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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
There are many kinds of accommodations in Puerto Galera, ranging from budget to luxurious. Look for hotels and resorts in Puerto Galera via Agoda.
59 Comments. Leave new
Hi!!! What do you recommend? Book online or just go there anytime and get a room in actual?
Awesome. I’m planning to travel solo at Puerto Galera. This is helpful.
need more help..
me and my mates were planning to go there din. very helpful po ang mga comments lalo na sa blog Ms Aleah. thank you all for that. kasi sa online din lang ako nagsesearch sa puerto. is it better na dun nalang po mag canvass ng hotel/accom? thank you very much
Abby, maraming choices sa White Beach. Kung hindi peak season (like weekends during summer), you can just go there and canvass. Pag high peak season you would need to book in advance otherwise you may not be able to find a place to stay.
@Dindo, Is it really true na di talaga maganda dun? 🙁 Unfortunately we bought the same deal nga lang sa cashcashpinoy sya. We’ve never been there actually and we tried searching for the place online pero we really have very limited information gathered. Super layo ba sya sa beach?
Mahal po talaga ang singil ng metrodeal sa lucky5. For me ok naman sya. Di sya crowded unlike sa white beach, nagustuhan ko sya kase ang ganda nung beach di crowded, 5 to 10minutes walk nga lang. Siguro naiintindihan ko lang na the place is just for people na di gusto ang masyadong matao at di maselan. Ipapaliwanag naman po nila sa inyo lahat yun eh. Opo the food is pricey pero may tindahan naman po sa labas na kapag gusto mo bumili mag utos ka sa mga boy nila. :))) thumbs up lucky 5
Hi. Did you enjoy your stay at Lucky 5? It’s where we’re going to stay in a few weeks,
Yes ..poh..nag enjoy poh kami…sa pagstay sa lucky 5..mura ang pagkain nila…masarap pa..mas mahal pa nga sa restaurant hindi pa masarap..unlike sa lucky 5 ok xa..thumbs up lucky 5..
Good day!ngayon q lng nabasa e2ng message ni dindo ..c lucky 5 poh ay nasa whitebeach located 3~5 minutes walk lng poh xa..pkicheck poh sa lucky 5 garden house puerto galera reviews..all our guest here are really enjoy ..maybe dindo are not satisfied for what he avail..
@ Sondra Rhodes: Hope your trip pushed through!
@ L: Sorry for the very late reply. Have you found a place?
@ Mims: Sorry I just responded now. I hope you found a place? I would definitely recommend looking in White Beach.
@ Dindo: I really don’t recommend online group buying sites like the one you mentioned when it comes to booking trips. Google them and you’ll find a lot of horror stories. Thanks for the warning though. Hope other readers will read your comment.
GUYS BEWARE OF THIS METRODEAL OFFERED BY LUCKY 5 GARDEN HOUSE
we had paid for a P 3,750.00 for 5 vouchers/5 heads.
Upon arriving at the place kung ano-ano na ang i-oofer sayo na activities.there are activities that cost p 1,000 per head plus hindi pa included ang P 250/head na shuttle or vehicle na maghahatid senyo to a particular activity.plus foods in there are too much costly.at may surcharge na P 300 for the food na gusto mong ipasok sa house.ang awkward din ng room coz kamasa mo na rin duon ang office ng owner.feeling unlucky on that day,we have decided to take a lunch sa bayan,then we have discovered that there is nice place called the “WHITE BEACH”. on that place,marami kang pagpipiliang rooms and hotels which ranges per group,not per head. marami ding restaurant at nasa harap mo mismo ang beach unlike sa unLUCKY 5 GARDEN HOUSE, you need pa na tumawid ng kalye tapos bumaba into a way papunta sa shore which is not beautiful compared to white beach.Good luck! Hope this could help other travelers.
@metrodeal @lucky5gardenhouse
Really? We’re about to go at Lucky 5 garden house… seems your super disappointed ah… so not recommended?
Debbie, it’s not my comment, but all I can say is that the bad experience was with Metrodeal. If you’d already booked, see if the service is different. Let me know ano experience nyo.
This guy are not telling the truth..weve so many times to stay in lucky 5 puerto galera..enjoy naman kami..cguro gz2 u lahat iavail kahit yung bnayaran mo ay sapat lng…all your statement are not true…guys lucky 5 garden house are best accommodation u will try to stay..hindi totoo yung cnasabi nyang dindo na yan..baka iba pinuntahan nya..eh nasa whitebeach naman ang location nila..
where planning to go to PG (sa white beach) this November…. group po kame … mga more than 10 persons.. saan po ba mangandang tumuloy ung affordable lang thanks
Hi, Can you suggest resorts where we (I and my boyfriend) can stay this end of the month? I want to get a reservation in ahead of time.
thank you
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.
@ 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.
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! 😀
@ 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.
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! 🙂
@ 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!
hindi pa ako nakakapunta diyan..
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.
@ 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 🙂
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! 🙂
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! ;))
this blog entry is helpful. I’m planning to go to Puerto Galera this year 🙂 Thaaaanks!
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
@ Ian: Do come back here and tell us how your Galera trip went!
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. 🙂
@ 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.
Hello! I’m planning to go to puerto this April.. Question is how much would it cost me from pier to basilico? Thanks!
Hi! I’m planning to go in PG alone in December. Saan po ba magandang resort tumuloy? ung affordable ung price. Thanks! 🙂
@ 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 🙂
Thanks for sharing your adventures in PG. I’ve been wanting to go there but haven’t yet. Maybe sometime soon… =)
sobrang lapit lang pero hindi ko pa rin nararating. i want to try solo.
@ Zambalena: Go go go! With the heat in Manila, PG is an absolute paradise!
so excited to be there this coming MAY with new friends…;)
@ Red: thanks for coming back! Looking forward to join Blog Hop 3.
@ Air: just avoid the holidays (too many people) and I’m sure you’ll enjoy PG very much.
@ TexaGermaNadian: Thanks 🙂 Love your blog, btw.
Hey Aleah! I loved this post the first time I read it, and now even more!! Thanx for playing ‘Round the World’!
Absolutely beautiful! Love the waterfall picture, too cute 🙂
Stopped over from the Round the World Extravaganza. Have a good one!
http://texagermanadian.blogspot.com/
really wanted to go there, as soon as the summer hits
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!
@ 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 😀
It’s been 2 years since I last visited Puerto Galera… Na-miss ko tuloy… hehehe… =D
thanks for sharing, never been to PG sana maka punta na din at matikman ang mindoro sling. 🙂
really, i haven’t been to puerto galera. soon 🙂
Great photos. This sounds like a perfect day trip.
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!!!
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 :))
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.
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 🙂