Coron is a heavy hitter for a reason. Between the world-class shipwreck dives and the lagoons, you’d be silly not to add it to your Philippines itinerary. It’s basically the poster child of Palawan.
It’s a dive mecca and home to some of the clearest waters on Earth, attracting a hefty crowd each trying to experience a slice of island paradise. Saying that, there aren’t too many areas for you to get bogged down in luckily.
Whether you’re looking for a solid launchpad in town or a remote island hit-out to avoid the crowds, I’ve mapped out where to stay in Coron so you can book with confidence. That means less time staring at a map and more time actually getting into the water.
Here are the only areas in Coron worth your time.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
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Coron Town
Coron Town is the noisy, dusty engine room of the region, serving as the primary launchpad for every island-hopping mission and shipwreck dive. Here, you trade quiet island vibes for the convenience of being walking distance from the pier. You don’t stay here for the scenery; you stay here because it’s the only place to sort your logistics and grab a cheap beer after a day on the water.
West Coast
The West Coast is where you head when you’re ready to trade the town’s noise for actual quiet and a more local vibe. It’s a 60-to-90-minute mission from the main hub, but staying out here puts you closer to the better-preserved Lusong wrecks and the remote Ocam Ocam beach. You’ll be relying on smaller guesthouses and the occasional beach resort, so it’s the best move if you’ve got a scooter and want to dodge the ‘mass tour’ circuit entirely.
South Coast
The South Coast is a remote hit-out where the mainland’s dust is replaced by limestone cliffs and private house reefs. Access usually requires a 30-minute speedboat mission from town, making it the primary move for anyone who wants to ditch the crowds without losing the views. It’s significantly more expensive than a bunk in the hub, but you’re paying for the silence and the ability to dive straight from your front door.
Coron is a tropical island destination in Palawan, Philippines. Set nearly 190 kilometres south of Manila, Coron is a stunning destination that attracts visitors to its golden sand beaches, and shimmering turquoise waters. There is also plenty of opportunity to explore its world-class World War II-era wreck diving sites.
To make matters confusing, there are actually two Corons: Coron Town and Coron Island. Coron Island is actually inhabited, so when people reference Coron, they’re most likely referring to the town based on Busuanga Island. Actually, all areas I’ll be deep diving into today are on Busuanga, so it’s just a matter of picking your kind of vibe and going from there.
Shall we get into the juicy bits?
Coron’s Five Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
Now, let’s take a look at the five best places in Coron to stay. It’s one of the best places to stay in the Philippines, so you don’t want to miss this.
1. Coron Town – Best Place to Stay for Your First Time in Coron
Let me get it clear: whatever picture you have in your head of what Coron is: it’s not Coron Town. The town itself is actually pretty ugly.
It’s littered with tricycles, tangled power lines, and the persistent smell of grilled pork. There’s no beach in the town. If you show up expecting to walk out of your hostel onto white sand, you’re going to be staring at a concrete pier and some very confused fishermen.
So why is it my top pick for your first time in Coron? Because it’s the ultimate launch pad for everything Coron IS about. Your diving, island hopping, and desert islands – they’re all located just off of Busuanga Island, and Coron Town is the starting point to them all. Plus, it’s where all of the restaurants, bars and shops are located, making for a fairly easily accessible trip once you do come back to dry land at the end of the day.
- Best For: Wreck diving and island hopping.
- The Vibe: Gritty, often chaotic expedition base.
- Proximity to Airport: 40 minutes by van.
- Transport Level: Heavy tricycle and boat traffic.
- Budget: Low to mid-range.
- Crowds: High – the busiest you’ll find in Coron.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Top Things to Do in Coron Town
- Climb 721 steps up Mt. Tapyas at sunset for a 360-degree view of the entire archipelago.
- Embark on one of the island-hopping tours that Coron is famed for.
- Head to Maquinit Hot Springs to soak in 40°C saltwater.
- Dive in one of the world-renowned WWII ship wrecks.
- Visit the Public Market near the pier for cheap local cashews and fresh seafood.
- Book a night boat tour through the mangroves to see fireflies and bioluminescent plankton.
Best Hostel: Outpost Hostel
Outpost Hostel is a top Philippines pick for solo travelers wanting a social rooftop pool and an elite kitchen run. It hits the mark with a lively atmosphere and nightly events, all while being a short, cheap tricycle ride from the centre of town. You can grab a beer on the deck or dive into the infinity pool to soak up the island life and mingle with other backpackers.
