My one of a Kind Nature Trip Experience at Coron Palawan
Ranked as the world’s number one island by Condé Nast Traveler, Coron Palawan had been on my bucket list for ages—and I finally got the chance to explore this breathtaking paradise.
However, Coron, Palawan, is more than just beaches. It is home to crystal-clear lagoons, towering limestone cliffs, and lush green landscapes that’ll leave you in awe.
Here’s my One-of-a-Kind Nature Trip Experience at Coron, Palawan for 3 days.
3 days in Coron Palawan
First Day
We arrived at Coron Busuanga Airport around late in the afternoon, after a 45-minute flight from Manila. The moment I stepped outside the plane, I was greeted by fresh air and a beautiful view of the mountains.
I was finally out of the city and now having a taste of the simple, provincial life.
Right after landing, our hotel transfer was already waiting to pick us up just outside the airport. We hopped into a white van that took us straight to our hotel, called Darayonan.
As soon as we arrived, the staff warmly welcomed us and guided us to our rooms.
And the best part? They greeted us with refreshing welcome drinks—just what we needed after the long journey.
Our hotel was big enough for us for a group of five, and their amenities are clean and well-maintained. They also have a restaurant inside, which serves breakfast up to dinner.
We took an afternoon nap and around 7 PM, we decided to tour around Coron Town. We visited some souvenir shops which sells keychains, t-shirts, delicacies, and more.
By 8 PM, we were ready for dinner and made our way to Kawayanan Grill Station, right in the town proper.
The place has such a charming, rustic vibe, with nature-inspired touches everywhere. We even got to dine in one of their cozy outdoor nipa huts—perfect for a laid-back seafood meal.
After our dinner, we went to Epic Cafe and while it’s just a small cafe, I loved their cozy ambiance and their local coffee, which is called the Tagbanua Coffee.
We figured we’d just walk back to the hotel, and that’s when we noticed it was already 10 PM.
We had planned on a quick night swim before calling it a day, but honestly, we thought the pool would be closed by then. To our surprise, the staff informed us that it was open until midnight.
So we quickly changed into our swimsuits, hit the pool, and played some chill tunes from our phone speakers. It turned out to be the perfect way to wind down the night.
Second Day: Hike Mt Tapyas at Coron Palawan
On our second day in Coron, we decided to hike Mt Tapyas, which is the most famous viewpoint in Coron.
We took a tricycle from our hotel and reached the base of Mt. Tapyas after about 10 minutes.
There’s no entrance fee, but to enjoy the scenic view at the top, you’ll need to climb 721 steps. It’s best to go early in the morning to avoid the intense midday sun. Be sure to bring bottled water, sunscreen, and a hat during the climb.
We started to climb around 9:00 AM, so the sun was already quite high. Climbing the 721 steps was definitely a workout- but it was worth it.
The view was absolutely breathtaking—photos simply can’t capture how stunning it is in person. From the top, we had a 360-degree view of Coron, the open sea, and distant limestone cliffs. It was one of those moments that makes you pause and feel grateful for the beauty of nature and the gift of life. Nature truly has a way of leaving you in awe.
By late afternoon, we went to Maquinit Hot Springs, and I quite underestimated its temperature, because the water’s temperature is really hot.
The temperature ranges from 38 – 40° Celsius (102 – 104° F)!
That’s why it’s better to enter the water gradually – feet first, then slowly down to your knees until your lower body is fully submerged in the water.
One cool thing about this hot spring is that it’s actually a saltwater spring—and it’s said to have healing properties too.
As the sun started to set, more tourists began to arrive, ready to bath in the spring. After a full day of exploring, taking a dip in the warm, relaxing water was just what we needed.
Isand Hopping as the Third Day
Our third day in Coron was the highlight of our trip – it was our island-hopping day!
Our hotel arranged the island hopping tour for us, and we decided to take the joiner tour, and we traveled to 4 island destinations.
Our first stop is Twin Lagoon, a beautiful lagoon comprising two bodies of water separated by huge limestone cliffs.
There are two ways to enter the lagoon- one is by swimming beneath the limestone, the other is by kayaking to the other side of the lagoon. We chose the latter, so we rented a crystal kayak, a transparent boat that’s great for Instagram-worthy shots.
After about 20 minutes of kayaking, we finally made it into the lagoon—and wow, it was like stepping straight into a nature paradise.
Towering limestone cliffs surrounded us, and the water was a stunning shade of turquoise, like something out of a postcard.
We spent nearly an hour swimming, but the real highlight was swimming in the deeper parts of the lagoon. Our next island destination was Barracuda Lake, which was named after the large Barracuda fish skeletons found at the bottom of the lake.
We climbed a narrow wooden staircase first between the limestone cliffs before reaching the lake. While the scenery above water was already impressive, it’s what lies beneath that left me speechless.
The underwater limestone formations were absolutely surreal, unlike anything I’ve seen before. I wish I had an underwater camera to capture it, but experiencing it firsthand was unforgettable in itself.
Next up was Kayangan Lake, and this time, the trek was much longer compared to Barracuda Lake. Before reaching the lake, we stopped by the famous Kayangan view deck, where you can see the stunning view of Coron Bay.
After picture taking, we then proceeded to Kayangan Lake, and we had a great time swimming there. This lake was quite the same as Barracuda Lake, with its signature limestone cliffs and turquoise waters.
Last but definitely not least, we wrapped up our day at Beach 91 and the unexpected gem—Hidden Beach.
This turned out to be the highlight of our trip, especially since Hidden Beach wasn’t even on our original itinerary.
While swimming at Beach 91, our tour guide mentioned there was a “hidden beach” nearby. All it took was a quick 10–15 minute paddle in our crystal kayaks, and soon we found ourselves in a gorgeous lagoon.
But the adventure didn’t stop there. Our guide led us to a secret cave tucked into one of the limestone cliffs inside the lagoon.
He explained that the cave is only accessible during low tide—and luckily, the timing was perfect. We got to explore inside and see the stunning rock formations up close. What a great way to end our island-hopping experience!
Final Thoughts:
Even though it was a short stay, this trip easily became one of the most unforgettable experiences I’ve ever had.
Coron Palawan will always have a special place in my heart—it’s a beautiful reminder of just how breathtaking our world can be, and how important it is to protect it.
I truly hope to return someday, to relive the magic and dive back into this one-of-a-kind island adventure.
Author: Crizelda Nicolas
Crizelda Nicolas is a graphic designer and writer based in the Philippines. Aside from blogging, she enjoys binge-watching series, taking staycations, and going on road trips.
Her blog, wondercrizel.com consists of her personal stories, travel adventures, and life lessons.
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