Hello there! I’m back from a three day vacation at Puerto Galera. It was my first time to go there and it was a good experience. Here’s some quick facts about Puerto Galera:
- Puerto Galera is a Spanish term for Port of Galleon.
- Galera was made a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO in 1973.
- Mindoro is a shortened term of Mina De Oro which is the Spanish term for Gold Mine. Although as of this writing, after 500 years of Spanish Colony, they have yet to find one.
- Puerto Galera is a listed by the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays In The World, and is the only bay in the Philippines to be listed there.
- It is believed there are over 3,000 species of fish and marine animals. Of which, there are approximately 180 plus species of nudibranchs found in the area of Puerto Galera.
- 800 out of the 1000 known coral species in the world can be found in Puerto Galera.
Where is Puerto Galera?
Puerto Galera is a town on the island of Mindoro, about a hundred (100) miles due south of Manila.
How do I get to Puerto Galera?
If you’re going there by land then take a bus going to Batangas Pier, the bus ride is usually less than three (3) hours depending on where you’re taking the ride. You can take a bus from EDSA-Pasay,Buendia, Cubao, Alabang, If you have a car, you should arrive at the Port within two (2) hours. From Batangas Pier to Puerto Galera
If you don’t want to travel by land then you can book a flight to Mindoro. Yes, there’s no direct flight straight to Pearl of Mindoro because there is no airport there. From Mindoro you can then go there by via public transport like Jeepneys and Tricycles.
Where to stay in Puerto Galera?
There is a wide selection of ferries going to Puerto Galera, depending on which port you intend to enter. There are three main entry points to Puerto Galera by way of its port facilities; Muelle Pier, Balatero Pier and Sabang Beach and two alternate entry points direct to White Beach and Talipanan. I suggest you plan ahead, know what you like and where you can get that.
For a short answer, if you like to Dive then go to Sabang. If you want to socialize, go to White Beach. If you want to be alone, Talipanan is a good idea. Both Sabang and White Beach have a nice night life.
What do I do in Puerto Galera?
Many. If you’re the sporty type, read ten activities for an athletic beach bum this summer. Again, for a quick and short answer, Dive there. Puerto Galera is considered a top diving destination in the Philippines.
Our experience in Puerto Galera
After almost three hours of bus ride, we finally arrived at the Batngas Port. It’s crazy out there., I tell you. Manongs will approach you as if you’re a superstar, they’ll sell you ferry tickets to Puerto Galera. They’re quite annoying but they’re helpful.
After buying water for hundred eighty per five liter (way too costly!) and taking a leak we lined up in the queue to the waiting area of the terminal III. And while at it, we noticed other Mapuans at the queue, it’s a small world.
At last! We’re at the front of the queue and we’re able to enter the waiting area of the terminal. As you can see, there’s a lot of people inside waiting for their ride. I think they’re going to Puerto Galera, too. Haha!
When our ferry arrived, we immediately lined up to take the ride. We took some shots while at the queue. Finally, we aboard the ferry. It’s my first time!
This is how it looks like inside the ferry. Too crowded, isn’t it? I read at the side of the ferry that its capacity is only 65. Do we look like 65 there? No! We’re way more than 100 there!
The trip almost burned me out. It was fun looking at the clear water around you but as the time pass by, it gets to the point that it’s kind of makes you bored already.
The first stop was White Beach, next was Tamaraw, after it was Zobel and then the one after that was Talipanan, where we jumped off the ferry.
El Cañonero is the second farthest establishment in Talipanan so we had to do a short walk. It is beside the Italian Restaurant, Lucas.
Soon as we arrived there, we were greeted with the question “Kay maam Carla po kayo?” After a short talk with them we gathered ourselves to talk about what we’re going to do for the day.
We ate our brunch at the Cañonero’s canteen. A cup of rice there costs 25 peso. Good thing Jazz provided us different kinds of sausages as our viand so we didn’t have to buy anymore.
The image on your left shows the right side of our room.
While the image on your right is the left side of our room.
Savvy!?
On our first day, we explored the clear waters of Puerto Galera. We had fun snorkeling around, watching different marine species swim by us. I was scared because of a Sea Snake, though. Haha!
Bangkeros offered us a tour around the snorkel site for a hunder per pax but we insisted we can tour it on our own. The water was cold but it’s nice.
After the snorkel, we headed to White Beach to see more “beaches” and to eat dinner. The Kebab costs 100, the red egg costs 25 and an extra cup of rice costs 25.
Someone talked us to try the Mindoro Sling, we did. I never liked Tanduay.
After the dinner, we bought some long drinks and we took a tricycle to take us back to Talipanan. The ride for four people is 150. Back at El Cañonero, they had the long drinks while I showed myself the bed.
When we all woke up the next morning we decided to have a breakfast at Lorem Ispum. A ToSiLog or TapSiLog costs eighty (80) peso there and if you want to have it with a coffee, Milo or bottled water, that would cost a hundered (100). Worst is, the TapSiLog is almost impossible to be chunked by your teeth. Good thing Manang offered to replace Jazz’s and Gio’s TapSiLog. Although Doms and Argel had the TapSiLog too, Manang did not offer them a replacement. Maybe because both of them are almost finished with their plates.
Wondering what’s the line for, are we going to get a henna tattoo? We’re not. We’re waiting for our lunch. A glass of halo-halo! For twenty-five peso, I think it’s the cheapest that we bought there.
Ask why it’s cheap? There’s no Leche Flan at the top and the halo-halo is more of a gulaman and sago treat.
Wil, Mhike and Tonio went to White Beach while waiting for them, we decided to eat at Lucas. The Pizza costs 300 to 450. Pasta costs around 140. If you ask me, it’s a good deal because both pizza and pasta has generous servings. The Pizza is good for four people and the pasta is good for two.
The rest of the day was spent on swimming, taking photos, playing patintero, beach volleyball and agawang base.
Since we shelled out some money at Lucas, we settled for a dinner of canned sardines and tuna.
On our last day, our breakfast was Maling with egg. We ate our lunch at a carinderia in White Beach.
We arrived back at the Batangas Pier just in time for sunset. Glad took this shot. I think it’s beautiful.
Speaking of beauty, I plan to go back to Puerto Galera. I have not seen all that it has to offer because we only stayed at White Beach and Talipanan. I want to see Sabang and other destinations, too.
What do you think of Puerto Galera?
Have you been to Puerto Galera? Did you have a great time or were you disappointed? What did you like and what could have made your experience better? Would you visit Puerto Galera again?
Share your story, picture, or a tip by telling it to us below!
Images from Carla, Laurence and Glad.
Tags: Mindoro, Port of Galleon, Puerto Galera, top diving destination in the Philippines
