Coron, Palawan City
City in Mimaropa, Philippines
Limestone karsts, wartime shipwrecks and turquoise lagoons bring divers and kayakers to this Calamian town; expect island-hopping boats, hot springs and traditional seafood at the market.
Coron, 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#
Coron, Palawan Bucket List#
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.
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.
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.
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.
December - May
25 to 31 °C (77 to 88 °F)
Dry season is idyllic for diving, island hopping, and clear-water snorkeling-sunny days, calm seas, and busy tourist months.
June - November
24 to 30 °C (75 to 86 °F)
Wet months bring frequent heavy rains and rougher seas-fewer tourists, dramatic skies, and some tour cancellations are possible.
August - October
24 to 30 °C (75 to 86 °F)
Peak storm period increases risk of cancellations and rough seas-travel flexible plans and monitor marine and weather warnings closely.
January
Weather
February
Weather
March
Weather
April
Weather
May
Weather
June
Weather
July
Weather
August
Weather
September
Weather
October
Weather
November
Weather
December
Weather
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#
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
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
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#
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
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.
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.
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.
