How To Visit Culion, A Lush and Historic Island In The Philippines
Near Coron
How To Visit Culion, A Lush and Historic Island In The Philippines Near Coron
Published March 12, 2025
Last updated March 8, 2026
This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!
My recent backpacking trip to the Philippines was an absolute whirlwind in all the best ways! This was my first visit to the country, where I spent almost a month island-hopping. My main stops were Manila, Cebu City, Bohol, Panglao, Catanduanes, Coron, and Culion. Of all those, Culion was probably my favorite.
In this blog post, I’ll explain what makes Culion special and worth visiting. I’ll also mention how to get there from neighboring Coron. To skip down to any particular topic, click or tap the corresponding link below!
An Introduction to Culion
Culion is both an island and a municipality within the province of Palawan. Culion sits between Coron on Busuanga Island and El Nido on the island of Palawan. Both Coron and El Nido are bustling tourism hubs known for their beaches, snorkeling, and radiant blue waters. In contrast, Culion is generally overlooked by tourists, but it’s a perfect destination for solo and/or adventure travelers who are looking to get off the beaten path.
Culion doesn’t have stunning sandy beaches or high-end resorts. Instead, this quiet island has a heavy yet fascinating history: it was world’s largest leprosy colony throughout much of the twentieth century. In 2006, the island was officially declared to be free of the disease, but stigma stubbornly remains and surely still plays a role in the small number of tourist arrivals.
Visitors to Culion will find an island that was medically segregated during the American colonial period. People with leprosy were brought from other parts of the Philippines and forcibly separated from their families, usually for life. Leprosy patients on Culion faced unimaginable pain, hardship, and isolation due to heavy restrictions on movement and family formation.
In spite of all of that, Culion also tells a story of hope and resilience. Increasingly effective remedies for leprosy were pioneered throughout the 1900s. Nonetheless, parts of the island still have an undeniably solemn atmosphere, even under sunny blue skies.
Things to Do
The majority of Culion’s landmarks are historical. Most of them were part of the day-to-day operations of the leprosy sanitarium.
Visit La Immaculada Concepcion Church
Address: V2RF+WJQ, Culion, Palawan, Philippines
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImmaculateConceptionCulion/
Culion’s most iconic landmark is a visually striking church at the easternmost point of town overlooking the sea. It’s actually built on the remains of Fort Culion (read more about that below), so the history of the building technically dates back to the mid-1700s. The church was completed by Jesuits in 1933, decades after the leprosy colony was established. They used stones from the fort to build the church, so the original structure was transformed, not destroyed.
If the church is open, you can walk inside and see the beautiful red and gold ceiling and vibrant stained-glass windows. I came here twice: once on my own and once as part of my guided tour.
Visit Fort Culion
Address: V2RF+WP5, Culion, Palawan, Philippines
What remains of Fort Culion is right next to La Immaculada Concepcion Church, so these two are easy to visit together. This fort was built in the 1740s during the Spanish colonial period, but its original form is hard to discern given the state of disrepair.
Of the “four bastions” mentioned on the plaque pictured above, only one remains on the church’s eastern corner. It overlooks a popular local swimming spot with beautiful blue ocean water between two concrete piers.
Hike to Aguila Viewpoint
Address: V2R9+XV6, Culion, Palawan, Philippines
As I approached Culion via ferry from Coron, the first thing I noticed was a giant symbol of an eagle above a shield on the main hillside overlooking the town. This is Aguila Point, and it’s visible from many vantage points around town. The eagle and shield is a depiction of the historic seal for the Philippine Health Service (PHS) made from a large arrangement of white stones. Above it is a sign that says “Culion,” along with a statue of Jesus.
You can actually hike up to the Aguila Viewpoint by navigating to this location and finding the staircase with the blue gates next to the cross, as shown in the picture below. As of January 2025, this trailhead is not clearly labeled with a sign, nor is it shown as a trail on Google Maps.
The hike up is steep, some of the stairs are crumbling, so be careful! There’s a good chance you’ll have this trail all to yourself. Furthermore, cell coverage may also cut out, so it’s probably best to let someone know you’re heading up this way just to be safe.
At the top of the hill, you’ll be able to walk behind the letters of the “Culion” sign and see the statue of Jesus up close. The views of Culion Town to the east and the wilderness of the island looking south are breathtaking!
The Culion Museum and Archives
Address: V2RF+H6Q, Culion, Palawan, Philippines
Website: https://csgh.com.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Culion-Museum-Archives-100057421450596/
This impressive museum is located within the Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital (CSGH), which currently operates as a working government hospital without any specialized services for leprosy. I visited the museum as part of my group tour, and there was a brief sign-in process. If you want to visit the Culion Museum & Archives on your own, I would recommend consulting with your hotel reception or walking to the CSGH’s main entrance and asking if it’s possible to schedule an individual visit.
