To start of my 2015 travel diaries, me and my college friends decided to go to Coron, Palawan. We actually planned the trip around September 2014 to get best deals of airfare going to the place. However, we didn't have the best of luck looking for cheap flights going to Palawan so we decided to book a flight already without airfare promos. I could say that we still got the best deals so far because I really enjoyed our 4 days and 3 nights stay in Coron.
Coron is a first class municipality in the province of Palawan, Philippines, comprising the eastern half of Busuanga Island, all of Coron Island and about 50 other minor islets stretching as far as Tara Island in the northeast and Canipo Island in the south. All these islands are part of the Calamian Archipelago in Northern Palawan that separates the South China Sea from the Sulu Sea. According to the 2010 census, it had a population of 42,941 people. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coron,_Palawan)
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| Map of Palawan, Coron as highlighted. (image credit:Coron, Palawan) |
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| Breathtaking view of municipality of Coron from Mt. Tapyas (photo credit: MarkVillanuevaPhotography; photographer: Mark Villanueva) |
Going to Coron takes about 45 mins. - 1 hour travel time from Manila via airplane. There are available flights going to Busuanga (MNL - USU; USU - MNL) via PAL (Philippine Airlines) and Cebu Pacific Air.
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| Arrival at Francisco B. Reyes Airport, Busuanga via Philippine Airlines |
Upon arrival at Francisco B. Reyes Airport, our tour guide is already waiting for us. Travel time from Busuanga Airport to Coron town proper takes about 30 - 45 mins.
NOTE: Stores outside the airport sells costly meals. Better bring crackers, biscuits or sandwiches with you.
We actually availed tour package from GAMAT Travel and Tours, which I highly recommend because our tour guide is very accommodating, welcoming and very informative all throughout our vacation. Kudos to Ate Jelyn! :) Here is their facebook page in case you plan to avail: https://www.facebook.com/gamattravelandtours
You may find a bunch of tour packages online. As per our experience availing a tour package, they will suggest an itinerary, and from there you can add some places you also want to visit and activities you want to do in Coron. They also offer a lot of packages to choose from. Price availability depends on the places you want to visit or the choice of accommodation. Also, great thing about it is that there are no hidden charges. Well, we just paid for our snorkeling masks. (150 pesos or 3.40 USD)
ITINERARY:
1st Day:
9:30AM - Arrival at Coron
10:30AM to 3PM - Free Time
3:30PM or 4PM - Town Tour
Destinations: Souvenir Shop, Municipal Hall, Cashew Factory,
Lualhati Park with Coron Bay, San Agustin Church, Mt Tapyas
Trek, and Maquinit Hotspring
8PM - End of Tour
8:3PM to 12AM - Dinner/Free Time
2nd Day:
7AM - Breakfast at Lodge
8:30AM to 9AM - Start of Coron Island Tour
Destinations: Kayangan Lake, Banol Beach or Atwayan
Beach, Twin Lagoon, Twin Peaks, Cyc Island, and
Barracuda Bay.
6PM - End of Tour
7PM to 12AM - Dinner/Free Time
3rd Day
4AM - Departure to Safari
7AM to 7:30Am - Arrival at Calauit Safari
8:30AM to 9AM - Start of Safari Tour
Destinations - Calauit Safari, Black Island/Calumbuyan
Island, Coral Garden, Lusong Shipwreck.
6PM - End of Tour
7PM to 12AM - Dinner/Free Time
4th Day
1:40PM Departure at Coron
2:40PM - Arrival at Naia
*Itinerary is subject to change if you want to add places to visit.
Package inclusions:
*R/trip airport transfer
*All entrance fee’s
* Pickup and drop off (hotel to loading area v-v)
*Boat rides
*FREE use of KAYAK
*Mask & Snorkels (150 pesos)
*MEALS: (daily breakfast and lunch buffet in an island) without dinner.
*Drinks and snacks
*Services of a tour guide
*Accommodation (accommodation above mentioned have an air conditioned room, hot and cold shower and WI-FI access)
We stayed at Jazmine's Place residing in the heart of Coron town. Good thing about our place is that it is very accessible since it is near to the park, bank, church, restaurants, shops, market etc.
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| Jazmine's Place -our place during the whole stay in Coron (photo credit: MarkVillanuevaPhotography; photographer: Mark Villanueva) |
HOTEL REVIEW:
Cleanliness: 4 out of 5 stars
Good: room and bathroom are very clean; no foul or stinky smell
Needs improvement: during our whole stay, they replaced our bed sheets/towels for just once
Staff: 4 out of 5 stars
Good: very accommodating, warm and polite to customers
Needs improvement: lobby area may be empty at times, no one will accommodate you
Service: 5 out 5 stars
Good: serves very good food. Danggit feast is a must try!
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| (photo credit: MarkVillanuevaPhotography; photographer: Mark Villanueva) |
For more information about Jazmine's Place, visit there website: http://www.jazminesplace.com/
For more blog reviews about Jazmine's Place: http://www.tripadvisor.com.ph/Hotel_Review-g294255-d4046520-Reviews-Jazmine_s_Place-Palawan_Island_Palawan_Province_Mimaropa.html
While going around the place....
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| Best fried isaw (fried chicken intestine) ever! It is also my first time to try "biko turon" (deep fried bananas coated with rice cake in spring rolls). (photo credit: MarkVillanuevaPhotography; photographer: Mark Villanueva) |
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| Coron Old market. The new structure resides near the port. Old market was one of the most devastated area when storm "Yolanda" hit Palawan. (photo credit: MarkVillanuevaPhotography; photographer: Mark Villanueva) |
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| Tricycle is one of their major mode of transportation. We noticed that there are no jeepneys; causing minimal or almost no traffic in the place. :) (10 pesos per head) (photo credit: MarkVillanuevaPhotography; photographer: Mark Villanueva) |
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| All smiles, Coron! (photo credit: MarkVillanuevaPhotography; photographer: Mark Villanueva) |
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