Coron Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Coron, Palawan, Philippines |
| 👥 Population |
Approx. 65,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
15-40 Mbps via Starlink and 4G/5G; Fiber is limited to specific areas like Coron Town Proper. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
1 USD ≈ 56 PHP. Major banks: BPI, Metrobank, Landbank found on Real St. |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Not drinkable; use purified water (blue jugs) for 35 PHP per 5 gallons. |
| 🔌 Power |
220V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B/C sockets. Frequent brownouts occur; many hotels have generators. |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Globe and Smart; available at Busuanga Airport for approx. 500 PHP for 20GB. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
BPI (Bank of the Philippine Islands) on Real St; GCash is essential for local transfers. |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Guesthouses (800-1,500 PHP/night), Boutique hotels (3,000-7,000 PHP/night). |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Moderate; high-end hotels and restaurants take cards, but 70% of businesses are cash-only. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb options range from 25,000 PHP to 60,000 PHP per month in Town Proper. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Hop Hostel (approx. 900 PHP/night) or Outpost Beach Hostel. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
Coron Town Proper for proximity to boat tours and restaurants. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
Lower Barangay 5 or Barangay 1; closer to Starlink-equipped cafes and the main market. |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
The Hub Coron (Real St) - Starlink equipped, approx. 500 PHP/day. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Full Philling (Real St) - Reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets; try the seafood pasta (350 PHP). |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Informal meetups at Rooftop Bar or No Name Bar on Friday nights. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Tuesday Trivia Nights at various local bars; check the 'Coron Expats' Facebook group. |
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
No Grab; use motorized Tricycles (locally called 'Tricy'). 20-50 PHP per person within town. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Angel Motorcycle Rental (Bgy 3) - Approx. 500 PHP per 24 hours. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Cyc Beach (Public beach, free entry) or Banul Beach (accessible via boat tour). |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Cebgo (Cebu Pacific's regional brand) flying to Busuanga (USU). |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
Philippine Airlines (via Manila or Cebu) connect to USU airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Coron-Busuanga Road connects the town to the airport (40-minute drive). |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
None; Coron Port is the main hub for ferries to El Nido and Mindoro. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
No formal passes; bargain with tricycle drivers for daily hires (approx. 1,500 PHP/day). |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Fast ferry to El Nido via Phimal Fast Ferry (approx. 2,800 PHP, 4-5 hours). |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital (requires boat) or Coron District Hospital in Town. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Sikatuna Station offers occasional yoga sessions; many high-end resorts offer private classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Coron Fitness Center (National Highway) - Basic weights, approx. 100 PHP/session. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
D’ Laundry (Bgy 5) - Approx. 40-60 PHP per kg with 24-hour turnaround. |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
None; call restaurants directly for delivery via tricycle. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Lato (Sea Grape Salad) or Cashew-crusted fish (approx. 300 PHP). |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Om's Thai Restaurant (Bgy 3) - Good tofu curries and veggie stir-fries. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Pedro’s Gelato (Real St) - Artisanal flavors for approx. 120 PHP per scoop. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Coron Public Market (Port Area) - Fresh produce and dried fish. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
Lazada and Shopee (deliveries take 10-20 days to reach the island). |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Not available; best to visit Lualhati Park Market for groceries. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Real Street and the Port area; Hangover Bar and No Name Bar are popular. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
Coron Village Lodge often carries local Palawan craft beers like Palaweño Brewery. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
The View Deck at Funny Lion - Great sunset views and wine selection. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Lualhati Park - Grilled Isaw (chicken intestine) and Balut for 20-50 PHP. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Altrove Coron (Bgy 3) - Famous for wood-fired pizzas (approx. 500 PHP). |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Kayangan Lake (cleanest lake in PH) and Twin Lagoon. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Culion Museum (historical leper colony museum located on nearby Culion Island). |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
WWII Japanese Shipwrecks (Skeleton Wreck, Irako) - underwater sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
San Agustin Parish Church (Bgy 1). |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Kasadyaan Festival (August 28th) celebrating the town fiesta. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
Busuanga Island indigenous Tagbanua ancestral domains (restricted access/guided). |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
None; local festivities usually held at the Coron Town Plaza. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
Coron Public Market for local cashews and Palawan honey. |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Acoustic live bands at Tribu Kuron or Summer Cafe. |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Occasional murals along the walls near the Port area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Maquinit Hot Springs occasionally hosts traditional Palaweño cooking demos. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Kalai Artisanal shop features local Tagbanua woven crafts. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
The Old Municipal Hall near the town plaza. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
Tagbanua tribe heritage; they are the traditional guardians of the limestone cliffs. |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Mount Tapyas - 700+ steps to a panoramic sunset view (Free). |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Calauit Safari Park (north of the island) - Giraffes and zebras. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
Busuanga coastal road for long-distance cycling; Mount Tapyas for hiking. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Mount Tapyas Cross or the view from the Barracuda Lake entrance. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
Kingfisher Park (Bgy. Malbato) - Mangrove kayaking and birding. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
Private islands during 'Beach Overnight' camping tours (requires permits). |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
J&T Express or LBC Express (located near the town plaza). |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
Cell phone repair stalls in the Coron Public Market zone. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Coron Sports Complex (near the Municipal Hall). |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Informal Tagalog/Cuyonon lessons through tutors found on local FB groups. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
None; use quiet cafes like Sol 721. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Coron Town Plaza - Center for all public gatherings. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
Small 'Pisonet' computer shops for basic gaming in Bgy 1. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
None; gambling is mostly restricted to local cockfighting (Sabong) on Sundays. |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 120,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 3.6M PHP). Land ownership restricted to Filipinos. |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 60,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 30 m² = 1.8M PHP). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 110,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 5.5M PHP). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 50,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 2.5M PHP). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 100,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 8M PHP). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 45,000 PHP per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 3.6M PHP). |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
15-25% depending on the tax treaty with the recipient's country. |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Resident aliens taxed only on Philippine-sourced income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
35% for income over 8M PHP. |
| 🧾 VAT |
12% (Commonly included in prices). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
Yes, Philippines has basic anti-tax avoidance rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Known as Real Property Tax (RPT), usually 1-2% of assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Capital Gains Tax (6%), Documentary Stamp Tax (1.5%), Transfer Tax (approx 0.5%). |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Non-residents are only taxed on income earned within the Philippines. |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
25% (Standard rate under CREATE Act). |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING CORON