Best Hotel: Elisha’s Guest House
This cheap and cheerful guest house is a steal in Coron Town. With all the basic amenities you’ll need this place would make a great base for exploring the region via scooter. The host is amazing and goes above and beyond to make sure your stay is the best it can be!
Best Airbnb: Baydreams Inn – Deluxe Private room with balcony
You won’t miss a second of the action given this apartment is on the main strip of bars and restaurants. Easy to get out, and easy to get back to! Spend your hangover basking in the panoramic views over the bay as the sun rays and sea breeze coaxe you back to life.
2. West Coast – Coolest Place to Stay in Coron
The West Coast of Busuanga Island is where you go when you are tired of rubbing shoulders with 50 other life jackets in a lagoon and want to see what Palawan looked like before its tourism boom. You’ll find very little tourists here – it’s isolated, raw, and significantly quieter than Coron Town.
The main village on the West Coast, Concepcion, is small, centered around a pier and a few local guesthouses. It feels like the Philippines did fifteen years ago: limited infrastructure, zero nightlife, and very few tourists. You come here to disconnect and be closer to the dive sites and secluded beaches of the west. Just be prepared for the sandflies on the remote beaches; they are small, but they’ll eat you alive if you don’t lather yourself in coconut oil or heavy-duty spray.
Remote paradise comes with an unsurprising amount of amenities. If you’re looking for a hub with restaurants and bars, you won’t find it on the West Coast. If you’re happy to travel further for excursions in exchange for a lack of crowds, the West Coast is your gal.
- Best For: Peace seekers, adventure motorbikers, and travelers wanting empty beaches.
- The Vibe: Remote, rural, and completely detached from the tourist trail.
- Proximity to Airport: 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the specific bay or village.
- Transport Level: Minimal with rugged dirt roads requiring private vans or motorbikes.
- Budget: Mid-range – dictated by isolated resort pricing and private transport costs.
- Crowds: Very low, with many beaches and reefs entirely to yourself.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Top Things to Do on the West Coast
- Explore Black Island by swimming in its underground freshwater cave pools and snorkeling the WWII shipwreck just off its white sand shore.
- Relax at Ocam Ocam Beach, a quiet stretch of coastline perfect for watching sunsets away from the crowds of Coron Town.
- Hike the short jungle trail to Concepcion Falls to swim in its cold, freshwater plunge pool.
- Go dugong watching in the seagrass meadows near the northwest coast to see these rare sea cows in their natural habitat.
- Snorkel the Lusong Gunboat and Coral Garden to see a shallow shipwreck and one of the best-preserved reef systems in the region.
Best Hotel: West Atlantic Inn
The West Atlantic Hotel is one of the best-rated hotels in Concepcion. It provides guests with spacious rooms with private bathrooms, as well as a terrace, shared lounge and restaurant. Ideally located in Busuanga, this is one of the best areas to stay in Coron with kids.
Best Unique Stay: Sanctuaria Treehouses
Craving the weird and wonderful? Let me introduce you to this tropical treehouse in the jungle! Two steps to swimming pool, ten steps to private bathroom, in the midst of absolute PARADISE. Come sunset, Brian and his crew handle the barbecue, serving as a perfect wind down to end the day on this remote part of Coron.
Best Airbnb: Ann & Mike Guesthouse
This gorgeous guesthouse is located in a small village, close to the Concepcion Pier. It’s ideal for those who want to dive, kayak and go beach-hopping. There is EPIC diving and snorkelling at the Japanese Shipwrecks and Coral Gardens.
Not to mention the waterfalls within walking distance. If you want to stay outside the busy town of Coron and stay a little off the beaten track – this place is epic.
3. South Coast – Where to Stay in Coron for Remote Paradise
The cluster of islands south of Coron Island – including Culion, Bulalacao, Uson and the smaller islets – is where you go to escape the ‘tourist loop’ entirely. While the northern lagoons are about limestone cliffs, this southern zone is about sandbars, remote beaches and isolated marine sanctuaries. Whilst you can’t stay on Coron Island itself, this is the closest you’ll get to true remote paradise in this region.
