Puerto Galera, Philippines

is a seaside community spread out over thirteen villages along the northeastern tip of Mindoro Island, 130 km south of Manila . Geographically well located, the municipality consists of the Puerto Galera Cove, one of the world's most beautiful natural harbors, as well as numerous beaches along the coastline. The enclosed cove provided shelter from storms to Spanish galleons en route to Acapulco via Manila. Evidence of trade between China and pre-Spanish settlers have been found. The enclosed cove still provides refuge from storms for vessels linking the islands south of manila.

Today, Puerto Galera's main attractions are the numerous coves and beaches along the coastline as well as trails into interior rain forests of the island. The waters around Puerto Galera are rich in corals and marine life which offers excellent diving conditions. The north coast of Medio Island is known to world scientists because of its treasure of botanical and zoological specimens with thousands of terrestrial and marine plants. Splendid nature, widely protected, especially in the Cove, with a mountainous background leading into a rain forest, where there are still tribal Mangyan people living, make Puerto Galera one of the most beautiful spots in the Philippines.

Getting to Puerto Galera:

A 2 to 3-hour bus or car trip from Manila south to Batangas and a 1 to 2 hour ferry ride is is the normal route to reach Puerto Galera. There is no airport nearby.

Bus-Ferry Service

"Si-Kat" and "Island Cruiser" offer air-con bus and connecting ferry Manila-Batangas-Puerto-Galera. They accept reservation by phone.

• "SI-KAT" has a bus leaving Manila at 08.00 daily at City State Tower Hotel, 1314 A. Mabini St., Ermita. Return ticket is 1,200.- Pesos/person, P 600.- for one way. Reservations can be made at 02- 521-33-44

• "Island Cruiser", leaving Manila daily at 7.30 am from Swagman Hotel, 411 A. Flora Street, Ermita. One way ticket is 600.- Pesos/person, 1,200.- for return. Reservations can be made at 02-523-85-41 to 45, local 175. If you are a bigger group and your hotel/residence is out of the area they are willing to pick you up. E-mail

Public buses

reach Batangas Pier also from following Stations in Manila:

• JAM transit from Plaza Lawton or Buendia Avenue

• BLTB Co. from EDSA, Pasay ,Tel. (02) 833-5501, every 30 minutes

• TriTran, Buendia corner South Superhighway, Tel. (02) 831 4700, every 30 minutes
  (approx. traveling time 3 hours and 30 minutes).

Ferry Schedule:

Upon arrival in Batangas Pier, Terminal 2 there are other ferries to Puerto Galera. Please check at the terminal counters of the different ferries. The timetable for the ferries changes quite frequently, so it is advisable to phone them for a confirmation. There are several other smaller boats which service the beaches around Puerto. Please note that the ones listed are the only ones which dock in the Pier in town, with the exception of Star Light and Supercat, which arrive and depart in Balatero.

Taking your own vehicle

the only regular car ferriy directly to Puerto Galera isMontenegro Line from Terminal 1, Batangas Pier. Copies of Certificate of Registration and Official Receipt for the current year are required for clearance from the Coast Guard and Philippine National Police for loading your car in the ferry. Star Light is not very big and can hold only 6 - 10 vehicles, so it is advisable to be at the port as early as possible to secure your place.

The other option to reach Puerto Galera would be with the regular, bigger car ferries going to Calapan. They leave every 2 hours, even during night time. The drive from Calapan to Puerto Galera is about 1 1/2 hours and very scenic but not advisable during bad weather. (From the pier cross Calapan town, turn right at the main junction towards Baco, San Teodoro, Puerto Galera) .

Fees for cars are between P 800.- for 1,300.-, depending on your car.. One driver is included in this fare, additional passengers are P 160.- Prices are one way. There is no official reservation so be early to get your place.

Arrival in Puerto Galera is only at Balatero Pier. Family Sedans and vans are advisable only when the weather is dry. Four wheel drive vehicles are a must for getting around when it rains. Please be informed that stretches of road from Calapan to Puerto Galera and on to Kalaw Place and Sabang are still unpaved and can be difficult for vehicles with low ground clearance.

The route from Manila to Batangas Pier is the shortest if you take the Star Tollway in Sto. Tomas ( about 10-15 min after exiting South Luzon expressway) to Batangas via Lipa City. 10-15 minutes after passing the Air Base out of Lipa City take the diversion road to the Batangas Pier . Watch for the signs for the Star Tollway and Diversion Road to Batangas Pier along the Hi-way.

Parking is safe in Batangas Pier in case that you are not taking your car across the channel. They however charge P 10.- per hour. There is a private parking space on the left side before entering Terminal III (between Landbank and Shell) called D & D. Ask for Edgar at 043 722 06 21. He charges P 75.- per day only.

Arranged Transportation

If you are a group of people, or just enjoy some more comfort, we can arrange for you do be picked up in Manila (or the Airport) by van and/or have your own pump boat bring you across straight to our place. One-way prices are P 2,500.- for the van, P 2,300.- for the pump boat. Good for 2 - 8 person, depending on luggage.(Prices have to be confirmed, as it will increase slightly if your place of boarding is further than Makati or if you are more than ten people renting the boat)

Getting to Kalaw Place:

Upon arrival in Puerto Galera, bankas, jeeps and tricycles are available for transfer to our place. The Kalaw Place is located two kilometers from Puerto Galera town proper, four kilometers from Balatero Pier or a seven minute banka ride from Puerto Galera Pier. Transfers to/from Kalaw place to port of entry can be arranged.

Getting around Puerto Galera:

Bankas (pump boats), jeeps and tricycles are available to the various villages, beaches, and resorts. Please note that there are established rates from the different transport associations which are seldom followed by the vehicle operators.
Below are our recommended rates for your information only. Usually they double prices for nighttime.

Bankas(pump boats) are recommended for trips to :

From Kalaw Place jeeps can be hired for trips to (one-way, per jeep, good for up to 9 persons, night time prices can double). This are recommended tarifs only, the might depend on size of jeep and season.

Tricycles are available from our place to White Beach, Sabang, and Puerto Galera town. Public jeeps are also going this route. There are no "regular" time schedules for jeeps. They leave when they are full.: Recommenden prices are per person (and have to be negotiated).

Banks and ATM

There are no ATM nor any major banks in Puerto Galera. Only a few of the bigger resorts, restaurants, and dive shops accept credit cards. Sabang has one travel agency which can cash in on your VISA card

There are several money changers in Puerto Galera town as well as in Sabang. For changing traveler checks you will need your passport and receipt of purchase.

Diving in Puerto Galera:

Diving and renting of equipment can be arranged either directly with the many different dive shops in La Laguna, Small Laguna or Sabang beach (they are located 15 min by boat or about 35 min. by foot from our place) or we can make arrangements for you with two of the dive shops we recommend:

Seasons in Puerto Galera: