28.3.22

Coron, Palawan Day 1 & 2: Itinerary + Where to Stay + Souvenir Shopping

Last December, I was invited by the Tourism Promotions Board of the Philippines via Kuya Melo to join their Coron influencers program/media trip. This trip was extra special & memorable because it was my first time visiting the island and it was one of my first media trips after the pandemic happened. I was so excited I couldn't sleep! Haha! In this blog, I will share with you all the places we went to, activities we did, accommodations you could stay in, traveling tips, and requirements needed. I will divide my posts into 2 because there's just so much to share hehe. So without further ado, let's start our journey to one of the most beautiful islands in the Philippines - CORON! 


TPB already arranged our flights via Sunlight Air. It was also my first time riding a boutique chartered plane! So cool that they have their own hangar and boarding was swift and seamless. :) You can also book flights via Cebu Pacific or other airlines that have Busuanga as a destination.



Make sure you already have an approved S-Pass with QR code to avoid delays. Just fill up the application form and upload the necessary requirements. Please see below the updated travel requirements as of March, 2022...


I already have my approved S-Pass and QR code when we got to the airport, so check-in was quick. Waited at the private lounge for a few minutes (inavail ko din the free bread and coffee) before we were called for boarding! This is it! Aaaaah!

Our ride to Coron! MY outfit is from UNAROSA! :)


The whole ride was peaceful, no turbulence! Before I knew it, we were landing na pala. So beautiful the view from the plane! 

OMG, Hi Coron!!! Nice to see you, finally! :)

Coron is a tropical island in the province of Palawan, Philippines that is best known for its limestone rock formations, dense mountain ranges, crystal-clear freshwater lakes, shallow-water beautiful coral reefs, tiny white sand beaches (via tour), and world-class WWII-era wreck diving.  Coron also refers to nearby Coron town, a basic transit hub on neighboring Busuanga Island where the airport and most accommodations are located, as well as daily boat trips that are the only way to visit the tribally-protected island itself. 


Upon arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the MIMAROPA DOT Team. We took photos, claimed our luggage, and then boarded the shuttle bus waiting for us outside...

Short briefing by Sir Albert Gadia of TPB! Thank for having us! :)

From the airport, we headed straight to our accommodation -- Sunlight Guest Hotel! Located along the National Road,  it is a 60-room first-class hotel in Palawan with a Mediterranean feel. 

Reception area

Welcome drinks + lobby

Mallorca Pool outside the resto! Ganda!

Read a book and just chill here with the beautiful sea and mountain view!

Upon arrival, the receptionist handed out our key cards and we were given an hour to settle in our rooms...

Hello neighbors!

 Mirrorfie muna!

Sorry haggard but so comfy the bed! This is their Premier Room, by the way.

May ref and kettle! The cabinet also has hangers, robes & slippers. No iron for clothes though! You have to call their front desk to borrow just like what I did. 

Super low-res photo of the bathroom. So sorry! But love it!

My balcony view! 


I just wanna jump right in haha

Check out Sunlight Guest Hotel's other rooms & facilities here:
https://sunlighthotelsandresorts.com/

Local goodies from TPB! Thank you! :)

Headed down after an hour to eat lunch at Caffe Azalea. Buffet lunch for the win! Perfect coz I was famished hehe. Their food is so good! :)



Hello Seph!


After our delicious meal, we freshened up and changed quickly for our sunset tour. We already had an itinerary for our whole stay in Coron but because of Typhoon Odette, they had to play it by ear. Thankfully, our first day was a success! 


First Stop: Mt. Tapyas View Deck

If you want a breathtaking view (literally & figuratively) of the sunset, then add this most popular viewpoint in Coron Town, Busuanga! Don't forget to bring water and wear comfy clothes because before reaching the top, you need to climb 721 cemented steps. It could be tiring (especially for not so fit people like me hehe), but I promise you, the view will be worth it! No entrance fee, too!

