Puerto Galera in One Day
What to do in Puerto Galera? There’s a lot of fun activities to be enjoyed there, which is one of the reasons I love going to Mindoro. It is very near Metro Manila; I just hop on a bus, take a one-hour boat ride, and presto, I can already enjoy its white sand beaches before noon. The place is undeniably beautiful, too, with its blue-green waters and a rich marine life.
If you only have one day to spend in Puerto Galera (specifically in White Beach), here are my suggestions to maximize your stay there.
Snorkel, or better yet, dive! A lot of my friends keep going back to Puerto Galera just to dive. It is actually reputed to have the best diving sites in Asia. If the thought of going underwater creeps you out, an excellent alternative is to go snorkeling either at the Coral Garden or in Long Beach. Boat rental is P2,500, but it can be brought down to P1,500 during the off-peak season. If there are only a few of you, ask if you could tag along with another group so that you could only pay P200-250 per person.
The underwater cave as seen from the top.
The price may also include a brief side trip to what locals call the “underwater” cave, which is actually just a small opening in the rocks which gets filled up by seawater at high tide.
Eat, eat, eat! There are a number of beachside restaurants in White Beach, offering everything from grilled seafood (of course), to Italian, American and other international dishes. One good place is Paul’s Bar; they serve a variety of dishes at an affordable price. If you want to have the best pizza and pasta Mindoro has to offer, go to Luca’s Restaurant in Talipanan. Their choices of pizza flavors are excellent (I love the Romana and the Seafood Pizza) and the view from the restaurant is amazing. In going there, hire a tricycle (which may charge P100) and make sure to ask him to come back for you.
These boulders lie between White Beach and Aninuan Beach in Puerto Galera.
Walk along the beach. It’s very nice to walk from White Beach to Aninuan Beach. You have to go through some boulders, which is a bit of an adventure in itself, but you will find Aninuan Beach on the other side to be worth it. This is the choice of those who want a quieter place. There are no bars here, and there are only two resorts: Tamaraw and the Sunset at Aninuan Beach Resort.
Have a massage by the sea. There are a number of masseuses in both Aninuan and White beaches. You can lie down on the sand and listen to the waves crashing to the shore while a masseuse kneads your tired muscles. At around P250, this is a treat indeed!
Talipanan Falls in Puerto Galera.
Trek to Talipanan Waterfalls. For those who’d like to trek 30-45 minutes to see a smallish falls, the one in Brgy. Talipanan is good enough (the Aninuan Waterfalls is bigger, but it takes a longer time to trek). Just ask the locals how to go there, as, unfortunately, there are no signages to guide you. You will have to go through the Mangyan Village, where they have a display of their handicrafts for sale.
It’s a real treat to watch these talented fire dancers in Puerto Galera!
Enjoy the night shows. Every Friday to Sunday night, White Beach comes alive with the nightly shows staged by gay performers in Mikko’s Bar. Their song-and-dance numbers can be funny, too, although they do get repetitive if you go there as often as I do. What I enjoy most are the fire dancers who expertly twirl and spin balls of flame. Their skills can really take your breath away.
There are so much more you can do in Puerto Galera. Stay longer, and you will fully appreciate its charms!
How to go to Puerto Galera (updated as of April 2013):
The Buendia bus terminal in Manila and the Cubao/Kamuning bus terminals in Quezon City have buses going to Batangas (a two to three-hour ride). There are a number of bus liners going there, namely Jam, Ceres, Alps, and Batangas Express. The sign board should say that it is going to Batangas Pier via the Calabarzon/Balagtas/Tambo exit (don’t take the one passing by Lipa, as it is the longer way). Tickets from Quezon City is P175, one way. From Manila, it should be around P168.
Once in Batangas City, there are small boats from the Minolo Shipping Lines and Father and Son Lines going to Muelle (Puerto Galera’s main port, P200, one way), White Beach (P250, one way), and Sabang. It is recommended to arrive in Batangas City in the morning (earliest boat is at 7am), as the sea is a bit choppy later in the day. During peak season, there are boats going to PG as late as 4pm.
For those who don’t like small boats, there is a RORO (a big ship which can accommodate cars as well) which leaves Batangas at 12nn and Puerto Galera at 4pm daily. This has to be confirmed with Montenegro Lines though, as they sometimes cancel trips when there are not enough passengers.
At the Batangas pier, visitors will have to pay the P50 environmental fee (PG residents are exempted) and the P30 terminal fee. Going back to Batangas, there is a P10 terminal fee.
There are a lot of places to stay in White Beach; prices range from PhP1000 per room, higher if it’s peak season. White Beach is a party place, so if one needs more quiet, there are more places to stay in Tamaraw, Aninuan, and Talipanan, one tricycle ride away from White Beach.
