Coron, Palawan: Paradise! « kumareng grace

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Coron, Palawan: Paradise!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

If I will be asked to describe Coron in one word, it would have to be paradise. I have been to many places and beaches in the Philippines, but I would honestly say that, in my opinion, if you are a nature-loving person who loves water…Coron is absolutely the best place to go.

August last year, my friends (Charity, Shiela, Eileen, and Ate Mirriam) and I went on an overnight trip to Coron…yup, you read it right, overnight. We departed Manila at around 10 p.m. via Super Ferry. Super Ferry goes to Coron every Friday afternoons, 5:00 p.m. However, we were delayed because of some late cargoes that had to be shipped to Palawan. Going to Coron via a ship takes around 12 hours…an overnight trip. Because we were on tight budget, we decided this was a good option. It costs only PhP900, one way, for the cheapest beds, where you are with everyone else. Now, we were lucky because the ship wasn’t full and we were able to transfer beds…ones that were on the side of the rails (not too close of course), where we can hear the waves of the ocean and smell the sea water. I also noticed that there were foreigners who chose this accommodation instead of the more expensive ones. However, if the ship were full, this would not be agood idea. You should buy the ones where you have your own room…masyado na crowded and masikip pag marami passengers. Anyway, it was a real bummer when we were told that we would be delayed…that would be hours scrapped from our already time-constrained trip.

We arrived in Coron Saturday morning, at around 10:00 a.m. and went straight to out resort, Kokusnuss Resort. Great place…the rooms were cozy and prices were reasonable. Four people can stay in a room. They also have small nipa hut rooms for two people. The place was spacious…meron pang swings and duyans…masarap magrelax.

After resting for a while, and having interviewed the tricycle driver who brought us to the resort, we went to Maquinit Springs, named so because (I bet you’ve already guessed it) the water is hot…in short hot springs! Naku, hot talaga sya. I did not even dare submerge myself because the water was sooooo hot. My friends were able to tolerate the temperature so they immersed themselves in the water. Anyway, they said, hot springs are therapeutic. As for me, I just enjoyed dipping my feet every now and then into the hot water. Entrance fee for this was PhP100 per person.

We then proceeded (wet and all) to Mount Tapyas, a small hill with more or less 775 steps lead to a big cross on top and a spectacular view of Coron (just like Tops in Cebu). Eileen and Shiela gave up around halfway…Charity, Ate Miriam, and I went ahead and slowly went for the top. It was worth it…the vie was spectacular! Ang ganda..especially when you see the waters of Coron. Charity and I went ahead down because Ate Miriam wanted to view the sunset form the top. Four of us went ahead to the resort to bathe and get ready for our dinner.

We ate at Bistro…it’s a small restaurant-bar serving mostly American food. Prices are a bit pricey for a small town (around PhP170 to PhP250 per plate)…but hey, who would have thought a restaurant would be serving Hungarian sausage or chili con carne in a small town like this? Food was delicious. I think we were all satisfied with our orders. After eating, we walked around the town to burn off what we all just ate. There was a sort of celebration at the plaza…a fair. If I remember correctly, it was fiesta. Anyway, we looked around and went back to Bistro for a round of drinks (just one…remember, we were an all-girls group), after which we decided to call it a night.

Day 2, Sunday, was an absolute fun. As per the advice of our driver…we dedicated the whole day island hopping! Aaayyy, so much fun!

We went to the port and enlisted the services of a boatman…Mang Toks (PhP1500 for the whole day). He even brought his daughter, who was shy at first but warmed up as we went on. We bought packed lunch at the market, which was just beside the port, for PhP40 each. We then boarded the banca. By around 10:00, we were on to our first stop: Siete Picados…named because (and I bet you guessed it again) there are seven small islands (as in small). Siete Picados is a famous snorkeling spot in Coron. Indeed, the underwater scene here is amazing. The types of sea creatures are beautiful…so hard to capture in words! We lingered on for a while…taking careful looks at the wonderful creations here. I had a bit of misfortune here, though, because in my haste to have my picture taken, I accidental let go of my snorkel and it went straight to the bottom of the sea…and nobody was able to retrieve it. Hay… and because we just rented it…I had to pay PhP900…. No more pasalubong for my family and friends…. J

Afterwards, we proceeded to Kayangan Lake…which was my absolutely favorite place in Coron! As you enter the place (through banca pa rin), it was as though you were entering paradise! But that was just the tip of the iceberg because it was just the entrance. Parang appetizer pa lang…I thought if this was the appetizer, I can’t wait for the main dish!

