Coron: A Base Camp to Paradise

March 11-19, 2017

We decided to spend a few nights in Coron and immediately chose a hotel outside the city center. We settled on the Mo2 Westown Lagoon. It wasn't the cheapest, but it was relatively new, very clean, and had a large pool, and that really makes a difference in the Philippines. The center of Coron itself is small and downright ugly, so staying outside it was a very reasonable option. The "city" is about 15 minutes away by tricycle, costing 25-30 pesos per person, or about 2 złoty, or less than 0.50 GBP. The downside was the internet. It's generally poor in the Philippines, but in Coron, it's a disaster. In the center, you could still connect, but outside, it was practically impossible, and the internet cost an additional fee, about 8 złoty per 24 hours, and only for one device.

We spent six nights at this hotel. Since I was happily unemployed at the time, I could afford a longer stay in the Philippines than my friends. After they left, I decided to stay in Coron a little longer and moved to the Coron Hilltop View Resort. The standard was significantly lower than my previous hotel, but the price was also less than half. Breakfast was included, but unfortunately, after seeing it, I left faster than I had entered, and I decided to call it a day.

As I mentioned, Coron itself is a bit of a dump, but it's perfect as a base for excursions in the area. Small agencies offering day trips are everywhere. Those with more money can rent a private boat with a captain and make their own arrangements. It's worth looking for the cheapest options, though, as prices vary, and these agencies are mostly middlemen. In practice, you'll end up on the same boat with people from other agencies.