Saturday, January 28, 2012

The Lesser Known travels: Puerto Galera (Port of Galleons)


It has been a long time since I had a chance to get away from it all. Since June of last year, I have been in an “all work and no play” situation. So when I got a chance to join on a resort immersion-tour, I did not let it pass.

The resort immersion-tour takes place at Puerto Galera, Mindoro Philippines. A destination I have never been to, which makes me a bit more excited. We left Manila at 7am and went on our way to Batangas (the link point to Mindoro). Contrary to majority of the tours going to the island, we had a stop at Berberabe Beach which is our jump off point going to Puerto Galera instead of accessing Batangas port. Berberabe Beach is used by tourists with private chartered boat arrangements. By that time, we already have our private motor boat awaiting us.

The Lesser Known at Berberabe Beach.
Intended for private boat chartered groups going to Puerto Galera.


At past 12pm, we arrived at Muelle Bay voted as one of the cleanest bays by a Vietnamese tourism organization. The bay is really clean and is populated by private yachts which I suppose are owned by foreigners who settled in the island. Arrived at Oceana Beach Resort, had a late lunch and inspected the entire property.

At Puerto Galera Tourist Information Center welcomed
by officers and the resort owner


We had a leisure time in the afternoon and went to White Beach which is the most famous and most crowded beach that Puerto Galera has. Not to mention that it is also poorly maintained. I strongly encourage the local government of Mindoro to do something about the deteriorating status of this very competitive and promising tourist destination before it’s too late. I explored the less than a kilometer stretch of sand at White Beach, observed the mix of local and foreign tourists, vendors and tattoo shops that proliferate within the area. Puerto Galera for me is less attractive than Boracay because there are no specific rules that govern the settlers and if there are any, they might not be strictly implemented.

The face of Puerto Galera White Beach full of benches and food outlets
The shore is cleaner and less populated on the right side of the beach.
Our residence for 5 days -- the serene Oceana Beach Resort
at Dulangan Beach






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