PUERTO GALERA ITINERARY (TRAVEL GUIDE + BUDGET) 2024

Detailed PUERTO GALERA travel guide with PUERTO GALERA ITINERARY with budget including PLACES TO SEE IN PUERTO GALERA and beyond. 

Puerto Galera, the diving capital of the Philippines, will surely leave you in awe with its sundry topography, marine biodiversity, beautiful beaches, and busy nightlife. Tourism is now the municipality’s core economic activity drawing weary city dwellers badly needing a weekend getaway.

If you’re planning on traveling to Puerto Galera soon. Here’s a Puerto Galera Itinerary + travel guide with sample budget to help you plan your trip.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT PUERTO GALERA

Best time to visit Puerto Galera is during the summer season and off-shoulder season.  Summer season is from April to May. And the off-shoulder season before the summer, around late January to March is also a good time to visit because it’s not yet crowded especially if you’re going on a weekday.

PUERTO GALERA PRE-TRAVEL GUIDE

PUERTO GALERA WI-FI

While most accommodations, cafes, and restaurants in Puerto Galera offer free internet, having your own pocket Wi-Fi is still recommended. You can connect securely online when you have your own Wi-Fi and you can stay connected online even outside the confines of your resort or hotel.

• Manila Portable Wi-Fi (Airport Pick up): RESERVE HERE
• Manila Portable Wi-Fi (Manila Delivery): RENT HERE

PUERTO GALERA ATM

There’s limited ATM in town (PNB and Euronet), so best to stock up cash before heading to the island.  You can also head to the neighboring Calapan town, where there are  more ATMs available.

PUERTO GALERA DRONE

Drone is allowed in Puerto Galera, just avoid flying over crowded places. Was able to fly my drone in White Beach and nearby islands during our island-hopping tour.

 PUERTO GALERA SAFETY

Puerto Galera is tourist friendly. People here are used to tourists. It is generally safe, but as in most places, don’t leave your things unattended. Puerto Galera is also known for its bustling and wild night life. Watch your drinks during bar hopping for your own safety.

WHERE TO STAY IN PUERTO GALERA

There are 3 popular locations in Puerto Galera for accommodations; White Beach, Aninuan Beach, and Sabang Beach area. If you’re keen on diving, Sabang area would be the best area to stay. White Beach is a popular beach area where the coast is oozing with hotels and resorts, restaurants, bars, souvenir shops, tattoo shops, massage parlors, water sports, etc. Everything you need is here. Meanwhile, Aninuan Beach is another popular beach area, less crowded than White Beach.

Resort and Hotels in White Beach, Puerto Galera

• Casa Marco Suites
• Location: White Beach, Puerto Galera
• CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE

• The Mangyan Grand Hotel 
• Location: White Beach Puerto Galera
• CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE

• Simon Heritage Resort
• Location: White Beach Puerto Galera
• CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE

Resort and Hotels in Aninuan Beach, Puerto Galera

•  AV Suites
• Location: Aninuan Beach, Puerto Galera
• CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE

• Tamaraw Beach Resort
• Location: Aninuan Beach, Puerto Galera
• CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE

• Bamboo House Beach Lodge
• Location: Aninuan Beach, Puerto Galera
• CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE

Resort and Hotels in Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera

• Lalaguna Villas Luxury Dive Resort & Spa
• Location: Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera
• CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE

• Papa Fred’s Beach Resort
• Location: Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera
• CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE

• Molly Resort
• Location: Sabang Beach, Puerto Galera
• CHECK RATES HERE OR RESERVE HERE

PUERTO GALERA TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS 2024

1. Valid ID
2. Confirmed Hotel bookings
3. Tourist QR Code – Download the Puerto Galera Registration App on Play store or register at https://registration.amazingpuertogalera.com/

HOW TO GET TO PUERTO GALERA

BATANGAS PORT

 OPTION 1: BY FASTCRAFT OR FERRY

1. Take a bus to Batangas Port.

From Manila

 If coming from Manila, make your way to LRT Buendia where there are buses (near Gil Puyat Station) bound for Batangas Pier.

From Ermita

For a hassle-free travel, you can also book a bus + ferry ticket departing at 9:30 AM from City State Tower Hotel in Ermita, Manila through the link below.  Discounted bus + ferry fare is ₱1,480 ($26.45).

How to get there: Board the local LRT-1 line to Pedro Gil Station and make your way to Robinsons Place Manila. City State Tower Hotel is just one block away.

