Coron Island Hopping Day 1

Calamian Group of Islands Beach Bumming (Coron) July, 25-28, 2012

Day 1 - Coron

Calamianes Group of Islands

It is Wednesday and a low pressure area is brewing near Davao. We are hoping hard that we still have an ample window to be able to enjoy our Coron Trip as we are trying hard to get hold of Cebu Pacific's P488 fare to and from coron. It is still hot and sunny in Manila and the tropical disturbance is still in the southern tip of General Santos City in Mindanao. All indications are still favorable.







The trip to Coron is a bit bumpy due to a thunderstorm just below Mindoro. In about an hour, we have finally reached our destination: Francisco M. Reyes Airport at Busuanga.it was 2:00PM and this is the start of our Day 1 in Coron.

Francisco Reyes Airport (Busuanga Airport)

I have reserved a stay at Darayonan Lodge at Coron Town via Agoda and I have contacted them via their Facebook page to request them to prepare the transportation from the airport. The van picks up to 8 guests from the airport who are then dropped off to different hotels at Coron Town. The cost is P150/pax. This is how it is usually done from the airport to Coron town and there is no "special trip" or an exclusive transportation for any hotel. Travel time from the airport to our hotel is about 30 minutes.

I was greeted by the staff of Darayanon Lodge at the airport

Van Transport from Busuanga Airport to the Hotel at P150/pax

Upon arriving Darayonan Lodge, I was surprised how big the room was. I reserved for a 2-person room in Agoda however the room I got was a queen size bed and a single-bed with bathroom.

Darayonan Lodge. The hotel where we stayed.

The itinerary I prepared for Day 1 is to hike the 600+ steps of Mt. Tapyas then at the end of the day, relax at Maquinit Hot Springs. Both of these places are still inside Coron Town and you can hire a 4-seater tricycle as your means of transportation.

We requested the hotel to find a tricycle for us for the Mt. Tapyas trip alone but favorable conditions have turned out that this tricycle driver (Mang Tabs) will be our "official transporter" throughout our whole stay in Coron.

The fee for our Mt. Tapyas - Maquinit Hot Spring tricycle ride cost us P350. We were four.

Mount Tapyas

Mount Tapyas (164MASL) and the cross at the summit

This "mountain" is actually a 164+MASL hill with over 600 steps to reach its summit and usually used by downhill bikers for an adventure of their lives. For us, we climbed this hill to get a full view of Coron town and the nearby mountains and islands of Calamian. The weather is not too good during that time as it was cloudy.

The 600+ steps to the summit of Mt. Tapyas

The view from Mt. Tapyas showing off the nearby Calamian Islands

The Cross at the Tapyas Summit

It was already past sunset when we got back down and then we headed to Maquinit Hot Springs. Most of Coron Town do not have electricity at night time so it is advisable to bring your lamps when going out at night.

Maquinit Hotsprings

Maquinit Hotsprings is about 4.7km from Coron Town and mostly unpaved and it was a bumpy tricycle ride. From here I realized why this actually cost us P350. The ride was no joke. However, the hot spring is worth it and it satisfied our weary bodies after that 600-step climb at Tapyas and that tricycle ride. The water is around 38-40 degrees centigrade. Entrance fee is P150/pax

With friends at Maquinit Hotsprings, Coron

We were hungry after a swim so we decided to buy lechon manok along the way back to the hotel at P200/chicken while plain rice costs P20/cup. This is the standard rate at Coron even at sidewalk vendors so be prepared.

This ended our 1st day in Coron.

Note:
For your tricycle ride around Coron Town, you may look for Tabs at 09074451854. Just state my name so he can remember.

Cellphone provider coverage: Smart and Globe only.

Map 
Openstreetmap Philippines Map (link)
Schadow1 Expeditions Contributions (link)
How to use for your Navigation System (link)

View Coron Island Hopping in a larger map

Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3