Arrival in Cebu: Island #1
We landed in Cebu, wide-eyed and hungry—literally. First stop? Jollibee. Because when you touch down in the Philippines, the only proper welcome is with a Chickenjoy, sweet spaghetti, and peach mango pie that could change your life.
We spent our last four days of the trip back in Cebu (more on that below), but our journey started here before hopping over to the dreamy islands of Coron and El Nido.
Coron (4 Days): Shipwrecks & Sunset Vibes
If there’s one place on Earth that made us feel like we were swimming in a dream, it was Coron. Here’s what we did (and you should too):
Kayangan Lake
The cleanest lake in Asia and one of Coron’s crown jewels. We climbed to a lookout point before diving into
Day 1: Coron Island Ultimate Tour (Top Must-Sees)
These are the iconic stops everyone raves about—and you did most of them! Let’s organize them for max flow:
Kayangan Lake
– One of the cleanest lakes in Asia, with electric-blue water and limestone cliffs.
Twin Lagoon
– Swim under or over a limestone wall to access a second hidden lagoon. Magical water temp shift (thermocline).
Sunset Beach
– Perfect lunch spot. Kubo huts, snorkeling, and a great place to unwind.
Skeleton Wreck (WWII Japanese shipwreck great for snorkeling)
– Super accessible, shallow wreck with coral and fish galore.
Smith Coral Garden
– Great coral beds and marine life. Soft currents and ideal for relaxed snorkeling.
CYC Beach (Coron Youth Club)
– White sands, turquoise water, and a chill vibe with nearby mangroves and shallow reefs.
✨Optional Add-On:
🔹 Beach BBQ Lunch – Ask for a grilled lunch served right on the sand. Usually included in tours!
Day 2: Shipwrecks & Snorkeling Adventure (WWII Wreck Tour)
Today’s for wreck-heads and snorkel junkies. Go deeper—literally.
Irako Shipwreck (for experienced divers/snorkelers)
– One of the best-preserved Japanese supply ships. Visibility is great, and it’s HUGE.
East Tangat Gunboat
– A shallow WWII wreck with fantastic coral growth and tons of fish.
Lusong Gunboat & Lusong Coral Garden
– Both great for snorkelers. The garden nearby is a technicolor dream.
Pass Island (Optional Ending Stop)
– White sand beach with hammocks and a calm lagoon. Worth the extra boat ride for a peaceful finale.
Day 3: Inland Coron + Panoramic Views
Maquinit Hot Springs
– Saltwater hot springs nestled between jungle and sea. Go at sunset for a magical glow.
Mount Tapyas
– 721-step hike to the best panoramic view of Coron town and islands. Go early or late to avoid the heat.
Cashew Harvest (Local Farm Visit)
– Optional detour to see how local cashews are harvested, roasted, and turned into sweet treats.
🕐 1 hour • Great souvenir stop!
Day 4: Chill Day or Choose Your Own Adventure
🔹 Island Escapade Tour (Quieter beaches)
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Malcapuya Island – Fine powder sand and fewer people.
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Banana Island – Hammocks, snorkeling, and cold drinks.
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Bulog Dos Island – Famous sandbar that disappears at high tide.
Great alternative if you want a slower day, or if you skipped Day 2's wrecks.
OR
🔹 Barracuda Lake (If you didn’t go yet!)
– A mix of freshwater and saltwater, with dramatic limestone walls and strange thermoclines. Great for diving and snorkeling.
🍴 Where to Eat in Coron
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Trattoria Altrove Coron – Wood-fired pizza in a cozy, barefoot atmosphere
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Levine’s Eatery – Rooftop sunset dining with Filipino fusion
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Brujita – Vegan + vegetarian-friendly with strong smoothies
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Kawayanan Grill – Local favorite for grilled seafood and BBQ
💡 Coron Travel Tips:
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Most tours leave at 8–9 AM. Get a light early breakfast and sunscreen up.
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Bring reef-safe sunscreen, aqua shoes, dry bags, and cash.
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Tour combos can often be customized—ask for private boats if you want to mix A/B/C itineraries.
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Maquinit Hot Springs is perfect post-hike recovery after Mt. Tapyas.
El Nido (4 Days): Cliffs, Lagoons & Turtle Encounters
We took the ferry from Coron to El Nido, which was a journey in itself. A little rocky, but with views of limestone cliffs rising out of the sea, we barely noticed.
Big Lagoon
Kayaking through the electric blue waters surrounded by dramatic cliffs—this is the El Nido of your dreams.
Shimizu Island (Our Fave!)
Lunch with a view, swimming with turtles, and some of the best snorkeling we did all trip.
Payong-Payong Beach
Day 1: Island Hopping – Tour A (You’ve Done Most of These!)
✅ Big Lagoon – Paddle through this famous teal dreamscape in a kayak. It’s the El Nido money shot.
✅ Shimizu Island – Your fave for snorkeling and lunch.
✅ Payong-Payong Beach – Scenic lunch spot + photo ops.