To reach Kayangan Lake, you must go up a small hill because the lake is on "top", on the other side. Let me just say that Kayangan Lake is absolutely the best! The place is awesome…the water is so cool and soooo clear (hope the pictures speak for themselves)! The environment was so beautiful! It reminded me of the movie The Beach. While I was floating, I was thinking, I never want to leave this place. Parang gusto ko lang mag float ng magfloat! Not only that, the entire place was amazing. Iba talaga yung surroundings! If I were to sum up the place it would be PARADISE!

After Kayangan Lake, we went to the Twin Lagoon…Twin Lagoon because, yes, there are two lagoons. We docked at one Lagoon…fed the fish…swam a little…and went to the other lagoon. The two lagoons were separated by rock formations, and you have to swim inside a tunnel-like portion to reach the other. The other lagoon (the one in which we did not dock) was sort of a secluded place. Scary but calm place…ang sarap lumutang lutang lang….just feeling the water and feeling embraced by nature!

We passed by another beach also (I forgot the name…) and collected some starfish shells…first time I saw such things. I learned that starfish eggs are so fragile…I tried taking home a couple, which were just crushed… It was already afternoon when we were done…we went straight to the resort, washed up, and got ready for dinner. WE ate atthe Village Lodge (hope I got it correctly), which was very homey and had a "reggae" environment (with the place decorated with Bob Marley pictures and the like). Food was generally Filipino dishes and was reasonable. As our ship was to leave at around 10:00 p.m., we still had time to walk around and buy pasalubong. We also passed by their church. At around 8:00, we went back to the resort and started to say goodbye to Coron. Our trip was delayed, again, and we reached Manila around 12:00 p.m. Monday.

Our trip to Coron was very memorable for me. Coron is a very beautiful place…wala talaga akong masabi. The place was small…and going around was very easy, by tricycle lang! And the nature….ibang klase talaga! I’m very sure that you will love it also. It is one of those moments that you will feel God did make the world right. Everything was just perfect. I vividly remember not wanting to get out of the water while snorkeling or just floating because everywhere you look is just magnificent…the water, the mountains, the rock formations, the trees, the plants! Grabe! Iba talaga sa Coron! I just hope, and I do plan, to go back to this wonderful place.

For those who are on tight budget, you may be able still go to this great place…as we did! Super Ferry cheap, minimum of PhP900. Also, there are accommodations in Coron that are reasonable (around PhP 600 to PhP900 a room for 2 to 3)…and the place is still worth your money! For those planning to go to Coron, here are some Web sites that might help:

About Coron:

http://www.corontown.com/

http://wikitravel.org/en/Coron

Accomodations and Diving:

http://www.kokosnuss.info/

http://www.seadiveresort.com/

http://www.clubparadisepalawan.com/

http://www.philippinediving.com/village.htm

http://www.seadiveresort.com/home.html

http://www.ddivers.com/

http://www.busuangaislandparadise.com/

I would also recommend that you go to Busuanga…I heard it is also great there…a heaven for divers! I think it’s only an hour away by land from Coron. Hmmm…I think I’ll also go there when I go back!

Posted by kumarenggrace at 6:02 pm | permalink

Previous Comments

Inggit ako!!! I like your travel style; walang arte pero mukhang super enjoy!
I’ve been dreaming of Palawan kasi I’m never happier than when near a beach. Hay sana, someday.

Posted by zarine at February 29, 2008, 9:31 pm

Zarine, ganyan talaga ang gusto when traveling…walang arte…dapat cowboy….ore else, di ka talaga mag-eenjoy dahil daming limitations! Hope you do have the time to travel…punta ka Coron. I’m sure magugustuhan mo doon.

Posted by kumarenggrace at February 29, 2008, 9:51 pm

Yah, I’m sure din . Thanks for the links!

