If you ask a Manileño things to do in Puerto Galera, they’ll have it clear: beach, beach, and beach (and, perhaps, partying). Although it lies on a different island from the capital of the Philippines, it has been the go-to weekend escape for Manila residents for decades.
Why Puerto Galera? What can you expect?
Its fairly straightforward access (in a little under 4 hours) and its white-sand beaches have made it one of the best-known spots among locals, Asian tourists (from China, Japan, and South Korea), and expats living in Manila. We were among the latter as well, so Puerto Galera became our “Filipino Chipiona or Gandía” for a while.
Outside of these traveler types, the truth is that it usually doesn’t appear in many Philippines travel itineraries. We believe the main reason is that connecting it with other tourist destinations requires quite a few hours of travel and, to be honest, it isn’t a place that stands out for anything in particular. That is, it has good beaches and diving that, as you’ll see, is great, but in our opinion they don’t reach the level of other spots. If you add to that that in its two main tourist hubs (White Beach and Sabang) there’s a somewhat seedy vibe, with a significant component of sex tourism, it may not be a place for everyone.
Even so, with all that said, there’s a lot to do in Puerto Galera and there are still very unspoiled corners where you can have a great experience enjoying its natural attractions and the warmth of its people. For all these reasons, we were encouraged to write this Puerto Galera Guide, where you’ll find all the practical data you need.
Where does this name come from?
By the way, you’ll surely like to know where this very Spanish-sounding name comes from, right? Its previous name was Minolo, but with the arrival of the Spanish it received its current name. The most accepted reason is that the bay served as a shelter from storms, typhoons, and attacks by Chinese pirates for the galleys (typical war vessels) during the early years of colonization.
Where is Puerto Galera
Puerto Galera is located to the north of the island of Mindoro, the 7th largest island in the archipelago. Specifically, it belongs to the province of Oriental Mindoro and the MIMAROPA region (the initials of Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan). To place it easily, it lies to the southwest of Luzon, 130 kilometers from Manila and relatively close to Batangas, which has an important port from which boats frequently depart to many Philippine destinations, including this one. The capital of Oriental Mindoro is Calapán, 51 kilometers east of Puerto Galera.
The city of Puerto Galera itself is relatively large, but from a tourism perspective its 13 barangays or neighborhoods near beautiful beaches matter more. To understand it, it’s best to go to the map and identify the beaches of Sabang, White Beach, and Talipanan/Aninuan. The first two have undergone a radical change in recent decades, with an excessive pace of construction that, to be honest, has ruined them. Therefore, our advice is to avoid them and base yourself in other prettier areas such as Aninuan or Talipanan. However, if you’re going to dive, the most convenient is Sabang.
It has 2 main ports: Balatero and Puerto Galera (Muelle). Previously there were bangkas to Sabang, White Beach, and Talipanan, but because they were a bit unstable, they have stopped operating.
You’ll find everything about transport explained in our article How to get to Puerto Galera.
Things to do in Puerto Galera
Now that you know its location and how to access it, let’s get down to business and tell you in detail what you can do in Puerto Galera.
White Beach
1. Enjoy the beaches of Puerto Galera: White Beach, Talipanan Beach, Aninuan Beach…
One of the powerful reasons (if not the main one) to come to this little corner of Mindoro is its beaches. Being 100% honest with you, we do like the beaches of Puerto Galera—especially the quiet Talipanan, Aninuan, and Long Beach—but if you’re looking for the best beaches in the Philippines, we’d opt for other destinations. Those in Puerto Galera will satisfy your craving for the sea if you’ve spent a long time in the city or serve as a starting point for a trip around the archipelago.
Below we tell you which are the best beaches in Puerto Galera, from our favorite to the one we like least:
- Talipanan Beach: the westernmost of Puerto Galera’s beaches, it’s a long stretch of blond sand, although in some sections you’ll find some pebbly areas. In recent years a few resorts have sprung up, but it remains quite a virgin and pleasant beach where you can be, if you feel like it, completely alone.
- Aninuan Beach: although it’s super close to White Beach (in fact, you can walk there), it’s a virgin beach, full of vegetation and—best of all—very peaceful.
- Long Beach: this is one of the must-stop spots on the island hopping tours (you’ll find more info later) and with good reason because it’s one of the most spectacular. It’s located on San Antonio or Medio Island, so you can only get there by boat, but it’s well worth it. With blond sand, there are beach shacks for eating and little stalls for water activities. If you visit during the week, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy it all to yourself.
- Big LaLaguna Beach: full of upmarket resorts, it’s a quiet beach with good snorkeling. You can walk to its sister: Small LaLaguna Beach, very similar.
