“Puerto Galera.”
It’s not a name you hear too often.
It’s certainly not like “Siquijor,” “Siargao,” or “Boracay,” three of the most well-known spots in the Philippines.
To be honest, I’d never heard of it until one of my friends from Manila told me it was her family’s getaway every summer when she was growing up.
Since I heard that, I was so intrigued.
She told me stories of swimming in a crystal-clear ocean, playing in powdery white sand, and eventually falling in love with the underwater world and becoming a freediver.
I was curious to visit.
But when I suggested it to my brother Manoling, he just rolled his eyes and said, “Touristy.”
So I had to wait…
Until finally, an opportunity popped up.
We were going to Manila on another errand!
I immediately suggested that we go to Puerto Galera afterwards, and my brother said, “Fine.”
Fast forward to a week after the trip.
What did I think of it?
Was it overly touristic?
Was it what I expected? (What did I expect?)
Hey, that’s why I’m writing this blog.
I’ll tell you everything about Puerto Galera, including:
Ready?
Let’s go!
Puerto Galera Fun Facts: 3 Things You Didn’t Know About this Tourist Spot
As always, fun first.
Let’s talk about 3 unexpected things about Puerto Galera you might not have known.
Puerto Galera Fun Fact #1: Puerto Galera Is Only a Tiny Portion of the 7th Biggest Island in the Philippines
When I told people I was going to Puerto Galera, they asked:
“Where is that?”
“How do you get there?”
“Is it a tiny island?”
To the last question, no.
Puerto Galera is not like Panglao or Malapascua, small island towns that have become popular tourist getaways.
Instead, it’s a small town that’s part of a huge, diverse island called Mindoro.
And yes, Mindoro is the 7th largest island in the Philippines, covering 10,571 square kilometers.
So if you think you’re about to take a trip to a small island in the middle of nowhere…
…you’re not.
Puerto Galera Fun Fact #2: The Town Is an Old Tourist Getaway
If you zoom in close to the image above, you’ll see that Tamarid Bar and Restaurant has been around since 1981.
1981!
Imagine: Back in the day, this ritzy restaurant with its sumptuous steaks and artisanal pizzas was already around, serving tired and hungry scuba divers after their adventures.
So yes, Puerto Galera isn’t a new thing.
It hasn’t recently exploded into travelers’ consciousness, unlike Siargao or Siquijor.
And when you get there, you’ll see what I mean.
You’ll see older and quieter tourists sipping their drinks and looking out at the water.
You’ll see bars and nightclubs that have designs from 50 years ago.
You’ll see old restaurants just like Tamarind.
Puerto Galera is one of the more classical tourist spots (which I thought was really cool, by the way).
Puerto Galera Fun Fact #3: Puerto Galera Is Super Diverse
See how happy he looks?
He wouldn’t be that happy if we found Puerto Galera to be all white beaches like Boracay.
Because yes, if Puerto Galera is anything, it is diverse.
Think lively, colorful reefs, waterfalls, mountains, beach strips, indigenous villages, a creepy flying fox park…even a golf course and shooting range!
That’s right.
No matter what you love doing on vacation, you are sure to find it in Puerto Galera.
Puerto Galera Travel Guide: 11 Things To Do in this Classical Tourist Town
Ready to go exploring?
Here are 11 Puerto Galera activities to enjoy.
Puerto Galera Tourist Spots #1: Snorkeling at Big La Laguna
Here’s something that makes Puerto Galera really special:
You don’t have to book an island-hopping tour or a boat dive to experience its lively, colorful underwater world.
All you have to do?
Step in the water!
Swim a few meters out, and you will immediately be surrounded by a garden of lush corals and schools of bright fish.
And here’s the great part: it’s not that deep!
Even if you aren’t a freediver, you can enjoy snorkeling at depths of 3-5 meters.
We did this.
When we went to Big La Laguna for their well-known shore dive, we had no idea what to expect.
And wow, were we surprised.
Imagine: carpets of cabbage corals, unique sponges, flashy brain corals, periwinkle staghorns – an entire garden surrounded by beautiful fish of all colors and sizes.
Honestly, we had a hard time leaving.
And the best part?
You don’t even have to pay anything.
Simply drive to Big La Laguna, put on your mask and snorkel, step into the water, and enjoy!