✅ Secret Lagoon – Crawl through a tiny opening into a tranquil mini paradise.
✅ Seven Commando Beach – Chill with a coconut at the beach bar.
✨ NEW ADD-ON:
🔹 Snorkel stop at Papaya Beach (near Seven Commando) – Fewer tourists, soft sand, and sea turtles.
Day 2: Island Hopping – Tour C (More dramatic, fewer crowds)
✅ Hidden Beach – You’ll swim through a narrow slit between limestone cliffs to discover this tucked-away stunner.
✅ Matinloc Shrine – Explore eerie, abandoned religious ruins and get panoramic views from the cliffside.
✅ Helicopter Island – Named for its shape; it's a great spot for snorkeling.
✅ Secret Beach – Only accessible through a tiny hole in the cliff—you’ll feel like you found Atlantis.🔹 Talisay Beach – Often a lunch stop with epic snorkeling. Request it in a private boat tour.
Day 3: Inland Adventures & Chill Day
You could island hop every day, but we suggest saving a day to enjoy El Nido itself:
Nacpan Beach
Voted one of the best beaches in the world. Think: long golden sands, palm trees swaying, cold beers, and fire-grilled seafood. Rent a scooter or hire a tricycle and take a chill afternoon here.
Duli Beach (Surf Season: Nov–March)
Want a surf break? Head to this lesser-known, 2 km beach where beginners can catch easy waves. Very quiet—perfect if you’re looking to escape the crowds.
Makinit Hot Springs (Less popular, but fun if you're up for an adventure)
A quick trip inland, good for relaxing your island-hopping legs.
Day 4: Waterfalls, Zipline & Sunset Spots
Nagkalit-kalit Falls
A short jungle trek (bring water shoes!) to this modest but refreshing double waterfall.
Las Cabañas Zipline
Fly Superman-style over the beach and into paradise. You land near Maremegmeg Beach, which is perfect for a cocktail and sunset dinner.
🎟 Around ₱500-800
Maremegmeg Beach Bar Crawl
Sunset cocktails, live music, and beach bonfires. Check out Cala, The Nesting Table, or Rooftop Bar El Nido for chill vibes.
Where to Eat in El Nido
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Happiness Beach Bar – Trendy Israeli eats + cocktails with swings for bar stools.
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Altrove – Italian pizza and pasta that’ll have you thinking you’re on the Amalfi Coast.
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Taste El Nido – Fusion eats and cold drinks in a rustic-chic setting.
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Osaka Castle – Surprisingly great Japanese food right in town.
Pro Tips for El Nido:
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Book a private boat tour to combine Tour A + C destinations (totally worth it).
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Always have cash—many places don’t accept cards.
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Start tours early (7:30–8 AM) to avoid the mid-morning crowd.
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Dry bags and reef-safe sunscreen are a must.
Back to Cebu (4 Days): Culture, Nature & Canyoneering
We flew from El Nido to Cebu and used these last few days to explore, eat, and of course, do a little more adrenaline-chasing.
Oslob Whale Shark Experience
30 minutes swimming next to the largest fish on Earth? CHECK.
Yes, it was surreal. No, we didn’t touch them (you shouldn’t either!).
Kawasan Falls & Canyoneering
From hiking and cliff-jumping to floating through turquoise rivers, this was the highlight of Cebu. The final reward? Kawasan Falls and a Filipino BBQ lunch.
📌 Note: Closed every 3rd Wednesday of the month.
Cebu City Highlights
Here’s what we squeezed in between naps and Jollibee cravings:
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Sirao Pictorial Garden – A photographer’s dream with mountain views and quirky installations.
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Temple of Leah – Cebu’s "Taj Mahal," built for love with epic views.
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Taoist Temple – A peaceful, colorful cultural spot perched above the city.
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Heritage of Cebu Monument – A visual history lesson in sculpture.
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Magellan’s Cross – Where it all started.
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Basilica Minore del Santo Niño – Deeply spiritual and historic.
Optional Add-Ons in Cebu:
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Tops Lookout – For a panoramic view of the city.
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Carbon Market – To shop like a local and try fresh fruit, Filipino snacks, and souvenirs.
Final Thoughts: Long Live Jollibee
We’d be lying if we said we didn’t eat Jollibee more than five times. From airport pit stops to post-tour cravings, Jollibee was our comfort food away from home.
Whether you’re a Chickenjoy loyalist or finally trying the infamous sweet spaghetti, do not leave the Philippines without giving it a go.
Total Trip Summary:
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Duration: 12 Days
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Route: Cebu → Coron (4 days) → El Nido (4 days) → Cebu (4 days)
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Transport: Ferry (Coron → El Nido), Flight (El Nido → Cebu)
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Highlights: Island-hopping, WWII wreck diving, lagoons, whale sharks, waterfalls, cliff jumping, cultural heritage, and hello—Jollibee.
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Budget Tip: Book tours locally or in small groups to save $$, and always bring cash to the islands.
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