Coron Travel Requirements
Home to some of the most stunning sights in the Philippines, Coron in the province of Palawan is a dream destination for many. Part of Palawan’s trifecta of tourist hotspots (the other two being Puerto Princesa and El Nido), Coron has some of the most photographed locations in the country like the Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, and Twin Lagoon.
To help you on your journey to Coron, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide on how to travel in the new normal. In this guide, we’ll be talking about Coron’s travel requirements and the guidelines you need to follow while there.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Be a responsible traveler! All information on this post are accurate from the time of writing. Rules, regulations and guidelines are updated frequently and may change without Klook’s prior notice. For your safety, check with the respective LGU’s and establishments directly before your travels.
Who are allowed:
- All fully vaccinated tourists from NCR+ areas and from other LGUs outside of Palawan Province
- Minors accompanied by fully vaccinated parents, legal guardians, elder siblings (subject to compliance with the local entry requirement guidelines of the LGU)
NOTE: According to CDC, people are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as but not limited to Moderna, Pfizer, Sinovac, Astra Zeneca, and Sputnik V. vaccines; or 2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine.
Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html
UPDATE 12/1/21: Coron, Palawan is under Alert Level 2 from December 1 until December 15, 2021.
Domestic travel to Coron is allowed to All FULLY VACCINATED domestic tourists and foreigners (particularly those already staying in the Philippines before the start of the pandemic) coming from the NCR Plus Areas or from other LGUs outside Palawan Province.
Before you go (Pre-Flight Checklist):
- COVID-19 Vaccination Card issued by a legitimate institution or DOH-accredited laboratory
- Negative RT-PCR swab or saliva test result
- Confirmation letter from your hotel and tour agency
- Confirmed roundtrip tickets
- Environmental Fee
- Approved S-Pass
Step 1: Get Tested for COVID-19
Before flying to Coron, you need to secure a negative RT-PCR swab or saliva test result first. Your RTR-PCR swab or saliva test must be taken within 72 hours before your scheduled flight to Coron and must only be taken in accredited laboratories.
For your convenience, you can book your RT-PCR home tests on Klook and receive results within 24-36 hours. The home RT-PCR test will be conducted by Kairos Medical Lab, a DOH Accredited Laboratory, and you can get up to 40% off only on Klook.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- DOH-Accredited Laboratories: https://hfsrb.doh.gov.ph/1729-2/
- RT-PCR Home Test on Klook: https://www.klook.com/en-PH/activity/54021-metro-manila-rt-pcr-antigen-home-testing/
Step 2: Book your Flight to Coron
Domestic tourists can enter Coron through the Francisco B. Reyes Airport (Busuanga). When booking your roundtrip flights, please remember that your flight schedule should be within 48 to 72 hours from the time you took your RT-PCR swab or saliva test, not from when you received your result.
Step 3: Secure your Hotel Booking
The next step is to secure your hotel booking at a DOT-accredited accommodation with a Certificate of Authority to Operate (CAO).
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- List of DOT-accredited Accommodations: https://corontourism.ph/where-to-stay/
Step 4: Pre-book your Tours
Should you decide to take part in any tours, you are required to pre-book your tours only with DOT-accredited travel operators. Before your travel date, obtain a copy of your itinerary to submit along with the rest of the required documents.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- List of accredited tour operators: https://corontourism.ph/places-to-visit/
Step 5: Register for your Health Declaration Form and QR Code
Once you’ve secured all the requirements above, register at the Coron website to fill out your health declaration form and the details of your trip. You will also need to upload your negative RT-PCR test results on this page.
Once approved, you will then receive a QR Code that you serve as your entry pass to Coron and the island’s establishments.
NOTE: Always have a mobile or physical copy of the QR Code with you at all times.
IMPORTANT LINKS:
- Register here: https://travel.corontourism.ph/register
Step 6: Pack and Quarantine
After getting tested, it’s your responsibility to quarantine until your flight to Coron. As much as possible, avoid any interactions with people outside your household or going out for errands.
Pack a COVID-19 safety kit of face masks, face shield, alcohol, wipes, etc. and check with your airline and accommodation if they have any other additional requirements for guests.
Download the Traze App before heading to the airport as this will be used when you check in and when you arrive in Coron for contact tracing purposes.
Step 7: Undergo Health Assessment Upon Arrival
Alert Level 2 Safety Protocol:
- Hotel transfer on site is not allowed.
- Tours/Diving- Exclusive and joiner tour/diving are allowed as long it is booked and is submitted during S-PASS application. Tour and diving transfer on site is not allowed.
- Dining, shopping and other activities are allowed.
Upon arrival at the Francisco B. Reyes Airport, you will undergo a health assessment at the airport’s triage area. If you happen to be exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, you will be required to take an antigen test at your own expense (Php 3,500). If you yield a negative result, you will be allowed to continue with your booked itinerary. However, if you test positive, you will be sent to the hotel holding room where you are booked.
If determined to have developed severe symptoms, you will be immediately referred to the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital.
Step 8: Pay Environmental Fee Upon Arrival
The Municipal Government of Coron is now implementing collection of Environmental/Tourism Fee (ETD FEE) amounting to P200.00 per person to all arriving passengers / guests, who are non-resident of Busuanga, Coron, Culion and Linapacan at Francisco Reyes Airport as per section 22 of Municipal Ordinance #75 series of 2019. More information here.
Important Travel Reminders
Pre-arranged Transfers
All your transfers to and from the airport and your hotel/resort are strictly to be arranged by your accommodation. Stopovers are not allowed.
Follow your Travel Itinerary
Strictly follow the itinerary in your pre-booked tours and coordinate with your hotel’s front desk so they can work hand-in-hand with the travel operator. Tourists are not allowed wandering around the city proper.
Comply with Minimum Health Standards
While in Coron, strictly comply with standard health protocols such as wearing face masks and face shields, sanitizing and washing your hands frequently, and observing proper social distancing in public areas.
Observe Curfew Hours
Comply with the enforced curfew hours in Coron which is from 10 PM to 5 AM.