Puerto Galera Tourist Spots #2: Muelle Bay Island Hopping
Can’t get enough of the bright blue ocean?
Take your trip a step further and book an island-hopping tour.
In Puerto Galera, island-hopping is a chill half-day activity that lets you visit 3 selected nearby islands.
When we did it, we went to:
Heart Beach: A lovely pocket of white sand that softly dips into a glassy ocean. Swim a little further, and you enter a garden carpeted with cabbage corals.
Long Beach: As the name suggests, this beach is a long strip of dazzling white sand lightly lapped by crystal waters.
Haligi Beach: This beach was smaller than the first two, but we were in for a surprise! Its reef was actually the biggest, with a long, bright strip of diverse corals and underwater creatures.
One thing to love about all three beaches is the clearness of the water you get to swim in.
I mean, just look at it!
Also, if you’re tired, hungry, thirsty, or hot…
…you can always chill at one of the cozy little shacks by the water and eat a halo-halo or drink fresh coconut water straight from a buko shell.
Note: To book an island hopping tour, simply visit the tourism center at Muelle Cultural Heritage Park.
A 3-island tour costs PHP2,000 for one boat that can fit up to 6 people. Another option is to book a snorkeling tour for PHP450 per person (this tour visits different sites like an underwater cave, coral gardens, and an area with giant clams). The tour takes approximately 3-4 hours, so you can decide if you want to do it in the morning or the afternoon.
Puerto Galera Tourist Spots #3: Tukuran Falls
When we arrived at the jump off for Tukuran Falls, we were met with a bunch of guides.
The first lady asked us if we wanted to rent a “kareton.”
This is a little 2-wheel cart usually pulled by a carabao (water buffalo).
When we said yes, she told us excitedly that we would cross 5 rivers on the way to the falls.
And she was right!
Check out these beautiful river scenes, which we enjoyed while bumping around on the little carabao-drawn cart.
This one:
And this one:
And this one:
After a really fun ride with the carabao splashing easily through the shallows, we arrived at the falls.
Lovely!
We swam in the pool of cool water under the falls, and then we climbed some rocks to follow it upwards…
…where we found even more small pools to swim in.
The sunlight, the sparkle of falling water, the green silence around us – just beautiful.
That day was one I won’t soon forget.
Note: Renting a carabao cart costs PHP500 (3-4 people can ride in a single cart). A guide volunteers to show you around, and while they have no fixed prices, it’s hinted that they expect a tip. We gave ours PHP500. Entrance fee to the falls is PHP50 per head. You can order food for PHP1,200 for 3 people (a little pricey, but the food was actually good!).
Puerto Galera Tourist Spots #4: White Beach
Want to know something amazing?
You don’t have to travel all the way to Boracay to get powdery white sands, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and stunning sunset views.
Puerto Galera’s White Beach has all of the above.
Think:
A long row of restaurants, bars, cafes, and food stalls, where you can literally get anything you’re craving.
Hotels, hostels, inns, lodging houses, luxury villas, and beachside resorts to match your accommodation needs.
Steak, authentic Italian pasta, Filipino barbecue, sushi, spicy Thai food, you name it!
Fun water rides like banana boats, jet skis, superman floats, and parasailing.
Sand castles you can have your picture taken in for PHP30, and girls who will braid your hair with colored ribbons.
Everything surrounded by the confectionery-sugar sand that gets in between your toes, and the dazzling, deep glow of the sunset.
If chilling by the beach and relaxing is your favorite thing to do, definitely visit White Beach.
I definitely did.
Sitting by the water in the falling dark, smelling smoke from barbecue pits, shampoo, wet swimsuits…
…was one of my favorite moments of the entire trip.
The best part is you don’t have to pay a cent to enjoy it.
Simply follow this Google pin to White Beach Resort.
You can enter the beach here with zero entrance fee.
Puerto Galera Tourist Spots #5: Iraya Mangyan Village
Long ago, before the Spanish colonizers arrived in our country, Mindoro was populated by indigenous people called the Mangyan.
In Puerto Galera specifically, a tribe called the Iraya Mangyan used to live off the ocean, fishing in its crystal-clear depths.
As modernity crept into the area, they slowly got pushed up into the mountains.
Today, they live in a small village right at the jump-off point to Mount Malasimbo.