Sometimes talaga the most memorable times when you’re travelling e when you get to be more adventurous. I remember my first trip to Puerto Galera, sumakay kami sa bubong ng jeep kasi hindi na kasya; Imagine, the road was so rough, dumaan kami sa gitna ng mga puno, todo iwas na lang sa mga sanga kasi hahampas sa mukha mo, hehe. Then when it’s time to swim, we rode the big waves (or let them wash us over). Everyone came out with bruises kasi madadala ka ng alon toward the shore. That’s when I realized how it might feel to be inside a washing machine. He he.

Posted by zarine at March 1, 2008, 1:13 am

hey thanks for sharing your trip!!! we’re planning to visit that place soon in God’s time. Thank’s a lot!! it’s a great help!!!

Posted by my-my at March 20, 2008, 10:40 pm

Wow! Thanks also. It’s always nice to hear that my posts help other travelers…after all that’s my purpose for sharing my experiences. Hope you do get the opportunity to go. Enjoy talaga, and you’ll be more in awe of the beauty of our Mother Earth!

Posted by kumarenggrace at March 24, 2008, 6:18 am

i really enjoyed reading your entry. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience. Sana makapunta din ako soon.

Posted by kanszi at March 25, 2008, 7:56 pm

Hi Kanzi, thanks for dropping by. I hope you do have the opportunity to go. AKo nga gusto ko bumalik!

Posted by kumarenggrace at March 26, 2008, 6:18 am

Hi Grace,
I stumbled upon your website while doing research on Coron (yes, would love to take a vacation in paradise).
I really enjoyed your entry regarding Coron except for 1 thing –> “I learned that starfish eggs are so fragile…I tried taking home a couple, which were just crushed”….
Hopefully, more people will be aware of not taking home starfishes, corals etc as memorabilia … kumbaga, leave them as we found them so as not the destroy the very things in nature that we are enjoying now.
But all in all, nahikayat akong pumunta ng Coron so thanks for sharing your good memories.

Posted by Jill at May 5, 2008, 3:41 pm

Hello Jill, I’m glad you liked the post…and I hoped it helped even if just a little in your research.
Anyway, regarding the starfish shells, if it helps, the shells were already empty, with the babies already out in the beach, hopefully surviving. I just thought it would be nice to show it to my daughter. But I do agree with you in trying to conserve nature and its beauty. You see, when I travel, I appreciate, not destroy. You can say I’m a semi-environmentalist.
So don’t worry about me…and I’m with you in hoping that people learn to take care of our nature. I have experienced firsthand the happiness that beautiful nature can bring to us.

Posted by kumarenggrace at May 5, 2008, 5:30 pm

Hi Grace!

Thanks to your blog, it propelled our group to push through with our plans. We went to Coron last weekend. And it was one trip we can never forget. Coron is paradise for water-lovers like me. Ang ganda talaga ng Pilipinas.

Posted by Nikki Lou at June 10, 2008, 5:50 pm

Lke you I have visited coron also last month and I should say it’s a hidden paradised… I have also collection of Coron Island during our last visit if you have time you can visit http://www.philippinesbestplaces.com/category/palawan/ for more beautiful places in Palawan.

Posted by Palawan at June 13, 2008, 10:26 pm

nice post. =) you stayed at kokosnuss pala. i’m glad i reserved the right place.

Posted by steph at June 20, 2008, 9:28 am

Nice post! And thanks for sharing your experience to the world

Posted by Marvin Alvarez at August 1, 2008, 11:53 am

thanks everyone for your nice comments! It’s my pleasure of sharing my wonderful experiences…in the hope that someone will be convinced to go to Coron.

Posted by kumarenggrace at August 10, 2008, 10:59 am

Very nice review about Coron. We already have our airfare tickets and will be going there on February of next year. But our tickets are bound to Busuanga, can i know how many hours does it take to go Coron from Busuanga?

Thanks

Posted by lizzie at October 24, 2008, 1:58 pm

Hi lizzie! Busuanga airport to Coron will take 45 minutes to 1 hour. I hope you are considering going around Busuanga also. It’s a nice place to dive.

I hope you enjoy your trip! Coron is so beautiful!

Posted by kumarenggrace at October 24, 2008, 9:30 pm

Hello Ms. Grace,

Thanks for the info. Greatly appreciated.
We will also consider going around Busuanga.

You said there are accommodations in Coron that are reasonable around PhP 600 to PhP900 a room. May I know what’s the name of that hotel?

Thank you so much!

