If El Nido has a Miniloc and Lagen Resort, Busuanga has the sister resorts of Club Paradise and El Rio Y Mar. El Rio is 30% cheaper than its sister company Club Paradise. In the same way that I like Miniloc Island in El Nido, I love El Rio Y Mar for its laid back friendly ambiance, safe beach, and near kayak-friendly lagoon area.
El Rio Resort is located in an island where the Busuanga river meets the South China Sea — hence its name in Spanish, El Rio Y Mar.
The sister resorts are very complementary. Club Paradise’s weaknesses are El Rio Y Mar’s Strengths.
10 Reasons Why I Prefer El Rio over Club Paradise
1. An inviting Infinity Pool which is the centerpiece of the entire resort.
2. Elegant Cedar Wood Log Cabins with Hot and Cold Fresh Water Showers 🙂 Better rooms and 30% cheaper than Club Paradise!
3. AwEsome Sunset where the lagoon acts as a mirror reflecting the stunning colors of the sunset.
4. Super Friendly People who pamper you with all the comforts and luxury by day…
…. and making your stay truly enjoyable, and memorable even at night.
5. A jamming Welcome session by day…
… Live acoustic guitar jamming session every night
6. A steep but manageable 30-minute Hiking Trail at the back of the resort.
7. Yummy Seafoods Galore on the Menu…
8. FREE drinks and FREE shirt by beating the 7 shots in 7 seconds (Let me know if you want to know the secret on how to drink 7 shots in 7 seconds)
9. Less Tourists because most of them are in Club Paradise. Most Filipinos prefer this resort especially honeymooners because it is quiet and private. Anyway, there are complimentary boat rides to Club Paradise if you want to visit for a day tour. It only takes 30 minutes to go to Club Paradise.
10. An extensive water sports facility — from Kayaking to Banana Boat, etc.
Don’t expect Boracay-sand-like quality beach in this resort. At night, you will see Jelly fish landings on the beach.
El Rio Y Mar
San Jose, Coron, Palawan
Manila Office:
Regent Bldg., Malunggay Road
FTI Complex, Taguig
Metro Manila, 1604, Philippines
Phone: (+632) 838-4462 and 4762
Email: info@elrioymar.com or elrioymar@europacific.ph
www.elrioymar.com
How to Get There:
From Manila: you can take One-hour flight from Manila to Busuanga (YKR) via SEAIR, ASIAN SPIRIT or a 12-hour Cruise from Manila to Coron via WGA Superferry.
From Coron Pier: Upon reaching Coron Pier, there will be a 1-hour jeepney ride from Coron Pier to YKR Airport (Busuanga)
From Busuanga Airport: Upon reaching Busuanga Island, there will be a 30-minute jeepney ride followed by a scenic 20-minute boat ride.
Text and Photos by Anton Diaz. Copyright 2008.
- TAO PHILIPPINES (A Review): Coron to El Nido 5 Days 4 Nights TaO Expedition @TaoPhilippines
- TAO EXPEDITION: Coron to El Nido Expedition Pre-Departure (A Photo Essay)
- TAO EXPEDITION Day 1: From Coron to Patcy (A Photo Essay)
- TAO EXPEDITION Day 2: Patcy Breakfast, Maltayok Beach & Buluang Karaoke! (A Photo Essay)
- TAO EXPEDITION Day 3: Cliff Jumping & Guinto Basecamp (A Photo Essay)
- TAO EXPEDITION Day 4: Linapacan Clear Waters, Tao Farm & Tao Village (A Photo Essay)
- TAO EXPEDITION Day 5: Bacuit Bay, Small and Big Lagoon, El Nido Town (A Photo Essay) @TaoPhilippines
Apulit Island Resort Experience (2011):
- Apulit Island Resort Experience (formerly Club Noah) [1of3]
- Apulit Island Resort: What to Do and Eat in Apulit? [2of3]
- Apulit Island Resort: How to Get There? [3of3]
Coron, Busuanga Experience (2008):
- Coron, Palawan – 8 Awesome Experiences in Coron, Palawan
- Caluit, Palawan – My Childish Dream Come True
- Club Paradise, Coron, Palawan
- El Rio Y Mar – 10 Reasons Why I Prefer El Rio over Club Paradise
El Nido Palawan Adventure (2006):
thanks anton for taking me back to where we had our honeymoon…i guess the new name of the resort sounds better than the previous one, which was maricaban bay. may you and your family be blessed not only with wealth but with love and happiness as well!
Hi Anton! Our family’s been to Boracay just last week and we’ve definitely enjoyed it.
We’re planning on going to Palawan next year. We’d like the sand quality to be as close to Boracay as possible but I guess El Nido is out of the question as it is very expensive.
What do you recommend? Thanks.
Hey, didn’t this use to be called Maricaban Bay? We went to this place many, many years ago and I’m glad to see that it’s still as enjoyable as it was back then. We went there after that sad incident of the Dos Palmas kidnapping so the entire resort was ours for the enjoying. Since we were the only guests who pushed through with our trip, the owners were kind enough to give us more rooms and allowed us to use the kayaks free of charge. I went ahead and paddled around the bay…not as easy as I had thought, but since the area was protected by the surrounded island, the water was calm. The only time the water got a bit choppy was when I crossed the opening of the bay.
Although I hope they’ve improved it some…I remember that we rented snorkeling gear and ended up seeing nothing but seaweed. We had to go to Club Paradise to see anything worth seeing under water.
I want to know the secret of drinking seven shots in seven seconds! =P
Hi Anton! I stayed here 2 years ago also! Loved it! We loved Ronnie also! He was fabulous!
So what’s the secret for the shots?? hehehe
may i know the secret of the 7 shots in 7 seconds?
please please indulge me with the secret of the seven shots! 🙂
Hi Anton,
Very helpful posts indeed! We’re going on the 2nd wk of Nov and we would appreciate it if you could set us up w/ a group taking the Coron tour you described…someone we could share the boat fee with. We’re looking forward to go island hopping, lay back and enjoy, and less of the activities that require hiking. Thanks in advance.
Anton,
This is Rommel’s friend/officemate. We are going to El Rio on Valentine’s day, kasama si Rommel. Email me the secret on how to do the 7 shots in 7 seconds and how much it is if not done in that timeframe =)
Hi Anton,
I was there in El Rio just a few months ago. Parang mas maganda yung place sa pictures mo. Yes, you are right ang dami sobrang jelly fish and nung time na andun kami hindi kami naka swimming sa tubig… It looked dirty. Glad you enjoyed your stay. Club Paradise has a nice beach front.
How can I beat the 7 shots in 7 seconds pala? Thanks 🙂
Until now, I’m still not able to publish the video on how to beat the 7
shots… hope will have time this holy week.
anton
Hi Sir Anton! This is Freda, Marketing Officer of El Rio y Mar. I would just like to post our updated contact details:
El Rio y Mar Resort
Coron, Busuanga, Palawan
24-hour Resort Number: +639209515009
Sales and Reservation:
Tel: (632) 838-4964
Trunkline: (632) 838-4956 to 60 loc.
Mobile: (63) 9285006015; (63) 9209835224; (63) 9285510883
Fax: (632) 838-0595
E-mail: info@elrioymar.com;
rooms@elrioymar.com
Website: http://www.elrioymar.com;
http://erymresort.multiply.com
Thank you so much!