 MANILA TO PUERTO GALERA (Bus + Ferry): RESERVE HERE

From Megamall

You can also a ride a bus at SM Megamall Terminal with a signage “Grand Terminal Batangas Port”, get off at the 2^nd stop which is Batangas Port. Fare is approximately ₱268 ($4.78).

 From Alabang

 If coming from Alabang, head to the bus terminal in Starmall and take a bus en route to Batangas Port. Fare is roughly ₱200 ($3.57) to  ₱250 ($4.46). Travel time is roughly 2 hours.

2.Take a fast craft or ferry to Puerto Galera or Calapan.

 At Batangas Port, go inside the terminal.  There you can take a fast craft to Puerto Galera. Travel time is roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes. If you miss the fast craft, you can also take the ferry (RoRo) Calapan.  Travel time is roughly 2 hours.

See rates below:

BATANGAS PORT TO PUERTO GALERA FASTCRAFT RATES AND VICE VERSA

• MV Island Calapan Fast craft Schedule: Friday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00 AM
• Travel Time: 1.5 hours

• Island Water Fast craft Schedule: Daily 7:00 AM and 1:00 PM
• Travel Time: About 1.5 hours

BATANGAS TO CALAPAN FERRY RATES AND VICE VERSA

FASTCAT FERRY SCHEDULE (Batangas to Calapan):

• Travel time: Roughly 2 hours

MONTENEGRO LINES BATANGAS TO CALAPAN FERRY RATES

*Driver is free of charge.

MONTENEGRO LINES FERRY SCHEDULE (Batangas to Calapan)

 BATANGAS TO CALAPAN FERRY SCHEDULE

CALAPAN TO BATAGAS FERRY SCHEDULE

OPTION 2: BY PRIVATE SPEEDBOAT 

At Batangas Port, you may also charter a speedboat to take your directly to Puerto Galera. These are the ones offered by the touts once you arrive at Batangas Port. Rate usually starts at ₱11,000 ($194.44), good for up to 10 passengers already.

GETTING AROUND PUERTO GALERA

 BY JEEP

Jeepneys roam the roads of Puerto Galera, and they can take you to nearby towns. However, schedule may be intermittent and usually the jeep is full. I haven’t tried exploring Puerto Galera by jeepney yet, so I can’t say much about it. But it is possible to do DIY tour of Puerto Galera.

 BY TRICYCLE TOUR

 This is the most popular option for travelers on a budget. It’s hassle-free compared to doing DIY tour of Puerto Galera. You just talk to a tricycle driver and rent the tricycle (with driver) to tour you around Puerto Galera. They have the usual tourist spots on the Puerto Galera itinerary, check more details under the Puerto Galera Land Tour option 2 below.

 BY TOUR PACKAGE

Another hassle-free option to tour Puerto Galera is by tour package. They usually use van or multicabs for the land tour. See more details under Puerto Galera Land Tour Option 3.

If you opt to book a tour package for a hassle-free trip in Puerto Galera, you may contact Sir Noli of NDM Travel Connections, the tour operator who arranged our recent island hopping, snorkeling tour, and land tour.

• NDM Travel Connections
• Facebook and Instagram: @ndmtravelconnections
• Contact Number: 0908 470 7257

THINGS TO DO IN PUERTO GALERA

1.PUERTO GALERA LAND TOUR

 Aside from the jaw-dropping marine life and gorgeous coastline of Puerto Galera, there’s a lot of other tourist attractions on land that you can visit.

DIY LAND TOUR (OPTION 1)

If you’re on a tight budget, it is possible to do a DIY tour of Puerto Galera, which includes a combination of jeepney and tricycle ride. However, this will take up your time. I haven’t really done it, so I can’t tell you if it’s worth it. But personally, if traveling on a budget in Puerto Galera, I’d prefer the land tour by tricycle.

Here are the usual places included in the Puerto Galera Land Tour:

MUELLE CULTURAL HERITAGE PARK

• Muelle Cultural Heritage Park (Muelle Bay, Historical Canon, & Life Size Replica of Spanish Galleon)
• Entrance Fee: FREE
• Access: Ride a tricycle to Muelle Bay. Fare is roughly ₱150 ($3 – €2) one way, good for 3 passengers.

