Paradise  - We loved our stay and experience! Everything from arrival to departure was incredible. The accommodations and facilities were clean and comfortable with many extra little touches that added... read more to the beauty and charm of the resort. We really enjoyed our excursions but also enjoyed the snorkeling and equipment (kayak, paddle boards, etc.) that were available right at the resort. We truly felt like we were relaxing in a tropical paradise. The staff were welcoming and made us feel right at home. Lovely!

  A true 4 star resort with 5 star service  - A true 4 star with 5 star service

We stayed here because coron town didn’t have resorts/accommodation as good as el rio y mar. We did the romantic... read more package with an extra night. The rooms are great and the staff are truly attentive.

We did a half day tour that was included in the package and it exceeded expectations. Same with the floating massage and romantic dinner.

Food is a solid 4 star with fair prices . The in house reef is really nice too.

Some of the restaurant staff seemed a little less friendly and I only say this because everyone else has huge smiles on their faces and the difference shows.

Thanks for the great time! We will be back one day

  Endless praise for El Rio y Mar and the people who make it possible  - A delayed review only because there is TOO much to praise and not wanting to leave anything out!

It truly felt like we were staying with family,... read more as in the generosity, kindness and warmth were ever present. As a FilAm, this was a significant trip for me since it was my husband's and two kiddos' (age 7 and 11) first visit to the Philippines. I was looking for a place that checked all the boxes: a place to get away and relax, opportunities for adventure at our pace, options to appreciate the natural wildlife and landscape, an opportunity to connect with people in a genuine way, delicious food options, and an unforgettable family experience. EL RIO Y MAR provides all of that and so much more!

The journey to the resort alone is an adventure: airport pick up, transport to the dock and a boat ride to the private dock, complete with a warm live music welcome by the staff.

Food options were plentiful and varied dependent on your taste. My vegan husband was pleasantly surprised, and the kiddos even expanded their palette while there.

While rest was key for us after long travels and busy days leading up to our time there, we also jumped right in to all the adventure options possible: the whole day Coron tour (met other kind guests), line fishing in the early morning, the Dugong tour with the Dugong Dive Center (made my daughter's dream come true!), snorkeling at the house reef, paddle boarding and kayaking, early morning hike to the view point, low tide exploring with discovery of the horned sea star, family game time with provided board games/cards and and of course, a massage.

And the nighttime sky with so many stars. Breathtaking.

In all of these experiences, I got the sense that the staff enjoy their work environment, and that clearly translates to a better experience for all. If you're looking for a place to truly unwind and find some calm (with space for adventure), El Rio y Mar is the spot.

And yes, upon leaving, some tears were shed. Mainly because the people, the space and the vibe of ERYM allowed for an incredible first visit to the Philippines for my kiddos. We will most definitely return.

Maraming salamat to Menchie (and team) for your kindness and your heart in creating such a special place.

  BEST resort in Coron! Relaxing Osasis.  - Phenomenal people who run and dedicate their lives this special resort in Coron. My wife and I enjoyed many of the excursion/activities including the dugong tour, wakeboarding, island tour/snorkling.
We... read more made lasting memories with the GM and the staff. El Rio Y Mar will be our go to resort in Coron from now onward.

  We absolutely loved El Rio Y Mar!  - We loved El Rio Y Mar so much that we extended our stay an extra two days. The staff is very friendly, they have a variety of delicious food, the... read more island tour destinations are much less crowded vs from Coron town, seeing a dugong was such a unique experience, and they have wakeboarding. On top of that, the resort prioritizes being environmentally friendly.

  A slice of paradise  - What a magical place! This is not a place to go for resort style living with gourmet cuisine. But if you want to be surrounded by the most... read more wonderful and welcoming staff, in an unassuming and friendly environment with great fellow guests and a host of things to do - then this is the place. Wonderful nature’s playground with great diving, snorkelling and all sorts of other activities, and the staff simply cannot do enough for you. Amazing!

