For the annual trip with friends, we chose Coron as our destination. Coron is part of Palawan, Philippines. Previous destinations of my trip with friends were Naga, Sagada, Ilocos and Cagayan Valley. For this June trip, we started booking for Coron last November. We had time to prepare and gather friends to join us. The wait was long but it was all worth it.
My words may not be enough to describe the beauty of the place. You have to visit Coron and bring friends along. Let me try to convince you to take a trip there. Here are 10 reasons why Coron has charmed its way to my heart:
1. The sunset is glorious.
I know that there are many glorious sunsets in the country. I have seen many but this is the first time I experienced the sunset from the top of the mountain. We climbed the 700 steps of Mt. Tapyas.
It was an easy climb so you do not have to worry about not being a mountain climber.
2. Coron Town is very accessible. Our hotel was a few blocks away from the port so we mostly travel on foot.
3. The boat ride was an experience itself. We had a double decker boat equipped with toilet and kitchen.
From the second deck, it was possible for me to take this photo of my friends.
My favorite part of the boat is the netted outrigger.
Photo by Bong Flores.
4. I love snorkeling. I learned how to snorkel in Apulit, Palawan in 2012. The corals there were amazing. Coron is known to have same beautiful corals and colorful marine species. This is why me and my friend, Gail, were the first few off the boat to snorkel. This photo is proof that we would rather snorkel than pose for a photo. On the top right, you can see me too busy to be bothered by a camera. Hehehe!
Photo by Bryan Edulzura.
Coron corals broke my heart. Although we saw healthy and colorful ones, many were in a sad state. Coron was hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in 2013 and we witnessed the damage it had on the marine life while snorkeling.
5. We enjoyed rafting at Kayangan Lake.
This area in Kayangan Lake is the what we often see in postcards. I think this is the most popular spot in Coron.
The actual lake is this.
We stayed on the raft for a looong time. We laid on our back. We laid on our stomach and bent over with our goggles to view the world underneath. Our time in the lake was one of my favorite activities in Coron. Kayangan Lake is known to be the cleanest lake in the country.
Photo by Bong Flores
6. Hidden Lagoon is a quiet sanctuary. We visited the site before lunch. We were already hungry but when the boatman approached the area, I momentarily forgot about lunch and posed for photos.
Me and my friend, Gail.
I took this diving photo of my cousin. Look at the clear water!
7. Barracuda Lake is serene yet eerie underneath. I swam (with lifevest, hehehe) in the middle of the lake and put on the goggles to see what is underneath. I saw nothing. Just deep blue water. I swam to the sides and did the same, I saw jagged rock walls underneath similar to walls in this photo. It looked like there is another kingdom underneath. It was in this lake where we saw some people being taught how to scuba dive. Must be that deep.
8. Swimming time at Banol Beach was fun. The sand was soft on the feet. Water is clear. What is not to love about this beach? The beach was not really part of the package we chose but when my cousin saw a photo of Banol beach in the wall of Coron Village Lodge, he asked to include it to the itinerary. We just have to pay the entrance fee. We enjoyed our time here. Swimming here was the best way to end our Coron tour.
We really enjoyed the beach!
Photo by Bryan Edulzura.
9. We never stopped laughing. Well… unless, we were eating or sleeping. My friends are cool people who can take a lot of our ribbing. We had bullies who never stopped teasing their targets but all is well. Look at four of my friends who wore shirts of the same color as the tour guides on two different days.
10. I have wonderful friends. The most number of friends I have traveled with before was 8. In this trip, we were a group of 14 – a mix of new and long-time friends. We all had a great time. No one had tantrums. No petty quarrels. No little arguments. No heavy discussions. All were game. Each had fun. Even the quiet ones had fun. No one was left out. We had so much fun in this trip that we are all looking forward to the next trip together. Say hello to my wonderful friends.
Photo by Bong Flores
I know that the 9th and 10th reasons had nothing to do with Coron but with the people I was with. Thus, I recommend traveling with friends. You will get to know your friends better when you travel with them.
Consider Coron for your next vacation destination.
For our Coron trip: We flew via Cebu Pacific. (Cebu Pacific has multiple flights to Busuanga from Manila every day. Philippine Airlines also flies to Coron.) We book our tours through Coron Galeri. We stayed at Coron Village Lodge.
Woah beautiful! the waters look crystal clear, and the scenery just lovely. How far a journey is Coron from Manila?
Almost an hour on a plane.
Kayangan Lake and Barracuda Lake are beautiful. They’re postcard-perfect. Coron is truly a gem. I should really visit Palawan soon.
Indeed. You should!
I think the way you clicks the photo it makes the place looks more breathtaking and lively. Though i didnt heard about this place before but it looks close to nature.