- White Beach: the most popular of all, Puerto Galera’s answer to Boracay’s famous White Beach. The truth is the beach has it all: white sand and turquoise waters. The problem is the excessive construction, which has turned it into one of the noisiest in the country, packed with bars, hotels, jet skis, and water-sports contraptions.
- Sabang Beach: the vibe is similar to White Beach (though more sordid), and it’s narrower, so the advance of the sea combined with massive construction has eaten away parts of the beach. As with the previous one, there’s quite a nightlife scene here. In fact, there are bars open 24 hours and even a boat-bar.
Other beaches you can see in Puerto Galera: Small Tabinay Beach, Sinandigan Beach (good snorkeling), Balatero Beach, Encenada Beach, Dalaruan Beach, Dulangan Beach, Aplayang Munti Beach, Balete Beach, Palangan Beach, and Bulabod Beach.
Talipanan Beach
2. Take a dip at Tamaraw Falls and other waterfalls
It’s true you won’t find some of the best waterfalls in the Philippines, but Tamaraw Falls (its name honors the tamaraw or carabao, the water buffalo) is a pretty cool set of waterfalls just 13 kilometers from Puerto Galera. The highest drop is 128 meters and can be easily seen from the road, but you can also access the complex (50 pesos per person), full of pools and places to eat, and take a dip.
How to get to Tamaraw Falls? The most convenient way is to rent a motorbike and go on your own (it will take about 30 minutes), but you can also go by tricycle or catch a jeepney towards Calapán (25 pesos) and ask the driver to let you know when you pass the road that leads to the falls.
If you have more time, other interesting waterfalls in the area are:
- Aninuan Falls: they’re not very tall, but they have a super pleasant pool surrounded by dense vegetation, which makes them worthwhile. The entrance fee is 50 pesos.
- Tukuran Falls: also known as Hidden Paradise, these wide falls with huge pools for swimming will give you a little adventure if you’re looking for things to do in Puerto Galera. To get there, you’ll need to head to Calsapa (about 45 minutes by car from Puerto Galera) and walk approximately 30 minutes crossing the river (note: wearing good footwear is advisable). It’s 50 pesos for the entrance plus 25 for motorbike parking. Please don’t use the water-buffalo carts they’ll offer you, so you don’t contribute to animal exploitation.
- Talipanan Falls: about a 30-minute walk from Talipanan Beach, they’re short but charming falls. To get there, you can hire a guide from the Mangyan tribe (you have more information about them in point 5) for around 300 pesos and contribute that way.
- La Pantay Falls: located near Tukuran Falls, it’s the perfect cherry on top for a day of waterfalls. They’re not very tall either, but there’s a small pool to take a bath.
3. Go diving, a must‑do in Puerto Galera
Another of the things to do in Puerto Galera is diving. The reason? This area of Mindoro faces the Verde Island Passage, described in a Smithsonian Institution study as “the center of the center” of the world’s marine biodiversity due to its extremely high concentration of marine species. In addition, it was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1973. To give you an idea, you’ll find more fish species here than in the Red Sea and more types of hard and soft corals than in the Great Barrier Reef.
Therefore, if you’re keen to discover one of the can’t‑miss places for diving in the Philippines, we recommend dedicating one or two days to its seabeds. There are plenty of dive sites in Puerto Galera and they’re suitable for all kinds of divers, but if there’s something that characterizes this area it’s the currents. Thanks to them, it’s relatively easy to spot whitetip reef sharks, eagle rays, and schools of tuna, barracuda, or jackfish in the Canyons and other spots like Washing Machine (washing machine). Even so, Puerto Galera also offers countless opportunities for macro lovers and three quirky sunken wrecks close to Sabang. If you add a day of diving at Verde Island to that, you can’t ask for much more.
Across the different neighborhoods there are dive schools, and many resorts have their own shop or organize trips. However, if your goal is diving, it’s best to stay in Sabang or nearby, since most dive sites in Puerto Galera are relatively close to this beach.
What’s the best time to dive in Puerto Galera? Although you can do it year‑round, between April and September the water temperature is around 29ºC, so it’s much more pleasant for those doing deeper dives. Outside this period it can drop to 22ºC. One thing to keep in mind is that between July and November it’s rainy season in this part of the Philippines and there’s also a risk of typhoons, so the water can be choppier. Even so, you’ll find more protected dive sites.
Dives in Puerto Galera are around 1.600-1.800 pesos including gear—fairly standard prices for dives in the Philippines. You can check out the following activities:
Discover Scuba Diving in Puerto Galera
Diving course (Open Water Diver) in Puerto Galera
4. Go on an island‑hopping tour in Puerto Galera
Did you think you wouldn’t have island hopping here? Well, one of the things to do in Puerto Galera is to hop on a bangka and enjoy the snorkeling spots and beaches in the surroundings. While it isn’t a must like it is in El Nido or Coron, it’s an activity we recommend if you’re eager to discover the underwater world and don’t have a diving license or want to explore other corners of the area.