  Paradise in a remote location  - The feeling of sleeping in the remote tropics with a bit of luxury. From runway to the resort, you feel like you’re going to a tropical hideaway. You’ll get off... read more the plane onto the tarmac and grab your luggage from the only carousel available. Resort provides transportation to/from the resort. Hop in the van for a 15-30 mins ride depending on your route. Then take a boat for 15-20 mins. Only way in/out of the resort is by boat. Once you see the resort, you’ll know what I’m talking about when I say “tropical hideaway”. Beautiful scenery of the resort and the waters. When checking in, you’re greeted with staff singing a welcome song and a welcome non-alcoholic drink. Our stay was in a duplex beach cabin with adjoining doors. Both rooms were spacious and very clean. Small tub of water sits by the door to wash your feet of sand and debris if you need it. Patios have chairs to lounge and take in the beautiful beach view.

Bathrooms have showers and limited amenities. Hairdryer, toothbrushes with toothpaste, soap, shower cap, and shampoo.

Rooms have a safe, small basket to carry your belongings to the beach or infinity pool, slippers, robes, complimentary bottles of water (which they replenish every day if you drink them) and coffee maker.

Resort has many things on site, including activities such as billiards, karaoke rooms, kayaking, paddleboarding, beach volleyball, swimming in roped off area (very safe). Very small gift shop with decent prices compared to US resorts. Although the place was fully booked, it was never crowded anywhere and almost felt like your family was alone to enjoy the entire place.

Customer service was beyond excellent! Everyone there greeted you with smiles and offered help. Our server Jewrel was the best! Lunch and dinners at the only restaurant on site is by purchase but prices were decent and food tasted good! Breakfast is complimentary. Front desk is very helpful too.

For a fee, you can book excursions. We chose the all-day island tour. Resort to Coron town is 1 hour. By boat, we went to Twin Lagoon, Kayangan Lake, Barracuda Lake, Siete Picados Marine Park, and Maquinit Hot Springs. Worth every peso! Highly recommended. Comes with a lunch, snorkel gear, towels and tour guide (3 other staff to also help you throughout the entire tour- helpful when I didn’t want to swim anymore- they pulled me with a floater). Twin Lagoon- you’ll get off boat into the water and swim to the lagoon. Get a kayak if you don’t want to (must be booked prior to leaving Corona Town port). Barracuda Lake- some uneasy stairs so be careful (someone fell into the waters next to stairs). Kayangan Lake- so many stairs and steep! Siete Marine Park- coral reef beautiful! Maquinit Hot Springs- perfect ending to a long day of swimming. Quick stop at souvenir shop before heading back to resort. Ask for Darren if possible. He was the best tour guide!!

Tips: Bring conditioner, small loofah, and body lotion. Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, small soap, toilet paper and water shoes for the excursions. Beware: no clean bathrooms, toilet paper and soap. Hot springs is the only place with decent toilet and toilet paper.

  UNIQUE AND INCREDIBLE - EL RIO Y MAR CORON, PALAWAN PHILIPPINES  - My daughter and I recently stayed at El Rio y Mar Resort in Coron, Palawan, and it was nothing short of extraordinary! Having not visited the Philippines since 1987 and... read more with my daughter living in Paris, France, this trip held profound meaning for both of us. From the moment we arrived, the resort’s exemplary service and meticulous attention to detail ensured our stay was truly unforgettable. A heartfelt thank you to Ate Janet and Ate Menchie, whose genuine warmth and kindness made us feel like family and completely at home.

Although the food options at the resort were somewhat limited, each dish was expertly prepared, fresh, and absolutely delicious. The staff’s unparalleled hospitality elevated every meal, making dining a delightful experience that felt both personal and heartfelt.

One of the most unforgettable parts of our trip was exploring the breathtaking natural wonders of Coron. The boat ride to the iconic Twin Lagoons was a mesmerizing adventure—the seamless blending of saltwater and freshwater created an almost magical experience I’ll never forget. Swimming near the majestic limestone rock formations, surrounded by crystal-clear turquoise waters, was like stepping into a postcard. The towering cliffs, combined with the pristine beauty of the waters, left me in complete awe. Visiting Maquinit Hot Spring, the only saltwater hot spring in the Philippines, was another unforgettable highlight. Immersing myself in its warm, mineral-rich waters amidst lush greenery was a blissful and rejuvenating experience. Truly, the Philippines earns its title as The Pearl of the Orient Seas!

