Travel
Information
CHECK WITH THE NEAREST PHILIPPINE EMBASSY OR CONSULAR OFFICE FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION.
Tourist visas for 21 days are normally issued on arrival to visitors with valid passports. Please note that onward tickets are required.
Entry visas are only needed for citizens of countries that do not have diplomatic ties with the Philippines.
Hong Kong SAR passport holders may only get a 7 day tourist visa, and should consult with their local travel agent.
Citizens of India and China need to apply for a visa from their local Philippine consulate.
If you wish to stay in the Philippines longer than 21
days you should get a temporary visitor's visa from your Philippine embassy
or consulate. If you are already in the Philippines, you may acquire this
document with the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (BID). This visa
is valid for 59 days.
The Philippines boasts over 100 languages, but Tagalog,
also known as Filipino, is the most widely used. Many Filipinos speak excellent
English, and most Filipinos will understand enough to communicate with
foreigners. Salamat means thank you.The staff at the KALAMAYAN are fluent
in English and can deal with French, German and Japanese
TELEPHONE & FAX
You can make International and Domestic Long Distance
telephone calls (and send facsimilie messages) directly from the KALAMAYAN
INN. We are a licensed agent for the RCPI-BAYANTEL Telephone Company and
can call anywhere in the world.
Unfortumnately it is a one way link and inward calls are not possible. The system is based on a satellite link and is "fragile" to say the least. It is not unusual for the link to be down for three days at a time.
Globe Telecom has re-established their link and has set up a "calling station". Internet access is also available thru this station.
For emergency communications leave our Manila liaison number & email address with friends and family back home.
Messages or faxes sent to the Manila numbers will end up with you in Coron on the same day (assuming the system is "up").
Tel 63-2-633-4701
Fax 63-2-633-4855
Smart Communications has established a cell site in Coron Town and normal GSM cell phones on the Smart System work in town. Most international cell phones will work on this system if your provider has a "roaming" agreement with Smart Philippines.
POWER
TELEVISION & RADIO
We have local Cable TV company and have BBC, ESPN, three
Manila Channels, one Australian Channel and a local (Coron) info channel.
Entertasinment selections are not all that good BUT we do have current
news and all major sporting events.
We have a local FM radio station that provides local news, Manila news and good weather coverage.
Money Matters in Coron, Busuanga Island, Palawan, Philippines
Change money to Pesos in Manila before you come to Coron.
Money changing is available at the local branch of the Land Bank and from one or two "street dealers" but the exchange rate in Coron is usually more than one peso per dollar less than in Manila.
We have only one functioning bank in town, a branch of the Land Bank of the Philippines. They are NOT "on-line".
Our room rates and packages are priced in US dollars for the convenience of off shore visitors and are based on cash transactions. All charges can be paid for with Pesos, US dollars or US$ denominated traveler's checks. Our preferred settlement is Pesos. We cannot deal with currencies or Traveller's Checks in currencies other than US Dollars or Philippine Pesos.
The KALAMAYAN INN is an accredited merchant with Mastercard, Visa and American Express.
Using the plastic in Coron is possible BUT not quite as straight forward as other parts of the world. We are constrained by the abilities of the communication system and if the phones go out, our only means of confirming a card transaction is to send documents by air. The turn around can be as long as three days. The communication problems and the requirement to pass the paper and funds back and forth add a service cost of almost 5% to the card transactions.
Your HEALTH in Coron, Busuanga Island, Palawan, Philippines
MOSQUITOES WITH MALARIA ARE NOT A PROBLEM IN NORTHERN PALAWAN. Take normal precautions as you would for any place with ordinary mosquitoes. Bring spray or lotion type mosquito repellent to use on your ankles and legs when sitting around at night.
Bring your own waterproof sunscreen and floppy hat for sunburn protection. You can get sunburned while snorkeling so protect the back of your neck, arms and shoulders.
Ladies bring their preferred sanitary supplies as only napkins are available.
The local water comes from the mountains but the distribution system is always suspect. Bottled water from Manila and local water that has been micro filtered, sterilized and bottled is available.
Coron has a regional hospital, several doctors and dentists, and the General Hospital in Culion (15 kilometers from Coron is one of the best equipped hospitals in the country (outside of Manila).
While the Philippines has a reputation
for very wild and active nightlife such IS NOT the case in provincial towns
like Coron. Anyone desiring extracurricular nighttime activity should make
prior arrangements in Manila or Angeles City and bring their own partner.
During this period, daily showers can be expected and we are sometimes affected by the "Intertropical Convergence Zone" which results in 2 or 3 days of continous overcast. We are south of the "Typhoon Belt". Most typhoons which shut down the Northern part of the country just give us a day or two of high winds and rain. (there have been some exceptions).
From December to May we enjoy the "dry season" and have continuous clear, balmy days.
All of our day activities (diving, sea kayaking, hiking, fishing, exploring, touring) are available year round.
For the current weather and the
five day forecast courtesy of CNN click
here