What places are visited? The most popular are these:
- Long Beach: a gorgeous beach we talked about above.
- Underwater caves: also on San Antonio Island, a curious spot for snorkeling, although you usually have to pay extra, so we’d skip it.
- Giant clams: if you’ve never seen giant clams (there’s a great sanctuary for them in Camiguin), make a stop at this snorkeling site. Normally you’ll need to get on a smaller boat—the one run by the fishermen who manage the area—and they’ll tow you along, so you’ll have to pay an extra 200 pesos. Used to East Asian tourism and the fact that many can’t swim, they do it so you can hold onto the boat while they tow you. If you don’t need any of that, try to negotiate the price by saying you’ll do it yourself.
- Haligi Beach: a small but beautiful beach on Paniquian Island. The seabed is wonderful.
- Sandbar or Boquete Beach: it won’t be the best sandbar in the Philippines by any means, but it’s an interesting beach. You’ll need to go when the tide is low to see it properly.
- Coral Garden: at the southern tip of San Antonio Island is this pretty reef that’s been protected for decades, so there’s lots of marine life. The same thing happens here as at the Giant clams site: you’ll have to pay extra.
- A little blond‑sand beach, though with some pebbles. We think Bayanan Beach: is skippable.
How much does island hopping cost in Puerto Galera? Unlike other places, the price varies according to the size of the boat, the number of people, and the sites visited (or if you plan to spend several hours on a beach, for example). Of course, the more people and more stops, the more you’ll pay. Usually the whole boat costs around 1,800–2,000 pesos for up to 8 people for 4 or 5 stops. However, you’ll then have to add the entrance fees for each site (per person), and the snorkeling spots are especially pricey. Our advice is to visit Coral Garden at least.
How to book it? Almost all hotels will offer it to you, but you can also check the prices from agencies and people selling it right on White Beach or Sabang. If you want to save, you can go to the Sandbar (accessible by land) and negotiate there. Prices tend to be much better.
⭐ By the way, to understand how this activity works, take a look at our article on Island hopping in the Philippines.
5. More things to do in Puerto Galera
We’ve already told you the main things to do in Puerto Galera, but if you have more time or want to get around more, here are some secondary options:
- Party! While in much of the Philippines (except for the best‑known destinations like Boracay, Siargao, or El Nido) things quiet down a lot after dinner, in White Beach there’s quite a nightlife scene, especially on weekends. Since it’s so close to Manila for a weekend getaway, it isn’t unusual to find small beach parties, fire shows, and the odd ladyboy show.
- Malasimbo Festival: one of the best‑known music festivals in the Philippines. It’s usually held every year over a weekend between February and March. The amphitheater where it takes place is spectacular because it’s surrounded by nature.
- Mount Malasimbo: one of the highest mountains in this part of Mindoro. If you like hiking, you could do a route.
- Ponderosa Golf Club and the zipline: this golf club has a viewpoint where you can get spectacular views of Puerto Galera. The entrance fee is 30 pesos. Plus, if you want adrenaline, this is where the Puerto Galera Zipline is located.
- Mindoro Sling: you already know you won’t be short on partying in Puerto Galera; they also have their own cocktail. What’s in it? Rum (Tanduay, of course), mango juice, calamansi juice, grenadine, and Sprite. A sugar bomb that won’t leave you indifferent and that, if you’re not careful, will turn you upside down.
- Mangyan Village: the indigenous population on this coast of Mindoro were the Mangyan, who traded a lot with the Chinese until the arrival of the Spanish, when they took refuge in the mountains. Several of them now live in Talipanan, where projects have been launched for them to develop their handicrafts and sell them to tourists. If you want to take home a souvenir, it’s worth visiting.
- “Extreme sports”: many Manileños come for the weekend and look to do something different, so there are several companies offering ATV tours, karting, paintball, or archery, among other activities.
Where to stay in Puerto Galera
At the beginning of this Puerto Galera guide we already gave you hints about the best places to base yourself. In our opinion—as we like quieter, less touristy places—it’s best to focus on the Talipanan or Aninuan area. Sure, you won’t have as many restaurant options as in White Beach, but you can always grab a trIcycle and be there in under 10 minutes. On the other hand, if you’re going scuba diving, we’d opt for Sabang, since this is where most of the schools are located, being closer to the dive sites. Even so, we recommend avoiding the town itself, as the atmosphere doesn’t seem the healthiest.
Finally, if you want to party and the convenience of having all services within walking distance, then you should go for White Beach. We’ve selected these places to stay in Puerto Galera and categorized them by area so you don’t have to complicate things.
a. Staying in Aninuan–Talipanan:
- Infinity Resort: yes, they have a beautiful infinity pool facing Talipanan Beach. Among the most glamorous in the area.
