Planning your first solo backpacking trip?
While the Philippines is lavishly showering of untold tourist spots for your leisurely undertaking, sometimes you have a lot against you when planning to go farther down that road for the first time than you can afford to. When searching through fitting destinations for this special local trip alone, it’s unlikely not to come across nature heaven Coron in Northern Palawan. For countless times, it has been clearly established why this paradise should be a must on everyone’s places-to-go list.
For starters, and for solo backpackers in this case (henceforth soloer), here are 7 reasons why you should definitely consider Coron as your first backpacking destination.
7 Reasons Why Coron, Palawan is the Perfect Destination for First Time Solo Backpackers
7. It’s readily accessible.
Given the circumstances, it’s perfectly reasonable for you to start off with a place that’s seemingly close by to make you feel a sense of assurance, but distant enough for that feel of adventure and seclusion. Located a sea away from the local mainlands, and roughly halfway from the north and south ends of the country’s stretch, Coron is the supreme choice for anyone looking for that ideal combination. More importantly, it’s surprisingly readily accessible by air, land, and/or sea travel.
6. The town is small and simple.
Unlike highly developed travel destinations in the Philippines, Coron offers a vibe of being in a raw, sheltered provincial area that may not be particularly commercialized, yet already incredibly tourist-friendly. The fact that the town is situated right at the coast of the Busuanga island from where you can overlook the sea on one side and the soaring hills on the other allows you to easily pinpoint and work your way safely around the area.
5. It’s fairly populated.
Tourism in Coron is fast developing and the place is becoming more and more popular by the minute. That being said, the partition of the place from the busier, jam-packed core cities has made it relatively less visited by tourists compared to other spots in the country. And thanks to the variety of establishments and activities spread out in the area all through the day, Coron is less prone to visitors cramming in few certain places at once even on a high season, which would be good if you want to be around as little crowd as possible.
4. Â Other soloers are common in the area.
If you look up pictures of Coron online, you will find that many of its attractions exude such a calming energy that it’s most ideal to just enjoy them in solitude. For this reason, it isn’t particularly shocking to see that a significant number of tourists in the area are also soloers. The tour packages are awfully flexible and welcome both groups and individual goers, so it’s easy to make out why these tourists are common in the area. Being surrounded by them can help you feel like you’re not entirely out of place. Plus, it’s easier for the rest of you to mingle with one another in case you happen to long for momentary company, or even lasting connections.
3. Â Guidance is sufficiently offered.
Travel and tour agencies are scattered around the town center, casually positioned like a bunch of sari-sari stores. You have hotel staff even walking you right up to other hotels if they can’t personally accommodate you. The boatmen are stationed all day long along the pier area. Internet connection and cellphone reception are also available in considerably many parts of the town and in several of its tour sites. And lastly, you have your fellow tourists, who are generally accessible enough for you to ask a piece of help or two from. What’s most notable, however, is the non-insistent and non-manipulative ways of the locals guiding you particularly when you’re on your own. It’s the kind of help that’s specially encouraging as opposed to imposing.
2. It’s packed with activities.
Considering the size and secluded nature of the town, you actually have a variety of options to do for a soloer. Just from the tours, you can cross out a bunch of items from your backpacker bucket list. If you opt to have some time to just stay in town, you can still choose to hike Mt. Tapyas or relax in their Maquinit Hot Springs. At the town center, various restaurants, as well as coffee and tea shops await you. Night life is also relatively active and bars can keep you in as late as 2 to 3 o’clock in the morning (if you really want to make the most of your stay, that is).
1. It’s really, REALLY affordable.
Compared to a typical vacation, lodging in backpacking usually isn’t so much a priority as the travelling itself. Even so, Coron hotels provide both economical and quality accommodations even when staying alone and the rates can still be easily modified due to promos. And because of the proximity of the town to natural surroundings, a decision to book fan rooms already seems very logical if you wish to save as much money as possible. While group tours are obviously cheaper for a joiner, private tours are also offered at amazingly CHEAP RATES considering the visual satisfaction you will get from the destinations, the travelling itself, and the fact that you get to enjoy these with fewer company.
So, there you have it: 7 reasons why you should choose Coron as your destination if you’re longing to backpack but have never done so on your own before. What other places would you suggest for solo backpackers?
