Puerto Galera DIY Travel Guide: List of Places to Visit & How To Get There

Puerto Galera is a laidback paradise that offers a bunch of adventures like waterfalls trip, exploring cultural sites, beach bumming, water activities and diving adventures. Learn the best time to visit Puerto Galera, where to stay, what to do and best places to visit through this Puerto Galera DIY Travel Guide.

It wasn’t my first time in Puerto Galera. I’ve been here last 2016 where this Blog hadn’t been born yet. Since I’m visiting Puerto Galera again but now as a Travel Blogger, what’s next is a comprehensive travel guide for my readers! Lol. Kidding aside, I’ve always wanted to create a detailed travel guide here. Finally! Here’s one for you.

Table of Contents

About Puerto Galera

Location. Puerto Galera being at the very top of Oriental Mindoro provides an accessible choice of destination for city dwellers in Manila. Its location is known for its astonishing dive sites and beaches just like its nearby province Batangas.

Best time to visit. The best time to visit Puerto Galera is during the dry season which is from March – May. Although I’ve been to Puerto Galera in the month of February and September and the weather was fair. But then again I guess we were just lucky enough to be there on a good day. If you are aiming for night life, Puerto Galera is expected to be crowded on weekends. Weekdays on the hand is when Puerto Galera is less crowded.

Language and currency. Tagalog and English is widely spoken in Puerto Galera because most of its visitors are foreigners. I’ve spoken to few locals around White Beach and I’m amazed that it made me feel like I’m in Boracay Island.

How to go to Puerto Galera DIY way

Option 1: Via Ferry From Batangas Port

Step 1 from Manila to Batangas Port. There are lots of bus-lines that operates 24 hours from Manila to Batangas. These buses are stationed in Cubao or in Buendia (near Gil Puyat station). Some of the bus lines that offers this route are: DLTB, JAM liner and JAC line. Fare is Php210.00 and travel time is 2-3 hours.

Step 2 from Batangas Port to Puerto Galera. Upon arriving at Batangas Port, proceed to the ticket counters. Puerto Galera is 1-1.5 hours away depending on what ferry you choose (regular or fast craft). If you are planning to visit White Beach, select Pier Balatero. But if you are planning to go to Sabang Beach first, then choose Muelle Port. Ticket depends on the availability of ferries, one way fare ranges from Php250.00 – Php300.00.

Option 2: Via Water Taxi

An alternative option which is also the fastest is Water Taxi from Berberabe Port – Muelle Port which costs Php8,000.00 per way good for 1-10 person. This option is a bit pricey but can take you to Muelle Port in 25-35 minutes. So if the price doesn’t bother you then this is the best and fastest way to get there especially if you’re in a group.

Book this service here: Hop & Go Sea Transportation Service

Where to Stay in Puerto Galera

Since Puerto Galera is considerably a pricey destination for budget travelers, I highly recommend booking hotel accommodations in advance. Check out below recommended resorts/hotels for availability and room rates.

BOOK ROOMS FOR PHP1,500.00 GOOD FOR 2 AT DREAMWAVE BEACH RESORT

2. BOOK ROOMS FOR PHP2,000.00 GOOD FOR 2 AT SEA JEWELS BEACH RESORT

3. BOOK ROOMS FOR PHP2,800 GOOD FOR 2 AT SUMMER CONNECTION RESORT

Places to Visit & Things to do in Puerto Galera

Prepare your travel OOTDs for an epic mix of adventures! Don’t forget to pack your reef-friendly sunscreens, swimming clothes, sun visor and snorkeling/freediving gears.

White Beach, Puerto Galera

The most popular destination in Puerto Galera is probably the White Beach. There are a bunch of things you can do here. For instance you can try (1) water activities like jetski, parasailing, banana boat, etc., (2) swimming and/or diving, (3) night life and (4) strolling its long stretch of white sand beach.

Scuba Diving in Puerto Galera

Just like its neighboring province Batangas, Puerto Galera also offers incredible sites for underwater adventure. Puerto Galera is known for its astonishing marine life. This is one of the best places in the Philippines to experience scuba diving.

Where to book Scuba Diving experience in Puerto Galera: ASIA DIVERS

Iraya Mangyan Village

Experience a cultural immersion at the Iraya Mangyan Village and witness the ingenuity of the local Iraya Mangyans. Located just 10 minutes away from White Beach, you’ll get to learn about the culture and traditions of one of the first native residents in Mindoro.

An immersion at the Iraya Mangyan Village includes a guided tour by one of their locals. There is no entrance fee but tourists give tips as a form of saying thank you to the locals. In the village you’ll witness quite a few things like handmade basket weaving and their traditional houses.

In addition, this is also the best place to buy handmade baskets because it is way cheaper than buying souvenirs at White Beach. Their locally made baskets are sold from Php300.00 – Php1,000.00 that looks like the expensive stuff at Kultura shops in SM malls. Truth be told!

Tamaraw Falls

Most waterfalls are located inside a dense forest and usually requires short to long hours of trekking/hiking. Tamaraw Falls on the other hand is just right beside the highway. No need for you to do any hiking activity. Since it’s just beside the highway, there is no entrance fee as well.

Side Trip to Infinity Farm

Take a refreshing walking tour at Infinity Farm in Baco Oriental Mindoro. Find a spot where you can pause and appreciate the sound of waterfalls cascading from behind, hear the sound of birds chirping, leaves from trees falling down the pathway and the sound of bamboo shoots swaying in the breeze of air. This is one of the best place to seek especially if you’re looking for a place to escape the bustling beaches of Puerto Galera.

Sample Puerto Galera DIY Itinerary & Budget

This itinerary is assuming that you will be staing in Puerto Galera for 2 days and 1 night.

DAY 1: MNL – PUERTO GALERA
3am Ride a bus from Cubao to Batangas Port (Php210.00)
5am Take the earliest ferry to Pier Balatero (Php300.00)
6:30am ETA White Beach, bag drop at hotel lobby
7:30am Breakfast
8:30am Ride a tricycle from White Beach to Iraya Mangyan Village
9-10am Iraya Mangyan Cultural Immersion
10-11am Tricycle to Tamaraw Falls
11:30am Lunch
12nn Proceed to Infinity Farm (Php200.00 entrance fee)
3pm Back to hotel for late check in, freshen up (Php1,500.00 good for 2)
4pm White Beach, swimming, water activities, sunset
7pm Dinner, stroll White Beach for night life
9pm Lights out

Important Note: rent a tricycle for whole day land tour. Estimated cost is Php1,500.00 – Php2,000.00 depending on your negotiating skills. Land tour includes (1) Iraya Mangyan Cultural Village, (2) Tamaraw Falls and (3) Infinity Farm.

DAY 2: PUERTO GALERA – MNL
7am Scuba Diving with Asia Divers
12nn Check out at hotel, lunch
1pm ETD to Manila
5:30pm ETA Manila

Tips From Joan’s Footprints

Bring reef safe sunscreens with you when doing water activities. Let’s help protect the marine life.
Book in advance for your hotel accommodation. Puerto Galera is a bit pricey especially for accommodations located at White Beach. Early bookings will give you lower room rates.
Puerto Galera is crowded on weekends and less crowded on weekdays.

Help me improve my Puerto Galera DIY Travel Guide! By commenting suggestions in the comment section below, I am very open to new ideas.
Huge thanks to DOT MIMAROPA for this trip!
Contact Us for paid promotions and link insertions.
For proposals: email me at jpiann4@gmail.com

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