Tourists can visit and purchase their beautiful hand-crafted goods.
Like these hand-woven baskets:
Or these beautiful trinkets and jewelry:
The pieces were so pretty, I couldn’t help but buy some!
I got a lovely dream catcher for PHP500.
And a pair of woven earrings for only PHP100.
There is no entrance fee, and you can walk around the village and meet the people to learn about their way of life.
Puerto Galera Tourist Spots#6: Muelle Cultural Heritage Park (For Flying Foxes)
I don’t know about you, but…
…I love a good horror story.
So when I heard about the creepy flying foxes that fill the air right after the sun disappears into the horizon, I was immediately interested.
And wow, I didn’t get disappointed.
We got to Muelle Cultural Heritage Park around 5 pm.
Since it was summer, the sun was still high in the sky, and it was hot.
But we didn’t want to miss it, so we hurried to the spot near the “pirate ship” structure by the water.
If you’re facing the park, head to the ship on your left.
There’s also a ship to the right, but that is not it.
Anyway, we excitedly made our way down the walkway, and we were greeted by the sight of thousands of bats hanging upside down from mangrove branches.
Their cries filled the air, shrill and bone-chilling.
“I guess this is where people came up with horror movies like Dracula?” I said to Manoling.
He agreed.
The air vibrated with eerie bat voices.
Just over our heads, the sun was disappearing behind the tips of the trees.
We shivered.
And then, just as darkness fell and the last of the light vanished, the first huge monsters came soaring above the mangrove thatch.
Long, veiny wingspan, huge eyes, loud, shrieking voice.
They were joined by 10, 20, 30…and then a hundred other bats!
In no time, the twilit air was swarming with thousands of flying bodies.
All sound was drowned out by their screaming.
We stood there, transfixed.
A few people who had come to see the bats quickly left.
But not us.
We were glued to the spot, blood pounding in our ears.
It was a majestic sight, horrific and beautiful and unforgettable.
If you’re into unique experiences like this, don’t miss this one when you visit Puerto Galera.
Puerto Galera Tourist Spots #7: Coffee Shops and Restaurants with Amazing Views
Here’s what I love about Puerto Galera:
It is packed to the brim with breathtaking views.
Like the one above, which can be enjoyed from our favorite place, Bayview Coffee.
Go anywhere, and you will see cafes, restaurants, and hotels with stunning views like this.
Here’s another one:
So if you’re a person who loves to sip coffee or soup while immersing yourself in a lovely view…
…Puerto Galera might just be your new favorite spot.
Puerto Galera Tourist Spots #8: Sabang Red Light District
Like any well-known tourist spot, Puerto Galera has its share of nightlife.
But this one was quite different from the usual.
Instead of monochrome buildings and tinted glass, it had an air of a time gone by.
Colorful lights, huge neon signs, brightly painted establishments crammed side by side.
Tiny bars with tinier chairs and low ceilings.
Karaoke clubs.
Hot, salty food for hungover party-goers.
If you are curious to step into the 80s and see what they did for nightlife…
You will find a whole new experience in Sabang, Puerto Galera.
Simply make your way to Sabang Baywalk, and go down the narrow strip of nightclubs to the side.
Enjoy!
Puerto Galera Tourist Spots #9: Restaurants!!
I’ve been to places where the only option for “eating out” is a tiny local “silogan,” offering rice, egg, and your choice of protein (hotdog, tocino, longanisa).
Puerto Galera is not like that.
Nope!
It’s packed with lip-smacking food.
For example, on our last night, we decided to eat at Tamarind.
We were intrigued because the restaurant has been around since 1981.
It was also filled with people, which always indicated great food.
And we were right to go there.
The dishes were absolutely satisfying, from juicy steak with peppercorn sauce and herb butter to prosciutto ham and green olives next to a huge ball of burrata cheese on a savory, mouthwatering pizza.
That’s just an example of all the food you can get in Puerto Galera.
Trust me, whatever you are craving, it is sure to be there.
Puerto Galera Tourist Spots#10: Sabang Boardwalk
Head over to Sabang, where you will be met with a long row of spas, restaurants, and cafes.
At the very end of the strip, you will come to the edge of the sea.