This is my entry to the 5th Blog Carnival of the Pinoy Travel Bloggers called “Best One Day Itineraries” hosted by travel photographer Karlo de Leon of 4AM Chronicles.
Aleah Taboclaon is a freelance writer and editor. She likes running (completed one marathon, training for the next!), diving (PADI open water diver), and traveling with her Kindle. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus. You can also email her; she would love to hear from you! Share and Enjoy
I used to go here a lot – alone, with friends and with family, katuwa ang mga bading doon sa isang bar at nakakamiss ang Mindoro sling
meron palang falls sa Talipanan, puro kasi beach din lang ako pag nasa Puerto Galera 
lakwatsera de Primera recently posted..2011 International Pyromusical Competition – Australia and Philippines Back to Back
Haha, I forgot to include Mindoro sling! I enjoy hanging out at the beach there at night
There are actually a lot more to do in PG. One day just doesn’t cut it.
Aleah recently posted..Puerto Galera in One Day
Sa PG dapat ako pupunta this week, pero hindi ako matutuloy. First time ko pa man din sana wah T_T
Love the last photo
She’s flower burning, flower burning on the dancefloor 
)
Micamyx recently posted..Red Alert- London Bus- Telephone Box and Post Box
my colleague is looking for a spot where the group can hang out and bond. we’re looking at Puerto Galera for the weekend. Thanks for this!!!
pinoy boy journals recently posted..Prayer for Japan – What we want to share to the people of Japan after the earthquake- tsunami and nuclear meltdown
[...] Blogger: Aleah Where She went within 24 hours: Puerto Galera (Oriental Mindoro) What She Did: Aleah suggests 6 things you can do in Puerto Galera – all of them doable in a single day. And hey, I didn’t know there’s a cave there you can dive into.. that one’s cool. Blog: Solitary Wanderer Post: Puerto Galera in One Day [...]
Great photos. This sounds like a perfect day trip.
really, i haven’t been to puerto galera. soon
estan recently posted..Prayers and joss sticks at A-ma Temple
thanks for sharing, never been to PG sana maka punta na din at matikman ang mindoro sling.
Nathalie recently posted..Encounters KK edition
It’s been 2 years since I last visited Puerto Galera… Na-miss ko tuloy… hehehe… =D
Pinoy Adventurista recently posted..My Climbs – Mt Manalmon Climb – San Miguel Bulacan
@ Mica: Hopefully next time you can go. PG is a great place to relax in.
@ Jerik: Drinking Mindoro sling in White Beach at night, with loud dance music in the background is one of the best ways to bond with friends
@ Nancie: Thank you! PG is full of good photo ops.
@ Estan: You’ve been to San Jose right? PG is just around the corner! (LOL, hours away)
@ Nathalie: You’ll certainly enjoy PG! Our beaches in Surigao are okay but nothing like Puerto Galera.
@ Pinoy Adventurista: Summer’s the best time to go there, if you like lots of people
Aleah recently posted..Puerto Galera in One Day
Hi! I wondered why I hadn’t had your blog updates in my Google reader – then I realised I only had your old blog URL! This spot looks wonderful!!! Lucky you for being so close!!
Good luck in the competition!!
PS Look out for my Round the World extravaganza #2 next week!
Red Nomad OZ recently posted..Signs 12 – Bullt!
really wanted to go there, as soon as the summer hits
air recently posted..pink fridays- milk soap
Absolutely beautiful! Love the waterfall picture, too cute
Stopped over from the Round the World Extravaganza. Have a good one!
http://texagermanadian.blogspot.com/
TexaGermaNadian recently posted..Ill just call this one
Hey Aleah! I loved this post the first time I read it, and now even more!! Thanx for playing ‘Round the World’!
Red Nomad OZ recently posted..New Zealand – A Slice of Heaven!
@ Red: thanks for coming back! Looking forward to join Blog Hop 3.
Love your blog, btw.
@ Air: just avoid the holidays (too many people) and I’m sure you’ll enjoy PG very much.
@ TexaGermaNadian: Thanks
Aleah recently posted..Day Trips from Manila – The Adventure Challenge in Corregidor Island
so excited to be there this coming MAY with new friends…;)
@ Zambalena: Go go go! With the heat in Manila, PG is an absolute paradise!
Aleah recently posted..Travel Photo Friday- The Bread of Life Makati’s Holy Week Tradition
[...] on the Fun and Cheap Things To Do in Puerto Galera. For directions in going there, here’s how to go to Puerto Galera. Photos ©Tuan TrungVu. Learn how to fire dance! AKPC_IDS += [...]
sobrang lapit lang pero hindi ko pa rin nararating. i want to try solo.
Thanks for sharing your adventures in PG. I’ve been wanting to go there but haven’t yet. Maybe sometime soon… =)
@ Dee: Its proximity to Manila is what makes it a good choice for a weekender. Go na!