There are benches so you could take a breath during your ascend. Here we are, mga pagoda pero masaya! hehe

Me and that sunset + ocean view. Ganda! Haha

Group photo at the view deck

On top is this huge Coron (mala-Hollywood) sign!


2nd Stop: MAQUINIT HOT SPRINGS

After the tiring & sweat-drenching Mt.Tapyas hike, dip & soothe your aching muscles in one of the natural pools at Maquinit Hot Springs.  It's known to be one of the few saltwater hot springs in the world. Wow! Entrance is P200 for adults, P160 for students, P100 for children 5 yrs old and above. 

Entrance! It's open from 8am to 8pm only!

Big pool! The water is warmed by geothermal spring and can reach up to 40 degrees celsius

It was too hot for me (and init na init ako sa life) so legs nalang! Had a nice time chatting with blogger friends Seph, Trice and Ruthie :)

Perfect place to rest and relax! They have a kiddie pool too.

It's also surrounded by mangroves! Ganda!

After an hour, we went back to the hotel for dinner...

 My fave roomie Ruth 

This pizza and potato balls-- so good!

We were supposed to transfer to Sunlight Resort the next day, but there was still an alert/advisory that boat trips were not allowed coz of the typhoon. Good thing the skies were clear that morning and it didn't rain 'til the afternoon, so we were able to successfully accomplish our accommodations tour and even visited a few stops in between. 


First Stop: SKYLODGE RESORT

Located 30-45 minutes away from Busuanga airport, this well-designed contemporary architectural landscape stands in an elevated place enwreathed with huge and bushy trees.  It has a nice view of the lake and Mt. Tapyas. Skylodge Resort offers 28 air-conditioned rooms perfect for individuals, families, or groups! 

This spacious Budget Triple Room is just P4,400!


Check out their other rooms here:


Rooftop/View Deck

Awra sa rooftop haha

Huge pool! 

St. Michael Cafe & Restobar!

There are seats outside!

Tried their Batchoy and omg so good!!!


Billiard Hall! They also have a private KTV Room you can rent 

Check out Skylodge Resort's other rooms & facilities here:



2nd Stop: THE FUNNY LION

This contemporary safari-themed boutique hotel/resort in Coron promises a peaceful refuge with its eco-chic exteriors, modern amenities, and unparalleled sights. The Funny Lion has 32 elegantly designed rooms with an outdoor pool, restaurant, and wellness spa. Eat or drink with a view on the Pride Rock Deck with breathtaking sunset views of Coron Bay while relaxing in one of the two jacuzzis. :)


Kuya Melo and the funny lion. Haha!


Inside the Pride Room!


Providing ultimate comfort, the Pride Room (25 sq.m) is a corner room with a lanai or veranda that offers one king bed, a pull out bed, and hot and cold shower. The room also has an LED TV, refrigerator, safety deposit box, compliemtary mini bar, free coffee & tea and of course, WiFi.  If you book via Agoda, their rate is more or less P6,000 with breakfast for two already included!

All guests will receive these cute freebies!

Working table! Perfect for remote work!

You can chill outside the room too! 

Beautiful infinity pool 

Sarap magswim!

Pride Rock Deck

Pride Rock Deck boasts of a wide selection of wines and spirits, speciality shakes and cocktails, local and international beverages, and gourmet coffee. The jaw-dropping sunset view is an irresistible bonus.

Meryenda muna!

Awra awra with Ruthie sa jacuzzi! Love the view!


You can check out The Funny Lion's other rooms & facilities here:


3rd Stop: TAG RESORT

Set against the panorama of the Philippines' enchanted paradise, TAG Resort is the perfect takeoff point for the ultimate Coron experience. With a well-appointed rooms and casitas, a lagoon pool, a poolside lounge, a sprawling commercial strip, an iconic Tree of Light, a convention center, and a main ballroom that can accommodate up to 500 guests, TAG Resort Coron is a destination on its own - much like the enchanted island it calls home.

