The Ultimate Travel Guide to Coron, Palawan
Coron is one of the most famous destinations in Palawan. Its picturesque beaches, beautiful rock formations, crystal clear waters, and World War II shipwreck scuba diving spots attract visitors. The tropical paradise of Coron is located on Busuanga Island in the province of Palawan in the Philippines.
Most people reach Coron, Palawan by plane from Manila, or by fast ferry from El Nido. Coron is a small port town that most travelers use as a base for island hopping tours.
Coron Island is about a 30-minute boat ride from Coron Town and is home to the most famous attractions, such as Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Barracuda Lake.
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- The Ultimate Travel Guide to Coron, Palawan
- Why you Should visit Coron, Palawan?
- How many Days do you Need in Coron?
- Best Time to Visit Coron, Palawan
- How to Get to Coron, Palawan?
- Join a Boat Expedition Tour from El Nido to Coron
- Where to Stay in Coron, Palawan
- How to Get Around Coron, Palawan
- Coron Island Hopping Tours
- Coron or El Nido: Which is the better?
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Why you Should visit Coron, Palawan?
Coron is the most beautiful tropical paradise in the province of Palawan in the Philippines. Go on island hopping tours and kayaking, visit the magnificent beaches, and enjoy Coron’s relaxed atmosphere.
If you like scuba diving or snorkeling, Coron is one of the best places in the Philippines for these activities. One of Coron’s main attractions is the World War II shipwrecks on the bottom of the sea.
Coron Island is home to some of the most photographed Palawan places, such as Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Barracuda Lake. With its crystal-clear waters, delicious seafood, unique rock formations, and breathtaking scenery, Coron will quickly impress the hearts of visitors. We wished we could have stayed here forever.
Recommended post → Coron Itinerary for 3 days
How many Days do you Need in Coron?
As Coron is one of the most beautiful places in Palawan, we suggest a 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors to Coron.
When you arrive, explore Coron Town. Shop at the local market, swim at Cabo Beach, visit the Maquinit hot springs, or hike to Mt. Tapyas at sunset.
We recommend taking at least 2 Coron Island hopping tours, usually starting around 8 AM and lasting until 4-5 PM.
Check island hopping tour prices and availability HERE.
Best Time to Visit Coron, Palawan
The Philippines has a tropical climate with warm weather and very high humidity. Palawan has two seasons: a dry season from November to May and a rainy season from June to October. Typhoons can happen during the rainy season.
The best time to visit Coron is from November to May during the dry season, as the scenery is beautiful and the weather is warm.
The busiest and warmest months are from March to April, as this is the summer season in Palawan, Philippines. During the high season, prices are higher, Coron is very crowded, and ferry tickets can sell out quickly.
The rainy season is ideal for those looking for budget prices or who want to avoid crowds. However, Coron island hopping tours may be canceled due to weather conditions, and there’s nothing worse than not enjoying these beautiful sights because of the rain.
Read our → Palawan Itinerary
How to Get to Coron, Palawan?
Coron can be reached by ferry or direct flight from Manila, Cebu, or El Nido. Flying is the fastest and easiest way to get to Coron, Palawan.
There are direct flights several times a day from Manila and Cebu, flights take around 1.5 hours, and in high season one-way tickets start from an average of 60 USD per person. In high season, flight tickets can be even more expensive.
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Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights to Coron.
Once you arrive at Francisco B. Reyes Airport in Busuanga, you can take a taxi, minivan, private, or group transfer to Coron Town. Coron is a 30-40 minute drive from Francisco B. Reyes Airport.
Book a minivan from the airport to Coron (any hotel) HERE.
El Nido to Coron by ferry
The fast ferry takes just 3.5 hours (depending on the sea and weather conditions) and is one of the best ways to travel to Coron, Palawan. As the ferries run rarely, tickets can sell out quickly (especially in high season), so we recommend you buy online!
Ferry tickets from El Nido to Coron start from 46 USD per person for one way.
Arrive at least 30 minutes before the ferry departs!
El Nido to Coron by flight
The flight departs from El Nido/Lio Airport (airport code ENI) and arrives at Francisco B. Reyes/Busuanga Airport (airport code USU).
The flight takes just 40 minutes, and plane tickets start from 95 USD (without luggage) per person for one way. Airswift is the only airline that offers daily direct flights to Coron, and flights are usually affordable in the low season.
