hangout- best budget hostel
If you’re on a bit more of a budget, then The Hub Backpackers Hangout is your go-to. The rooms are fairly basic, with no privacy curtains or A/C (instead, you have personal fans), but still liveable. Bathroom facilities offer good water pressure but often do not have hot water, but this is not super necessary given how hot Coron is. They have an outdoor porch area and restaurant on site, and they offer free rum and coke every night from 7 pm, which is great for meeting people. The location is in the middle of town, which is convenient given the price. The Hub offers a great place to crash if you’re looking for something no-frills, conveniently located and want to save money while having a bed to sleep in.
What to do in Coron
Coron is a popular backpacking destination in the Philippines offering a range of activities, mainly around beaches, swimming and scuba diving. From diving in the famous WW2 shipwrecks, swimming in the pristine lakes and lagoons, unwinding in the Maquinit Hot Springs, lazing on Cabo Beach, to climbing to the top of Coron island at Mt. Tapyas, there’s a fair bit to do around Coron.
WW2 Shipwreck Diving
A must-do if you’re interested in scuba diving is going on a WW2 Shipwreck Scuba Dive in Coron! Coron is one of the best scuba diving experiences I’ve ever experienced, and I would recommend it to anyone. The waters around Coron are a graveyard of history, with sunken Japanese warships resting on the ocean floor, fairly close to the surface. Diving in Coron is eerie yet fascinating as you swim through skeletal remains of ships, now teeming with marine life. There are lots of different dive shops around Coron Town, where you can book a dive to visit the Shipwrecks. If you’re really into diving, you may want to book multiple days worth of dives in Coron. Personally, I went with Pirates Diving Centre and really enjoyed the experience. If you book it through Outpost Hostel, you get an extra discount as they are partnered together.
Otherwise, the standard fun dives involve a tour starting first thing in the morning and finishing up at around 3 pm. On this tour, you’ll visit three of the best dive stops to experience the Shipwrecks. The tour usually includes transport to and from the dive shop (sometimes even from hostel pickup), all equipment, dive instructors, lunch with tea and coffee and water. Most dive shops also have the option to rent a Go-Pro to film the dives, as long as you let them know the day before that you want to rent this. Expect to pay around 5400 PHP Philippine Pesos ($100 USD) for a full-day dive, including three shipwreck dives.
Diving in Coron: Open Water vs Advanced Diving Certification
While most dive shops require an advanced diving certification (so you can dive to 30m) to book on a Coron shipwreck dive, you can also book with some dive shops with an open water certification. It depends on which shipwrecks they take you to, as some are closer to the surface and can be dived with an open water certification. To my knowledge, you also can’t dive actually into the rooms of the shipwrecks without an advanced diving certification. Alternatively, all the dive shops are also schools, so you could get your open water in Coron and dive in the shipwrecks as a part of that certification process.
Island Hopping Tour
No trip to Coron would be complete without an Island island-hopping tour! There are a number of island hopping tours you can take to different key sights around Coron. The main tour I would recommend to every traveller in Coron books is the Lakes and Lagoons Tour. This tour includes Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoons and the Coral Garden. Kayangan Lake, with its crystal-clear waters and jagged limestone cliffs, is a must-visit, whereas the Coral Gardens is a great opportunity for snorkelling. Then there’s the Twin Lagoons, where you swim through a narrow crevice to discover hidden waters surrounded by towering karst formations. This tour is unlike any other island hopping tour in the Philippines, as these sights are pretty unique and impressive. You can expect to pay upwards of 1200 PHP Philippine Pesos ($21 USD) for this tour, which includes transport, snorkel gear, guides, entrance fees and lunch.
Other than the Lakes and Lagoon Tour, there are also a number of different island hopping tours available to book in Coron. These tours are full-day and not the most budget-friendly, so many travellers will only do 1 or 2 when in Coron. If you’ve already experienced beaches and islands in El Nido and on the Expedition Tour, you may want to skip the island hopping tours in Coron (other than Lakes and Lagoons). Similarly, if you’re heading to El Nido next or you’ve already seen plenty of beaches and islands in the Philippines, it may be worth missing. It really depends on how you’re feeling, how much you love beaches and snorkelling, your budget and how much time you have to spare. I love a good beach, but after a while, it can feel pretty repetitive to book back-to-back days of island hopping.
Maquinit Hot Springs
After a day of adventures, the Maquinit Hot Springs offers the perfect retreat. One of the few saltwater hot springs in the world, the warm waters are a balm for tired muscles. Maquinit Hot Springs is open every day from 8 am to 8 pm and charges an entry fee of 200 PHP Philippine Pesos ($3.50 USD). The best time to visit the Hot Springs is later in the day or first thing in the morning, as it can be a bit overwhelming sitting in a hot spring in the heat of the middle of the day. Maquinit Hot Springs also has scenic views of the islands outside of Coron, so it can be a nice place to watch the sunset. Most people will only spend around 1-2 hours visiting, including transport time.
Maquinit Hot Springs is located around 20 minutes outside Coron Town, so you must get transport here. If you drive on a motorbike, remember that the last section is off-road and super bumpy. The majority of travellers will come by tricycle, which costs around 200 PHP Philippine Pesos ($3.50 USD) one-way.
