Coron, PalawanCoron, Palawan at a Glance
Costs: US$80-180 per day - island-hopping and dive trips lift daily costs; budget stays exist.
Safety: Tourist-safe with marine risks - generally safe; take care on boat trips and in crowded ports.
Best Time: November-May - dry season offers calm seas and clear diving conditions.
Why Visit Coron, Palawan?
Coron is a magnet for island‑hopping, wreck diving and karst scenery: limestone islets, Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake provide iconic swimming and photo stops, while WWII shipwrecks near Coron town attract divers from around the world. Local markets and seaside restaurants serve freshly caught seafood that complements days spent snorkeling and exploring coral gardens. It’s an adventure‑oriented base for marine exploration in northern Palawan.
Best Things to Do in Coron, Palawan
Island
Coron Island
Island known for limestone cliffs and dive sites
Islands
Calamian Islands
Archipelago in Palawan noted for diving and beaches
Island
Culion
Philippine island formerly a leper colony, now municipality
Island
Busuanga Island
Calamian island known for wreck diving and reefs
Island
Calauit Island
Island wildlife sanctuary in Palawan with introduced species
Historical Site
Dimaquiat Island
Small island in the Philippines, marine habitat
Coron, Palawan Bucket List
Don't Miss
Kayangan Lake - Kayangan Lake - crystal-clear lake framed by limestone cliffs; short hike and viewpoint.
Twin Lagoons - Twin Lagoons - swim between emerald pools through a narrow rock passage at low tide.
Barracuda Lake - Barracuda Lake - thermocline lake prized by snorkelers and divers for unique waters.
Mount Tapyas viewpoint - Mount Tapyas viewpoint - climb white-stepped path for panoramic views over Coron town.
Hidden Gems
Maquinit Hot Springs - Maquinit Hot Springs - tidal mangrove hot springs offering relaxing warm baths near shore.
Culion Island Historical Museum - Culion Island Historical Museum - explores island’s leprosy colony past and local archives.
Siete Pecados Marine Park - Siete Pecados Marine Park - small reef cluster ideal for snorkeling with abundant reef life.
Black Island - Black Island - quiet island with caves, snorkeling spots, and peaceful sandy coves.
Day Trips
Calauit Safari Park - Calauit Safari Park - wildlife sanctuary with giraffes and zebras rescued on Calauit Island.
Culion Island day trip - Culion Island day trip - visit museums, Spanish-era ruins and tranquil coastal villages.
Coron Island full-day tour - Coron Island full-day tour - lagoons, beaches and snorkel sites around Coron Island.
Nearby Cities #
Best Time to Visit Coron, Palawan
Coron is best during the dry season (December-May) for clear seas, excellent diving, and island trips. The wet season brings heavier rains and occasional rough seas, with typhoon risk in late summer.
Dry Season
Dry season is idyllic for diving, island hopping, and clear-water snorkeling-sunny days, calm seas, and busy tourist months.
Wet Season (Monsoon)
Wet months bring frequent heavy rains and rougher seas-fewer tourists, dramatic skies, and some tour cancellations are possible.
Typhoon‑Prone Months
Peak storm period increases risk of cancellations and rough seas-travel flexible plans and monitor marine and weather warnings closely.
Tropical climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 33°C. Heavy rainfall (3041 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Ideal | 22° - 30° | 26° | 25 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 3.3 m/s | 2.0 extreme | 11.4h |
| February | Ideal | 22° - 31° | 27° | 20 mm | some cloud | 74% | 3.4 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 11.7h |
| March | Excellent | 24° - 32° | 30° | 9 mm | mostly sunny | 71% | 2.7 m/s | 2.7 extreme | 12.0h |
| April | Excellent | 25° - 33° | 32° | 46 mm | mostly sunny | 68% | 2.1 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 12.3h |
| May | Good | 25° - 32° | 32° | 200 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 1.7 m/s | 2.4 extreme | 12.5h |
| June | Good | 24° - 31° | 30° | 367 mm | overcast | 81% | 1.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.7h |
| July | Good | 23° - 29° | 26° | 667 mm | overcast | 83% | 2.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.6h |
| August | Good | 24° - 30° | 27° | 601 mm | overcast | 84% | 2.4 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 12.4h |
| September | Good | 23° - 30° | 26° | 498 mm | overcast | 84% | 1.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 12.1h |
| October | Good | 23° - 30° | 27° | 294 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.2 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 11.8h |
| November | Very Good | 23° - 31° | 27° | 229 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.9 m/s | 2.0 very high | 11.5h |
| December | Excellent | 23° - 30° | 27° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 3.9 m/s | 1.9 very high | 11.3h |
How to Get to Coron, Palawan
Coron (Palawan) is most conveniently reached by a short domestic flight into Busuanga/Coron Airport (USU). Alternately, longer land+ferry routes run from Puerto Princesa. Local travel relies heavily on tricycles and boats.
