Puerto Galera - Philippines
Plan your trip to Puerto Galera and find out what makes this port city in the Philippines so special. In my travel guide, you will learn about the best time to travel, which sights you must see and what else you can do here. I will also tell you which accommodations you can really recommend in Puerto Galera and which restaurants are very popular here.
Puerto Galera is in no way inferior to its big brothers in this tropical country in terms of white sandy beaches, vibrant nightlife, and wonderful sights. Located on the island of Oriental Mindoro, it is one of the beaches that are more easily accessible for locals and foreign tourists from Metro Manila.
The Philippines are full of amazing places Puerto Galera deserves to be called next to Boracay and Palawan.
This island is suitable for both casual vacationers and serious water sports junkies. It is known as a popular dive site that boasts valuable marine fauna and flora. Many resorts in Puerto Galera have opened their doors over the years to meet the needs of people who want to enjoy nature and stay in this beautiful place. This is exactly the kind of attention it deserves since UNESCO recognized it as a Human and Biosphere Reserve in 1973.
You can visit Puerto Galera on a weekend, but it is even better if you can take three or four days to enjoy the full experience. At the end of this article, you should be confident in planning a trip and make the most of your vacation.
Pack your bags and get out your notebooks, because in this ultimate travel guide for Puerto Galera you will be prepared for a wonderful trip.
Puerto Galera at a Glance
White Beach
It is the most popular and beautiful beach and also the most popular for locals. Wide, beautiful white sand, good for swimming, but hardly any shade, and the water gets deep quickly. Here you can find many accommodations and the Malasimbo Festival is also only a few minutes walk from White Beach.
Aninuan Beach
This beach area is located right next to White Beach and is much quieter. The sand here is not so fine-grained and white. Note that you will need to rent a Tricycle to get to the tourist resorts outside of Aninuan Beach if you live in this area.
Sabang Beach
This area is famous for its dive sites, so it is not surprising that it has the most dive resorts. On the beachfront, hotels, restaurants, and diving schools alternate.











Best travel time for Puerto Galera
Dry and High Season| December to May
Many people visit Puerto Galera in the months from December to May, when the place really comes to life. Most locals travel during these seasons because of the excellent weather and local events, so one can assume that the accommodations and tourist resorts will have many tourists.
How to Get to Puerto Galera
By Bus
Be careful not to arrive late at the bus station, as you should reach the port of Batangas before 4:30 pm, as the last boat leaves at that time. The bus ride costs only about 200 pesos per person and takes between 3-4 hours, depending on traffic.
After arriving in Batangas, the bus stops at the Batangas City Terminal - but don't get off there, only at the next station, the Batangas Pier! Tickets can be purchased online on the bus lines' websites or on-site at the bus terminal.
By Taxi
By Car
By Ferry
- Sabang Pier,
- Garbage Pier
- Balatero Pier
By Speedboat
By Seaplane
Mobility in Puerto Galera
There are several ways to get around Puerto Galera. Besides public transportation like Jeepney and Tricycle you can also rent a car!
Jeepney
Classic Filipino jeepneys operate on the main roads of Puerto Galera and are very inexpensive. You can use them when traveling to and from various cities in oriental Mindoro, especially if you are coming from or going to the pier. Jeepneys can carry 10 or more passengers at once. Often the driver will wait until the jeepney is full before leaving the pier.
Rental Car
If you want to explore other areas or other destinations on Mindoro Island, a rental car with a driver is a good option. It is perfect for you if you are unfamiliar with public transportation or traveling in a larger group. When you rent a car or van, you will usually have a local driver who is familiar with the tourist locations.
Tricycle
These are the most important means of transportation if you are traveling short distances within the cities or important areas of Puerto Galera. Depending on the design of the tricycle there is room for 4-6 people. Compared to the Jeepney, tricycles can drive through narrow streets due to their smaller size. The prices are often negotiable and sometimes vary depending on the driver, but are generally reasonable.
Boat
Rent a sailboat, catamaran, motorboat, with or without crew. This option is perfect if you want to reach unusual beaches or dive sites. Just go to the pier in Sabang, it is easy to get the appropriate offers there.
Where to Stay in Puerto Galera
Luxury Accommodations
Infinity Resort and Spa
Fridays Puerto Galera
Marco Vincent Dive Resort
Atlantis Dive Resort Puerto Galera
Out of the Blue Resort
Middle-class Accommodations
Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort & Spa
Mermaid Resort
Blue Crystal Beach Resort
Budget Accommodations
You can easily stay overnight in Puerto Galera even on a tight budget. There are numerous guesthouses, apartments, and hostels available, which are inexpensive but still offer the necessary comfort. Below are some of the budget accommodations in the inner streets of the beach areas of Puerto Galera that are well rated by tourists:
Habitat Guest House
Clean, decent, inexpensive hotel in Sabang with complete basic equipment like Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and a kitchenette. Overnight stay prices include breakfast.
Sabang Oasis Resort
It is a clean apartment complex in Sabang with a swimming pool and a bar, which is waiting for its guests on the first floor. It offers basic amenities and breakfast.
Badladz Apartments
It is another great hotel option that is easy to get. This apartment has a cozy interior style and offers additional services such as laundry service, wheelchair access, and multilingual staff. The reservation includes breakfast.
What You Can Do in Puerto Galera
Puerto Galera has many beaches to explore and if you are looking for adventure, there are plenty of things to do in this area. Read on to find out what there is to discover!









