A Quick Escape to Puerto Galera

If you're looking for a quick getaway near Manila, you should consider going to Puerto Galera. It's located at Mindoro, just a 2 hour bus and an hour boat ride away. It's been a lot more crowded than what I remembered but still a nice place to visit.

How to get there?

1. Ride a bus to Batangas Pier (PHP167). Travel time is around 2hours from Buendia. It's quite easy to catch a bus to Batangas so no reservations needed.
2. Ride a boat to White Beach (PHP500 2-way ticket). Travel time is around an hour or so. Boat schedule is often late so plan accordingly.

One Way - PHP275

Two Way - PHP500

Boat Schedule is on first come first serve basis. They accommodate around 50 persons per boat.

We arrived at around 10am and the earliest boat schedule we got was 12:00pm.

We boarded the boat at 1pm. (An hour late from schedule)

You'll also have to pay a terminal fee of PHP30 at the terminal after you buy boat tickets and PHP50 environmental fee when you arrive at Puerto Galera.

Terminal Fee

The boat ride can get suffocating especially when the weather is too hot because they cover the sides of the boat to keep passengers from getting wet so you might want to sit at the front or at the back.

If you have a round trip ticket, be sure to secure a schedule for your trip back immediately after you arrive at white beach.

Accommodation? Getting a place to stay is no problem either. There are a lot of resorts offering rooms for rent at the pier and in Puerto Galera.

 We got a room good for 6persons for PHP3000 a night from Agbing resort. Last time we stayed at White Beach resort. Both are just near the shore.

Activities? There are a lot of water activities you can try here. Banana boat, flying fish, snorkeling, jetpack, parasailing, atv, go kart, diving and what not. The jetpack thing is pretty cool but expensive as well.

 Parasailing

 Flying Fish

 Jet Ski

 Banana Boat

 Jet Pack

1 hour whole body massage PHP300

Food? There are a lot of affordable restaurants along the beach that will suit your budget. But most of the time you'll have to wait really long for the food to arrive.

(that scene on "how to get away with murder" XD)

Nightlife? Definitely yes, the last time I was here, I don't remember much commotion at night. But now.. there are performances side by side as in literally.

I enjoyed watching fire dancing and just chilling out drinking with friends.

You should try their famous Mindoro Sling (PHP350 per pitcher) while you're at it.

Or you can stay on the other side of the beach, lay on the sand and star gaze or get a massage.

The shore has white sand but the sea bed is mostly rocks, but not the kind that hurts your feet. The water is also clear but there were these pesky insect bites every now and then.

And of course the gorgeous sunset. I love taking pictures of sunset.

I would love to try all those activities when I get back. Before I forget, there is an ATM on the island but either you have to go to the town proper or you have to pay an extra 200 charge per transaction. Very few restaurants accept cash and with additioanl 3.5% charge so I suggest to bring cash. There is a Security bank ATM at the pier but don't take chances and just withdraw before going there.