Cabo Beach
Cabo Beach is perfect if you want a chill day or afternoon to break up the busy days spent diving or island hopping around Coron. Less crowded than other tourist spots, it’s the perfect place for those seeking a quiet beach day. The sand here is powdery white; the waters are clear and perfect for swimming. The beach is fairly untouched, with no restaurants or beach clubs where loungers can be rented. There is a small shop selling drinks and snacks, though, and a small entrance fee for the beach of 50 PHP Philippine Pesos ($1 USD).
Cabo Beach is located around 20 minutes from Coron Town, so you must arrange transport there. A lot of people combine a trip to Maquinit Hot Springs with Cabo Beach as they are located on the same road, fairly close to each other. If you’re coming via motorbike, just be aware that the last part of the road is unpaved and pretty dicey, particularly for less experienced drivers. Alternatively, you could get a tricycle here for a one-way journey for around 200 PHP Philippine Pesos ($3.50 USD). Most people spend a few hours at Cabo Beach in the afternoon but head back to Coron Town to watch the sunset (you can’t catch a good sunset from Cabo Beach).
Mt Tapyas
Lastly, you can’t miss the climb up Mt. Tapyas for the best view in town. Yes, there are 700 steps to conquer, but the reward at the summit is unparalleled – a panoramic view of Coron. The trek is doable for most fitness levels, and there are plenty of spots to rest along the way. Mt Tapyas Viewpoint features stairs the whole way, with no uneven surfaces, making the climb much easier. The best times to go are early morning or late afternoon, catching either the sunrise or sunset. The best part about Mt Tapyas Viewpoint is that it is located right in the middle of Coron town, so you don’t need to plan transport there and back. It’s completely free to climb to the top of Mt Tapyas, and it takes around 30-45 minutes to climb to the top. I would allow about 1.5-2 hours to visit Mt Tapyas.
Where to eat in Coron
Despite its relatively small size, Coron has many great food options, whether you’re looking for a lively dinner spot or a quiet brunch spot. The majority of travellers will primarily be eating out for breakfast and dinner, as most tours and activities include buffet lunch. All foodie recommendations below are within Coron Town, so they are within walking distance from most accommodations.
La Voyage
La Voyage is the go-to spot for brunch, particularly if you’re a vegetarian or just seeking something lighter and healthier. This quaint eatery, with its cozy ambience, is located right in the middle of Coron Town. La Voyage has indoor and outdoor seating and is a great spot if you’re looking for somewhere quiet to journal, read a book or do some travel planning.
Pacifico
This laid-back establishment is not just about the food but the overall experience and is a great place to come for dinner or an evening. Pacifico’s menu offers a mix of local Filipino dishes as well as a range of international options. They’re also open for breakfast and lunch during the day, but the atmosphere tends to be more lively at nighttime. Be warned, the portion sizes are very generous, so come here when you’re hungry!
Sharkys Restobar
Known for its big menu that caters to a wide array of tastes and preferences, Sharkys offers everything from classic Filipino dishes to international staples. Sharkys’s vibrant live music scene sets it apart, which makes it the perfect place to grab dinner. They also do drink specials and make great cocktails, which is perfect after a big day of island hopping.
Oms Thai
Oms Thai is probably the best Thai food in the whole of the Philippines! This gem offers a genuine Thai dining experience with an authentic and affordable menu. Open for lunch and dinner and located right in the heart of Coron Town, Oms Thai is a great spot when you’re after a quick meal.
Outpost Hostel
Outpost Hostel has a restaurant and bar on its rooftop, which serves great Filipino and international foods. The seating is communal and around their rooftop infinity pool, so it’s a great place to eat if you’re a solo traveller wanting to make friends. I highly recommend coming here for dinner and staying for their nightly events like trivia, scavenger hunts or beer pong competitions. They are also open for breakfast and lunch during the day, so you can stop by for a meal and use their pool, even if you’re not staying there.
Coron Nightlife
Coron, known for its scuba diving and island hopping, is a fun night-out destination. While it’s nowhere near as buzzing as nightlife in bigger cities in the Philippines, Coron’s nightlife has its charm.
Outpost Hostel Bar
The Outpost isn’t just any bar; it’s the social hub of Coron that attracts travellers from all other hostels and accommodations who are keen to meet people and have a night out. Outpost Hostel has a rooftop bar and restaurant, which you can visit even if you’re not staying there. They host nightly activities such as trivia, beer pong tournaments and scavenger hunts, which make meeting people and making friends easy! Outpost Hostel is the perfect place to start your night before heading to other venues when their bar closes around midnight.
Bambam
If you don’t fancy heading to Outpost Hostel for early evening drinks, another popular venue is Bambam Bar. This cozy venue is known for its affordable drink prices and nightly live music. Located right in the middle of Coron Town, Bambam is usually busy from around 9 pm to midnight, so it is a great chilled spot to head to after dinner.
Reggae Bar
As the night matures and if you’re not quite ready to call it a day, head to Reggae Bar, the only place in Coron that keeps the party going when the Outpost winds down. Here, the vibe is laid-back, and the drinks are fairly affordable (definitely very strong). After midnight, everybody will inevitably end up at Reggae Bar as it is one of the few nightlife venues that stays open late, so it will be busy most nights. Reggae Bar is where you come to dance, drink and party, but don’t expect it to be too crazy, as Coron is still a fairly small beach town.
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