• Aplayang Munti

IRAYA-MANGYAN VILLAGE

• Iraya-Mangyan Village

• Entrance Fee: FREE, but tips/donations are encouraged.
• Open Hours:  Daily 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Access: Charter a tricycle to take you Mangyan Village, special rate for tricycles (good for 3 passengers) is typically ₱150 ($3 – €2) – ₱200 ($4- €3) depending on the distance and your haggling skill. This is usually included in the tricycle land tour, day tour rate starts at ₱800 ($14 – €13), good for 3 pax.  Or if you booked a tour package through a travel agency, this is part of the land tour.

TAMARAW FALLS

• Tamaraw Falls

• Entrance Fee: ₱30 ($0.54 – €0.49) per person for Tamaraw Falls entrance fee
• Access:  Ride a jeep enroute to Calapan from Puerto Galera or vice versa. Alternatively, you can hire a tricycle to take you to Tamaraw Falls, but if you are doing the inland tour, this is included in itinerary.

WHITE BEACH OVERLOOKING

• White Beach Overlooking View
• Entrance Fee: FREE
• Access:  Ride a jeep enroute to Calapan from Puerto Galera or vice versa. Alternatively, you can hire a tricycle to take you to White Beach Overlooking, but if you are doing the inland tour, this is included in itinerary.

PUERTO GALERA WHITE BEACH

• White Beach
• Entrance Fee: FREE
• Access:  Ride a tricycle to White Beach

PUERTO GALERA LAND TOUR BY TRICYCLE (OPTION 2)

You can hire a tricycle to do the land tour in Puerto Galera, rates depend on the places you’ll be visiting. But here’s the usual tricycle tour:

• Land Tour in Puerto Galera by Tricycle
• Tricycle Land Tour Rate: ₱1,000 ($18- €16) to ₱1,500 ($27- €25), maximum of 4 persons + ₱30 ($0.54 – €0.49) per person for Tamaraw Falls entrance fee
• Attractions Included:  Muelle Cultural Heritage Park (Muelle Bay, Historical Canon, & Life Size Replica of Spanish Galleon), Aplayang Munti, Iraya-Mangyan Village, Tamaraw Falls, White Beach Overlooking View

LAND TOUR BY TOUR PACKAGE (OPTION 3)

You can also do the land tour in Puerto Galera via tour packages from local tour operators.  They offer different inland tour circuits.

• Inland Tour of Local Tour Operators (by multi-cab or van)
• Tricycle Land Tour Rate: ₱2,500 ($45 – €41), maximum of 6 persons, additional ₱250 for extra person ($5- €4) + ₱30 ($0.54 – €0.49) per person for Tamaraw Falls entrance fee
• Tour Guide:  ₱500 ($9 – €8), good for 1-5 pax, additional ₱100 ($2- €1.64) per person for extra pax
• Tukuran Falls: Carabao Ride (maximum 6 person) ₱550 ($10 – €9) + Entrance fee:  Adult ₱100 ($1- €0.82), Child ₱50 ($9 – €8),

As mentioned above, tour operators offer different tour package for inland tours. Some places are located in Calapan, San Teodoro, and Baco, Oriental Mindoro.

ALSO READ: PUERTO GALERA TOURIST SPOTS + ITINERARY

 2.PUERTO GALERA ISLAND HOPPING TOUR

 You can head to Muelle Bay to charter a boat for island hopping, which typically includes and choose about 3 islands to visit. The typical Puerto Galera Island Hopping, includes the following beaches: Bucana Beach (Little Boracay), Long Beach, Heart Beach, and Haligi Beach (See Option 1 below). You can also go snorkeling on your own, but not as extensive if you chose the snorkeling tour. The standard island-hopping rate in Puerto Galera is ₱1,800 ($33 – €30), good for 6 persons, additional ₱300 ($4 – €5) per person for excess passenger. You can also do both Puerto Galera Island Hopping + Snorkeling (See Option 2 below).

Option 1: PUERTO GALERA ISLAND HOPPING

Puerto Galera Island Hopping Tour Rate: ₱1,800 ($33 – €30), good for 6 persons, additional ₱300 ($4 – €5) per person for excess passenger

Inclusion: life vest

Terminal Fee: ₱20 ($0.36 – €0.33)

How to get there: Ride a tricycle to Muelle Bay where boats for snorkeling departs. Or book through a local tour operator.