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Use Skyscanner to get cheap flights to Coron.
Manila to Coron by ferry
The Atienza Shipping Lines ferry ride lasts 11-13 hours, and tickets to Coron range from 1500-3000 PHP (25,50-52 USD). The Manila to Coron ferry departs every Tuesday at 8 PM and every Thursday and Saturday at 4 PM.
Manila to Coron by flight
Cebu Pacific Air and Philippines Airlines operate several daily flights from Manila to Coron Airport. The flight takes 1.5 hours, and in the low season, one-way tickets start from an average of 60 USD per person.
Join a Boat Expedition Tour from El Nido to Coron
Are you looking for an unforgettable experience in Palawan, Philippines? You can join a 4-day, 3-night from El Nido to Coron boat expedition tour or vice versa. Explore paradise islands, visit hidden gems, and enjoy magical sunsets and delicious food.
Although there are several boat expeditions, we recommend Big Dream Boatman.
Expeditions usually cost around 600 USD. The price includes meals, beverages (including alcoholic beverages), towels, snorkeling gear, and three nights of island-style accommodations (cottages and camping).
Book your best boat expedition tour HERE.
Where to Stay in Coron, Palawan
There are many luxury hotels and resorts in Coron, but accommodation options are available for all budgets. These are our recommendations.
Best hotels in Coron
- Luxury: Two Seasons Coron Island Resort
- Mid-Range: Bacau Bay Resort Coron or Tag Resort
- Budget: Vela Terraces Hotel
How to Get Around Coron, Palawan
The easiest and cheapest way to get around Coron Town is by tricycle. Always ask how much the fare will cost and try to negotiate. The tricycle costs 100-200 PHP (2-4 USD) one-way.
Rent a scooter in Coron and explore the nearby attractions. The motorbike rental costs between 500-800 PHP (8,50-14 USD) for a day.
Upon arrival, you must pay the Environmental Fee of 200 PHP (3,50 USD) at the port of Coron. It is valid for 10 days.
Coron Island Hopping Tours
As the boat tours are popular, you should book a Coron island hopping tour in advance. You can easily book private and group boat tours online.
Take island hopping tours and visit the most famous attractions of Coron Island, like Kayangan Lake, Twin Lagoon, and Barracuda Lake.
Book your Coron Island Hopping Tour HERE.
Most group tours include hotel pick-up and drop-off, drinking water, a buffet lunch, and government taxes. The entrance fees aren’t included in the private tour. Each site has an entrance fee of around 200-300 PHP (4-5.5 USD).
Book multi-day Coron and El Nido island expeditions through Big Dream Boatman.
Group tours are cheap. But the disadvantage is that the boats usually arrive at the attractions at the same time, so there will be crowds everywhere. Private tours are more expensive, but you can avoid the crowds and tell the captain what you want to see.
A group tour starts from 28 USD, and a private boat from 116 USD.
We were on two island hopping tours, which were fantastic, and we had a wonderful time. But if you are short on time, you can choose a private tour and visit the places that are ideal for you.
Coron or El Nido: Which is the better?
Coron and El Nido are part of the province of Palawan, and Palawan is one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines. El Nido and Coron are very popular, with similar things to do, prices, and tourist crowds. But if your time is limited, you may have to choose between Coron and El Nido.
El Nido is more developed and has much more to do than Coron. Coron is quieter, has famous attractions nearby, and has better snorkeling and shipwreck scuba diving spots. Coron island hopping tours are priced higher than El Nido tours. In El Nido, most tour providers offer the same itinerary for island hopping tours, but in Coron, there are no fixed routes.
Coron was our favorite place in the Philippines, and we would love to go back anytime. But in our opinion, you shouldn’t miss El Nido.
Looking for an unforgettable experience in Coron and El Nido, Palawan? Book multi-day island expeditions through Big Dream Boatman.
We hope our complete guide to visiting Coron will help you plan your visit to Palawan. If you have any questions or thoughts, let us know in the comment below.
Travel Resources
Hotels – Booking.com
Car Rentals – Discover Cars
Flights – Skyscanner
eSIM – Airalo
Travel Insurance – SafetyWing
Tours & Attractions – GetYourGuide
Bus/Ferry/Transfer – 12Go
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