Nestled in the white beaches of Oriental Mindoro, Puerto Galera lures weekenders from the exhaust centers of Manila. Known to be the poor man's Boracay because of the white sand beach and the rowdy party scene and without a need for airplane ride, this is really a cheaper option.
We had no hotel or ferry ticket reservation when we went here, all we have prepared was the dates and call time. And we decided to spend just 2 days and 1 night, a typical weekend getaway. But like most trips, expect the unexpected. Would you believe we got stranded in the island and spent an additional 1 day and 1 night due to unexpected weather changes. The next day when we asked the boat companies if there are passenger boats going to Batangas, they said coast guard still won't let boats to sail and its either we wait until they have the go signal or another option is to go the Calapan route. Since my sister already missed 1 day of work and said she couldn't afford to miss another one, we headed to Calapan which took us 2 hours to get there and rode the passenger ship to Batangas. Lesson learned, make sure to check the weather forecast before going to Puerto Galera.
How to get to Puerto Galera
>There are bus terminals in Cubao, Buendia and Taft. We arrived early in Cubao and boarded the bus bound to Batangas Pier,
Bus Fare: Php 170/person
Trip Duration: 2 hours
>At Batangas Pier, board a boat going to White Beach Puerto Galera. Boats leave every 30 minutes. The well-known shipping lines are Minolo, Father and Son, and Gallerian. We rode the Father and Son and paid the boat fare for White Beach, however we were dropped off at Muelle and asked to board a shuttle going to the white beach.
Boat Fare: Php 500/person (roundtrip), Php 270/person (one way)
Terminal Fee: Php 30
Environmental fee: Php 100
Trip Duration: 1.5 hours
Remember to confirm your departure time with the boat operator a day before the departure date to reserve a slot for the boat going back to Batangas. They boat companies have ticketing stations located at the beachfront.
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| This is how "bukayo" looks like and being sell here. |
Accommodation
We stayed in Orchids just a few steps away from the beach and payed Php 1000 for a fan room. I'm not sure if we are just unlucky when we stayed there as there is no electricity that night and water pressure in the bathroom was not that good and we needed to inform the reception to open the water pump every time we will use the bathroom. Electric sockets are in the ceiling, I don't understand why. Though the room is spacious, honestly, I don't recommend you to stay here.
Things to do in Puerto Galera
Island Hopping
Its a common activity in the beach to go and visit other islands around and enjoy watching and feeding fishes while snorkeling. Island hopping in Puerto Galera costs Php 1500 / boat and this is good for a maximum of 8 person. Usually boatmen/agents are holding laminated cardboard with photos of the beaches you can visit and the snorkeling sites. They will approach you in the white beach.
Note: The Php 1500 boat fee will only include the big boat that will tour you around the beaches. If you wish to go snorkeling, prepare to shell out another Php 200 /person for the small boat that will take you to the snorkeling site. Another Php 200 /person if you want to go on the underwater cave and Php 200 /person if you want to visit the Giant Clam Sanctuary. So that is another Php 600 pesos.
Tip: If you are in a smaller group, you may want to join and combine with other groups to bring down your expenses or you may ask the boatmen to give you a package already including the big boat, snorkeling and the underwater cave. We are originally 3 in the group and one of our friend who is also in the island joined us and got our island hopping tour for Php 2700 already including the small boats.
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| Haligi beach |
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| Small boat you will rent if you want to go snorkeling or swim in underwater cave. |
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| Pic from the underwater cave. |
Diving
Diving is one of the top things to do when you go here whether you are a beginner who just like to try it for the first time, someone who wants to take the diving course or a pro, you will never run out of diving options as several dive centers and resorts around white beach which offers diving course and diving packages in the best dive sites.
Rate: Starts at Php 2500
Visit Tamaraw Falls
About an hour and 45 minutes away from white beach. this can be done by chatering a jeep or hiring a tricycle if you are on a small group. Tricycle to Tamaraw falls costs Php 1000 good for 4 person. This already includes a side trip to Virgin Island. Cheaper option is to commute; ride a tricycle to "bayan" or calapan terminal, fare is Php 100, from Calapan terminal, ride a jeepney going to Tamanaraw falls, fare is Php 45.
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| Side trip to Virgin Island |
Slurp down mindoro sling
They said this is a must when you come here, a cherry red alcoholic drink consists of Tanduay rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, mango juice, grenadine syrup and sprite. This cocktail costs Php 350 per pitcher, available in almost all bars along the beach.
Try Mud Carts and ATV rides in Extreme Sports
This is such an amazing experience, a dirty fun filled ride. We tried the mud cart and ATV ride for Php 600 (3 laps for mud cart and 3 laps for ATV).
Itinerary and Expenses
Sharing our supposedly 2D1N trip turned into 3D/1N due to unexpected circumstances. You can still bring down the price depending on the activities you want to do and the accommodation you want to stayed at.
Tip: Make sure to check the weather before you go here, who would like to be stranded in the island like us especially if you have work the next day.
Contact for Island Hopping and other activities while in Puerto Galera:
Mel Bitare: +639153950919
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