- Bamboo House Beach Lodge: this was where we slept in Puerto Galera on our last visit. With good value for money and right on Talipanan Beach, there are rooms with or without air‑conditioning decorated with local materials. Breakfast is included.
- Riverside at Aninuan Accommodation and Food: looking for something cheap and don’t need to be on the beach? Then book this family‑run hostel.
b. Staying in White Beach (Puerto Galera):
- Playa Blanca Beach Resort (Adults Only): the murals in some rooms are a bit ugly, but the views over White Beach make up for it. In addition to the owners’ friendliness, you have a pleasant pool with a killer panorama.
- Marion Roos Hotel: modern, right in the center of White Beach, yet quiet. Perfect if you’re traveling with family or friends, as they have large rooms and apartments.
- Victoria’s Bed & Breakfast: a newly built hotel located a 5‑minute walk from White Beach. The rooms are great, and the included breakfast is even better.
c. Staying around Sabang (Puerto Galera):
- Edgewater Dive & Spa Resort: if you’re looking for where to stay in Puerto Galera and your priority is diving or getting away from the bustle, you’ll like this resort. It isn’t on the beach, but it is right on the seafront, so the rooms have stunning views. Plus, the food is outstanding.
- Jalyn’s Resort: for something more economical and close to Sabang—but without the madness—this little hotel with a pool and jaw‑dropping views will suit you.
Where to eat in Puerto Galera
Being a tourist area, you won’t be short of places to eat in Puerto Galera. Of course, the star here is fresh fish and seafood, but there are also plenty of international restaurants—curiously, many of them Italian. Here are the best ones:
- Luca’s Cucina Italiana: a true institution in Puerto Galera. Located in an idyllic spot at the end of Talipanan Beach, this beautiful place with sea views is known for its Italian food. Look, it’s not like the flavors will transport you to Rome, but the pizzas are pretty good and the prices are quite reasonable.
- Casa Mia Ristorante Italiano: in a little corner overlooking White Beach, this is, for us, the best Italian place to eat in Puerto Galera. The foolproof combo: pasta + aperol spritz.
- Resto Veranda: for a special lunch or dinner with sea views, this White Beach restaurant is a good alternative. Besides pizza and pasta, they have some meat and fish dishes. Be ready to open your wallet.
- Rumulus Restaurant: the place doesn’t look very promising, but it’ll surprise you with its cooking. Filipino and international dishes at a good price. Arm yourself with a bit of patience because they usually take a while to serve.
If you want cheaper prices, you’ll find lots of carinderias both in White Beach and Talipanan. Read our article What to eat in the Philippines to learn more about this type of eatery and which dishes are tastiest.
Tips for visiting Puerto Galera
- Best time to go to Puerto Galera: from December to May the weather is usually good, but keep in mind that Christmas, Holy Week, and local holidays are peak season, since it’s so close to Manila. For us, February to April is a good time, as long as you avoid holidays and weekends, when prices rise a lot.
- How many days to spend in Puerto Galera: this depends a lot on your goals. If you’re thinking total relaxation and diving, from 3 days is fine. To see the basics, 2 days is enough and you can continue your Philippines itinerary to other corners of Mindoro or hop to Romblon.
- Money in Puerto Galera: there are several ATMs (mainly in Poblacion and Sabang), but it’s better to carry cash because you can hardly pay by card except at higher‑end hotels and restaurants, and sometimes money gets stuck. If you’ve been through Manila beforehand, we recommend withdrawing as much as possible from the HSBC ATMs in Makati—the only ones that don’t charge a fee. It’s all explained in Money in the Philippines.
- Getting around Puerto Galera: there are jeepneys that connect the main towns in the area on a regular basis and the price is fixed and very cheap. If you want to do it faster or more comfortably, you’ll have to opt for tricycles. To make it cheaper, the best thing is to take the “in‑line” ones, which have a price set by distance. If you want a private one, be prepared to shell out about 100 pesos from White Beach to Talipanan, for example. Some travelers choose to rent a motorbike, which is the most comfortable way to explore the waterfalls, for example. Prices are around 400 pesos per day.
- Healthcare in Puerto Galera: keep in mind that the nearest larger cities are Calapán and Batangas. If something serious happens to you, you’ll have to be urgently transferred to Manila, so we strongly recommend traveling with good travel insurance for the Philippines. By clicking this link you get a 5% discount on your policy.
Puerto Galera map
You’ll see all the things to do in Puerto Galera, hotels, and restaurants more clearly by checking this map:
We hope this Puerto Galera Guide has helped you plan your visit to this destination that’s so accessible from Manila.
If you have any questions or suggestions, we’ll be waiting for you down in the comments!