Along it is a boardwalk lined with delicious street food like cheesy corn, tempura, kwek-kwek, fried chicken, dried squid, and more.
This is the perfect place to catch the sunset.
Buy yourself a cup of sweet and spicy quail eggs and a bottle of Coke, sit on the baywalk, and simply breathe as the sun makes its way beyond the horizon.
It’s the perfect way to relax and enjoy the delicious salty air of Puerto Galera.
Puerto Galera Tourist Spots #11: Tamaraw Falls
This is Tamaraw Falls, one of the more well-known falls in Puerto Galera.
One of the great things about it is its accessibility.
I mean, the waterfall is literally right beside the road!
All you have to do is get on your motorcycle, drive around 20 minutes from Sabang or 35 minutes from White Beach…
…and voila!
You’re at the falls.
You don’t have to get wet to enjoy the relaxing sound of water flowing down rocks, but if swimming is your thing, you can get in the pool below it for only PHP50.
If you’re hungry, you can order a meal at one of the little huts right at the entrance to the pool.
How to Get to Puerto Galera (The Best and Quickest Way)
TL;DR: Here’s a summary of the travel from Manila to Puerto Galera:
- Bus from Manila (PITX, Buendia, etc) to Batangas Pier (PHP300 per person) (book online here)
- Ferry from Batangas Port to Puerto Galera (PHP750 per person) (book online here)
- Tricycle from Puerto Galera Port to Town (PHP60)
- Or rented a motorcycle to get around (PHP500-600 per person)
Note: there’s a php60 terminal fee in Batangas Port, and a php120 environmental fee once you arrive in Puerto Galera.
Yes, Puerto Galera is in Mindoro, a large island in the southwest of Luzon.
But surprisingly, it’s not that hard to get there.
The best and quickest way is from PITX terminal in Paranaque.
From there, you can take a bus for around PHP300 to Batangas Port. (Roughly 2 hours.)
Inside the port, purchase a fast craft ticket to Puerto Galera. (You can also go by RORO – roll-on, roll-off – but that will take around 3-4 hours).
Chose fast craft?
There are 3 companies that do the Batangas-Puerto Galera route.
These are:
- Galerian Water Transport
- Island Water Transport
- Montenegro Shipping
All of them are similarly priced (PHP700-750).
We chose Galerian Water Transport.
Not because of any particular reason, except that the two other shipping lines sold out for the 2:30 PM schedule we wanted.
(Yup! These tickets sell out like hotcakes, especially on Fridays. So make sure you come early or book online if you’re going to be late.)
If you book a ticket online, make sure to be at the port 2 hours before your departure time.
There are 4-5 trips to Puerto Galera every day, the first one around 6 AM and the last one at 3:45 PM.
If you’re travelling on the weekend (especially Friday or Saturday), make sure to get there super early so boat seats don’t run out.
Got your ticket?
Perfect!
Board the small fast craft at the pier, and wait for around an hour as you’re taken across the water to Puerto Galera.
You will arrive at the port, somewhere between White Beach and Sabang.
Rent a motorcycle for PHP500-600 per day, or make your way to your hotel by tricycle.
The tricycle fares to Sabang town center are like this:
- Balatero Port: PHP25/pax
- White Beach: PHP50/pax
- Aninuan: PHP70/pax
- Sabang: PHP40/pax
- Town Terminal: PHP20/pax
Note that if you’re travelling alone, you might have to pay for the empty seats.
So, for example, if you’re going to the Town Terminal and there are three tricycle seats, you may have to pay PHP60 instead of PHP20. Also, be sure to agree on a price with your driver before hopping on!
Honestly, getting to Puerto Galera is a little bit tiring, so make sure to set aside a whole day exclusively for travel from Manila.
Other than the exhaustion, it’s pretty easy to get there and really beginner-friendly even for first-time solo travelers.
Where to Stay in Puerto Galera: There’s Something for Everyone at This Beautiful Old Tourist Location
Here’s what makes Puerto Galera unique.
It’s clearly divided into 2 sections:
Sabang
Sabang is best described as a little scuba diving town.
It’s an old tourist spot lined with ritzy restaurants, Korean bars, and…that’s right, scuba shops and scuba resorts.
If you love diving and the ocean, this is the perfect place to stay.
Even if you don’t do scuba, you can always enter the water with your mask and go snorkeling along the coast.
