Words alone cannot describe the absolute serenity of this place. From the moment the boat approached the dock I could tell that I made the right choice. The water surrounding the island was beautiful and so clear, I was in complete awe of the natural surroundings and extremely grateful for the opportunity to be able to experience it for the 4 days we were there. Getting to the resort was a breeze with their airport shuttle service. As soon as we walked outside the airport, we were met by the driver who drove us to the port, where we transferred on to the boat that took us to the resort. The staff have been amazing throughout our entire stay. They welcome you with a song as you arrive at the dock and brief you about the facilities and activities available during your stay (many of which are completely free of charge). There was always someone available to assist us whenever we had a question. I especially want to thank Jemery for being so attentive every time my girlfriend and I stopped at the bar on the dock. We usually drink our beers with lemon and salt which he brought out for us and then topped up when he saw our lemon slices dwindling before we even asked. He also would stop to answer my questions about what type of fish I was seeing in the water. Thank you for everything Jemery! The walk to our room was an experience in and of itself, with the water on one side of the path and beautiful green trees and plants on the other. We stayed in room number 10, which was one of the rooms that leads directly out to the beach. The tide would get higher towards the evening and the water would be just below our porch, the view was breathtaking. By early morning the tide had receded and would leave these gorgeous clear pools that you could just walk in or lay in under the sun. There is also a very convenient foot basin by the steps that connect our room to the beach to wash off the sand before heading back to the room. The room itself was very comfortable and spacious for 2 people, with plenty of outlets for charging our devices. The bathroom was also very spacious and included a hair dryer which is a godsend for people like me whose hair gets easily tangled if not dried with heat. When it comes to activities, the only obstacle was not having enough time to do them all! There was plenty to do both on the island and off. For those who just want to stay on the island, there are kayaks, snorkeling equipment, and paddle boards available for use at no cost. They also have a hiking trail where you can get some beautiful shots of the island and its surroundings. They also have billiards, table tennis and volleyball as well as darts and a karaoke room. They offer diving experiences both near the resort and dugong watching a little further off. We only had enough time for one full day tour so we were unable to try the diving, but I hope to come back and experience it next time. They offer plenty of guided tour options (private and group options available) which we did take advantage of and I highly recommend. We did the Coron full day tour which took us to see the beautiful lakes (Twin Lagoon, Barracuda Lake, Cayangan Lake and Hot Springs and ending in Coron Town for some shopping). We went for the private tour solely for the freedom to decide how long we spent at each stop. Our tour guide, Darren, was very informative and supportive with us first-timers (we had never snorkeled before!) and we had an unforgettable experience. I have never seen such beautiful sights as I have on this one trip. Cayangan lake was the clearest lake I've ever had the pleasure of visiting. Snorkeling around twin lagoon we saw different kinds of fish and corals, plenty of sea urchins and shrimp too. I had bought a waterproof phone case before traveling that hangs around your neck and it worked beautifully for capturing underwater videos and photos. Lunch was included, which was cooked on the boat around halfway through the tour so everything was fresh. Dining options at the resort were plentiful with both international and local dishes. I absolutely loved their Bihon Guisado (rice noodles with chicken and vegetables) and Kare-Kare (pork cooked in a peanut sauce served over a bed of grilled vegetables and a side of rice). The live music at dinner was the perfect extra touch for an unforgettable experience. You can also get a range of snacks at the shop and any other essentials you might need such as sun screen, shampoo or conditioner (which saved my life since I had forgotten to pack mine). Keep your eyes peeled around the resort for some cool sightings of wildlife. I saw a little monitor lizard walking over the path to get to the trees which was a nice bonus to the beautiful fish and corals I saw while snorkeling. On the morning we were leaving, we were once again serenaded with a beautiful song before we left. You can't help but smile and feel at home with the staff here. The songs were catchy, I still hum them to myself even after leaving haha. All in all, this was an amazing stay and I am so glad I chose El Rio Y Mar over the other options closer to the main town. It truly felt like luxury at very reasonable rates. I would definitely stay here again. Thank you for everything!…