While 50 boats might be at Kayangan Lake simultaneously, you can often spend an entire afternoon at a beach on Marily or Tambon without seeing another tourist. Because this area is further from the main town, the reefs – specifically around Bulalacao and the Bogtong Marine Sanctuary – are often in better condition and less impacted by daily boat traffic.
As you’d expect with destinations this remote, it comes with a hefty price tag. You won’t find hostels here, meaning trips to the South Coast favour those willing to shell out for them.
- Best For: Beach bums and travellers who hate crowds.
- The Vibe: Silent and sun-drenched.
- Proximity to Airport: 1 to 1.5 hours (requires a van to town, then a long boat ride).
- Transport Level: Low; requires private boat hire as few group tours come this far.
- Budget: High, transport and accom doesn’t run cheap here.
- Crowds: Almost zero!!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
Top Things to Do on the South Coast
- Tour the Culion Historical Museum to see the medical equipment and personal stories from the island’s days as a sanitarium.
- Snorkel the Bogtong Marine Sanctuary near Bulalacao to see giant clams and vibrant table corals without the crowds of Siete Pecados.
- Hike the Culion Fort at sunset for a view of the surrounding islands that feels completely untouched by modern tourism.
- Kayak the Mangroves of Uson to find hidden inlets and small, private strips of sand where you can be the only person on the beach.
- Island Hop to Ditaytayan Sandbar (located near Bulalacao) to walk along a thin white sand tongue that stretches deep into the turquoise sea.
Best Hotel: Chindonan Dive and Beach Resort
Located on Chindonan Island, this is THE best resort to stay at to dive the wrecks of Coron. There’s also great snorkeling a short kayak ride away with amazing coral. The dive staff are knowledgeable and helpful, maximising your time underwater in these epic dive sites. The resort itself is small, no frills, with the luxury of being completely remote.
Best Beach Bungalow: Sand Island Resort
I promise this is one of the most picturesque airbnbs you’ll ever stay at. This beach bungalow is in a picturesque spot tucked so far into the southern islands that a 30-minute speedboat ride is your only way in or out. You can snorkel the house reef, disappear from the main trail with fast Starlink wifi, and hit the onsite meals or cook your own to save some pesos.
It will set you back more than a cramped bunk in town, but the absolute solitude and lack of ‘tourist loop’ noise make the trek and the price tag well worth it.
Best Unique Stay: Coron Island Houseboat
This is the ONLY way you can stay on Coron Island. This is not just a place to sleep, but the full package staying in absolute remote paradise. The water in the lagoon below is clean, clear and beautiful, plus, there are snorkels, kayaks and paddleboards for you to use for freeee!
This is one of the few options I’d say is 100% worth the splurge for an experience this unique. You can either rent a room or the whole houseboat out – but rallying the troops and splitting the entire property is the most affordable way to do it.
FAQs About Finding a Place to Stay in Coron
Here’s what people usually ask about the areas of Coron and where to stay.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Coron
Imagine… you’re island hopping… enthralled in the stunning scenes of Coron and you hear a plop of water… it’s your backpack… Who cares? Because you’re clever and have good travel insurance, eh? Get that now.
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
What Part of Coron Should You Choose?
Coron is a stunning destination with pristine beaches, shimmering turquoise waters, verdant natural landscapes and some of the world’s best dive sites. If you’re thinking of postcard picteresque Palawan… you’re most likely thinking of Coron.
As you can see, unless you want to go really off piste, the most logical option of where to stay in Coron has to be Coron Town. It’s not the most beautiful, but it really is the most logical launchpad to get into the REAL juicy bits that Coron has to offer.
I loved my time as Outpost Hostel. It has a great location, a social vibes, and it’s ridiculously easy to meet other backpackers. Plus, that infinity pool is STUNNING!
Grab your fins and snorkel at the ready, Coron is sure to take you by storm. Enjoy the water friends!
- Check out our ultimate guide backpacking around Philippines.
- Figured out where you wanna stay? Now it’s time to pick the perfect hostel in Coron.
- Planning out an itinerary for Coron is a great way to maximise your time.
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
- Our in-depth Southeast Asia backpacking guide will help you plan the rest of your adventure.
Hello, thanks for this great intro to the different areas in Coron and places to stay. We used it for a last minute trip we planned where I didn’t have a lot of time to plan, and it was very helpful!