The coral gardens are pretty shallow (around 3-5 meters), and you don’t have to pay a thing to step into the water.
White Beach
On the other hand, White Beach is like a mini Boracay.
Long, long stretch of white sand lined with hotels, restaurants, bars, and cafes.
This is the perfect place to chill, especially if you’ve brought kids along.
White Beach also has its own little town, where you can find local restaurants, convenience stores like 711, and gas stations.
Sabang vs. White Beach: Where to Stay?
The truth is, we weren’t sure where to stay.
So we did the obvious…we stayed at both places!
For the first few days, we stayed at Dahilig Resort in Sabang.
At PHP900 per night, this one was a good steal.
It faces the sea and is only a short 5-minute drive to Sabang Boardwalk.
After 4 nights at this place, we moved to the White Beach area, where we stayed in D Mountain Beach Resort.
This room costs PHP800, and it has 3 twin beds and lots of space.
Of course, we chose the cheaper accommodation options so we could stay longer.
But Puerto Galera is filled with all kinds of places to stay, from fancy resorts to super-affordable lodges you can stay at for PHP500 a night.
Here are some other ideas for your stay in Sabang:
- Reynaldo’s Upstairs – affordable and just 70 meters to the beach.
- Villa Sabang – complete with air conditioned rooms wifi, a terrace and beach view.
- Steps Garden Resort – one of the high demand resorts with excellent ratings from guests.
- Out of the Blue Resort – a bit pricier but fancier. Balcony view, rooms with sea view, a pool and more!
And here are some other ideas for your stay in White Beach:
- Residencia del Mundo – Hotel – low on budget but need a place to stay near White Beach? This place will save the day for you.
- FreeDive Inn – beach front view, perfect for those freediveres looking for a good place to rest and relax after a long diving day.
- Dreamwave Beach Resort Puerto Galera
But what if you can only stay in one area?
Which should you choose?
Sabang or White Beach?
If you ask me, it depends.
- If you love diving, adventure, nightlife, and stunning ocean views, stay in Sabang.
- If you brought the kids along and want a relaxing few days by the beach, stay at White Beach.
Both are amazing, both are super different from each other, and both are worth the visit!
How to Get Around Puerto Galera
The best way to get around Puerto Galera is by driving a rented motorcycle.
When you land at the port, you will immediately be surrounded by people offering motorcycles for rent.
You can get one for PHP500-600 per day, depending on the model.
However, if you don’t drive a motorcycle, don’t worry.
Puerto Galera is one of the easier tourist spots, where locals speak English and are friendly and helpful.
You can get around by motorcycle taxi or tricycle, too.
Again, here’s what the fare looks like to Sabang Town Center:
- Balatero Port: PHP25/pax
- White Beach: PHP50/pax
- Aninuan: PHP70/pax
- Sabang: PHP40/pax
- Town Terminal: PHP20/pax
Puerto Galera: Tourist Trap or Worth It?
Deciding whether or not to visit Puerto Galera?
If you’re like us, you might be pondering whether this classical tourist spot is worth the time.
You might be envisioning heavy crowds, overpriced food, and overrated spots.
We thought so too.
And gosh, were we wrong.
Because honestly, Puerto Galera is one of the most special places I have ever visited.
Think quiet towns tucked in between the mountains and the sea.
Older tourists sipping glasses of wine as they look out at the darkness of the coast.
Roads winding through thick greenery and trees that have been standing for decades.
Breathtaking views of the ocean and the rippling currents.
Falls dashing over rocks.
Pristine white sand and water so clear it looks like glass.
Coral gardens alive with brightly colored fish.
Flying foxes screaming into the twilit air as you shiver in the cold of early dark.
A carabao ride through brown, gushing rivers.
The scent of barbecue smoke, salty swimwear, someone’s braided hair with its whiff of flowery shampoo.
Indigenous people with their stories woven into earrings and dreamcatchers and baskets.
Sunsets like fire and glowing coals.
And so, so much more.
If you’re still not sure about visiting Puerto Galera, stop thinking right now.
Buy that ticket.
Hop on that bus, and then on that boat.
Explore, enjoy, and be stunned with unforgettable memories.
You won’t regret it.
In fact, all I can think of right now is when I can go back there.