Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro
Unforgettable Experience
by: Anne Ardielyn Fenis
Puerto Galera can be also compared at Boracay but Puerto Galera is a budget-friendly and it has a famous attractions like white beach that can be search out at Oriental Mindoro, Philippines, this town was once labeled as “One of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World” with its clean water and breath-taking view.
Puerto Galera, officially the Municipality of Puerto Galera, is a 1st class municipality in the province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 36,606 people.
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Tourism now represents the core activity of the city economy which is well known for its beaches, scuba diving and entertainment activities, including "go-go bars". The city and its beaches have also become one of the many sites of the Philippines sex tourism industry.
What's in Puerto Galera?
This coastal town has a number of pocket beaches and snorkeling and Scuba diving spots. The area was designated a Man and Biosphere Reserve of UNESCO in 1973 and has some of the most diverse coral reef diving in Asia. Since 2001, the marine environment has benefited from a huge reduction in the number of fishermen in the area, as they gain higher revenue from tourism activities.
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Among the beaches in Puerto Galera are Sabang Beach and White Beach, which have an active nightlife with numerous bars and restaurants. Both places are directly accessible from Batangas by bangka regular lines. On the West, where is only a local boat connection to Abra de Ilog, the planned road between the two cities has not been completed yet. On the East, the city connects by road to Calapan through the Mindoro circular road.
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Sabang Beach, White Beach and beyond
Sabang Beach is the main destination for foreign tourists. Big La Laguna Beach and Small La Laguna Beach are considered part of Sabang with resorts lining the beaches. Big La Laguna Beach is visited by local swimmers and snorkelers. The city of Puerto Galera has a large central Catholic church and a pier area with some dining outlets.
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White Beach is situated 12 km east of Sabang beach. It is connected by trike or jeepney to Sabang Beach. White Beach remains popular with local travelers and Filipino families.[citation needed]. The place features a long beach of white fine sand. Filipinos like to come here at week ends and during the holiday season. There is a long line of restaurants and a variety of shops, the place is buzzing with life day and night. Since 2001, White Beach has seen uncontrolled development. New restaurants and places to stay are encroaching on the beach itself.
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Behind the beaches are the generally unexplored mountain ranges of central Mindoro. A local attraction is the 9-hole golf course located on the hillside above White Beach which has views over Puerto Galera's natural harbor and the Verde Island Passage. Mangyan tribes are scattered over the mountainsides - some of the more remote tribes have virtually no contact with the outside world. Of the eight tribes on Mindoro, the Iraya are the largest. They are based in the Puerto Galera area.
Sabang Beach
White Beach
Unexplored Mountain Ranges
My Personal Experience
On going to Puerto Galera we rent a van going to Batangas Pier and ride a boat going from White Beach Puerto Galera. On our first day, we meet our relatives who are living there and we don’t need to rent a hotel or room because we stay on the house of our relatives.
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Tricycles are the main transportation of Puerto Galera in short distance ride. From the house of our relatives we ride a tricycle going to white beach and started Island Hopping and Snorkeling in different places like San Antonio island Sanbar Island and we also got a chance to feed fishes. We had our lunch in the island and approximately 4pm we go back to the white beach and go to the bar in the center of the white beach it is a boat that has slide and have some drinks.
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On our second day we had an Land tour and went to Tamaraw falls which is considered with a cold water and clean water. In going there we need to go hiking because it is a mountain and the water is really coming from the falls. It is really tiring because you will walk an hour in order to you to reach the falls but when you make it you will feel refresh because of the view and the environment.
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On our third day I try different water sports like riding on a jetski, banana boat, dragon boat, and parasailing with my brother. When I ride banana boat I feel scary that time because they are throwing the people in the boat. I really enjoyed when I ride parasailing because its like we our in an air balloon. We had a chance to see the beauty of Puerto Galera and explore the white beach resort. But it was really enjoyable because I got to try and experience different watersports.
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And on our last day, we went to ponderosa it is a high place where you can see the whole Puerto Galera. I also try extreme where you will be covered with mud when driving. We also went to the Infinity resort that is so beautiful and the place was so calm and refreshing. We also shop for souvenirs for my relatives and friends.
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I also experience the Puerto Galera nightlife which is located in Sabang it is known a a vibrant nightlife that is filled with restaurants, bars and night clubs. The night was filled with live music and talented musicians of Puerto Galera and the music was often called an “island style” with reggae and acoustic sets. There are also people who is dancing in the fire or fire dancers in the white beach and when they are performing you can have a photo opportunity with the while whirling flames around you.
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It was my first time in Puerto Galera and it didn’t disappoint me. I was so happy and grateful that I have experience this amazing things with my family and loved ones. I will forever treasure these memories because it was just having fun and bonding with my family. It was just a quick one but i experience all the activities with just a low budget and it really satisfy my heart in visiting this famous summer destination.