TAG Resort has all the eco-friendly comforts and conveniences of a green hotel with top-tier room options and superb accommodations for every traveler and budget.

Art and installations by local artist, Kubali Millan!

So pretty!

Chillin' in the cabana!

Quarantine room!

Ballroom for events!

Artsy wall outside the ballroom

Roof deck

Pool area!


Poolside bar

TAGLAY room

It's a connecting room, perfect for families!

Bathroom

Comfy bed!


TADHANA Room

It has direct access to the pool!


Tree of Light

View TAG Resort's other rooms and facilities here:



4th Stop: DARAYONAN LODGE

Located in Barangay Poblacion, Coron, only a 20 minutes drive from Francisco B. Reyes Airport, this 3-star cozy resort/lodge has a rustic & pleasant atmosphere with comfortable amenities. Just the perfect hideaway for those who are looking for an affordable place to stay in the heart of the town. Darayonan Lodge has a pool, poolside bar, coffee shop and a restaurant. Rooms are air-conditioned with writing desk, cable TV, hot and cold shower and a veranda.

We just spent our time at the poolside bar because it rained so hard! They served meryenda. :)


We weren't able to take a peek inside the rooms, so you can just check it out by clicking the link below!


Back at Sunlight Hotel for late lunch! 

Grabe this spread! Sherep!

Pineapple brulee! So tasty.

After our late lunch, we headed out again to visit two souvenir shops and a chapel on a hill! Day well spent. :)


5th Stop: BAMBUHAY HANDICRAFTS

Located along the road at the Northern part of Busuanga is Bambuhay Handricrafts store! It came about after Typhoon Yolanda destroyed the town and the resilient people of Busuanga revived & strengthened traditional bamboo weaving as a means of income. 


They have bags, house items, and many more!

Ang ganda! Also high quality!

Bought this beautiful pouch for P250!


 6th Stop: MALBATO CHURCH/CHAPEL

Located along Coron - Busuanga Road inside Malbato village is this beautiful stone church on top of a hill.  It's an easy climb that offers a panoramic view mountain and sea view. :)


You have to climb approximately 200 concrete steps to reach the church


The Reyes Family who owns Kubo sa Dagat, a private home in the middle of Malbato Bay, Coron, erected this chapel for the residents of Malbato. The intricate structure of the chapel is a mosaic of different-sized stones and seashells, which compliments the island, being a famous place for nature and beaches. Locally produced materials were used in the chapel’s altar, signifying the rich resources and culture of the area.


Chapel was closed but took a photo from outside


7th Stop: Coron Souvenirs & Gift Shop

This huge souvenir shop that offers a wide variety of items from food to trinkets to accessories to apparel, is located in Coron Town Proper. If you're a BTS ARMY this might be familiar to you because this is where our boys shopped when they filmed BTS Summer Package in Coron circa 2017!!! The way I screamed when I realized it's the same shop, OMG. Haha! 

Bought cashew butterscotch before going inside

Buti nalang kasama ko si Ruth who's also an Army so I had someone to fangirl with haha!

Some screenshots from BTS Summer Package in Coron! In the same shop! Aaahhh!

I will give you all the scratch back you want my bb Yoongi! Haha

I also bought a dreamcatcher necklace mala VMIN in that video! Hihi

Also bought shirts for my Dad & Nico!



It was almost 8pm when we finished shopping, so we headed straight back to the hotel after. Had another scrumptious dinner at the hotel resto before retiring for the night. 

Coron Island hopping tour the next day & then Culion after! But will save my Day 3 & 4 stories for Part 2. Abangan! Thanks for reading! :)



*Thank you again Sir Albert Gadia of TPB, Pau & Gilmore of Mimaropa DOT, Kuya Melo of Out of Town Blog & Sunlight Air & Hotel for having us and taking care of us!

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