A special shoutout to Kuya Andrew, who went above and beyond during our stay. He generously took my daughter back and forth to Busuanga Island so she could meet and spend time with new friends she had made on the plane. His kindness, attentiveness, and care for her comfort and safety meant so much to both of us. People like Kuya Andrew embody the heart and soul of Filipino hospitality.

Another deeply touching moment was the surprise advance birthday celebration prepared for me by the resort staff. Although my birthday is on December 22 and I had to leave on December 19, they went out of their way to make me feel celebrated. They surprised me with a beautifully crafted and delicious chocolate birthday cake and sang “Happy Birthday” as a group. It was such a heartfelt and joyful gesture that filled me with gratitude and made me feel truly special.

One unique and exhilarating experience I highly recommend is the floating massage. Relaxing on a floating platform while the gentle waves rocked me added a magical element to the already incredible massage. It was so exceptional that I indulged in it twice! For anyone visiting the resort, it’s a must-try. I also had the traditional "hilot" massage, which provided immense relief from years of tension in my left shoulder—a truly healing experience.

The serene environment, the stunning crystal-clear turquoise waters, and the overall peaceful atmosphere of El Rio y Mar made it the perfect retreat. It offered the ideal setting to reconnect with my daughter, reflect, and create priceless memories. From its natural beauty to the heartfelt kindness of its people, this place will forever hold a special spot in my heart.

In my opinion, El Rio y Mar Resort is hands down the best place to stay in Coron, Palawan. After personally researching and comparing it to other resorts I found online, I can confidently say that none of them come close to matching the exceptional quality and experience that El Rio offers. The resort’s unique charm, unmatched service, and breathtaking surroundings set it far above the rest. I can honestly say that my stay at El Rio y Mar was incomparable to anything I saw elsewhere. TIP: Try to book the Native Cabana. We stayed there a few nights, and it was breath taking! Steps to the water and you can hear the calming waves at night. It was exactly what I was looking for!

Thank you, El Rio y Mar, for an experience that touched my soul and gave me memories I will cherish forever. I am already counting down the days until I can return to this slice of paradise.

  Beautiful hidden gem!  - The most incredible hidden gem tucked away from crowds. Met with the warmest welcome from the all the staff. Equipped with a dive centre, floating spa and water sports equipment.... read more Yummy cocktails and delicious food. Couldn’t recommend more, can’t wait to come back!!

  Best resort in Coron! Highly recommended for families and couples looking for relaxation in Filipino paradise.  - Amazing location and caring staff! We come back here every few years and it’s consistently great. We loved the expansive menu of traditional Filipino dishes and universal classics.
... read more /> My wife sprained her ankle, staff went out of their way to make her comfortable with crutches and wheelchair and checked in on us from time to time.

We will be back, hopefully sooner rather than later!

  Thank you El Rio Y Mar Team  - The resort is truly a gem, ideal for disconnecting and unwinding. I love the no-TV room setup and the sense of exclusivity it provides. The reliable dive shop team, breathtaking... read more sunsets, friendly staff, and peaceful mornings all add to the charm. The thoughtful way they welcome and bid farewell to guests is just the cherry on top.

  El Rio Y Mar Resort - highly recommended resort  - The hospitality of the staff and exclusivity of staying at the resort are second to none. Every staff remembers your last name and you will be welcomed with a... read more band and a farewell song. They make our experiences extra special. The resort is not crowded at all, which enhances the experience.

Highly recommended place.

We came Aug 5-8. It rained daily but it was manageable. While it took us 1.5 hours to reach the local town to join the island hopping experience, we didn't mind it as a trade off for enjoying the exclusive experience. The resort offers free snorkeling, kayaking, billiards, darts swimming pool, videoke, spa/massage, etc. - definitely kept everyone busy and a great family fun.