More on Coron: El Rio Y Mar Resort

First of all, I'd like to say that the beach is not really that good for swimming, although puede pa din, i.e. the water is calm but the white sand is too soft and has a consistency of mud (due perhaps to the absence or lack of strong waves). The waters in El Rio Y Mar is better for snorkeling (at the pier head area). The food is not really spectacular but it's not that bad either. I like their bread. It is sooo delicious, and is baked right there in their kitchen. So it's always freshly-baked, literally. The accommodation is very good (air-conditioned rooms, hot and cold water available, showers are working). The tap water is fresh and clean and not your usual sea-side hard water where the soap hardly makes lather. There's a daily fresh supply of instant coffee and relatively new water heater. Drinking water can be had via room service. The large orange-roofed building houses the front desk, guest services, a small clinic with a stay-in doctor, two pool tables, a dart board with three good professional darts. The building also houses a small library (with a nice collection of books written in French, Russian, German, and even Chinese, along with the usual English language books), integrated with an audio-visual room where one can watch a collection of DVDs. I was able to read two books: Reminiscences of the Cuban Revolutionary War, a collection of some episodes during Cuba's struggle against the Dictator, Batista, written/narrated by Che Guevarra himself, and the second book was by George Friedman, (founder of STRATFOR, a political think-tank) entitled The Next 100 Years. There's also a souvenir shop and a spa at the far end of the building. Snorkeling, diving equipment, kayaks, badminton and beach volleyball sets are also available. A very notable feature is the very friendly and helpful staff (including the restaurant staff). They are articulate and also well-informed of the entire resort complex.

Over-all, it was a very pleasant experience.

(More photos later).