Saturday, November 30, 2019

2019 Coron Palawan, By The Smart Traveller


Smart preparations for GOING TO CORON PALAWAN

The BEST way to reach Coron is by AIR or flight to Busuanga Airport.

Popular airlines are Cebu Pacific, PAL, Skyjet, Air Swift as of this writing. Flight time takes around an hour.

Tips on cancelled flight to Busuanga: 

The airport in Busuanga is small, it doesn’t have modern facilities. It is surrounded by mountain ranges, so when rain clouds start covering the area (normally happens in the afternoon), it becomes challenging for the plane to find the visibility to land.

Flights many times gets rerouted back to its origin when the plane fails to find the opportunity for safe landing.

During rainy months or what we call BER months, it is best to take your flights in the morning, as precautionary measure.

FROM BUSUANGA AIRPORT TO CORON

From Busuanga Airport to Coron town proper is approximately 20km, almost an hour ride by land through mountains and winding road.

Though Busuanga town proper on the other hand is to the opposite direction.

Coron Palawan is known for its
-        -  clear freshwater lakes amidst limestone landscapes
-        -  shallow clear waters with beautiful coral reefs and shipwreck remains (from WWII)

Tip: If going for tour in Coron, primarily to the tourist spots and popular places, do yourself a favor. Book your stay in Coron (not in Busuanga). Pick-up for Coron tours are normally from Coron (and not from Busuanga).

If you have booked your stay in Busuanga and wants to book for tour in Coron, be reminded that a private ride from Busuanga to Coron takes almost 2 hours per way and can be expensive. Since public rides from Busuanga to Coron and vice versa operates normally once a day only, which is almost impossible to utilize if you’re catching a tour schedule.

Don't you think it's great to have an advance party to have gone before you and screen the better places to stay and you can just select based from it? To browse these accommodations and scan through prices, visit Where to Stay in Coron Palawan

FROM PUERTO PRINCESA TO CORON PALAWAN


If you are coming from Puerto Princesa and going to Coron, the distance between Puerto Princesa and Coron is approximately 300 km, accessible by sea or by plane only.

THE BEST IN CORON

Nature activities are mostly the highlight when in Coron. Such as 

- Hiking to Mt. Tapyas, and feast on the panoramic view of the Coron.
Climbing up the 700 steps depends on how fast and steady your pace is. It can be between 20-30 minutes to reach the view deck, or longer, depending on how many stops you make on your way up. Make sure to make it to the top and reach the view deck. The view up there is amazingly rewarding.


- Have a relaxing soak in Maquinit Hot Springs



- Swim in the popular lagoons

Yes it is safe to swim and snorkel in the lagoons. There are only small fishes and nothing else. There is nothing there that will harm you.


- Snorkel and Dive to see the reefs and wrecks 

- Spend a wonderful sunny day on a nice beach

Can you imagine yourself enjoying this place? Why not have a better idea what of how much these tours cost? visit Coron Palawan tours
 

WHAT TO BRING, WHAT TO WEAR TO CORON PALAWAN

Since Coron is a town by the bay (near the sea) and not really a city (no tall buildings), it can be quite hot and humid. 

Bring light cool clothes, sunglasses, and sun protection. Plastic casing for your phone and valuables during island hopping will be useful.

Bring enough cash. Credit card facilities are not available in the place.

COMPARING CORON, FROM EL NIDO, PUERTO PRINCESA PALAWAN

Coron is only accessible (1) by plane (from Busuanga Airport) and (2) boat (through Coron port a couple times a week from Manila or Puerto Princesa/El Nido. 

From these 3 major destinations in Palawan, this makes Coron having the least access, making it less populated. The place is and more laid back compared to El Nido and Puerto Princesa.

El Nido on the other hand is accessible by (1) regular 6 hours land trip from Puerto Princesa and (2) direct flights from El Nido airport, El Nido is better connected in terms of regular supplies and developments, and has more people coming in and out, for both locals and tourists. Thus is more lively and busy.

El Nido and Coron are considered urban communities, small town by the bay and not really a city. Whereas Puerto Princesa is the main city of Palawan province.

From El Nido to Coron, it’s approximately 4-6 hours away travel by boat. This trip runs once a day early morning.


From Puerto Princesa to Coron, the distance is approximately 300 km, accessible by sea or by plane only.

WHY GO TO PALAWAN?

Palawan is uniquely different with its tropical charm for having the underground river, beach islands, lakes, lagoons, reefs, wrecks and animals.

Palawan is considered as a one of the safest and most tourist-friendly place in the Philippines.

It's different from Boracay. Boracay is more popular for its 7km stretch of white sand beach and water activities, with its airport with several international and domestic flights arriving daily.

WHICH PLACE TO GO IN PALAWAN

There are 3 major destinations and airports in Palawan
1.       1. Puerto Princesa
2.       2. El Nido
3.       3. Busuanga – when going to Coron
All flights from Manila takes around an hour.

Any of the 3 places has its own sets of top places to stay. All of them has their own pride of luxury island resorts or even top of the line hotel at its center, including the moderate and economical standards.

To see and choose from Puerto Princesa, El Nido and Coron selections, please visit