Puerto Galera: A Beach Paradise that is Worth Visiting

Related Searches:

About four hours away from Manila, Puerto Galera is must-visit beach paradise, especially if you don’t have the luxury of time on your hands. Located in the island of Mindoro, it boasts of beautiful beaches, lush mountains, affordable accommodation facilities, hospitable locals, and so much more! There are so many things that you can do while there and the long list includes island-hopping, star gazing, rock climbing, and so on. Putting all these into consideration and with the prevalence of countless Philippine travel packages out there, it can be said that Puerto Galera is the place to be if you yearn for a summer vacation that is one for the books and light on the pocket. But before anything else, it is best to become acquainted of some of the finest attractions that you can enjoy if your trip to the said beach paradise pushes through. Read on because this is what this write up is all about.

Talipanan Falls

The Talipanan Falls is one of the most famous falls and awe-inspiring attractions in Puerto Galera. It is safe to say that it’s just what the doctor ordered if you’re an adrenaline junkie who wants to engage in an exceptional trekking experience and enjoy breathtaking scenery. To get there, it is best if you are going to hire a local guide that usually charges around PHP 200.00. Also, make sure to leave early in the morning if you want to take pictures of Mindoro monkeys.

Puerto Galera Mangrove Conservation and Eco-Tourism Park

The Puerto Galera Mangrove Conservation and Eco-Tourism Park is a 22-hectare property that is composed of mangrove trees, reefs, sea grass, and so on. While there, you can enjoy a captivating view of a mangrove forest that boasts of a somewhat mystical environment. It is a bit hard to reach, but you can be rest assured that your efforts won’t go to waste, especially after finding out for yourself that the awareness for mangroves is gaining momentum and further losses are slowly (and surely) being prevented.

Underwater Cave

The Underwater Cave in San Antonio is a majestic place that can take your breath away. Located in a small pocket beach, there is a ladder that you can use to enter the mentioned opening. If the tide is low, you can easily exit on the other side, but if it is the other way around, you have to dive to reach the other side. If you’re a good swimmer, you can try reaching the bottom. In the process, be prepared to be mesmerized by its natural beauty that is highlighted by a myriad of limestone walls, different corals, and others.

Bulalacao Municipality

If you want to experience an unadulterated beach that is not overshadowed by mainstream tourism, then the Municipality of Bulalacao is the place to be. It is perfect if you want to indulge in beach activities without sharing it to a large number of people. In some ways, it is like the Tambobong Beach in Pangasinan, but with a twist. What makes the municipality special is the presence of 13 untouched islets that resembles a shooting star if you look at them through a, say, bird’s eye view.

Sinandingan Lighthouse

Being a coastal town, Puerto Galera has its own lighthouse. Located in Sinandingan, the said structure delivers an exhilarating view of Isla Verde (Green Island). On top of this, it is also known for its diving spots that boasts of vibrant underwater plants that inhabit the nearby beaches.

Coral Garden

The Coral Garden, which is located between Boquete and San Antonio, is an attraction that you shouldn’t miss. Though only eight feet deep, it is home to a myriad of marine animals such as starfish, clown fish, sea urchin, sea snake, and so much more. To add, it is also the habitat of rare corals. If you choose to go snorkeling, make sure to hold on the outrigger of your boat. You can bring pieces of bread so you can feed the fish.

Infinity Farm

The Infinity Farm is slowly turning into one of Puerto Galera’s most sought after vacation spots. Located within close proximity to Calapan City, it is ideal if you want to indulge in clean air, mountain-fresh water, and so much more.

Summing up

There you have it, some of the attractions that you ought to include in your itinerary if your Puerto Galera getaway pushes through. By doing so, you can be rest assured that your trip is one for the books and it is fun as well as exciting as advertised. Remember, the beach paradise is well worth your time, money, and effort, especially if you don’t have the luxury of time on your hands and at the same time want to enjoy a summer escapade that is worth remembering.

Did you find this article informative? Do you have other Puerto Galera tips and pointers that you want to share? Give us a shout on our comments page.

Is the article interesting? Useful? Funny? Inspiring? Or simply worthy? Then Follow @TravexTravels . Read, read, and lead! More related posts below.

The Secluded Gotan Beach in Sta. Ana, Cagayan

The jetski is waiting in Gotan Beach, Santa Ana, Cagayan

To get to Gotan Beach in Sta. Ana, Cagayan, you just need to go straight ahead passing by the side of Anguib Beach. You will get to see the entrance of Anguib Beach on your right side, but do not stop, instead drive straight ahead until you see a forest of aguho “pine” trees in the vicinity. However, if you do not have the pass to visit the area, you won’t be able to see Gotan Beach because the beach is not accessible to general public.

