Mt.TAPYAS and MAQUINIT HOT SPRING on a rainy 1st day in Coron

It was one of those trips I was excited but hesitant to take.There was an approaching storm in Luzon ---a record 4th consecutive Chuseok vacation with a storm about to hit the Philippines---so I was really worried.The concern was that planes to Coron are small as the airport in Busuanga can't even accommodate Airbus A320's. Say hello to a shaky ride. And it was as I expected, which made me very uncomfortable throughout the flight especially during takeoff and landing.


All gloomy when we landed.There's nothing to do at the airport so we just picked our bags and got out as quickly as possible.There are many passenger vans parked in front of the arrival area.We informed one of the drivers of our accommodation and we were off to go. Fare is 150 per person.The ride was faster than I thought, it too us only 30 minutes.It started to rain a few minutes after we set off so the Grand Entrance that I was hoping didn't happen. Sayang, gusto konpamandin pagdating palang sa isang bagong lugar "Wow Philippines" na kagad.

CORON ISLAND (backdrop) from Mt. Tapyas
traveled with Julius of http://lakwastserongtsnelas.blogspot.com/ for the 1st time

The advantage of taking the van is that they drop you off where you made your hotel reservation.No more hide&seek session for first timers like us.We checked in at Patrick&Tezz Guesthouse and immediately look for a place to eat.T'was already 3 pm and everybody's starved.

Patrick&Tezz Guesthouse

We walked to the main road and after approximately one kilometer found ourselves in a cheap restaurant.

"Coron town is a walkable place so hiking around is mo biggie.Except that it was rainy during our entire stay so it was a bit uncomfortable.We had to take tricycle often to avoid getting wet." 

---from my previous post.

main road in Coron Town

Well, it wasn't cheap after all coz we paid Php970 for a meal for five. I felt violated coz the food really didn't register in my memory at all. Everything was Tasteless except the Coca Cola, (thank god we ordered one) laman ng tyan lang talaga.

ang sinigang na kulang sa asin :(

ang kalderetang walang lasa :)

CENTRO CORON Restaurant ---forget it!

So unless you are desperate, don't eat at CENTRO CORON.
I don't recommend it.Waste of money.

We hurried back at our accommodation to get a few things.We decided to check out Mount Tapyas and Maquinit Hot Spring before it gets dark. Some organized tours would offer 350/ pax on this segment which includes a town tour (church, town hall etc.) which you don't have to see believe me).

350x4 pax = 1,400 pesos.That's quite pricey. So what we did was we randomly picked a tricycle driver and agreed on a fare. He asked for only 300 pesos for both Mt. Tapyas and Maquinit Hot Spring.But since we realized that Maquinit is far from town.We gave the driver 500 php. He was very happy.

view of Mt. Tapyas from the fish port/ public market

Mt. TAPYAS is a hill in Coron Town.It could be seen from any point downtown.You can walk to there from the port or public market but I don't really advice that.Reason is, you have to deal with 700 steps to get to the top and that's quite tiring. It's a relief though that the steps are concrete and there are enough sheds along the way to pause and catch your breath.Since it was already 5pm when we started climbing and it rained prior to our visit, the air was cool.It felt good coz we were sweating just enough but the air kept us chill.Tamang pawis, tamang lamig.Ang sarao sa pakiramdam.

drop off point to Mt. Tapyas

700 steps up

failed sunset

The place is perfect for sunset.
Unfortunately for us, the sun didn't show up that day.Still, the climb was worth it.Makes for a good view of surrounding areas, of mainland Busuanga on one side and Coron Island on the other.I told my wife "that's where we will be hopping for two days". Reminds me of Nacpan-Calictang Twin beach in El Nido Palawan.We went there on our first day in Coron as a side trip, climbed the hill and saw the islands of El Nido from there.Same line that I told my wife---"that's where we will be going tomorrow". 

Like the hill/island in Nacpan, Mt. Tapyas is a good introduction to the place.It gives you a perspective as to where things are and it excites you to embark on an island hopping the next day.It took us only a few minutes to stay on the summit of Tapyas. The hike down was faster and easier but it targeted a different muscle group.We felt our legs shaking when we finally reached the bottom where our hired tricycle was waiting to take us to Maquinit Hot Spring.

Coron Island from Mt.Tapyas

Maquinit is another 30-minute ride from Mt. Tapyas.I thought it's actually near but road condition is really bad. The rain-soaked dirt road made it more difficult for our driver to navigate. Ang putik!


MAQUINIT HOT SPRING Entrance Fee

Twas already dark when we got there. Maquinit Hot Spring is a private property. Entrance fee varies depending on age or residence.Locals pay only Php75 while tourists (including Filipino tourists) have to dish Php150.

Non-resident Adults ---Php150

Senior Citizens/students ---Php120 

Children, 5-10 years old ---Php75 

Children below 5 years old---FREE 

Coron/Culion Residents--Php75

Our friend Rupert thought it is expensive.In my case, I didn't care anymore.I felt my legs were sore from the climb in Mt.Tapyas that a hot bath would be a good relief.

It was my first time in a natural hot spring in an outdoor setting. I remember discussing aboug the place with my South Korean students and seeing one photo on Naver kinda disappointed me.It looks and feels better in person though.The water temperature was perfect.I frequent public baths in Manila and their hot pools are either a hit or miss when iy comes to temperature.This one's is perfect. Nakaka-relax talaga.

The hot water flows from the hill nearby but we noticed that it is actually salty.Weird.I remember reading that the hot sprjng water combines with seawater that's why it's a bit salty but not as salty as the sea. That notion kept us curious coz it was low time during our visit and the sea level was so low compared to the spot where the hot water flows to the man-made pool.Amazing.

We stayed for an hour or so and noticed that there were still quite a number of people even if it was already past seven pm when we left.No overnight stay here.The resort closes at 8:30pm. There are cottages for rent and a small store selling beer and other essentials.No fresh water shower so don't even think about cleaning before and after dipping on the pool.That wilm have to wait until you get back to your hotel.The lack of shower is what prompted out friend Rupert that it is expensive, especially because no maintenance effort is needed for the water to fill thr pools. "Ni di sila nagbabayad ng NAWASA" added Rupert.


But as I said, you only get to see a few places like this in the Philippines --- a hot spring with an outdoor setting.It is still worth the experience.


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