One lazy day has led me and my friends to decide to spend our Holy Week vacation in Puerto Galera last year (Apr 2010). Holy Week is coming near again (2 weeks from now) and it makes me think to go back to this place again :) I'm a Roman Catholic, no question with that. But the fact of thinking of a break for sometimes is really once in a lifetime due to time constraints. Not hidden to many, we all do experience stress from work, work and work on top always. And one way for me to overcome it and to avoid a burnout state is exploring the beach. Don't know why, that even I don't know how to swim, the aura of beach would make me pacified. I find peace whenever I'm in an island surrounded by a body of water.Puerto Galera has been famous to local travelers because of the White Beach experience, numerous pocket beaches, many snorkeling and Scuba diving spots and not to mention the bars, restaurants and night life. It is located in the province of Oriental Mindoro. It has also been listed by the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World, and is the only bay in the Philippines to be listed there.
Among the famous beaches in Puerto Galera are Sabang Beach and White Beach, which have an active nightlife with numerous bars and restaurants. Both beaches also have an array of first-class and economy class accommodations. According to research, Sabang Beach is the main destination for foreign tourists, while White Beach remains popular with local travelers. And being one of the local travelers, I'd prefer the White Beach.
There's no airport (or direct flights) at Puerto Galera so you have to travel by road then ferry. I heard that you can travel by seaplane but I won't recommend it if you are watching your budget. We traveled by bus from Manila to Batangas Port for 2.5 to 3 hours. Then you need to ride in a ferry to reach the White Beach. Just be careful when you are heading the ferry (local tourists are tagging this as RORO) as there are two separate destinations - Sabang Beach and White Beach. You need to follow the instructions of the guide or else you'll end in different destination. I remembered that there were 3 windows we headed to pay for the tickets and other monetary requirements (don't know the policy why they need to go on separate windows) but we are glad that one of the guides who approached us in Batangas port has instructed as very well. A not so expensive tip has been given to this guide for his courtesy. After 30 minutes to 1 hour travel in water, we were able to catch the entire face of the White Beach. And I would say it's awesome! (don't want to compare it with other White Beaches as each beaches has their own unique features).
We arrived at the White Beach roughly at about 9:30AM. Along the way, you'll be faced with lots of hotel promoters of the White Beach. We actually have a reservation to one of the hotels at the White Beach but due to the bulk of both local and foreign tourists at that day, our reservation didn't push thru. We needed to wait until 11AM until one of the rooms was vacated. (I won't recommend you to reserve if that's gonna be the case during peak season)
I didn't enjoy much of the food here but you can try something different to spice up your taste buds. There are no ATMs near here so you have to prepare a cash budget should you want to go to this island. Make sure you watch your budget because most of the stuffs are pricey.
But overall, I like the view very much. Snorkeling is also fun and even boat riding. There are lots of passersby who will ask you to avail of their tour package including Snorkeling and going to other hot spots. I would just recommend you to be wiser in choosing the cheaper package. (And just be ready to the itchy effect after soaking your whole body during Snorkeling fun as it stays longer than expected :P)
I felt so excited too in experiencing the sunset and nightlife at Puerto Galera. I'd say t'was unpredictable. Cool! :)
A not so part of our tour here is heading to Tamaraw Falls. I'd say I won't recommend you to travel at Tamaraw Falls. But since it's part of the package we availed, we just headed to try this once in a lifetime. The reason I say it so is because this destination is too far from the White Beach. We just traveled by a tricycle and we felt so wasted that we thought this destination could cover that feeling but we regretted it. It's really not worth paying for. (But I'll not stop you if you'll still want to try to go here :P )
Ignoring the experience at Tamaraw Falls, I would still recommend this beach. With its enormous beauty and the fun it can bring, I would definitely consider going back to Puerto Galera.
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