Posted by lizzie at October 30, 2008, 10:30 am

hi lizzie, check out this link:
http://www.seadiveresort.com/rates.html

Posted by kumarenggrace at October 30, 2008, 11:07 am

We have reserved rooms in your recommended hotel Ms. Grace. Their rates are perfect for our tight budget. I can’t wait to go there na nga!

You’re so accommodating Ms. Grace! Thanks a for everything.

Posted by lizzie at October 30, 2008, 2:34 pm

You did lizzie? That's good news. We would have booked there, but it was closed during our trip to Coron. Talagang it's within budget. Please also drop me a line to tell me how the place is, para when we go back.

It was my pleasure helping you…as in. I'm really happy to be of help.

I do hope you have fun! Coron is a great place!

Posted by kumarenggrace at October 30, 2008, 4:41 pm

Yup, in Sea Dive Resort. We have reserved a deluxe room. Its airconditioned, with terrace, hot/cold shower and a refrigerator. The price is the same as what’s in their website. Just perfect for our budget.

Of course, I’ll get back to you after we get back from Coron. And I’ll promote your blog on my blog as well

thanks! thanks! thanks!!!

Posted by lizzie at October 30, 2008, 9:27 pm

You're welcome lizzie! If it's okay with you, I'd like to ask for the link of your blog so I can put you on my list.

Posted by kumarenggrace at October 31, 2008, 6:23 am

baket ngaun ko lang nakita to?! those pics of Kayangan Lake remind me of Land of the Lost - me dinosaurs ba dun? So prehistoric!
Punta din kami jan one of these days… but you do know what blog entry we’re all waiting for, right?!

Posted by t2rad at November 18, 2008, 5:25 pm

t2rad, super tagal na nito! Punta kayo sa Coron ha…super ganda talaga! [para na akong sirang plaka!]

Yung inaantry nyong post…baka sa 2020 pa!

Posted by kumarenggrace at November 18, 2008, 7:50 pm

hi, ask kolang kc punta din kami dun sa january, balak din namin mag stay sa kokussnuss, malapit lng ba sya sa city? and mas ok ba na mag arrange ng tour before punta dun or dun nalang mismo pagdating sa coron?

Posted by makoy at December 2, 2008, 8:22 pm

maganda ang location ng Kokussnuss. it’s just a tricycle ride away from everything. actually, coron is small kaya madali lang pumunta to different places.

accommodation-wise, i suggest you reserve beforehand. yung mga tours naman (like the banca tour), marami dun mga nag o-offer, so even if you didn’t arrange beforehand, ok lang.

I hope you enjoy your trip makoy! enjoy thw wonders of Coron!

Posted by kumarenggrace at December 3, 2008, 6:40 am

tnx po!
ok na ba yung itinerary namin,
like pagdating namin dun, ikot kami sa lugar then punta kami mt tapyas, then 2nd day, dun kami mag island hopping, ok na ba yun?
tnx so much!

Posted by makoy at December 4, 2008, 12:52 am

yes! ok na ok yan! that’s what we did…although you might want to add maquinit springs on the first day, after mt. tapyas maybe. masarap maligo after that climb.

Posted by kumarenggrace at December 4, 2008, 7:51 am

hello myrna,

I tried to e-mail you, but the email address wasn’t valid daw. I just added a .ph at the end at nasend naman. but it bounced back. anyway, I’m posting the information here so you can still contact them.

KokosNuss Resort
RP-5316 Coron, Palawan
Philippines

PHONE/SMS:
(+63)-0919-4487879
(+63)-0919-7769544

E-MAIL:
info@kokosnuss.info

For the rates, just check their site.

http://www.kokosnuss.info/

Hope you and your husband have fun. Coron is such a beautiful place. You might also want to try going to Busuanga, which is just around an hour away by land. maganda din doon.

Enjoy!

Posted by kumarenggrace at December 5, 2008, 9:18 am

hi kumareng grace. im taking my family to coron on january. ok ba sa kokusnuss? my husband is canadian and i want him to see the best of the philippines that we can afford considering im taking 5 more people with us.
may contact person ka ba dun na i can get in touch with to ask about the rate and other stuff? i hope i hear from you soon. thanks. my email is docmyrna@yahoo.com. thanks again and have a great day.

myrna

Posted by myrna at December 5, 2008, 1:37 pm

Hi there, magkano lahat yung nagastos nyo? Thanks

Posted by sunnysideup at February 10, 2009, 6:59 pm

hi there sunnysideup! i replied to you via email but will post here just in case.

no more than 5k lahat!