Sta. Ana’s Anguib Beach—A Must Visit White Sand Haven

Frolick in the ever white sands of Anguib Beach in Santa Ana, Cagayan

Did you know that Anguib (or Angib) Beach in Sta. Ana, Cagayan is not really a public or a “no-one-is-owning” white sand beach but a semi-private venture in the island? Did you also know that Anguib Beach can be reached by land via private vehicle, by passing through fields of rice crops and greens of mountains, as opposed to other tourists who say that it can only be reached by boat when coming from Port of San Vicente also in the town of Santa Ana? Did you also know that there is also an adjacent secret beach called Gotan Beach which is exclusively only for elite visitors and casino gamers? Did you also know that other than Anguib Beach, there are also other coves with white sands, accessible by local tourists and some are still pristine because of their difficulty in accessibility? Did you also know that Santa Ana is also a place for scuba divers, kite flyers and adventure lovers? And did you also know that as opposed to the usual etymology of town’s name, Santa Ana was not named after a saint nor the name “Santa Ana” is religious of any sort?

Aparri Beach, The Park, and Sigay (Fishing in Cagayan)

The waves are crashing onto the walls in Aparri Beach, Cagayan

After our motorcycle episode from Tuguegarao, we finally arrived in this far town of Aparri, still in the province of Cagayan. Although it took us hours to reach my friend’s uncles, I did not feel the long back ride trip because of the laid back sceneries and the “doon po sa nayon” feels of the vast and long fields of rice, corn and crops. Although the time passed by in the hours, I felt as if the trip from Tuguegarao to Aparri was just in a matter of seconds.

Diguisit Beach and Islets in Baler, Aurora

Diguisit Beach and rocks in Baler, Aurora

Diguisit Falls is the last spot where we swam. We did not actually swim the waters of our next destination, which is Diguisit Beach and Islets. It is our decision to just enjoy the view, pick up some fancy rocks, explore the hill-like islets, soak our feet on the warm ocean waters and drench our bodies under the scorching heat of the sun.

Cemento Beach, Cobra Reef and Lukso-Lukso Islets of Baler, Aurora

Cemento Beach, Coba Reef an Lukso-Lukso Islets in Baler, Aurora

There was this old story about two gods who became angry with one another and so they quarreled on a particular day. One god picked up stones and rocks and remolded it. After molding the rocks, he threw it to his enemy. The other god did the same too. But when they threw their rocks to one another, it was miraculous that they do not even hit them. They were all missed. Thus, the existence of several hills, a thousand in actual, scattered around the island. Nope, that wasn’t the story of Cemento Beach, Cobra Reef nor the Lukso-Lukso Islets.

Greet the Sunrise in Ampere Beach, Dipaculao, Aurora

Waves, rocks and sunrise in one of the most beautiful beaches in Aurora--Ampere Beach, Dipaculao.

A night in Sabang Beach in Baler did not stop us to pursue our next adventure which starts in a farther town called Dipaculao, still in Aurora. Organized chronologically, we took our trip as follows: Ampere Beach, Balete Tree, Ditumabo (Mother Falls), Ermita Hill, Cemento Beach/Cobra Reef, Lukso-Lukso Islets, Diguisit Falls, and Diguisit Beach and Islets. We woke up past three in the morning (that early!), prepared for our breakfast, ate our breakfast, packed our things and drove away a few minutes past four in the morning. The reason why we woke up that early is to greet the sweet sunrise in Ampere Beach.

A Night of Grilled Food in Sabang Beach, Baler

Sabang Beach in Baler, Aurora

The trike drivers brought us to Baler Market to buy some slices of pork and other ingredients needed for our dinner. After a few minutes of buying, we headed to Sabang Beach, where Jamjen’s transient rooms were located. The streets going to Sabang Beach are narrow, but growing opportunities are as wide as the ocean in this part of Baler, Aurora.

Saud Beach in Pagudpud: The Last Stopover

Coconut and sunset in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte.

I couldn’t imagine anymore how tight our trip was. The most obvious proof was our last destination where we only spent like thirty minutes on the shores of Pagudpud. Yes. THIRTY minutes. On a white sand beach. Oh come on, are we even there yet?

Bangui Wind Farm: Where Wind is Life

Bangui Wind Farm in Ilocos Norte, Philippines

Tumultuous sweats linger on every foreskin I had as we continue our journey to my most wanted scenic spot in Ilocos Norte—Bangui Windmills. The last time we went to Ilocos we only reached up to the City of Laoag (where i tried its empanada). This time, we went all the way to Pagudpud, passing by the beautifully and technologically crafted power-producing windmills. The windmills are that efficient that people of Ilocos Norte are enjoying lower electricity rates than the other provinces in the region.

The Beach of Patar (Morning Side)

Patar Beach, Bolinao, Pangasinan by morning.

It was a beautiful and calm morning, and just after we strolled around the beaches in Bolinao where it is not appropriate for swimming (because of the marine life there, like sea grasses, fishes, and star fish), we headed for Patar Beach to see the other side of it—the morning. When we went there in 2011, it was noon time (golden strip) and yesterday, we arrived there in the afternoon (golden sunset). Today, we are braving to see its wonder in the morning. And it was a beach.

