Puerto Galera is located in the north part of Oriental Mindoro. It is one of the top beaches Manileños (from Manila) prefer along with Batangas, Bataan, Quezon, Baler and La Union.
Puerto Galera: Province in Oriental Mindoro
Country: Philippines
Coordinates: 13.5019° N, 120.9541° E
What to eat/drink: Mindoro Sling (Cocktail)
What to do: beach bumming, island hopping, scuba diving, watering sports, trekking to waterfalls, cultural exploration
Where to stay: Paddy Bar Backpacker And Dive Center (Sabang Beach), ZEN Rooms Villa Pamana Inn (White Beach), Casa Mia Resort (Aninuan Beach)
Ideal time to visit: Best time to visit is during summer, before or after the rainy season.
Language: Filipino/English
Currency: Philippine Peso: 53PHP = 1USD (rough estimate)
HOW TO PLAN YOUR PUERTO GALERA ITINERARY:
1. DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF DAYS YOU WILL BE STAYING.
If you want a relaxed stay in Puerto Galera, we suggest a 3 to 4-day trip, although you can have a jam-packed stay in just 2 days. You can cover almost everything.
2. DETERMINE YOUR HOTEL LOCATION
We recommend booking hotels that are a few minutes from the beach or beach-front hotels. If you want an easy access to Puerto Galera nightlife, book your hotels in White Beach. There are also a lot of food choices there. Book your hotels in Aninuan Beach or Sabang Beach if you want a peaceful stay. Both beaches are 10-20 minutes away from White beach and costs 50PHP-tricycle ride (one way).
Paddy Bar Backpacker And Dive Center (Sabang Beach)
ZEN Rooms Villa Pamana Inn (White Beach)
Casa Mia Resort (Aninuan Beach)
Booking.com
3. DETERMINE YOUR PREFERRED ACTIVITIES
If you want a laid-back stay, you may prefer just hanging out by the beach. You may also avail island hopping, land tours, water sports if you are feeling adventurous.
4. DETERMINE YOUR FOOD BUDGET
Food prices in White Beach starts at 80PHP. Typical prices costs 100-150PHP for a good meal. Food in Aninuan and Sabang are more expensive compared to White Beach. Bucket of local beers costs around 300-400PHP. Cocktail towers costs 1000PHP.
5. DETERMINE YOUR PREFERRED TRANSPORTATION ROUTES
MANILA TO BATANGAS PORT & VICE VERSA
- Bus: Buses from Cubao and Buendia have routes going to and from Batangas Port. Bus company like JAM Liner offers cheap seats.
See the updated routes, schedules and fares here: JAM LINER WEBSITE
- Hired van/private car: Use the Waze App and pin your location to Batangas Port. If you plan on hiring van transfers, opt to book with Bookaway.
See Bookaway's private transfer from Manila to Batangas Port: BOOKAWAY WEBSITE
BATANGAS PIER TO PUERTO GALERA & VICE VERSA
There are two ports in Puerto Galera, Balatero Pier and Muello Pier. If you are heading to Aninuan and White Beach, take Balatero Pier. Take Muello Pier if you are heading to Sabang Pier.
- Book your ferry online: Skip the long lines and book your ferry with Bookaway.
Book a Starlite Ferry with Bookaway: BOOKAWAY WEBSITE
- Book your ferry in the terminal: Once you arrive at Terminal 2, Batangas Port. Head to Terminal 2 to purchase your tickets. It is important to know which ferry you would use since there are different offices for each ferry carrier.
BALATERO PIER:
6:45am - 60 mins MV SEPTEMBER TULIPS
7:00am - 90 mins MV SAN CARLOS
9:30am - 60 mins MV SEPTEMBER TULIPS
10:00am - 120 mins MV POLARIS
10:00am - 55 mins MC CITY ILOILO
MUELLO PIER:
7:30am - 90 mins MV RAPTOR
8:30am - 90 mins MV GENESIS
9:15am - 70 mins MV GENESIS
10:00am - 90 mins MV SYVEL
GETTING AROUND PUERTO GALERA
- Via private car
You may hire a private car for a day to get around Puerto Galera. I would suggest getting this if you are more than 5 pax.
- Via motorbike
This would be the cheapest way to get around Puerto Galera. Rate startsat 300PHP per day.
- Via tricycle
Hiring a tricycle starts at 50PHP per way. From Balatero to White Beach costs 100PHP, Sabang Beach to White Beach costs 150PHP.