Option 2: PUERTO GALERA COMBINED TOUR (Snorkeling + Island Hopping)

Puerto Galera Combined Tour (Island Hopping + Snorkeling) Rate: ₱1,800 ($33 – €29) – ₱2,000 ($36 – €33), good for 6 – 8 persons, additional ₱300 ($4 – €5) per person for excess persons, + additional ₱200 ($4 – €3) for the small paddle boat for snorkeling (good for 2 pax)

Inclusion: Life Vest, Snorkel, and Mask

How to get there: Ride a tricycle to Muelle Bay where boats for snorkeling departs. Or book through a local tour operator.

 3.SNORKELING IN PUERTO GALERA

If there’s one activity in Puerto Galera that you shouldn’t miss, that would be snorkeling. Puerto Galera is a snorkeling and diving haven, boasting of abundant marine life. Here’s the current snorkeling rate in Puerto Galera.

• Snorkeling Rate in Puerto Galera (Muelle Bay): ₱400 ($7 – €6) per person, 1-2 persons per boat/ ₱800 ($14 – €13) for 1 small boat, good for 2 persons

• Snorkeling rate in Puerto Galera (White Beach): ₱800 ($14 – €13) per person, includes transfer between Muelle Bay and White Beach.  Hotels and local tour operators in Sabang, Aninuan, and other areas may also charge around the same rate.

• Terminal Fee: ₱20 ($0.36 – €0.33)
• Tourist Attractions: Giant Clams, Coral Garden, Underwater Cave
• Duration: 3-4 hours
• How to get there: Ride a tricycle to Muelle Bay where boats for snorkeling departs. If coming from White Beach, tricycle fare is roughly  ₱150 ($2.65 – €2.45)
•  There are also snorkeling group tours from White Beach, Aninuan, or Sabang. You can also book through a local tour operator, their packages include drop off/pick up, terminal fees, life vest and snorkeling gear.

4.PUERTO GALERA DIVING

 Puerto Galera is dubbed as the Diving Capital of the Philippines. Though I haven’t really tried diving yet in Puerto Galera, I can tell from our snorkeling trip with the abundance of its marine life even in shallow waters that this must be a diver’s paradise. Dive resorts abound in Sabang Beach in Puerto Galera. If you’re traveling there to primarily dive, Sabang is the place to go.

You can learn to dive in Puerto Galera. There’s a lot of dive resorts in Sabang that offer dive courses, you can book in advance through the link below. And you can also do fun dives in Puerto Galera.

• PUERTO GALERA DIVING (FUN DIVE): BOOK HERE
• PUERTO GALERA AFTERNOON DIVE: BOOK HERE
• PUERTO GALERA BEGINNER’S SCUBA: RESERVE HERE
• PUERTO GALERA OPEN WATER DIVE COURSE: RESERVE HERE

5.PUERTO GALERA WATER ACTIVITIES (WHITE BEACH)

White Beach in Puerto Galera is oozing with water activities that will keep you entertained by day. Water activities rates depend on where you’ll book the activity, you can book it directly at White Beach, or if you’re staying in Sabang and other areas, you can book it through your hotel or local tour operator.

To

To give you an idea, here’s a list of the usual water activities in Puerto Galera prices/rates:

6.PUERTO GALERA NIGHT LIFE

Puerto Galera is known for its nightlife particularly in White Beach and Sabang. As for the bars in White Beach, it’s more family-oriented compared to Sabang, which is more focused on the girly bar scene. The main strip of White Beach is lined up with bars, restaurants, souvenir shops, and tattoo shops. Haven’t really tried the night life in Puerto Galera because last time we were there, I was so tired from our tour, I slept. LOL When I got the notification that the Mayor already dropped by our hotel to fetch us for the night life experience in Puerto Galera, it was too late. They left already, and I thought the bar was far, didn’t realize it was a mere 5 minute walk from our hotel. So, no, I haven’t tried the famous Mindoro Sling yet, even though it was already my 2^nd time in Puerto Galera. Mindoro Sling is a popular cocktail drink in Puerto Galera that is made of Rhum, mango juice, orange juice, Sprite, and grenadine syrup and served with apple slices. You can order this from most bars in Puerto Galera. There are also bars near Muelle Bay and around the Población.

