Summer days have made me dream about the Philippines. And although it’s been a while since I returned from Palawan, memories are more vivid than ever, and I cannot forget these fantastic Coron tourist spots.
How could I forget the dusty streets, crowded with dozens of tuk tuks, colorful stalls, and snorkeling equipment, the locals with their full smiles and curious looks, the tiny, modest houses with terraces on the roof and flowers at the windows?
In Coron, time seems to stop; you seem to forget about the hectic life of the urban jungle from which you retreated to come to this island, separate from the rest of the Palawan archipelago and still more and more sought after by tourists.
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Once you get here, you’re wondering if you struggle each day, in vain, to have so much while ordinary people here live with so little. You wonder why they smile so much if there is so much poverty.
And then, you go on a tour of one of the surrounding islands, with towering palms, white sand, turquoise waters, and dramatic landscape, and the answer comes by itself.
What I use every time I travel:
- To book hotels: Booking.com
- To book tours: GetYourGuide.com
These people were born in a paradise and undoubtedly fed on it with cravings for life.
Coron, just like El Nido, Puerto Princesa, or San Vicente, creates addiction. It shows you what this planet has to offer at its best and makes you want to get back before you even leave. It’s, without any doubt, one of the best islands in the Phillippines and the world.
Days are not enough, even if you stay for a month, the maximum allowed with a tourist visa, as I did.
I discovered a lot, but I would love to explore more and enjoy every piece of it, Japanese rose, coconut, shell, yarn, and incredibly sensational sunset.
But, by the time of my return, I have a list to share for those of you who want to discover this piece of the Philipino realm, named for years the most beautiful island in the world. So, these are the 10 things to do in Coron that I recommend:
Where to stay in Coron – Best hotels in Coron
Before moving on to the list of unique places in Coron, we must talk about the accommodation in this area of Palawan. Although tourism has developed quite a lot lately, there are few hotels to choose from. However, I have three recommendations for you, depending on your budget:
- low-budget: Bay Area Lodge – excellent location, great breakfast, nice view, clean rooms
- mid-range: Tag Resort – swimming pool, Wifi, excellent location, fantastic view, beautiful rooms
- luxury: Club Paradise Resort Palawan – swimming pool, beachfront, good breakfast, restaurant
10 Coron tourist spots – best things to do in Coron Palawan
1. Explore the town of Coron
At first glance, the town of Coron is small, narrow, dusty, noisy, and tiring, but as you stroll the streets, you will increasingly understand the place’s culture and way of life, and you will feel more and more integrated into the landscape.
The residents are smiling, friendly, communicative, and ready to help if you are lost while looking for the way back to the hotel or a place to shop.
As a result of the celebrity of these places lately, in Coron, you will stumble upon many backpackers always ready for fun.
Therefore, many cool bars have been opened in the area.
Whether it will attract you or not, in Coron town you will not spend much of your time, the real reasons why you are here being the islands. However, visiting the city is one of the best 10 things to do in Coron.
⇒ Find here the best hotels in Coron.
Coron town | 10 best things to do in Coron Philippines
Streets in Coron | Places to visit in Coron
2. Go on a tour of Coron Island | Coron Palawan tourist spots
Or better being said, choose The Ultimate Tour, which includes the most beautiful view of the Philippines and some beautiful lagoons.
Coron Island’s star is Kayangan Lake, where you will find the cleanest water in Asia and a 5 stars panorama that will make you fall in love.
The tour takes about 8 hours and takes you through the most beautiful places to see on the island. I’m telling you in detail about it right in this post. This is a must-add to your 10 things to do in Coron list.
⇒ Also read: Coron Island, Philippines – Ultimate Tour
3. Climb Mount Tapyas for a sensational sunset
Once you have completed the 700 steps to get to the top of Tapyas Mountain and you can finally breathe easy, you will inevitably wonder if it was worth the effort and will find it worth it!
The sunset here not only has the most beautiful shades in the color palette of red, orange, and yellow, but it also gives you a broad perspective of the entire region.
