Daily costs per person in US dollars. Coron costs are driven by island tours and dive trips, while 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, as 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.
