On our Philippines vacation we started from the Busuanga Island in the province of Palawan, which is an hour’s flight by plane from the capital of the Philippines — Manila. The area we started from is called Calamian Islands.
A kilometer from the island of Busuanga is the island of Coron. These places in the Philippines attract tourists with their unbelievable nature: snow-white beaches and volcanic rocks, among which freshwater emerald lakes are located.
Moreover, there are wrecks from the Second World War near the island of Coron, which in turn attract to the Philippines divers from all over the world.
✈ By air
Several airlines fly daily to Busuanga from Manila Airport. Using one of the flights to Coron Palawan you choose the fastest way to get to Coron from Manila.
These are mainly:
Cebu Pacific
Air Asia
Philippine Airlines
The flight to Coron, Palawan takes only about an hour and you can choose the most suitable departure time, since this is a rather popular holiday destination of the Philippine Islands.
A small plane in Busuanga Airport, Philippines
Boarding for Manila-Busuanga flight with Cebu Pacific
Our morning flight to Coron from Manila was made by a small screw aircraft for only 100 passengers, and it was perhaps the most funny flight round the Philippines – with contests, prizes and songs by stewards.
Flying over the islands on the way to Busuanga
Busuanga Island from the airplane window
We wanted to land on Busuanga Island as soon as possible, to rent a boat and to go to our Coron, Palawan itinerary.
So, flying over another one small green island with palm trees on a snow-white beach and the only small boat near the island, we imagined how in a few hours we would land on a similar beach of Coron island or somewhere around it.
We expected the airport of the Philippine island of Busuanga (airport code USU) to be small, but Coron, Palawan airport was too small. There was a shelf, where airport staff brought baggage from the plane by hands.
In the same hall before going to Coron all tourists who land on Busuanga are given brochures with useful information, in particular about boat tours from Busuanga and Coron Island package tours, Coron city tours, Coron Island day tours, island hopping, and etc. We planned to rent the boat individually, so we took our baggage and left the airport of Busuanga Island. The only thing we took in Coron, Palawan airport was Coron Island travel guide.
Busuanga airport – Coron Town transfer cost us – 150 pesos ($3) per person.
Our minibus made the 20 km of the way from Busuanga airport to Coron Town in 30-40 minutes. And to have more passengers inside the minibus, the driver put all the baggage on the roof of the bus.
The way from Coron, Palawan airport to Coron Town is a one-side concrete road, which constantly winds due to multiple turns.
At the same time, the vehicles do not go fast, as there are road works, so people with a weak vestibular apparatus (such as me) do not have to worry that they might get sick.
Road construction from Busuanga Airport to Coron Town
Transfer from Busuanga Airport to Coron Town
The road runs through picturesque places where you can see buffaloes in the shade of the trees.
Road from Busuanga Airport to Coron Town
Enjoying the views from the window, we did not notice how we drove up to Coron Town, where it was a pleasant surprise for us that all the passengers of the transfer are brought directly to the accommodations they booked.
So, immediately after arrival we agreed on a boat rental and went to enjoy our adventures in the Philippine Islands!
Tricycle – the main vehicle on the islands
⚓ By water
You can also get to Busuanga Island by ferry from El Nido, Palawan island. The ferry leaves El Nido at 6.00 am, arrives in Coron Town, Busuanga Island at 9.30 am. Here you can learn the cost of the tickets for the ferry and buy them.
Tickets for the ferry cost us — 1760 pesos ($35) per person.
We went on this ferry in the opposite direction, from Coron Town to El Nido, you can read about our trip – here.
There is also a ferry from Manila to Coron Town, which runs on Tuesdays and Fridays. Departure from Manila at 13.30 pm, arriving in Coron at 4.30 am. You can check the cost and order tickets here
The cost of tickets varies — from 1230 pesos ($25) to 2830 pesos ($57) per person.
My opinion is that this ferry is for an amateur. It’s much easier to get to Busuanga from Manila by air, moreover it’s faster, and you don’t have to lose precious vacation time.
To be continued...