El Rio Y Mar: Simply Paradise Part I

“Take me somewhere I can breathe, I’ve got so much to see, this is where I want to be in a place I can call mine.” – Pure Shores, All Saints

I’ve always loved the beach. I do not know what draws me to it — maybe it is the scorching heat of the sun (I never really liked the cold), the sound of the waves crashing on the shore or simply the feeling that when you are at it, you have all the excuses in the world to bum and laze around. Yes, maybe this is why I love beaches so much.

So when I had the chance to finally visit Coron, I chose El Rio Y Mar, a nice little island hidden somewhere far away from the town proper.

After taking around 30-40 minutes of land and river travel from the Busuanga Airport, we finally arrived at El Rio.

The view from the boat. This is the wharf where Port Caltom's Reef Bar is also located. — The view from the boat. This is the wharf where Port Caltom’s Reef Bar is also located.

We were greeted by some really cold watermelon shake and their welcome band singing their own “Welcome to El Rio” composition.

The welcome drink at Port Caltom's Reef Bar. — The welcome drink at Port Caltom’s Reef Bar.

We got to know their names eventually -- (L-R) that's Eric, Emil and Kuya Ton Ton -- their mainstay bar guitarist. — We got to know their names eventually — (L-R) that’s Eric, Emil and Kuya Ton Ton — their mainstay bar guitarist.

I could not resist! Welcome to El Rio! Yay!

This picture is actually playing it forward. Even before I had this photo taken, we went to our quaint little cottage first and took a short rest before checking out the rest of the resort.

The Native Cabana

El Rio has several types of accommodations — the casa, the cedar and the native cabanas. For full description of each accommodation type, click here.

We got ourselves the native cabana. It features a private bathroom and shower, air-conditioning with refrigerator, minibar and complementary coffee and tea. It is located at the bayfront as well.

If you can’t live without TV though, opt for the cedar cabana.

You will see a lot of gumamelas here in El Rio. So simple and pretty.

For some of you who are really picky about the toilet, no complaints here. The shower takes around 3 minutes to produce hot water though because it is gas-heated.

Dip your sand-soaked feet here before going inside the cabana. Cheap, nice trick!

Imagine this. Three steps away and then... — Imagine this. Three steps away and then…

After checking out the room, I went outside and found this nook. Quite impressive 🙂

The bare necessities. A hammock for my book reading and pondering moments :) This shot was taken on the last day already. — The bare necessities. A hammock for my book reading and pondering moments 🙂 This shot was taken on the last day already.

After settling in the room, we decided to go out and see what the place has to offer. Considering that there is no TV, we needed to find some recreation… The place did not disappoint.

On the way to the Main Hall

To go to the main hall, you can pass at the back of the cabanas where the mangrove forest is or... — To go to the main hall, you can pass at the back of the cabanas where the mangrove forest is or…

...through the paved "breakwater" which by the way, has a really good view. — …through the paved “breakwater” which by the way, has a really good view.

Loungers facing the sea in front of the cedar cabanas.

The Clubhouse

The Clubhouse has an infinity pool which you can enjoy if you really do not like the sea (kinda ironic, if that is the case, hehe)

After passing by the pool, we reached the restaurant where we had our meals every day. We got fullboard meals which took care of our breakfast, lunch and dinner.