 PUERTO GALERA SIDE TRIPS

Aside from the popular tourist spots in Puerto Galera, there are also other equally charming tourist attractions in other areas of Oriental Mindoro. Some can be done as a day tour from Puerto Galera or Calapan. Here are some places we visited while we were in Oriental Mindoro:

1.INFINITY FARM

Just 1.5 hours away from Puerto galera, Infinity Farm Resort is a nature resort in Baco, Oriental Mindoro, one of my favorite stops during our Oriental Mindoro trip. I was stunned by its emerald green; cascading waterfall flowing to natural  swimming pools that is surrounded by towering trees and greeneries flowing. Good place to just swim and relax.

 

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• Infinity Farm Resort
• Location: Mangangan 1, Baco, Oriental Mindoro
• Entrance Fee: ₱200 ($4 – €3)
• Contact Number: +63 919 0069 960/ +63 917 1575 592
• Access: Via inland tours by tour operators in Puerto Galera. Alternatively, you can hire a tricycle to take you there.
• Pls contact the resort ahead of time and inform them prior to your visit. If you can’t reach them via phone because there’s no signal in the farm, try to e-mail them at [email protected]

2.TUKURAN FALLS

Tukuran Falls is a good picnic spot, so best to bring grilled seafood here, there are available grills that you can use for cooking.

• Carabao Ride (maximum 5 person) ₱500 ($10 – €9)
• Entrance fee:  Adult ₱100 ($1- €0.82), Child ₱50 ($9 – €8),
• Environmental fee: ₱50 ($9 – €8)

ALSO READ: TUKURAN FALLS

3.BALAI MINDORO

A private venue for events that is peppered with beautifully-crafted arts showcasing the ingenuity of Mindoro local artists and the culture and traditional of Mindoro province.

 

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• Balai Mindoro
• Location: Calapan, Oriental Mindoro

4.ORIENTAL MINDORO HERITAGE MUSEUM

The Old Provincial Capitol in Brgy. Ibaba East where the Cal-kuta (an abandoned Spanish fortress) stands, was beautifully restored and turned into Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum.

• Oriental Mindoro Heritage Museum
• Location: Old Provincial Capitol, Brgy. Ibaba, Calapan, Oriental Mindoro
• Open Hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Entrance Fee: Free for Mindoro residents, ₱50 ($1 – €0.82) per person for non-locals

5.STO. NIÑO CATHEDRAL (CALAPAN CATHEDRAL)

Recognized as a historical structure by the Philippine National Commission and the Arts, the Sto. Niño Cathedral is the seat of Christianity in Oriental Mindoro, originally founded in 1679 by Augustinian Recollect Fr. Diego de la Madre de Dios.

• Niño Cathedral
• Location: Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro

PUERTO GALERA ITINERARY

Here’s a sample Puerto Galera Itinerary for 3 days 2 nights and Puerto Galera Itinerary for 2 days 1 night.

 Puerto Galera sample budget below doesn’t include accommodation, drinks, souvenirs, tips, and other personal expenses. The sample budget below is good for a party of two.

PUERTO GALERA 2 DAYS 1 NIGHT ITINERARY + BUDGET

The Puerto Galera Itinerary for 2 Days 1 Night below is ideal for a weekend getaway. And if you’re on a budget.

 PUERTO GALERA 3 DAYS 2 NIGHTS ITINERARY + BUDGET

And here’s a sample Puerto Galera Itinerary for 3 Days 2 nights, perfect for long weekends or quick holiday getaway. This is a more expensive Puerto Galera itinerary since I included most of the top activities, such as Puerto Galera Island Hopping + Snorkeling and Puerto Galera Land Tour. You can bring down the cost of this Puerto Galera itinerary, up to you. For example, you just do the snorkeling tour and skip the island hopping, or skip the land tour and just do the snorkeling tour + snorkeling.

  PUERTO GALERA SAMPLE EXPENSES

PUERTO GALERA TRAVEL REMINDERS

• Stack up cash (Philippine currency) before heading to Puerto Galera, there are ATMs in town.  Almost everything is on cash basis here.
• As in most beaches, sea urchins are present in snorkeling sites, so wear aqua shoes or full-foot fins    when snorkeling and please do not step on corals.
• Bring a dry bag to protect your cameras and waterproof pouch for your phone. Or much better if you just bring an underwater camera or action camera for snorkeling and other water sports.
• If you are traveling solo to Puerto Galera and you want to do the island-hopping tour but you don’t want to spend that much for the boat, try to schedule your trip on a weekend and approach other travelers (preferably those in groups) to join their island hopping and just share the expenses.

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