The Culion Museum explains the history of leprosy with a focus on how it shaped life in the colony here from its founding in 1906 until the present. A lot of the stories told in the archives are sad, but doctors and scientists in Culion were involved in research that led to a cure.
Explore the Town
I spent most of my waking hours in Culion walking around the main town. Oddly enough, this town doesn’t seem to have an official name, but I think if you call it “Culion Town,” locals will know what you’re referring to. Technically, the town is divided into numerous barangays (districts), including Osmeña, Tiza, and Libis. Farther west, the barangays of Balala, Culango, Jardin, and Baldat are more like separate villages than neighborhoods within Culion town.
Culion’s town has lots of informational plaques describing its many landmarks. Some of them are in decent condition like the ones shown below, but others are severely weathered and on the verge of being illegible. You can learn a lot about the leprosy colony just from walking around town, but a guided tour offers additional perspectives and stories not told on the signs.
Even when I wasn’t on the lookout for historical structures, I loved walking around Culion. Despite not having sandy beaches, the island is a tropical paradise. The town is built on a hillside, so certain streets farther inland offer great panoramic views. I was also struck by all the houses built on stilts out over the water.
Walk West Along the Shoreline
In addition to exploring every nook and cranny I could in town, I also meandered pretty far west. On my last full day on the island, I went all the way out to Neilsen Garden Café. Most of this walk is right along the water’s edge, so it offers close-up views of homes on stilts and brightly-painted bangka (traditional Filipino boats).
Culion Guided Tour
I spent three days in total on Culion, and one of those days was spent doing a group tour. This was organized by the hotel I stayed at, so if you’re interested in doing this tour, ask your accommodation if they can help you set it up. Alternatively, you can try to get in contact with the tour operator directly via his Facebook page linked below. I generally really liked the tour, but I had mixed feelings about one part of it, which I’ll explain in detail below.
The tour I went on was run by Pastor Hermie Villanueva, who seems to be Culion’s most prominent guide. He heads a local church that serves former leprosy patients and their descendants. Pastor Hermie also grew up on Culion and has family ties to the sanitarium.
The tour started with a visit to the Culion Museum and Archives, where Pastor Hermie supplemented the exhibits with personal accounts of growing up on the island. We then walked through Plaza Rizal, where we saw the Rizal Monument, the General Leonard Wood Monument, and a few other historical landmarks. After that, Pastor Hermie brought us to La Immaculada Concepcion Church and Fort Culion. By that point, it was time for lunch, so we all ate at Atoyhang Food Station.
To end the tour, Pastor Hermie brought me and another couple out to a gift shop in the barangay of Culango via motorbike. After that, we all went to Neilsen Garden Café. Unfortunately, they weren’t serving any food or drinks at that time, so we just had a quick look around (I did return the following day and ate there then).
The tour with Pastor Hermie provided tons of insights about Culion that I never would’ve gotten if I’d only explored on my own. For that, I’m really glad my hotel put me in contact with him. He was also an amazing guide who was so friendly and welcoming.
The one part of the tour I had mixed feelings about was when Pastor Hermie offered to let me meet some local residents who had been cured of leprosy. He said I could decline the offer, but I didn’t want to come off as rude. He mentioned that they appreciate visitors, but the men he briefly introduced me to spoke very little English, so I had no way to know if that was true. It was also hard for me to tell how they were feeling during our short visit.
In theory, building bridges between leprosy survivors and visitors sounds like a noble goal. Nonetheless, the thought of gawking or putting locals on display while traveling (even unintentionally) always makes me uncomfortable. I hope these people genuinely enjoy receiving visitors and are not pressured into it.
Places to Eat
Dining options are pretty limited in Culion, but I enjoyed most of my meals here. Below are all the restaurants I tried during my three days on the island.
Atoyhang Food Station
Address: Lower Balala, Culion, 5315 Palawan, Philippines
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/atoyhang.foodstation/
Atoyhang Food Station is widely regarded as the best restaurant in town, and it’s conveniently located near the ferry terminal. I first tried this spot with my tour group and got the mouthwatering burger with egg shown below. The next day, I returned on my own and ordered their spaghetti with fried chicken combo plate and a smoothie. Both meals here were delicious! After trying Atoyhang Food Station twice, I would agree that this is the best restaurant on Culion.
