Daily costs per person in US dollars. Coron costs are driven by island tours and dive trips — accommodation and food in town are very affordable. These ranges cover budget backpacker to comfortable mid-range.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: PHP (Peso) (1 USD ≈ ₱56)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $10–18 | $25–50 | $70+ | Fan room → AC guesthouse → waterfront resort |
| Food | $5–10 | $10–25 | $30+ | Market seafood → restaurants → resort dining |
| Island Tour | $25–35 | $35–55 | $80+ | Group bangka → small group → private charter |
| Wreck Diving (2 dives) | $60–70 | $70–90 | $100+ | Group dives → guided → private guide |
| Transport | $3–5 | $5–10 | $15+ | Tricycle → van → private transfer |
| Daily Total | $35–60 | $60–120 | $150+ | Budget explorer → comfortable → luxury island |
Money-saving tips
Join group tours, not private
Group island-hopping tours cost ₱1,500–2,000 per person including lunch and snorkel gear. Private boat charter starts at ₱5,000–8,000 for the same route. Groups of 6–10 people share a bangka comfortably.
Stay in Coron town centre
Guesthouses on the main road cost ₱500–1,000/night for a fan room. Beachfront resorts on nearby islands charge ₱3,000–8,000+. The town centre puts you within walking distance of the pier, market, and dive shops.
Eat at the public market
The Coron public market is the best-value food in Palawan — choose your seafood from the ice display and have it grilled for ₱150–300 per person. Beachfront restaurants charge double for smaller portions.
Bring your own snorkel gear
Tour boats provide basic snorkel gear, but it is often scratched and ill-fitting. Buying a decent mask and snorkel in Manila or Cebu (₱500–800) dramatically improves every stop on the tour.
Book diving packages
WWII wreck dives are cheaper when booked as a package of 4+ dives. Ask dive shops for multi-dive discounts — savings of ₱1,000–2,000 over individual dive pricing are common.
Fly from Manila on Cebu Pacific
Budget airline Cebu Pacific flies Manila–Coron for ₱1,500–4,000 one way if booked 2–4 weeks ahead. The flight is 1 hour versus 12+ hours by ferry. Seat sales drop prices even further.
