You know that feeling when you step off a plane, take a deep breath, and instantly know you’ve arrived somewhere special? That was Coron, Palawan. After the quick one-hour hop from Manila, I walked onto the tarmac and thought, “Oh… I get it now.” Coron looks like it was hand-painted by someone who really wanted to show off: towering limestone cliffs, electric blue waters, coral reefs bursting with color, and sunsets that genuinely make you stop and stare.
For our quick getaway, we stayed at El Rio y Mar Resort, tucked into a peaceful little bay that felt like a world of its own. Getting there was half the charm: a van ride from the airport, then a scenic boat ride through mangroves that immediately lowered my stress levels by at least 80 percent. The staff welcomed us with a song and cold drinks, and by the time we stepped into our room, the beach literally at our doorstep, I already felt like I had melted into vacation mode.
We kicked off the first afternoon with snorkeling in water so clear it felt almost fake. Fish of every color swirled around us, and the coral reefs looked like underwater gardens straight out of a fantasy novel. Still buzzing, we decided to hike up to Hunter’s Peak. Picture this: flip-flops, steep trails, a guide named Kuya Jun leading the way, and a sunset waiting for us at the top. It was worth every breathless step. The sky exploded in oranges and purples and for a moment the whole world went quiet. We ate dinner under the stars that night, full from the food and the kind of contentment you don’t get every day.
But if Day 1 was the introduction, Day 2 was the moment I fell head over heels. We spent the entire day island hopping, and I swear each stop felt like it came straight from a travel documentary.
Twin Lagoon was our first destination, two calm lagoons tucked inside dramatic limestone cliffs. Depending on the tide, you either climb a little staircase or swim under a rock archway to get from one lagoon to the other. The water shifted from cool to warm as we swam, like nature had installed its own temperature settings.
Next was Barracuda Lake, where we ate lunch in a stilted hut overlooking crystal-clear water. Reaching the lake required a short climb through more limestone, but the real surprise was swimming in water that changes temperature the deeper you go. Warm, cool, warm again. It was surreal, like the lake had moods.
Then came Kayangan Lake, the superstar of Coron. If you’ve seen that iconic photo of turquoise water framed by cliffs, that’s the one. After a short hike, we reached the viewpoint and honestly, no words. We swam, explored tiny caves, and floated on our backs in absolute silence, grateful to be alive in that exact moment.
Our final stop was Siete Pecados, a vibrant snorkeling spot wrapped in a bittersweet legend about seven sisters lost to the sea. Beneath us, corals swayed in the current and schools of fish darted around like they were performing just for us.
We returned to the resort sun-kissed, salty, exhausted in the best way, and completely enchanted.
Coron isn’t just beautiful. It feels like a gift. The kind you carry with you long after you’ve rinsed the salt off your skin. And honestly, I can’t wait to go back.