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Sunz En Coron Resort Review: Family lodging in Coron

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In Coron Town, mostly you’ll find lodgings and pension houses. But if you’re looking for a resort-type of accommodation in Coron, then check out Sunz En Coron Resort, a newly built resort 10 minutes out of Coron Town.

This was where we stayed when we returned to Coron this January 2013. Sunz En Coron Resort is a Korean-owned resort and managed by Ms. Angela Kim.

We availed of the resort’s airport services which is Php 150 per way per person. Sunz En Coron Resort is nestled at the hillside of Mt. Tapyas. As soon as we entered the resort, we were enticed to stay at the cabanas while waiting for our room keys.

It took us 10 minutes before we got to our room. Nonetheless, the room was spotlessly clean and has a Zen interiors. We got a Super Family Room, which normally fits four people. But since we were 6, we got two extra beds. The two extra beds were placed near the window. The room was still spacious even with the two extra beds.

Also, you don’t have to worry with your luggage. They don’t have a cabinet yet there’s a bamboo wooden table where you can put your luggage.

On the day of our arrival, the power in Coron went out. Good thing, the resort has a generator set. Though the room has an airconditioning unit, only the ceiling fan worked.

We were too tired to go out to town. Hence, we ordered our lunch at the resort’s restaurant. We tried their bulgogi! It’s a winner! Food was great but of course, it’s a bit pricey.

Even if it was far from town, we didn’t have a hard time going to the wharf for our island hopping because the resort has a free tricycle service. However, on another day, we had to queue because other guests also availed of the free service. On the way back to the resort, we rode the public trike and paid Php 10.00.

At night, the resort turns magical with the changing colors of the pool from purple to red to green.

photo courtesy of sunz en coron official website

 Good points:

  • FREE WIFI- strongest signal at the 2nd cabana
  • FREE Swimming Pool
  • FREE Tricycle service- this makes up for its distance from the town
  • Generator Set

Bad points:

  • Weak Globe Signal / No signal in rooms- If you want to receive messages, stay at the cabanas near the resto.
  • SUN Cellular- no signal at all
  • SMART- this has the only stable signal in the resort

Disclaimer: Nope, this is NOT a paid post :)

Video Blog: The Underwater Garden of El Nido’s Small Lagoon

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No words can best describe the experience of snorkeling in El Nido’s Small Lagoon. But if you still insist, I can say that the experience was ethereal and otherworldly. On the surface, Small Lagoon seemed similar with the other stops. It was surrounded by limestone karst draped with greens. But as soon as I submerged my body, I was blown away by the “underwater garden.”  Alright, I’ll stop talking. Let the video tell the story.

This was one of my unforgettable snorkeling experiences as I swam with not just a school but a “university of fish”. Too bad, I didn’t know the fish specie.

Small Lagoon is part of the El Nido Island Hopping Tour A.  Read more about El Nido:

El Nido’s Talisay Beach: The good and the bad

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My eyes wandered like a child in awe. I turned my gaze from left to right. Everything seemed so perfect. El Nido is indeed paradise.

After the breathtaking view from Matinloc Island, we headed to Talisay Beach as part of our El Nido Island hopping Tour C. Niel, our tour guide from Servant Tours, told us that we would be eating lunch at the island.

Our boatmen and tour guide acted as cooks as well. Niel impressed us with his garnishing and food styling.

He previously worked at the posh and exclusive Lagen Island Resort but he said he did not have a formal training on food styling. But look, how he did this garden salad.

While others rested under the Talisay tree, I chose to snorkel while waiting for lunch to be cooked. And to my surprise, a school of fish approached me. It was like a fish attack!

Then I later on learned that some tourists were feeding the fish. Hence, the school of fish associated humans with food. Tsk. Not good. Nonetheless, they were harmless.

I continued swimming around. Some corals were dead but there were a few that thrived.

My heart was filled with happiness until I saw this:

When did the fish need soy sauce? The sea is salty to begin with. Sigh. This was one of the effects that tourism do. Yes, it was saddening. We wanted to enjoy the grandeur of nature but then, why aren’t we taking care of it?

After taking a photo, I picked it up and threw it in the garbage bag in our boat. Why am I posting this? It’s a reality check for all of us. Tourism has its good and bad sides. But this can be prevented if we practice responsible and sustainable tourism!

So please, please, please whenever you visit a place, never leave anything but your footprints. Or if you see a trash, care to pick it up. Even if you didn’t throw it, you are responsible. We are responsible. Everyone of us will be affected.

Just imagine, what would happen if the fish ate the plastic? Sooner or later, it will end up in the table for the family to eat. Will you eat the fish that ate plastic? Of course not. It’s a domino-effect.

I hopped on the boat bothered. Until when will Talisay Beach hold its beauty? I hope it would last forever.

