After our stay in Padre Burgos, we took a flight to Busuanga, the gateway to Coron. Basically, our idea was simply to spend a few days there before starting the famous expedition between Coron and El Nido, a very famous route in the Philippines that can be done in both directions. For our part, we chose the Coron El Nido option.
Before leaving, we had often heard the same thing: many travelers arrive in Coron the day before the expedition leaves and then leave immediately, without really taking the time to discover the place. But several people had also told us that there were actually quite a few things to see around Coron, so we decided to stay there for a few days... and we absolutely didn't regret it.
Coron itself is a fairly simple little town. There are not a lot of activities directly on site, nor large beaches within walking distance. There are mainly small restaurants, a few cafes and a fairly quiet atmosphere. In the middle of the day, the heat quickly becomes intense, so we rarely spend hours walking around the center.
What really makes Coron famous are its incredible landscapes around the neighboring islands. The region is known for its lagoons with turquoise waters surrounded by karst cliffs, but also for being one of the best diving spots in the Philippines thanks to the numerous Japanese wrecks from the Second World War present underwater. Many travelers come here especially for snorkeling or diving on these mythical wrecks.
During our days there, we mainly did island hopping, a must-do activity in the Philippines. Here, to access the most beautiful places, you almost always have to take a local boat, the famous bangkas. Moreover, the only public beach in Coron is also accessible only by boat, all other beaches belonging to resorts or private land.
During our first excursion, we discovered some of Coron's most famous spots like Twin Lagoon, Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake. Between the steep cliffs, hidden lagoons and translucent water, the landscapes were truly impressive.
Another day, we chose a more beach-oriented excursion. We visited several heavenly beaches, all accessible only by boat. White sand, crystal clear water and a very calm atmosphere: exactly the image we have of the Philippines.
In the end, staying several days in Coron before the expedition was clearly an excellent decision. Even if the city itself remains quite small, everything around is well worth the detour. It’s the perfect place to discover some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Philippines before setting off on the adventure between Coron and El Nido.