Puerto Galera
Hi there! 👋 I’m @benjtupas and welcome to another Travel PH82 Guide 🇵🇭 where I write DIY and budget-friendly guides for group and solo travelers on how to visit all 82 provinces of the Philippines!
For today’s guide, let’s virtually explore Puerto Galera in the province of Oriental Mindoro!
Puerto Galera is a competitive Boracay alternative just near Metro Manila. It is known for the following: - The white sand beach - Beautiful sunsets - Nightlife and comedy bars dominated by funny gay entertainers. They run this island and they are so much fun. 😆 - Diving or snorkeling spots with a very vibrant underwater world - Relaxing island-hopping spots - Fun water sports you can enjoy with family and friends such as jetskis, banana boats, and parasailing
The list of activities will definitely remind you of Boracay.
I've been to Puerto Galera 10 times as of this writing. It used to be our go-to family vacation spot. Then, my mom and her husband, Uncle Mark, decided to move from the US to Puerta Galera a few months ago. Puerto Galera is now their retirement home.
Let's get to the guide! This is a solo, group, and DIY-friendly guide. 😍
How to Get There from Metro Manila:
🚌 Go to either Jac Liner, DLTB Bus, or Ceres - The three bus stations are all located in Buendia corner Taft. - Just choose whichever goes first. - I prefer DLTB Bus going to Puerto Galera and Ceres on the way back to Metro Manila. The preference is based on logistics if you're coming from Makati so you won't have to U-turn or cross the highway. You'll know why when you get there. 😆
🚌 At the bus station, ride the bus going to Batangas Pier. - Depending on the traffic, this is a 3 to 5-hour drive. As usual, ready your earphones and Netflix shows.
⛴️ At the Batangas Pier, ride a ferry going to Balatero Port in Puerto Galera. - The pier looks like an airport now after they renovated. 😍 - I prefer to ride the RORO (or the bigger boats). Montenegro is a good option for me. - You can also choose to ride the fast craft but I got traumatized by this experience last year. 🎥 Watch Here to know why. 😆 This video reached close to 18 million views on Instagram and Tiktok. But because of this, I experienced the genuine Filipino service of OceanJet. 😍
🏠 Accommodations
@summerconnectionbeachresort on Instagram - Our favorite at the White Beach because of the fun host. Look for ate Kim. - They are located at the beachfront of White Beach. - They have their own swimming pool and restaurant.
@badladz on Instagram - The resort is also located in front of a beach but slightly away from White Beach. - Perfect if you want to avoid the crowd. - They have their own restaurant, pool, and diving services.
High-end: - Utopia Resort We haven't tried the rooms of these 2 resorts yet but we ate at their restaurants and we loved the experience. I'll definitely stay there on future visits. - @edgewaterdivesparesort on Instagram - @casalayph on Instagram
For bigger groups: - Palangan Hilltop Guest House on Airbnb. - A little far from the White Beach though.
Sample Itinerary:
You can enjoy Puerto Galera in 3 days but I think 5 days is the sweet spot.
Day 1: Relax at the White Beach
Chill at Cafe Marco - This is a good coffeeshop and they also serve food. - There are motorcycles on the walls and ceiling. Really cool! - I recommend their burger.
Beach and sunset viewing
Just ready your energy for the jam-packed island hopping
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Day 2: Island Hopping
Underwater Cave
Coral garden and fish feeding Don't forget to bring bread or Skyflakes for the fishes
Giant clam viewing
3 standard white sand beaches Request for Coco Beach and snorkeling at Little Boracay
Watch some of our snorkeling videos: 🎥 Underwater world 1 🎥 Underwater world 2 🎥 Snorkeling, Fish Feeding, and Giant Clam 🎥 Underwater world with my family, sea snake, and new species
Marlon (+639369111265) is our go-to guide in Puerto Galera. He can manage the boat rental, snorkeling, and island hopping. He will survey the water first before you go so you'll have the best experience. You'll see him on the 4th video above. The guy holding the sea snake. 🐍😱
Day 3: Water Activities at White Beach
Water Activities: Jetski, Parasailing, Banana Boat
Beach and sunset sunset viewing
Night life - Just walk at the White Beach and see what suites your taste - I recommend the Jam House. They offer good drinks and acoustic band. If you're lucky, they'll play the acoustic version of Jopay. 😆
🎥 Water activities with my cousins
Day 4: Land Tour
Tamaraw Falls
Lunch Robby's Cafeteria Steakhouse
Muelle Puerto Galera Pier - This looks beautiful at night - While waiting for sunset or night time, you can chill at Ocean Brew. - This rarely happens. But you can experience 🎥 Sky Full of Bats
Ask Kuya Marlon for a recommended guide or find one at White Beach. Guides are everywhere there. I bet you 1 Bitcoin that you'll get offered a few minutes after arriving. 😆
Day 5: Relax and Go Home
I would recommend to go home around 2PM to 3PM so you can:
Eat breakfast at Not Just Coffee They have a beautiful viewpoint. See the left photo above.
Eat lunch at Edgewater (@edgewaterdivesparesort on Instagram) This is a high-end resort but they are open for walk-ins if you're planning to just eat at their restaurant.
To go home, just reverse the "How to Get There" instructions
That's it! Many of the businesses there are still struggling due to the pandemic and 🎥 some areas are flooding during heavy rain. Let’s help boost tourism by visiting at least once if you haven’t been. 🙏
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