Island hopping
There is a lot to see in Puerto Galera. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle for a while and discover other islands, you can book a quick island hopping tour. You will see a maximum of four islands, namely:
Boquete Island/Sandbar Island
Locals called it "Sandbar", a 50-meter long white sandbar that connects Boquete Island with the main island of Mindoro. It is an excellent place for swimming and snorkeling.
San Antonio Island
This small island is located west of Sabang Beach and is known for its underwater cave. You can swim in the natural pool of the cave, which is shaded by the scorching heat of the sun.
Coral Garden
One of the first-class snorkeling and diving sites Puerto Galera, rich in vibrant corals and sponges that are home to various species of marine life.
Bayanan Beach
It is one of the most beautiful beach destinations on the island hopping tour. Here you can relax on the sand or go swimming for fun.
Each location offers calm waters and even more beautiful natural sites. Include these activities in your itinerary, you can never go wrong!
Explore the dive sites
Diving excursions are a must, regardless of your level of knowledge. There are several snorkeling and diving sites Puerto Galera to choose from, such as Hibo Reef, Sabang Wreck, and Tamaraw Rock. They vary in depth and underwater sights, so be sure to ask a knowledgeable guide what they can relate to.

Go snorkeling

Try extreme water sports

Visit waterfalls
Relax on the Beaches
If water activities don‘t appeal to you, you can also just laze around and enjoy the beach. You, too, deserve a break where you can let off steam. Relax on these beaches in Puerto Galera or swim. You can flag out a tricycle or rent a private van for a beach walk.
White Beach
This is the most important place for tourists, where most of the resorts are located. Besides lazing on the beach, you can swim, snorkel, or try different water activities.
Aninuan Beach
Located next to the famous White Beach, this secluded beach is a perfect place to relax against the backdrop of the waves. Walk here to watch the sunset without the crowds.
Palauan Beach
It's a less known beach where you can lie on the sand for sunbathing or take a dip in the water.
Talipanan Beach
Another beach that is not overcrowded and offers a romantic and relaxing atmosphere to watch the sunset and swim.
Dancing at the Malasimbo-Festival
Some of the most famous artists who have made headlines in Malasimbo include Joss Stone, Big Mountain, and Ky-Mani Marley, son of Bob Marley.
Food and Drink in Puerto Galera
Of course, food is one of the most important parts of any trip. Deciding which restaurants to dine at can have an impact on your budget, and can have a positive or negative impact on your vacation experience. Therefore, pay attention to your dietary restrictions and food allergies before you go to a particular restaurant. It's good to know that in most restaurants you can check the menu online before you go there.
Local kitchen
As a beach and diving destination, Puerto Galera has become the home of foreign tourists alongside the locals who live here. So it is not surprising that the restaurants here offer a wide range of dishes from Philippine to international cuisine.
The seafood here is fresh, so don't miss the opportunity to eat in the restaurants on the beach, which offer grilled fish, squid, shrimp, and more. Some are even presented on a table with banana leaves strung together with steaming white rice. It is a Filipino food tradition called the boodle fight, where you are supposed to eat with your hands.
Like Boracay, Puerto Galera has a vibrant nightlife, so you can see many bars lined up along the beach and visited by tourists at night. Not to be missed is the Mindoro Sling, their local version of the Singapore Sling. Its version is a brew of rum, tropical juices like orange, pineapple, mango, and lime refined with grenadine syrup. A shot glass of it is not enough, so order a jug or tower for your group.
Recommended Restaurants and Bars
The Verandah Restaurant
Papa Fred's Steakhouse
Jack Daniel's Apartments Restaurants
Relax Restaurant
Capt'n Greg's
Practical Information and Tips
Currency
In general, it is recommended to have enough cash with you when you travel to Puerto Galera - preferably Philippine Peso. This way, you will be independent of ATMs, credit card machines, and exchange offices, which are often offline when the internet connection on Mindoro Island is temporarily overloaded or interrupted.
Language
Furthermore, Iraya, Filipino, and Tagalog are spoken.
Closing Words
So that's it for today's virtual tour through Puerto Galera! Of course, it will be even more impressive if you go there personally and if in doubt, don't hesitate to ask the locals in the area, they will be happy to help you make your stay more pleasant and comfortable.
TIP: Bookmark this page now!
This way, you can always find your way back here and start planning your trip to this popular destination in Oriental Mindoro today.