@ Sebs: Bring your family. You’d love it here
Aleah recently posted..Solitary Wanderer is Turning 2! (A Call for Sponsors)
Hi! I’m planning to go in PG alone in December. Saan po ba magandang resort tumuloy? ung affordable ung price. Thanks!
@ Anj: Better go to White Beach. There are many lodging houses there. I’ve stayed in the Basilico and their accommodation is good enough. Rate usually averages to P1000/day but try to haggle esp during off-peak season.
Aleah recently posted..A Different Experience of the Buglasan Festival in Dumaguete City
This looks like a good place to start my local solo travel. I’ve travelled outside the country alone several times but never within the country (parang mas complicated kasi bumiyahe dito). But thanks to helpful blogs like yours.
@ Ian: Do come back here and tell us how your Galera trip went!
Aleah recently posted..Top 7 Reasons to Travel to Kenya
i was amazed about this beautiful place thats why i have visited puerto galera for almost 9 times,,, i want to spent mostly of my vacations there,,, beaches is my weakness,, in everytime i feel burnout for work ,,,, no second thought i packed up easily and ride on going to this puerto galera,,, a place im proud of to be visited always hehehehe… it was really cool,,,,, the hospitable PURAVISTA hotel, the mouth watering fresh sea foods,,,, the breath taking sceneries,,,, the sky like ocean ,,,,, and etc,,, you must also experience this beautiful place in your life time,,, its worth it to be there
this blog entry is helpful. I’m planning to go to Puerto Galera this year
Thaaaanks!
I and my friend will be going to puerto galera this long week end.. It’s his first time and it’s my fourth time to go there. I will be his tour guide..
) cheers for the MINDORO sling! 
)
i626leo recently posted..37th MMFF Awards Night Results 2011
[...] out my post Puerto Galera in One Day for instructions on how to go [...]
[...] Make Waves—A Unique Souvenir Shop in Puerto Galera 23 January 2012 163 views 4 Comments Tweet SharePlanning on heading to Puerto Galera? Check out this 3 days and 2 nights itinerary, or read up on what to do in Puerto Galera in one day. [...]
Hi there! I just got home from Galera.. It’s really an amazing place and I just can’t wait to go there again and again! I’d stayed there 3 days and 2 nights at the white beach hotel with my gal friends and fiancee.. That was my best vacation ever! CHOOSE GALERA!
@ Goodlife: Yeah, Puerto Galera is beautiful. So happy you enjoyed your stay there. I agree, one thing that makes it more attractive is that it’s so near Manila. Very convenient.
@ F: Thanks for dropping by. Do share this post with your friends!
@ i626leo: Yey to Mindoro Sling! Do come back and share with us how your vacation went.
@ Donna Mae Magno: So glad you found Galera to be enjoyable! There’s so much more you can do there. Check out my itinerary for 3 days and 2 nights for next time you go with your friends
Aleah recently posted..Manila Bay Sunset Cruise: A Romantic Valentine’s Day Date
ya.. this can be a good day trip. but, id rather spend at least two days here.
i love puerto galera.. though.. the Tamaraw area where it is more quiet. Less people and all.
hindi pa ako nakakapunta diyan..
@ tndcallphilippines: Yeah, Tamaraw Beach is also my first choice. White Beach is near enough if you want some happening.
@ Arvin: Go go go! It’s near Manila!
Aleah recently posted..Caving in Wawa Dam, Montalban
My boyfriend and I are planning to visit PG to celebrate our 1st Year Anniversary. I just want to know if we can easily find a place to stay or do we need to look for a hotel and have it reserved in advance? Thanks!
@ V: Yeah there are many places to choose from in White Beach, but if you’re going there this summer AND during the weekend, I suggest looking for accommodation before going there. It’s peak season now.
Aleah recently posted..Caving in Wawa Dam, Montalban
[...] had high hopes for this one, because I tasted a Margherita in Luca’s Pizza in Puerto Galera, and I couldn’t forget it. Domino’s version, however, leaves much to be desired. It was [...]
What time is the last trip of the boat back to batangas?Is the boat trip hourly?We are planning to go there for a day (Sunday), just want to make sure that we will be back in Manila in decent hour cause will be working the next day.Thanks!
@ R: During the peak season (summer), it can be as late as 5pm, but during the rainy season (June to September), it’s not recommended to go beyond 3 p.m. because of the waves. Right now, they’re saying the last trip on a Sunday is at 3pm in Muelle (where the port is), but it can change if the weather is bad.
Aleah recently posted..Snapshot Sunday—A View of the Hamburg Waterfront
Sa PG dapat ako pupunta this week, pero hindi ako matutuloy. but, id rather spend at least two days here. my colleague is looking for a spot where the group can hang out and bond.
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