One of my favorite experiences in Palawan was climbing the stairs of Mt. Tapyas Coron and witnessing one of the best sunsets of my life.
Have you ever wondered what Hollywood, Brasov (Romania), and Coron, Philippines, might have in common? Probably not, but let me tell you: their names are written in giant letters and placed on a high hill so they can be seen and admired from a distance.
Probably the similarities stop here because, in other ways, they are very different, and they are situated on three distinct continents.
Moreover, unlike the first two, Coron has a massive iron cross placed behind the letters, built after the Haiyan typhoon destroyed the old wooden one.
What I use every time I travel:
- To book hotels: Booking.com
- To book tours: GetYourGuide.com
Mt. Tapyas Coron – how to see the best sunset
The two adjoining elements have intrigued us since the first day we arrived on the island. Therefore, we couldn’t leave Coron unless we climbed Mount Tapyas to admire a 360-degree panorama of the city and sensational sunset.
Although it stands out most, Mount Tapyas is outstripped, in terms of height, by its “neighbor,” Mount Darala. Its peak can be seen very clearly from the observation point.
The name Tapyas has a story to share. They say that its name can be translated to “chopped”, and it is being trimmed on a side by the US forces during World War II.
How to get on top of Mt. Tapyas Coron
How to get to Coron, I’ve told you in previous articles. Although there are various options, I chose to fly from Manila to Puerto Princesa, take the van Puerto Princes-San Vicente-El Nido, and boat transfer from El Nido to Coron.
To reach the starting point on Mount Tapyas, you need to find the intersection of streets San Augustin and Nueva. You can do that by walking or taking a pedicab. From here, take a few yards to San Augustin and reach the base of the steps.
I hope you are in good physical shape because you will have to climb more than 700 steps to the top. The good part is that you can rest on the specially arranged benches along the trail.
After 20-30 minutes of climbing, the first stop will be in front of the enormous iron cross on which “Welcome to Mt. Tapyas Coron Palawan, Philippines” is written.
You already know that you have reached the point of observation. You are situated behind the letters that make up the word Coron. Here you can enjoy the beautiful panorama of the city and the island of Coron and other islands, which can be seen from this point.
I recommend you spend a few minutes here, climb the stairs near the cross, and get to a much quieter and less noisy place that I enjoyed.
Reaching the top Mt. Tapyas Coron
This place has a green-roofed turret, guarded by a few trees and beautified by Mount Darala, whose peak rises in the background.
We spent some time on the green grass and enjoyed the view, and then we rushed to catch a place in the crowd of tourists. Everyone was waiting enthusiastically with their cameras, tripods, and telephones to get the best sunset photos.
The sky gained orange and reddish tones in a few minutes, and the scenery was enchanted. It was the gift received after the effort to climb the 700 exhausting stairs. Well deserved.
Best tips when climbing Mt. Tapyas in Coron, Palawan
10 meters above sea level and a 360-degree panorama are enough reasons not to miss the climb of Mount Tapyas. It was a great experience, but to fully enjoy it, you should follow these tips:
- Visit early in the morning to catch sunrise or afternoon sunset
- Get warm with sporty ladies’ shoes
- Take lots of water, some snacks, and a photo/video camera
- Dress as lightly as possible because the 700+ steps will make you sweat
- Before you start, apply your sunscreen cream