Francisco B. Reyes Airport / Busuanga Airport (USU): The main airport for Coron town on Busuanga Island with regular flights from Manila (MNL) and Cebu (CEB). The airport is about 30-40 minutes by road from Coron town; shared van transfers and private transfers are standard-shared vans typically cost around PHP 150-300 per person and take ~30-45 minutes.
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), Manila: If you fly into Manila first, domestic flights to Busuanga (USU) are frequent; alternatively you can fly to Puerto Princesa (PPS) and take a 4-5 hour land+ferry transfer to Coron, but this is significantly longer.
Train: There is no rail access to Coron.
Bus / Van / Ferry: Overland + ferry from Puerto Princesa (PPS) remains an option: travel by bus/van from Puerto Princesa to the port and then take the ferry to Coron town (total journey 4-6+ hours depending on connections). Intra-island transport in Coron is mainly by tricycle, jeepney and boat for island hopping.
How to Get Around Coron, Palawan
Fly into Busuanga (USU) for the fastest access to Coron. Once there, boats (bancas) run the show for island visits and tricycles/jeeps cover short on-island transfers; book transfers and tours in advance during high season.
- Flight to Busuanga (USU) (PHP 150-400 (transfer)) - Direct domestic flights from Manila and Cebu arrive into Francisco B. Reyes (Busuanga) Airport. Book early in peak season; airport transfers (shared vans or private) connect the strip to Coron town.
- Ferry (from Puerto Princesa / island hopping boats) (PHP 500-2,000) - Overland+ferry from Puerto Princesa is an option if you prefer surface travel; ferries and fastcraft also run island-hopping routes between Coron, El Nido and nearby islands. Ferries take longer but can be scenic.
- Local boats / banca trips (PHP 1,200-5,000/day) - Boat trips are the core way to visit Coron’s lagoons and dive/snorkel sites; day-trip bancas and private charters are widely available from Coron harbour-book via local operators or your accommodation.
- Tricycle / jeepney (PHP 20-100) - Local tricycles and jeepneys serve short trips within Coron town and to nearby viewpoints and beaches-cheap and convenient for short distances but can be crowded during peak season.
- Car / Motorbike rental (PHP 400-1,500/day) - Motorbike rentals are common for exploring nearby spots; cars are less common but available for hire. Be cautious on local roads and follow local driving rules.
- Walking - Coron town centre is compact and easy to explore on foot-walking is the best way to visit restaurants, dive shops and the pier area.
Where to Stay in Coron, Palawan
Budget
Coron town centre / near pier - ₱600-1,800/night
Coron town has many budget guesthouses and hostels clustered by the pier-good for island-hopping travellers but basic facilities.
Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel (budget deals) - Basic dorms/rooms sometimes available
Coron hostels and guesthouses (search) - Several small hostels near town pier
Mid-Range
Town centre / waterfront - ₱1,800-5,000/night
Mid-range stays in Coron include several comfortable hotels that organise island tours and provide easy pier access-book early in high season.
Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel - Harbour-front, boat tours organised onsite
Westown Hotel & Resort Coron - Convenient mid-range option near shops and restaurants
Luxury
Island resorts / quiet coves - ₱6,000+/night
Luxury resorts are island-based rather than in town; expect private-island or boutique resort experiences a short boat ride from Coron town.
Club Paradise Palawan - Island resort with beaches and diving excursions
Busuanga Bay Lodge (higher-end lodges) - Boutique resort-style accommodation, quiet setting
Where to Eat in Coron, Palawan
Seafood & Island Plates
Coron focuses on fresh-caught seafood, grilled dishes and casual beachfront restaurants that cater to divers and island-hoppers.
- Altrove Coron - Wood-fired pizza and hearty pasta
- Kawayanan Grill - Grilled seafood by the water
- La Sirenetta Restaurant - Seafood specialties and sunset views
Casual Cafés & Bakeries
Small cafés and bakeries serve early breakfasts, takeout sandwiches and sweet treats - useful between island tours.
- Café No. 9 - Coffee, sandwiches and light desserts
- Coron Bakery - Fresh bread and sweet pastries
- Comfy Kitchen - Comfort food and quick lunches
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Coron, Palawan’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Coron, Palawan
Coron has a lively, tourist-oriented evening scene with bars, casual restaurants and a handful of live‑music spots that stay open late, especially in high season. Dive-hostel bars and beachside tavernas are common gathering points. The scene is seasonal and oriented to visitors - expect the busiest evenings during the peak diving months.
Shopping in Coron, Palawan
Shopping in Coron focuses on dive shops, souvenir stalls, and beachwear stores clustered along the main streets. You’ll also find small markets and shops selling local snacks, seafood and handicrafts. For any specialist diving gear or larger purchases, check larger Philippine cities before you arrive.