Coron is an island-lover’s (or just general lovers’) paradise. It’s full of everything that comes to mind when imagining a perfect island escapade: bright beaches, lush greenery, colorful sea life, crystalline waters, and epic sunsets. Between beaching out, snorkeling through fish-filled reefs, scuba diving through boat wrecks, free-diving in brackish lakes and lagoons amidst limestone rock formations, and relaxing in hot springs, you’ll spend all day in your swim gear as you tour Palawan province and the Calamian Archipelago, on which the island (and, separately, town) of Coron is located. 

Hire a boat and guide such as Calamian Islands Travel and Tours to take you on a multi-day tour, with lunch of freshly-caught seafood and snacks (like banana-que—skewered sugar-coated fried bananas—and turon, a fried, caramelized egg roll filled with banana and jackfruit) included. In the evenings, visit Lobster King or any of Coron Town’s heralded restaurants for seafood and live music, perhaps as a reward for climbing to the top of Mt. Tapyas. If you’re looking for more relaxation, we wouldn’t blame you if you spent your entire stay at a private island beach resort.

Many visitors choose to stay in or near the town of Coron, whose port area is a launching point for boat tours. Accommodations range from $12 to $100+ per night, with the no-frills Dayon Hostel on one end and the four-star Two Seasons Coron Bayside Hotel on the other. For an ultimate self-pampering stay, book a cottage on a private island like those at the four-star Club Paradise for around $165/night or those at the exclusive five-star Two Seasons Coron Island Resort Resort for around $400/night.

George Town is a charming snapshot of Malaysia’s multicultural history, preserved in its pastel-colored heritage architecture. George Town is the oldest British colony in Southeast Asia, and since its founding as a trading port in 1786, influences from other cultures have permeated the city. Colonial government buildings, Chinese shophouses, mosques, and Buddhist temples were erected next to each other in George Town; it’s through the preservation of these multicultural historic buildings (particularly in the last 20 years) that has earned the city the distinction of a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Today, Chinese shophouses are home to coffee shops, and Peranakan mansions are turned into guest houses or museums. After George Town Festival commissioned Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic to create six murals around town in 2012, street art bloomed around George Town. As the capital of Penang, arguably Malaysia’s top food destination, George Town is full of culinary explorations, from char kway teow carts, mobile wok carts slinging stir-fried rice noodles, and kopitiams, traditional coffee shops serving simple meals to elegant restaurants serving Nyonya cuisine—a marriage of Malay, Chinese, Indian and other cuisines.

Eastern & Oriental Hotel, more commonly known as E&O, is the grande dame of George Town Hotel set in a 19th century British Colonial building (rooms start at $180). One of Penang’s newest hotel openings is The George, which opened in December 2022. The George is a new construction built according to the rules of a colonial heritage building. Rooms start around $77 per night. Of course, with all the pre-war heritage buildings around that have been converted into lodgings, take in history by staying at one. Jawi Peranakan Mansion is a restored Anglo-Indian mansion that combines British architecture with Muslim design. There are 14 rooms and suites available starting from $60 per night. 

Kakaban Island and the Derawan island chain it sits in offer several bucket-list marine encounters all within this small area. The lake on Kakaban Island is one of only three lakes in the world where you can swim with stingless jellyfish; in fact, Kakaban Lake has four species of stingless jellyfish. 

To the west of Kakaban is a smaller island called Sangalaki, home to one of the largest nesting populations of green turtles in the area and where manta rays are regularly spotted. A short boat ride from Derawan Island is a chance to encounter the largest fish species: the whale shark. The whale sharks often gather around fishing platforms near Derawan to feed on fish that escape the fishermen’s nets. Beyond these magnificent underwater encounters, the island chain offers white sand beaches and crystal-clear lagoons. With domestic tourism increasing in the past few years, lodging options have increased, and infrastructure is advancing, making the trip to this remote island chain in East Kalimantan a little easier. 

There isn’t any lodging on Kakaban Island itself, so most travelers stay at the neighboring Maratua Island. Arasatu Villas & Sanctuary is the go-to hotel with its overwater floating villas. Ocean view rooms start at around $160. Sienna Resort opened in October 2021 on an even-smaller island tucked under Maratua, offering a private getaway starting from $85 per night.

Sitting in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is considered a cousin of its neighbor India, but the island has a distinct personality (even if it does share some traits and genes). The past few years may have been rough, but the island has its arms open to welcome travelers with warm smiles and delicious egg hoppers.

Colombo is your window into the country. Stay at a beachside resort, walk along the Galle Face Green, and shop at the famous Paradise Road and the restored Dutch Hospital. Up north is Jaffna, a colorful city with a vibrant Tamil culture. 

The pear-shaped nation has a 1,000-mile coastline where whales pop their heads out at sea and endangered turtles find shelter. Beach towns of Galle, Kalutara, Mirissa, Tangalle, and Hambantota offer gorgeous views and opportunities to surf, swim and snorkel. Drive further to Yala National Park, where you can go on safaris to spot elephants, leopards, sloth bears, jackals, and crocodiles. 

In Kandy, tea plants have taken over the hills, and a newly opened tea trail takes you on a 186-mile journey. Climb Sigiriya to see an ancient city and visit Dambulla Cave Temple for a peep into its spiritual side. A scenic six-hour train from Kandy to Ella is recommended for lush views of the countryside. 

In the capital, stay at the five-star Cinnamon Grand Colombo, which is part of a local hospitality chain. Another famous Sri Lankan hospitality brand is Jetwing, and its unique resort in Sigiriya is built on a man-made wetland. For unparalleled luxury, book the Wild Coast Tented Lodge, where the jungle meets the beach.

Galle Fort Hotel is a boutique property inside the historic Galle Fort, while Mandara Resort on Mirissa Beach is the perfect place to park yourself if you are here to whale watch. This year, Resplendent Ceylon, a premium hotel brand in Sri Lanka, has opened two boutique properties: Kayaam House Tangalle and Ahu Bay in Ahungalla under its brand Reverie.