Capturing El Nido: I found Nemo!

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Call it excitement. Call it thrill. Despite sleeping late, I woke up early. I couldn’t contain my excitement to see how El Nido looks like. I walked to the balcony of Tay Miloy’s Inn and saw greens draped over the limestone karst surrounding this simple town of El Nido. Wow!

This town captured my heart at first sight. J, Janet and I walked out of the inn to fill our hungry stomachs with breakfast.

The only restaurant that was open at 6:30 am was La Chupetta.

The friendly staff cooked the tapa in front of us. It smelled good. The Tapsilog meal without drink cost me Php 150.00. It may be expensive but it satisfied my taste buds. Meanwhile, J ordered banana pancakes for breakfast.

At around 8:30 am, we walked towards the office of Servant Tours, which is near the jump-off area of the boats. We were joined by a French couple, Johnalyn and her family, a Filipino couple and a Filipina who’s on a solo journey. All in all, there were 11 passengers on the 14-seater boat.

“My name is Niel and I’ll be your tour guide for today. Take nothing but pictures. Kill nothing but time. Don’t step on the corals,” said Niel who began his spiel and warned us not to take shells.

I smiled while I was hearing his spiel. Yes, the locals were learning to take care of their surroundings. I do hope that this message resounded as well with the passengers of the boat.

The owner of Servant Tours, Gerald suggested that we take Tour C because of the sunny weather. We agreed thinking that we can still experience the Secret Beach because of the good weather.

Hidden Beach was our first glimpse of El Nido. From afar, one would not think that there’s a beach hidden behind the limestone karst. Hence, it was named Hidden Beach.

Hidden Beach is a snorkeling site. I was excited to try my new mask. It has  graded lens that would allow me to wear it even without contact lenses. Thank you J :)

At first, I was just seeing the usual fish species that I used to see in other sites until J called my attention and pointed an anemone.

Oh there you are Nemo! Finally, I’ve seen a clown fish! The two of them were guarding their territory.

Even if they’re small, they were brave. They’re ready to attack anyone who come near. I felt something in my leg. I was attacked. haha.

I didn’t mind and continued taking shots until I was satisfied.

The corals underwater were not as colorful but there were different species of fish that swam by.

This was only the beginning of unraveling the wonders of El Nido.

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The Long Way to El Nido

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Are we there yet?

I heard the Fil-Am kid asking his mom who was seated in front of us. It was the same question that I had in mind. My butt was numb. My legs wanted a stretch. I peeked through the window and saw nothing but darkness. I remembered how this day started.

At 2:00 pm, we boarded the RORO Bus at the San Jose Terminal. I closed my eyes to sleep hoping that when I wake up we’re already in El Nido. I tried to sleep yet my mind was awake. The way to the north of Palawan was winding. I peeked through the window but all I saw were trees in a panning motion. I returned to sleep.

At 5:30 pm, the bus stopped. The conductor said that we’re already at the Taytay Bus Stop. I felt my stomach looking for food. My friend Janet decided to stay in the bus with the thought that we’ll be arriving in El Nido at around 8:00 pm. I went out and grabbed a dinner.

There were no restaurants at the Taytay bus stop but carinderias. J was apprehensive of eating at the carinderia (Maarte kasi sya! haha). Nonetheless, he shared the meal with me.

After 20 minutes, all of the passengers returned to the bus. I was happy that finally, we’re nearing El Nido. Taytay was the last stop. I estimated that we’ll be arriving around 8:00 pm considering that it’s a six-hour trip according to my research.

Darkness fell. The smooth paved road ended as we leave Taytay. The road in between Taytay and El Nido was rough and bumpy preventing me to sleep further. I was bored.

I looked around and others still managed to sleep. It was already past 8pm but still the bus continued to move like a turtle.

Are we there yet? Where art thou El Nido? 

It seemed like our roadtrip to El Nido was never ending until signs of civilization showed up. It was already 9:00 pm. The driver finally stopped the bus. I checked on the bus ticket and saw that we traveled 267 kilometers from San Jose Terminal, Puerto Princesa to El Nido. The travel time summed up to 7 hours.

Welcome to El Nido! The rains continued to pour as we went out of the bus. Tricycles were waiting for passengers. We hailed one trike and told him to bring us to Tay Miloy’s Inn. We paid him Php 50.00 (the fare that they usually charge coming from the terminal).

Kuya Rodrigo Carag welcomed us to his home. He told us that the RoRo bus slowed down its pace of travel as some passengers complained feeling dizzy due to the bumpy ride.

We left our bags in our rooms and off we went to the town proper since Janet and J haven’t eaten dinner yet. We called it a night at around 12midnight. It’s time to finally get a long sleep.

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