Posted by kumarenggrace at February 17, 2009, 7:39 pm

hi kg! now ko lang nakita tong coron travel mo! haha! mag back read nga ko d2 sa i.ph blog mo!

i love everything u wrote! parang naganahan ako magpunta ng palawan despite na di talaga ako marunong mag swim! ahahaha!

Posted by dyanie at March 25, 2009, 11:34 am

wow! just wow! my friends and i are planing to go on a trip to coron this coming april 18 - 21. and we, too, are on a tight budget. your blog, give us a lot of tips we can use for our travel. thanks much! keep posting. you’re a great help to us who wants to enjoy life in a shoe string budget.

Posted by Meann at April 2, 2009, 11:11 am

hi kumareng grace! i love your post. it’s helping me a lot in planning my trip to Coron. i have been to palawan but to puerto princesa lang then yung mga trips namin, arranged ng hotel kaya medyo pricey. this time, gusto ko diy na lang para makatipid naman ako.
i’m planning to go to Coron by October, kaya lang i’m thinking twice because of the weather, siyempre quite unpredictable po siya. but anyways, if in case mag-Coron island hopping po ako sang port po ako punta to get the cheapest possible rate po? meron po bang resort or rooms sa beach mismo ng Coron? i hope you could respond to me po as soon as you can. thanks!

Posted by divine at June 20, 2009, 3:54 pm

Ms. Divine, kami ng friends ko ay galing din ng coron last july 15-18. At napakaganda talaga ng Coron. If you want to rent a boat text mo lang si Mang Anton, eto cp# nya 09283880246. Kasi sa totoo lang ndi lahat ng taga-Coron ay hostpitable, actually bihira. Pero si Mang Anton ok na ok. At kung pu2nta kayo ng Maquinit Hot Spring sa kanya na din kayo magpahatid 250-300 ang rent ng tricycle.
Walang problema sa weather kasi hindi naman daanan ng bagyo ang Coron at kahit umuulan ndi maalon ang dagat. Hay, napakaganda talaga!

Posted by Rizza at July 23, 2009, 1:08 pm

Hi there!
If I may suggest PAL Express flies to Busuanga daily. Sometimes they have cheap fares much more convenient to take rather than boat. At least 1 hr lang nasa Coron ka na..hehe.:-)

Na pala Kumareng Grace, yung sa rent a boat nyo kay Mang Anton, san san kayo nakapunta? sabi kasi sa napagtanungan namin nasa 3k plus yung rent ng boat plus 100 php sa entrance fee sa bawat pupuntahan namin.

thanks so much!!!

Posted by joeyapril at August 27, 2009, 10:42 am

hi Rizza!

yes, we’re going to Coron 3rd week ng october po. thanks sa lahat ng mga information ninyo. i’m hoping for a good weather since napakaraming bagyo lately.

regards!!!!

Posted by divine at October 9, 2009, 12:04 pm

hello there grace! im christine. im planning to go to coron in feb21-23 with my boyfriend. may i ask did u avail of the package from Kokusnuss Resort? I think theyre offering 4thou plus package… What’s best thing to do? thanks in advance!

Posted by martchristine at January 10, 2010, 11:19 am

hey grace!
which is better: seadive resort or kokusnuss? for a room. which is more accessible to those beautiful places?

Posted by xena at January 10, 2010, 9:46 pm

Hi. I really enjoyed both blogs:
http://kumarenggrace.i.ph/blogs/kumarenggrace/2008/06/15/busuanga-a-trip-worth-taking/
http://kumarenggrace.i.ph/blogs/kumarenggrace/2008/02/20/coron-palawan-paradise/

Have you made it back in the last few years. If you have, I would enjoy reading about your experiences.

Has anyone heard of Majika’s Island Resort in Coron? Is it a nice place?

Thanks,
Ed

Posted by ed at February 13, 2010, 3:14 am

Miss Grace are you offering tour package for 4D/3N for two…If there is any kindly send the quotation in my email…dyeyk_lopez@yahoo.com…Thanks

Posted by aian jake lopez at March 2, 2010, 10:02 am

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