✨ Puerto Galera & Calapan: A Family Travel Story
I’ve been to Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro twice before our family trip, and I’d say I love it there. Not just because it’s nearer compared to Boracay, but because it reminds me of my own province, Marinduque. I first heard about Puerto Galera on a radio station I listened to in high school, and ever since, I’ve always wanted to visit.
🌊 First Impressions of Puerto Galera
The first time I set foot in Puerto Galera, I was struck by how it balances two worlds at once:
- The lively buzz of White Beach with endless music and fire dancers 🎶🔥
- The quiet, postcard-perfect sunsets in Aninuan and Talipanan 🌅
It’s the kind of place where you can party until midnight, then wake up to the sound of waves and feel like you’re in a different world.
👯♀️ First Trip with Friends
The first time I set foot in Puerto Galera, I was struck by how it balances two worlds at once—the lively buzz of White Beach with its endless music and fire dancers, and the quiet, postcard-perfect sunsets in Aninuan and Talipanan. It’s the kind of place where you can party until midnight, then wake up to the sound of waves and feel like you’re in a completely different island.
That trip was with a group of friends. Since we weren’t after the nightlife, we booked a hotel a bit far from White Beach. The hotel itself was nice, but its beachfront wasn’t really swimmable. So, we ended up taking a boat ride to get to White Beach—and let me tell you, those waves were no joke! I was scared, but since I was with friends, the fear quickly turned into fun.
The second time around, I returned with two friends from my first trip. This time, we decided to stay closer to White Beach for easier access. But this trip was a little more personal for me—because I had another mission.
My mom had long wanted me to find her brother, my uncle, who lived in Puerto Galera. I told my friends I needed to go to the town proper to look for him, and they didn’t need to come with me. It was a bold move—I wasn’t familiar with the place, but I trusted the tricycle driver to take me there. It turned out to be a long ride, but thankfully, with just a little information and a lot of help from locals, I was able to find him. That moment was unforgettable, and I promised him that one day I would bring Nanay to finally see him again.
That promise became the reason for my third trip—this time with my mom and sister. We decided to meet at Batangas Port (they came from Marinduque, while I came from Manila), and from there, we took a boat straight to White Beach. The ride lasted about 45 minutes to an hour, aboard a big fishing boat where plastic stools served as seats—simple but part of the experience.
The shoreline wasn’t quite the same as before—it felt narrower, with shops crowding the beachfront, and sadly, there was noticeable trash on the sand. Still, since it was my family’s first time, they enjoyed the beach and the lively atmosphere.
After a night at White Beach, we moved on to Calapan to visit other attractions and, most importantly, see my uncle.
🏛️ Exploring Calapan
📍 Calapan City Museum
Located at the new Calapan City Hall (Brgy. Guinobatan), the museum showcases memorabilia of Calapan’s history, including old possessions of past leaders and fascinating photographs of old Calapan.
We didn’t expect much, but the staff’s warm hospitality made the experience memorable. They even guided us around and explained the history behind the artifacts.
Read more here >>
🌳 Calapan Nature Park
Formerly known as the Calapan Recreational and Zoological Park, this spot was a pleasant surprise!
What to Expect:
- 🐒 Mini zoo & caged animals
- 🌲 Century-old trees & picnic grounds
- 🧗 Wall climbing & zip line (not too high, perfect for beginners!)
- 🚴 Trekking, jogging, and mountain biking trails
- 🌿 Eco-trail leading to the seashore in Barangay Parang
My sister and niece loved the zip line—it was their first time! As for me, I had fun with the animal and Mangyan statues (yes, I even rode a Tamaraw statue 🤭).
Read more here>>
🚤 How to Get There:
- From Batangas Pier (Terminal 3), ride a ferry to Balatero Port or another Puerto Galera drop-off point.
- Ferry ride: 45 mins – 1 hr.
- Don’t
forget to pay the terminal fee.
👉 Check schedules here: Puerto Galera Online Services
💡 Tip: Tricycle drivers may overcharge at the port. Haggle politely and keep your patience—you’ll enjoy the trip more that way.
👉 Read more here>>
🏨 Where We Stayed
We booked La Solana near White Beach. It was convenient, like an apartment, and within walking distance of the shore.
We stayed at the Filipiniana Hotel Calapan in Calapan City. It an old 4-star hotel.
👉 Read more here>>
🏁 Heading Home
We originally planned to see more attractions, but due to an unpleasant hotel experience in Calapan, we cut our trip short. Still, the journey was unforgettable.
On our way back, we discovered that there was a 2Go Ferry going to Manila — and it was surprisingly nice! 🚢 The ferry was big, clean, and even offered free snacks during the trip. I checked their schedule recently, but it seems that this service has already been discontinued.
💡 Travel Tips for Puerto Galera & Calapan
✔️ Bring patience when dealing
with tricycle fares.
✔️
Book accommodations ahead, especially near White Beach.
✔️
Don’t miss Calapan Nature Park if you’re traveling with family.
✔️
Always check ferry schedules in advance.
🙌 Puerto Galera will always be close to my heart—not just for its beaches, but for the personal stories and memories it holds. Whether you’re there to party, reconnect with family, or explore nature, Oriental Mindoro has something for you.
👉 Have you been to Puerto Galera or Calapan? Share your story in the comments—I’d love to hear it! 💬
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