Symmetry of Life: Bolinao Beaches Greet Us Good Morning

Bolinao beaches greet us "good morning"!

It was needless for us to tell what happened after the sun set in Patar Beach, Bolinao. It was a great night of fun and card games. We also had our night swimming which was fun to do and a fraction of the remaining hours was spent to sleep. It was a great morning after.

Patar Beach: The Golden Sands and the Golden Bolinao Sunset

Catch the golden sunset in Patar Beach, Bolinao.

A widescreen view of the sea can be seen from the hill where the Bolinao Lighthouse was erected, but it was still a surprising scene to see Patar Beach in Bolinao. It was just a few minutes from the lighthouse (there is actually a crossroad where the one road goes to the lighthouse and the other one to the public beach). I remember the first time I saw Patar Beach on a lunch time and the sands were really creamy gold. It didn’t fail me to bring my jaw drop again. Patar Beach was just that stunning.

Timubo Cave and Santiago White Sand Beach in Camotes

The powdery white sand beach of Santiago in Camotes Island.

Timubo Cave is an underground cave featuring gigantic stalactites and stalagmites with an end destination of a crystal clear water pool. On the other hand, Santiago White Sand Beach (or Santiago White Beach) in Camotes is a public beach with cream colored sand shore. Both tourist attractions are a must see when one visits Camotes. Aside from Lake Danao Park where you can enjoy kayaking, Camotes is also a cool place to swim underground pools and play beach volleyball.

Patar Beach in Bolinao or Tambobong Beach in Dasol: Which is Better?

Patar Beach in Bolinao

Patar Beach in Bolinao is a barrio beach located at the tip of Brgy. Patar in Bolinao, a village about 30 minutes from the downtown. It is sometimes called Patar White Beach, but in fact the color of the sands is nearer to the golden one. Patar Beach in Bolinao is a short strip golden sand beach with some scattered rock formations and a small lagoon where kids can swim. Most of the times, the waves are strong, and the beach is somehow deep 2 meters from the shoreline. Patar Beach is a good location for building golden sand castles, swimming in a pool like mini lagoon, and surfing.

Tambobong Beach in Dasol

Tambobong Beach in Dasol on the other hand is another barrio beach located at Brgy. Tambobong in Dasol, Pangasinan which is approximately one hour from the downtown of Burgos, Pangasinan. The color of the sands is not really white but dirty-white, dull beige and a soil like dusty color. Most of the times (if not all) there are no waves, and it’s ideal to do swimming during high tide. During low tide, sea grasses appear. Tambobong Beach is also a fishing village of the locals. This is where you can see giant squids and tuna caught by the fishermen. Tambobong Beach is also a jump-off point to an island hopping adventure where you will witness a white sand beach island, rock formations, shipwreck and cave.

Collibra Island | Photos

Here are other photos of Collibra Island (or Culebra Island in Dasol).

Culebra (Collibra) Island: Dasol Secret Hideaway

Collibra or Culebra Island is what you are looking for in Dasol, Pangasinan. White sand beach plus rock formations equals paradise.

Culebra Island, or Collibra Island is an island paradise about 15-20 minutes by boat from the shores of Tambobong Beach in Dasol, Pangasinan. This island in Dasol boasts off its fine white sand beach and a total half of mysteriously formed rock formations. Its white sands were derived from the crushed rocks from the rock formations, and travelers will be able to understand this phenomenon once they get there. Another distinct property of Culebra or Collibra Island is that it has only four tall coconut trees and the rest are rocks and grasses. Tourists are advised therefore to bring umbrella and sun block if they plan to stay long in the island.

The Golden Patar Beach in Bolinao

Patar Beach in Bolinao is just one of the many tourist spots in Pangasinan.

If you want to see the most wonderful and awesome beach in Bolinao, go to the public beach located at the tip of Bgy. Patar, and not at Puerto Del Sol or Punta Riviera Resort. The transient room that we rented for a night is only meters adjacent to the two resorts, and believe me, the sand there is not as fine as that one in Patar. The two resorts are located at Bgy. Ilog-Malino, and not in Patar. Unless you are looking for a pool or kayaking in a river, then you can choose either of the two (P500 for pool + kayak in Punta Riviera for one day inclusive of cottage).

Escape to Bolinao

Patar Beach in Bolinao, Pangasinan.

WHAT TO SEE: Low tide seas of Bgy. Ilog-Malino, golden beach of Patar, Cape Bolinao Lighthouse (the second tallest lighthouse in the Philippines), rock formations, underground caves, falls, rivers, resorts

WHAT TO EXPECT: nature trip, unspoiled beaches, rural settings, natural wonders, accommodating Ilocanos, rough roads