During our late November and early December trip to the Philippines, we kicked off our island-hopping adventure in Coron.
It’s one of those places that instantly makes you understand why Palawan is famous: towering limestone cliffs leaning over turquoise lagoons like Kayangan and Twin Lagoon, quiet pockets of white sand where time seems to slow down, and coral reefs so alive they look animated. Add the legendary WWII Japanese shipwrecks scattered underwater, and Coron becomes a natural playground for curious travelers.
Most of the action happens around Coron Island and the smaller islets nearby, but the main town—Coron Town—sits on Busuanga Island along with the airport. That’s where most visitors stay, and where we landed just a couple of hours after arriving in Manila. Our flight with Cebu Pacific felt almost like catching a regional bus: quick, simple, and refreshingly hassle-free.
Coron greeted us with heat, humidity, motorbikes, tricycles, and the feeling that life there moves with its own rhythm. It was an energetic kind of chaos—humble, warm, and instantly charming.
A big part of why we settled so quickly into the atmosphere was our hotel choice, made months earlier: The Funny Lion Coron. It turned out to be the perfect base. Clean rooms, friendly staff, two inviting pools, a comfortable layout, and a breakfast that made early mornings feel easy. They even surprised me with gluten-free pancakes, freshly made and genuinely delicious. For the price we paid, it was a solid 10/10.
The hotel sits about five minutes (and roughly 150 pesos) from Coron Town proper.
We walked into town a couple of times just to feel everyday life up close—kids heading to school, locals grilling food on the street, shop owners chatting with neighbors. Coron pulses with simple, authentic life, and it’s a joy to observe.
We tried a handful of restaurants, and a few were memorable enough to recommend:
La Terrace Bistro Lounge Rooftop (the grilled octopus was a highlight), Miso Korean BBQ, and Amihan Bistro, where I had a surprisingly good gluten-free crêpe.
One night we ended up at Bam Bar, where the live music was unexpectedly fantastic—a proper moment of travel magic that ties a day together.
So, what do you actually do in Coron? Tours. Lots of them. And for first-timers, the process can feel wonderfully chaotic. We booked our excursions through the hotel, though prices are similar everywhere. In the morning a van collects you, drops you at the pier, and that’s where the real Coron energy begins: staff calling out names, travelers trying to understand who’s who, and guides gathering their groups. Once your name is shouted, you follow your guide as if he were a lighthouse—because for the rest of the day, he is.
You board a traditional wooden boat, slip into a life jacket, listen to a quick briefing, and then you’re off into the Sulu Sea.
Around midday, the crew cooks a simple but comforting lunch: rice, vegetables, grilled fish, chicken curry, fresh fruit, and cold drinks. No frills, no luxuries—just honest island food that keeps you going. Fork, spoon, plastic cup. Napkins? The sea breeze solves that.
The shared tours were genuinely enjoyable. The landscapes are wild and dramatic, the water stays at a consistent bathtub-warm 29°C, and the mix of people aboard keeps each day interesting. If luck is on your side, you might even cross paths with some beautiful marine life while snorkeling.
Coron isn’t polished. It isn’t curated. It’s raw, warm, and alive—and that’s exactly what makes it unforgettable. It’s the perfect place to start an island-hopping journey, because from day one, it lets you know you’ve truly arrived in the Philippines.
And then, we flew to El Nido…
Far & Roaming 
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