About this experience, I have already told you about it here on the blog. You should definitely add this to the 10 best Coron tourist spots list.
⇒ Also read: Amazing sunset at the top of Mount Tapyas in Coron, Philippines
4. Rent a scooter and tour the island | Things to do in Coron Palawan
An activity not to be missed in Coron is the island tour on a scooter. It is the perfect opportunity to discover many of these places’ beauties and thoroughly enjoy each one at your own pace.
Don’t forget that when you rent the scooter, you must also take a helmet for protection and a physical map in case there’s no internet.
Don’t adventure alone; you should definitely have a partner with you because the roads are not very good, and you may need help.
When it comes to fuel, things are pretty simple. In every village, you will see at least one house where fuel bottles are sold, so the risk of staying in the bush is almost nonexistent.
READ ALSO: Top 16 best beaches in Palawan
Do not forget to add the small but beautiful Concepcion waterfall to the list. Once there, hire a local guide to lead you to the place.
It’s a short hike, but you can miss it easily without the support of a native. My experience of driving the scooter in Coron was a bit painful.
With my boyfriend, we ventured on some roads dug by the heavy rains, which led to a mini accident where the scooter left me with a forever tattoo on my right foot.
So, if your chosen route is not the best and safest, it would be better to stop and return. This way, you won’t have any unwanted incidents.
5. Go on a tour of some of the most beautiful islands in Coron
This time, it’s about tour C, where I visited some charming islands with white and fine sand, palm trees, karst relief, intense turquoise water, and sea stars.
The tour is more relaxed and accessible than the one that includes Coron Island because you will not have to hike, but the landscapes deserve all the money and all the time.
It is also important to note that during these tours, you will have a luncheon prepared, as authentic as possible, with fresh fish, watermelon, and salad picked from the bottom of the sea.
All you need to know about the tour I’ve already told you here.
I must admit; this is one of my favorite of the 10 things to do in Coron.
6. Swim in the hot springs of Maquinit | Places to visit in Coron Palawan
The only recommendation on the list I did not have time to experience is to dip in the famous thermal springs with salt water.
Both locals and other travelers promise that it is best to go here right after hiking the 700 steps to get to the top of Mount Tapyas.
And I can only believe their words. Situated just a 30-minute drive from Coron City, the Maquinit Springs are the perfect relaxing oasis after a full day on the Philippine island.
⇒ Book your Maquinit Hot Spring tour here
⇒ Also read Coron, Philippines – Island Escapade. Tour C
7. Dine at Le Sirenetta restaurant
Leaving aside the wait time that is a bit long, Le Sirenetta restaurant deserves to be on your itinerary. The welcoming atmosphere, the sirens that seem to support the ceiling, the music, and the food served here are great reasons to spend an evening in the famous restaurant of Coron.
8. Walk through Lualhati Park
Surely it will not be the most beautiful park you’ve ever seen, and maybe it will not even make its way into the top 10 on your list. Even so, a walk through Lualhati, the park near the bay, practically on the “Riviera” of Busuanga Island, should be ticked if you have enough time to spend here.
⇒ Find here the best hotels in Coron.
9. Visit a souvenir shop | Things to do in Coron Palawan
There are some souvenir shops in town, but the one that definitely captivated me is Aramimas. 95% of all the items here are handmade, colorful,, and have a funny look.
If you want to leave the island with the earliest memory of Palawan, I suggest you buy such an object. I’ll leave you some pictures as inspiration below.
10. Go to the market in Coron
I’m sure it will not be the first time you’re going to taste mango, but I’m also sure that you haven’t tested one as sweet as the one you can buy from the Coron market.
Here, exotic fruits are at home, grown in their natural habitat. Therefore you can enjoy the original taste, unaffected by any chemicals that force them to grow and to have a specific color.
And the prices are meager, so all you have to do is go and choose your favorite fruits or some that you have never tested before.
Also, on the market, you will find fresh fish cooked on the spot, right in front of you, and many locals with whom it will be an absolute pleasure to interact.