BingBong Leron Homestay & Restobar
Address: V2W9+522, Culion, Palawan, Philippines
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bblhomestayrestobar/
This hostel on the western edge of town has a small restaurant with an open-air dining area and a modest sea view. I ate two meals here, partly because the first one was decently tasty, and partly because there were so few other restaurants in the area. On my first day on Culion, I got noodles with a chicken drumstick, and the following day I came back and ordered fettuccine Alfredo with fries and lumpia.
The food here took a while to come out, but it’s not like I was in a rush. I assume everything had to be made from scratch anyways. Both meals here were satisfying, plus they offer local beer to sip on while you wait for your food.
Butterflies Food & Beverage
Address: V2W9+36V, Culion, Palawan, Philippines
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Butterflies-FB-Culion-Palawan-100064181076660/
This restaurant’s Google Maps listing is pretty empty, but their Facebook page linked above does seem to be updated regularly (as of January 2025). The chicken and lumpia I got here were fine, but not as good as the food at Atoyhang or BingBong Leron. Regardless, it was better to try a new place than go back to either of those spots for a third time.
Neilsen Garden Café
Address: V2V2+JX3, Culion, Palawan, Philippines
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Neilsen-Garden-Caf%C3%A9-100087462530367/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neilsengardencafe/
As mentioned above, Neilsen Garden Café is the farthest west I walked while visiting Culion. It’s about two miles from the town center. When I arrived, I was surprised to find a massive outdoor dining space surrounded by manicured gardens, ponds, and statues. I was the only customer here, so I had the entire place to myself.
I ordered a sandwich with fries and an iced coffee, which were fine but not spectacular. I feel like the scenery here is the main attraction, and the refreshments are more like an added bonus.
Kapeng Tangay
Address: V2RC+JPC Upper, Tiza, Culion, 5315 Palawan, Philippines
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kapeng-Tangay-100089253560176/
I was very happy to find a coffee shop in Culion that offered iced drinks and flavored lattes! I went twice and ordered an iced macadamia nut latte and an iced roasted almond latte. Kapeng Tangay also has a stylish indoor seating area. Coffee lovers should check it out!
The B Spot
Address: V2VF+3MH, Culion, Palawan, Philippines
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dbestspot/
This was the only bar I tried in Culion, but it had such a nice vibe! I think they’re only open at night, and as of the time of writing, their exact location on Google Maps isn’t exactly correct (it’s right on the water, not inside Hotel Maya). I enjoyed sipping on a few San Miguel beers here under the stars after a long day of exploring on foot.
Magallanes Seafront Lodge & Restaurant
Address: V2V9+WG2, Culion, Palawan, Philippines
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magallanesseafront/
I’ll admit, dinner at Magallanes was the most unusual dining experience I had on Culion. I think this restaurant may have been located at the ferry dock at some point in the past. Since then, they’ve apparently moved a little west of there on the main road. I ordered chicken adobo, which was fine but not amazing. The dining area looked more like a garage than a restaurant.
Where I Stayed: Hotel Maya
Address: V2VF+3M Culion, Palawan, Philippines
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hotelmaya.culion/
One of my favorite things about visiting Culion was staying at Hotel Maya! There are no fancy amenities here, but it’s got a lot of soul. I think at one point this hotel used to be student housing connected to Loyola College of Culion, a Jesuit school right next door. Hotel Maya is also steps from La Immaculada Concepcion Church and Fort Culion, making this a prime location. It is technically within walking distance of the Culion ferry terminal, but it can be a bit of a slog if you have large luggage.
Certain rooms at Hotel Maya look directly out over the water, and I was lucky enough to be assigned to one of them! If you want one, inquire about it during booking. The other thing to note is that Hotel Maya has no website. They do have a Facebook page (linked above), and I made my reservation via WhatsApp. You might need to pay for your stay in cash upon arrival because Culion does not have any banks or ATMs. Verify with the Hotel Maya staff before departing from Coron.
Like most other hotels in the Philippines, Hotel Maya provides a traditional Filipino breakfast each morning. The meals are simple and light, but there’s no better way to start off a long day of exploring with some rice, protein, and a cup of coffee!
How to Take the Ferry From Coron
Coron ticket Office location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Coron ferry terminal location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Culion ticket office location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Culion ferry terminal location: Click or tap for Google Maps link
Montenegro Shipping Lines website: https://montenegrolines.com.ph/landing.php
Montenegro Shipping Lines Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montenegroinc/
Montenegro Shipping Lines Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/montenegroshipping/
Figuring out the ferry system from Coron to Culion was a bit of a hassle. There isn’t much information online explaining how to do it. Luckily, once I figured it out, I didn’t experience any major issues such as delays or cancellations. The only regularly scheduled ferry that travels between Busuanga Island (Coron) and Culion is operated by a company called Montenegro Shipping Lines. At the time of writing, there are two daily services in each direction, and a one-way ticket costs 325 PHP.
