This part of Mindoro never gets old, just 3 hours away from Manila and you get to experience Puerto Galera’s crystal clear beach surrounded by lush mountains. This popular destination for the weekend warriors is still a good option for those who do not have much money and time for Boracay. I’m open to almost anything when it comes to travel. I would definitely want to balance my beach addiction by experiencing the best of both worlds, whether it’s an isolated piece of island or a party beach like Puerto Galera.
The crowd flocks in White beach as this is where the energy is. Some foreign tourists come here not only for scuba diving but also for partying. This is a popular choice for corporate team buildings and an alternative weekend hang out of the yuppies and couples during the hot summer months. And no wonder I bumped into some previous co-worker, of all places! Day or night, Puerto Galera is fully alive.
One can enjoy the typical activities the resort offers - from scuba diving, sailing, surfing, island hopping to snorkeling, or just simply take a plunge in the clear waters of the beach. Touristy it is, yet I only care about the evergreen nature that always fascinates me - the corals, the islets, the waterfall and the underwater cave. You’ll never run out of things to do here. And if you want to take a break from the waters, just have some relaxing massage or get a new look by having your hair braided before you go back to Manila.
Boat guys will never get tired of following you, offering some island hopping tours. If you play hard to get, you’ll probably get a cheaper price for the package. I’m kind of guilty of this as I am probably the haggle queen from Manila. As a poor traveler, I’m always paranoid of being overcharged. If money is not an issue then please don’t try to be a communist traveler anymore. These boat guys are not big corporations or shopping malls where most people spend a big chunk of their money for. They have kids to send to school and most of them have big families to support, so overcharge or not, who gives? Money might be much needed by someone else than you.
Rows and rows of souvenir shops block the view of the sandy white beach. While another kind of adventure happens at night, there are unlimited food and booze everywhere. The night life scene is compose of the usual party animals from Manila and the drunkards’ deafening videoke singing, but only the dancing lady boys made this place look like a typical party beach in Thailand. But whatever, I’m up for Puerto Galera’s night of fun! Oh well for the alcoholics, there’s the famous Mindoro Sling. Proven and tested to puke your brains out, and you might even supply enough fish feed for the next day’s snorkeling.
There will always be touts ambushing you as you get off the boat, offering some accommodations. It’s even pricier during summer, unless you scout the small towns for some small rooms for as low as P500 a night (yes that’s low here). And if I plan to go back here alone, I might just do my usual house-crashing.
Foreigners whine about getting ripped off here and there. Without painstaking research done on their side, I just feel sorry for them. Payback time for the locals who can’t afford to travel in the rich countries of the whites, it’s unfair I know, but that’s the reality in all tourist traps of the third world. So just suck it all in or whine all you want, be smart or be a victim, stay or get out - your choice
How to get there and back:
- To get to Puerto Galera one must go to Batangas port first. There are bus terminals in Gil Puyat (Buendia Taft), Manila. Take the bus going to Batangas, you won’t miss the port as many people disembark here. Fare is less than P200 for a travel time of 2 hours.
- Last boats back to Batangas leave from Puerto Galera around 3:30 pm. Schedules might change so be sure to ask the locals around once you get to Puerto Galera.
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