Too many people see Coron Town as just a place to rest while exploring Coron Island.
But if you take the time, you’ll find that there are a few charming spots that are well worth your time.
One of these is Mt. Tapyas.
Climbing this “mountain” (more like “hill”) is one of the best ways to spend your afternoons in Coron.
In this post, I’ll go over everything you need to know about it including:
- All you need to know about the mountain
- How to DIY
- FAQs
Then I’ll finish by answering the question:
Is it worth a visit?
Let’s go!
Visiting Coron soon? Check out my Coron Travel Guide and Coron Tourist Spots posts to help you plan better!
All You Need to Know About Coron’s Mt. Tapyas
Mt. Tapyas is one of the most visible landmarks in Coron.
Wherever you are in the town, all you have to do is look around you and you’re sure to spot this peak.
It helps that there’s a GIANT cross and C-O-R-O-N letters (like the Hollywood Sign) on it.
But the best thing about this mountain is the view!
From the deck on the top, you get an amazing overlooking view of the entire town below you.
You can see the reclaimed area where the boats dock, and if you’re up for a small game, you can try to spot your hotel or accommodation.
You also get a great view of Coron Island on the horizon.
People sometimes call Coron the “sleeping giant.” This is because, from Mt. Tapyas, the island is shaped like a man lying down.
Climbing Mount Tapyas
To get to the top, you’ll have to climb 720 steps.
It’s a bit of a workout, but trust me, the views from the top are so worth it.
The climb itself is quite nice too!
There are several resting areas with benches where you can sit and catch your breath.
In some parts, there are purple and pink flowers, making it a scenic hike too.
Finally, every 100 steps, there’s a yellow marking on the steps.
This way, you never have to ask “are we there yet???” 😂
What to Do in Mount Tapyas
The best thing to do in Mt Tapyas is to stand at the edge of the rail and take in the stunning view.
The deck on top is quite big, so find your own corner and maybe go quiet for a few minutes.
If you come a bit earlier, you can watch the tour boats arriving on the dock, and the little specks that are tourists hopping out one by one.
Tip: there are a few snack stalls selling chips, drinks, and peanuts at the base of Mt. Tapyas. I recommend buying some because you might feel a bit hungry after the climb, and there are no stores on the top!
Aside from that, you can also walk to the back side of Mt. Tapyas.
There you’ll get a view of the bare hills of Coron.
Apparently, the soil isn’t fit for crops. Just another interesting fact to add to the already super-interesting Coron!
Also, I highly recommend staying until sundown.
When it gets dark, they turn on the lights on the cross and CORON sign.
It’s cozy.
Very cozy.
And you can get a few nice photos too!
Finally, at the base of Mt. Tapyas, there’s a pasalubong shop across the road where you can buy all kinds of cashew products.
They have cashew butterscotch, cashew butter, cashew of the gods, and a lot of other tasty goods you can take home – or eat right then and there!
How to Get to Mt. Tapyas (And How to DIY It)
Mt. Tapyas is part of Coron Town tours, but I’d say the best way to get there is to hail a tricycle and let them take you there!
Coron town tours go for php650 – php800/head ($12 – $14.5), and they also include:
- Coron Souvenir Shop
- Lualhati Park
- Town Plaza
- St. Agustin Church
- Coron Cashew Factory
- Maquinit Hot Spring
You can book these tours anywhere in Coron town or the airport. You can also find them on booking sites like Klook.
But in my opinion, only Mt. Tapyas and the Maquinit Hot Spring are worth visiting.
Going DIY is much cheaper, allows you to choose what you wanna see, and lets you enjoy it for much more time.
If you’re going DIY, keep in mind that the base of Mt. Tapyas is away from the main road, so it’s best to let your driver wait for you (or, like us, you can let him be your “tour guide”).
They’ll be happy to get photos of you while up there. They can also point out landmarks around you, such as the source of the Maquinit hot spring.
Then, if you don’t know where to eat, you can just ask your driver for local favorites! That’s how we chose where to eat dinner for all 4 nights we were there.
There’s no set price for this type of service, so it’s really up to you.
We ended up giving php500 ($10). Again, much cheaper than if we 3 had joined the town tour!
Lastly, if you want to go super DIY, you can even walk to Mt. Tapyas.
The steps leading up to the mountain are in the heart of Coron town. So you can easily just walk there if you want.
When to Visit Mt. Tapyas
The best time to visit Mt. Tapyas is in the late afternoon for sunset, presumably after a long day of touring!
This is a great time to visit because not only will you get a dreamy golden hour and a peaceful blue hour, but you won’t have to wait too long for the lights on the cross to go on!
Frequently Asked Questions About Coron’s Mt. Tapyas
Does Mount Tapyas Have an Entrance Fee?
No! Mount Tapyas is FREE for everyone.
Does Mount Tapyas Close?
No! You can climb Mount Tapyas any time of the day or night you want!
Where is Mount Tapyas?
Mount Tapyas is right in the heart of Coron Town, within walking distance from many hotels and stays!
How Tall is Mount Tapyas?
Mount Tapyas is 210 meters, or 688 feet, tall.
Climbing is super easy though thanks to the steps they built to the side of the mountain.
How Many Steps Does Mount Tapyas Have?
Mount Tapyas has 721 steps in total.
It’s about 700 steps to the CORON sign, and another 20 to get to the viewing deck.
These steps aren’t steep though, so even people who don’t work out a lot can climb them without too much trouble.
How Long Does it Take to Climb Mount Tapyas?
Depending on your fitness, it can take 15-30 minutes to get to the top of Mt. Tapyas.
My sisters and I work out regularly, but we were tired from the day’s tour, so we reached the top in about 20 minutes.
Do You Need to Book a Tour to Visit Mount Tapyas?
No! You can book a Coron Town tour, but you absolutely do not need one to get here!
Going DIY is hard in Coron. But for the town spots like Mount Tapyas, going DIY will save you money and allow you to spend more time here!
Why Is It Called Mount Tapyas?
Tapyas means to “cut or chip.” The story goes that when Japanese forces occupied Coron, the US airforce bombed the mountain and chipped off a piece of it.
You can also find other remnants of that battle between the US and Japan in the form of shipwrecks – they’re all over Coron Bay!
Conclusion: Should You Visit Mount Tapyas?
BIG yes.
Again, most of the fun in Coron is around the town rather than in it.
But Mount Tapyas is a very, VERY worthy stop before heading back to your hotel!
The scenes are pretty, the stair hike fun, and the view of Coron Island on the horizon are things to keep forever.
So if you’re heading to Coron…
Make sure to add Mount Tapyas to your plans!
Want to learn more about Coron? Make better plans by reading my Coron Travel Guide and my Coron Tourist Spots blog posts!