Unfortunately, in Coron both the ferry ticket office and the pier are located on the far eastern edge of town. It’s not exactly convenient to get to from the town center, and traffic can back up quite a bit on the narrow road to the port. In other words, give yourself sufficient time to purchase a ticket and arrive at the ferry terminal. When you make the return trip, things will be a little more lax at the Culion ferry terminal. The Montenegro ticket office there is basically a little yellow shack across the street from the port.
My experience on the ferry here was generally very comfortable. I was pleasantly surprised; reviews online for the Montenegro ticket office in Coron are overall quite negative. Despite that, the boat was almost completely empty in both directions, which just speaks to how few tourists in Coron even have Culion on their radar.
I took the “Marie Kristina” in both directions, which had a small concession stand on the main passenger deck. It’s an open-air deck, but I assume they close the flaps to keep water out if it starts raining.
Six Additional Tips
Below are some additional suggestions and things to know before visiting Culion.
1. Don't expect luxury.
There are no five-star resorts or gourmet restaurants on Culion. If you visit, there is no guarantee of comfort and convenience. The island’s economy is not set up to cater to international tourists. With that said, visiting Culion is fulfilling in other ways. The main thing to do here as a tourist is to learn about leprosy and its devastating impact on people in the Philippines. You’ll also experience incredibly warm hospitality and witness an inspiring, tight-knit community.
2. Google Maps is not accurate here.
Of all the places I’ve traveled to in the last few years, Culion is probably the least accurate on Google Maps. To be fair, the town has a labyrinth of narrow roads and alleys that are designed for pedestrians and motorbikes, not cars. If you’re unable to find a certain attraction or restaurant in Culion, ask a local for help! It’ll be much quicker and more reliable than trying to decipher Google Maps.
3. Phone and internet service will probably be spotty.
Depending on your phone carrier and international roaming, cell and internet coverage in Culion is likely to be spotty. If I remember correctly, Hotel Maya did have Wi-Fi, but even this is not guaranteed to be connected all the time.
4. Withdraw all the cash you need in Coron before arriving in Culion.
As of January 2025, there is no bank or ATM on Culion. I would highly recommend withdrawing all the cash you need (including to pay for accommodation) in Coron before boarding the ferry to Culion.
5. Restaurants may not be open.
Culion only has casual family-owned restaurants. They may or may not be open at any given time (even on weekdays), despite business hours posted online stating otherwise. As such, I had to be flexible for meals while visiting Culion. My advice would be to eat at the first decent-looking place you come across that’s open during mealtimes. If you’re too picky and wait too long, you could end up stuck without food. On a related note, restaurants here might struggle to accommodate dietary restrictions.
6. Try to stay overnight.
On Coron, you might come across tour operators offering day trips to Culion. I would recommend coming on your own instead and spending the night. For one, these day trips may well be more expensive than taking the Montenegro ferry over and staying at Hotel Maya. Also, there is enough to see on Culion to justify a full 24 hours here. Lastly, overnight stays have a much stronger positive impact on the island’s economy than day trips. In all honesty, every dollar spent in Culion probably goes a lot further in supporting local residents than it would in Coron.
I stayed at Hotel Maya for a total of three nights, which is not required to see everything mentioned in this blog post. However, it did give me the opportunity to explore Culion at more leisurely pace. I walked for hours each day, exploring the residential areas near the town in as much depth as I could. If you want to really immerse yourself and get away from the crowds in Coron, consider staying in Culion for a few days like I did.
Enjoy Your Time in Culion!
Visiting Culion is one of the most enriching and eye-opening things you can do while backpacking through the Philippines. Like I said at the beginning of this post, Culion was probably my favorite destination out of over half a dozen different places I visited! Learning about the leprosy colony here is emotionally intense, but I’m so glad I did. Travelers who love adventure and history should set aside some time during a visit to Coron to take the ferry over to Culion.
Are you planning a visit to Culion? If so, what do you hope to see and do there? Leave a comment below and let me know! Thanks for reading, and have a great trip if you’re headed to this unforgettable destination!
Share This Post With Fellow Travelers!
This post was published on Mar 12, 2025
This post was updated on Mar 8, 2026
This blog post was proudly created without the use of generative AI. It was 100% written and edited by a human, for humans. Enjoy, and thanks for your support!
Meet Your Caffeinated Blogger: Kevin!
Where I’ve Been