I will. Definitely! Palawan is one of the places I dream of visiting one day. Your pictures are awesome.
Great outing adventure you have here with your buddies. I envy you, because we have been planning to visit this place, until now it is still a plan. Whew! Hope someday I can visit this place.
Not the first time seeing postcard-perfect photos from a philippines blogger. You guys have SO MANY beautiful beaches and getaway destinations nearby!
I’ve been to Coron and love the rich and diverse marine life and natural attractions. I also love the climb there which is not as difficult as other mountains.
Amazing trip you had with your friends! You showed the beauty of Coron and I’m so eager now to travel and experience the beauty of Coron. Most likely next year.
For Palawan, I have been to Puerto Princesa and El Nido, but not yet Coron. This is definitely on the list of places for our family to visit.
The Kayangan Lake looks picturesque. Among the photos you have included, that one is my favorite because you’ve captured the beauty of the place.
Aww! This breaks my heart! Haha. I have been wanting (and planning) to go to Coron but for so many reasons, I always end up canceling the flight. First was because of the typhoon then the next was I had something important to do for a week in Manila. 🙁 Haist. Frustrations again.
How I wish I can finally visit Coron this coming August. I really wanna see its beauty personally. The place is now really famous for both local & international tourists. I hope it doesn’t end up like Boracay 🙁
I hope you can finally visit in August!
I like to dive into the water. Coron is highly recommended by my friend who is based in Palawan.
Coron is truly a charming destination. Your photos look amazing! I am really envious of your great holiday 😉
I love your photos, the colors are so vibrant and happy. As I know Philippines had many scenic and beautiful beaches and food.
i’ve never heard of Coron before! and the place looks absolutely stunning! I have to start planning a Coron trip soon!
ive never heard of this place before but the beach and view looks absolutely stunning! i would want to visit one day
I guess the best thing is to go with a bunch of people who love to the same activities as you! I have went on trips where my partner did not want to do the activities I wanted and it ended up becoming really boring!
A lot of people have been raving about Coron and I can see why! It’s just so beautiful! 🙂
I love to explore the Barracuda Lake if I’m not with the kids. Coron is next our bucketlist.
I wish I could go now. This place is amazing!
Nothing beats traveling with friends and it must have been a riot if there were 14 of you! Nakakainggit!
I’ve been to Coron but do not remember visiting those lakes, would love to visit again one day and copy your itinerary.
Really beautiful and amazing to stay longer on this place in Palawan. A lovely vacation will comfort you forever.
Wow! I’ve always wanted to go to Coron. Do you think 2 days would be enough to explore the area? I’d love to see Kayangan Lake with my family on a weekend.
2 days would be enough.
What a fun vacation! I wish I could do that with my friends. But, with three small kids, it seems doing all those activities would be difficult.
I saw your photos in FB and makasuya.. hehehe.. I always wished to travel in Palawan I hope will get a chance soon..
Travel with us! hehe
I got to visit Coron in January but the lakes were not on the list, our itinerary took us to the Calauit preserve. Would love to go back to Coron and finally get snorkeling!
Calauit is way out of our budget. 🙂
That looks like a really lovely place to visit with friends. Glad that you had so much fun there.
Truly lovely place. Love how fresh the water is and how stunning the views are! lovely!
wow! I am so mesmerized by the photos. Isa sa mga pangarap naming puntahan ng asawa ko ang Coron. I am praying that we could go there someday!
I have been to Puerto Princessa but never to COron yet. Might do so this year. nice photos.
This is one pf the place that I want to visit talaga, we planned it before but I got pregnant that is why na postpone. The place is so great nice pictures
We are considering going to Coron . Hopefully when our baby is a bit old enough for travel.
Congrats on your new baby!
I want to include this place in my list. Coron is really a paradise.
I want to have honeymoon in Coron. What a lovely place!
Would really love to visit Coron. Palawan is on top of my bucket list. If only I have time 🙁
Would really consider Coron for sure Sis. A truly paradise indeed and it looks like a relaxing place for family vacation. Thanks for this gorgeous photos.
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[…] was supposed to claim my prize after that Coron trip but our flight was delayed and traffic was heavy. We arrived Taguig at around 7PM. It was a […]
Wow! I wish I can visit Coron very soon.
oh what a paradise! i wish i could also go there one day and see that amazing place for myself.
[…] highlight of my June was the Coron trip. I am grateful for friends who made the trip more memorable. We all had fun. Some of them met for […]
[…] are some of the bunch I went to Coron with this year and we are looking forward to our next trip […]
Ngano karon ra ko naka discover sa imo blog kat? hehehe
Haha Gi-google nimo imo picture?
just read it now kat. im lost for words. ❤️❤️❤️. cant wait for our next travel 😁
i’m excited!
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