Puerto Galera is one of our top picks for a weekend getaway. It is less crowded compared to La Union and Baler. It is ideal for both getaways with the family and friends. We wanted the island vibes so we stayed there for four days. Based on our stay, you can explore most of Puerto Galera in two days if you want a fast paced stay.
DAY 1: TRAVEL TO PUERTO GALERA
We prefer to get an early bus to Batangas Port and catch those morning ferries going to Puerto Galera. This way, you still have time to rest, get on tours and enjoy water sports.
POINTS OF INTEREST:
🚩White Beach
🚩Aninuan Beach
🚩Water sports:
Unicorn: P2,500, good for 10 pax
King Cobra: P2,500, good for 10 pax
Flying Saucer: P2,000, good for 6 pax
Jetski: P2,000 per 15 minutes
Flying Fish: P1,500, goof for 3 pax
DAY 1 ITINERARY:
Jam Bus Cubao Terminal to Batangas Port: 3 hours via Bus | 210PHP | Hourly bus from 1AM to Batangas Pier
Batangas Port Terminal Fee: 40PHP
Environmental Fee: 50PHP
Batangas Port to Balatero Port, Puerto Galera: 2 hour via Starlite Ferry | 300PHP | Book your tickets with BOOKAWAY
Balatero Port Terminal Fee: 40PHP
Balatero Port to Accommodation: 15 minutes via tricycle | 150PHP; 75PHP per pax
Accommodation in White Beach: 3200PHP for 4 days (Zen Rooms Villa Pamana); 1600PHP per pax
↠Lunch: 100PHP
↠Dinner: 100PHP
DAY 1 TOTAL: 2515 per pax for 2 travelers, 4190PHP for solo-travelers
DAY 2: ISLAND HOPPING
Island hopping in Puerto Galera generally starts at 7:30 to 8:00 in the morning and can take about 5-6 hours depending on your pacing. We reserved our second day for island hopping since we have another day for a day tour.
The island hopping includes the Bayanan Beach, Maniknik Beach and Haligi Beach. We highly recommend taking the snorkeling tour with the guide banca together with the island hoppin. This is the highlight of the trip. This snorkeling tour includes the Underwater Cave, Giant Clam, Coral Garden, Snorkeling and Fish Feeding. This is exclusive of the island hopping tour.
POINTS OF INTEREST:
🚩Bayanan Beach
🚩Maniknik Beach
🚩Haligi Beach
🚩Underwater Cave
🚩Giant Clam
🚩Coral Garden
DAY 2 ITINERARY:
↠Breakfast: Included or Bring your own
Island Hopping Tour of Bayanan Beach, Maniknik Beach, Haligi Beach: 300PHP per pax (1800 for the whole Banca) | We suggest asking the Reception to find you a joined tour to lessen expenses.
↠Lunch: 100PHP
↠Dinner: 100PHP
DAY 2 TOTAL: 500PHP per pax
DAY 3: LAND TOUR
This is why we love Puerto Galera, you can enjoy the beaches and islands, go chase waterfalls and explore its cultural heritage. Lands tours can be arrange with your hotel or you just hail a random tricycle and ask the driver to take you since most of them offer this kind of tour. You can also rent a motorbike for a day and do it yourselves. Just check Google Maps, follow the local signages and ask for directions from locals.
POINTS OF INTEREST:
🚩Tamaraw Falls
🚩Mangyan Village
🚩Mt. Malasimbo
DAY 3 ITINERARY
↠Breakfast: Included or Bring your own
Land Tour: 400PHP per pax (800PHP for the whole tricycle, good for 3 pax)
↠Lunch: 100PHP
↠Dinner: 100PHP
DAY 3 TOTAL: 600PHP per pax for 2 travelers | 1000PHP for solo-travelers
DAY 4: HEAD HOME
We checked out early to get an early ferry to Batangas.
DAY 4 ITINERARY
↠Breakfast: Included or Bring your own
↠Lunch: 100PHP
Accommodation to Balatero Port: 15 minutes via tricycle | 150PHP
Puerto Galera Terminal Fee: 10PHP
Balatero Port to Batangas Port: 2 hours via Starlite Ferry | 300PHP | Book your tickets with BOOKAWAY
Batangas Port to Cubao: 3 hours via bus | 210PHP
DAY 4 TOTAL: 695PHP per pax of 2-travelers | 770PHP for solo travelers
We absolutely love our stay in Puerto Galera. Hope you visit this island soon!
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FOOTNOTES:
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Photos by Rae Argallon and Cheloi Marasigan | Shot with Samsung Note 9 | Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro | May 2019
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