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How to Be A Millionaire for US $35.32

7 July 2009 3,287 views 24 Comments

Step 1- Flight from Manila to Busuanga


Board a Zest Air flight from the congested city of Manila, Luzon to Busuanga, Palawan in the Philippines for PHP 488 (Philippine Pesos).

Note: Cebu Pacific Airlines also offers affordable flights and some might say they are a bit safer.

Total- PHP 488 (US $10.13)

coron island

Step 2- Rent a Boat and Crew

Once you arrive in the town of Coron (a 30 minute comfortable mini-bus ride from the Busuanga airport), gather a group of friends and arrange to rent a boat for the day or next few days.

Should cost anywhere from PHP 500-1500 per person depending on how many people you can arrange in the boat.

Total- PHP 1000 (US $20.76)

Step 3- Island/Lake Hop

Gently float in the crystal clear waters, admiring the razor sharp limestone cliffs caressed in greenery and the isolated turquoise coves.

Visit various amazing sights around Coron Island like Twin Lagoon, Kayangan Lake, Twin Rocks, and Banol Beach.

All have PHP 100-200 entrance charges.

coron island cliffs

coron island palawan

coron island palawan village

coron kagayan bay

Total- PHP 1400 (US $29.07)

Step 4- Eat Crab and Fish

Before departure in the morning ask the boatmen to purchase fresh caught seafood, rice, vegetables, and fruit for the daily intake.

Stop on an isolated serene private beach (we chose Speed Beach) and really save your calories as the boatmen fix a perfect millionaires lunch.

The people on my particular boat went straight in the direction of engorgement, feasting on whole grilled fish, boiled succulent crabs, rice, and everything garnished with a lemon, soy, tomato, onion, and hot chili sauce.

If that wasn’t enough we had a huge supply of fresh mangoes, bananas, and pineapples.

This all out buffet of tasty items from the sea and land cost approximately PHP 300 per person (and I ate an absurd amount of fish and crab).

coron seafood

coron crab How to Be A Millionaire for US $35.32

Total- PHP 1700 (US $35.32)

Step 5- Relax on a Private Beach

Take the afternoon lazy, sprawling out on a perfectly white sand private beach, floating in the clear bath water, grab occasional fist fulls of ripened pineapple, and really take a mental picture of paradise.

coron palawan beach boat

Step 6- Recline on the Bow of the Boat

When the sun starts to make its way downwards, re-board the vessel and start slicing through the water back towards Coron town.

palawan island philippines

Total Cost- PHP 1700 = US $35.32

Sitting on the front bow of the boat, turquoise ocean spray misting in my face, limestone cliffs passing, warm waters lapping across 10 meter picturesque beaches, I was  thinking, “even if I was a millionaire, I wouldn’t have loved this day anymore than I did as a traveler in the same outfit for the last month.”

It’s beautiful times like this that I am a millionaire for choosing to travel.

- Migration Mark

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24 Comments »

  • Josh Johnson said:

    Absolutely gorgeous photos. Looks and sounds a lot like the San Blas Islands in Panama.. also unbelievably cheap. See my blog for details.
    Thanks for sharing!

  • Cody McKibben said:

    Awesome Mark! This is a great example that illustrates Tim Ferriss’ point that we don’t want money; we don’t want to be millionaires—what we really want is to be able to live the lifestyle that millions would buy. And it’s actually a lot easier than some people realize if you look in the right places. Cheers!

  • Mark Wiens (author) said:

    San Blas look great man. Hope to get there sometime. If you are ever in the Asian area let me know!

  • Mark Wiens (author) said:

    Thanks for the input Cody, I agree, it’s not about the money, it’s about the things that can be done with the money. However what so many don’t understand is that to have millionaire experiences doesn’t always take very much money.

  • Jason said:

    so unbelievable jealous

  • Jason said:

    unbelievably*

  • Mark Wiens (author) said:

    Yah, you should have stuck with migrationology instead of getting the job with Boeing…ha.

  • charles said:

    wow that is great. i haven’t been there myself despite it being in my own home country. i should head there soon!

  • Sunny said:

    Oh, my! It’s so beautiful. I practice migrationology, myself – and yep, I think I’m going pack up all four of my kiddos and head to Coron. A family of five can live like millionares for <$200, right ?! ;)

  • Mark Wiens (author) said:

    So awesome you are a fellow migrationologist! You can definitely live like a millionaire with your family in Coron for $200, enjoy!!!

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  • GotPassport said:

    what a great way to put things into perspective, Mark. Really enjoy reading this post as this is how we look at travel – we don’t have to break the bank to feel like a millionaire eh? awesome! :-)

  • Mark Wiens (author) said:

    Thanks for the input. I absolutely agree that there is no need to break the bank or even have the bank to feel like a millionaire!

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  • marta said:

    that’s excatly the place i was looking for, so bad that we are already in the cook island and with $35 you barely find a place to sleep. i will make sure i would include the philippines on our next trip, it’s look just so beautiful!

  • Mark Wiens (author) said:

    Yah, you should definitely check out Palawan, I would highly recommend it. Cook Islands are probably beautiful too. Have great travels!

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  • Marnie Alvez said:

    I love Palawan!! It is just unfortunate a lot of tourists skip the Philippines and head out to the usual mainland South East Asia backpacker route. Those who are adventurous enough are always pleasantly rewarded. I am glad you also went to Batad and Sagada. Both are places that I would definitely visit again. More amazing travels for you!

  • Mark Wiens (author) said:

    True to that Marnie. Philippines has some of the most amazing places I have ever been. I am with you in wanting to re visit Batad and Sagada. Sagada is a place I could stay for a month in solitude and just relax, read, and think. Hope you have great travels!

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  • paulo said:

    What amazing beauty.

  • tchibo gutschein said:

    cool :-)

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