Puerto Galera - Cush Travel Blog

Best Dive Sites in Puerto Galera within Your Reach

January 7, 2014 By // by Jerome Aaron Leave a Comment

Puerto Galera is one of the top tourist spots in the Philippines. While other tourist destinations offer only a beach or diving or historical sites, Puerto Galera has them all in one tidy package. There are pockets of white sand beaches, mountain treks, virgin forests, historical buildings and a number of dive sites in Puerto Galera.

Dive Sites in Puerto Galera — Diving in Sabang wreck in Puerto Galera – Philippines

Puerto Galera is an island paradise in Oriental Mindoro. The Philippines is made up of 7,107 islands and one of them is Mindoro, located at the South China Sea. Mindoro is divided into two: Oriental and Occidental Mindoro. There is a small airport in Occidental Mindoro where a few flights from Manila come in. From there, tourists would still need to take a lengthy bus ride to Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro. Puerto Galera is best accessed via a ferry boat from Batangas City. It takes a total of about 4 to 5 hours by bus and ferry getting to Puerto Galera from Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. Most of the tourists who do come to Puerto Galera come primarily for its beaches and dive sites—and can actually visit both beach and dive spot at nearly the same time! Here we have detailed for you some of the best beach and dive spots for the Puerto Galera tourist’s train: …

Most Breathtaking Waterfalls in Puerto Galera, the Tamaraw Falls

January 7, 2014 By // by Jerome Aaron Leave a Comment

Puerto Galera, a laid-back town in Oriental Mindoro, is the top tourist attraction in that part of the Philippines. To many local and foreign tourists who have not really been there, Puerto Galera is synonymous to the white-sand beach. But that is too simplified a view of this tropical paradise and its offerings. It is also a host to a number of not-as-popular attractions that rightly deserve more recognition, such as the Tamaraw Falls.

Tamaraw Falls in Puerto Galera — Tamaraw falls in Puerto Galera – Philippines

Tamaraw Falls is 8 miles from the center of Puerto Galera. It is accessible by jeepney or tricycle. The ride to the waterfalls on either of these two most common forms of transport in the Philippines is a cultural trip in itself. Foreign visitors would get to see rural Philippines, rows of palm and coconut trees, coconut huts, rice paddies, and very friendly locals who are only too eager to wave and give a smile. There are other scenic sites along the way such as Tukuban Falls, Punta Baluerte and Tanapunan Hot Springs. You will see Tamaraw Falls along the road as you reach Barangay (“Community”) Villaflor near the city of San Teodoro. …

Sabang Beach, the Best Party Beach in Puerto Galera

January 7, 2014 By // by Jerome Aaron Leave a Comment

Sabang Beach may not be as pretty as the many white sand beaches scattered all over the Philippines, yet it still attracts a horde of foreign tourists every year. When compared to some of the other famous beaches in the country, it does not offer as picturesque a beach or as relaxing a swim. Its beach is in fact rocky and packed with many docked boats. Despite that, it has the most number of visiting foreign tourists of all the beaches in Puerto Galera.

Sabang Beach in Puerto Galera – Philippines

So what makes Sabang Beach so special?

Located at the east side of Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, this beach is often the starting point to all other destinations in the area. There are almost 10 prettier beaches, including the majestic White Beach, two mountains that are popular to mountaineers and trekkers, three to four waterfalls, a bunch of historical ruins, and a lively town with lovely locals. But almost everyone who comes to visit Puerto Galera for many different reasons has to pass by Sabang. …

The Best Way to See Puerto Galera from the Ponderosa Golf and Country Club

January 7, 2014 By // by Jerome Aaron Leave a Comment

Golf is one of the most beloved sports of people who want to stay contemplative, cool and not perspire while playing a game. It is perhaps the only sport where players may stroll easily around a field of grass and greenery even while indulging in competition. For golf-enthusiasts in the Philippines, one of the best ways to experience the sport is to go golfing by the beautiful beaches of Puerto Galera at the Ponderosa Golf and Country Club.

Ponderosa Golf Course and Country Club in Puerto Galera – Philippines

The golf club was originally built for golf lovers from all over the country but now even non-golfers visit the place for tourism purposes. Imagine this: a lush and creatively designed golf course on a mountaintop 2,000 ft. above sea level with a view of the entire island of Mindoro and the turquoise South China Sea. It is located halfway up Mount Malasimbo, which itself is also a tourist attraction. Who doesn’t want to play golf against such scenic backdrop? The allure persists for non-golfers, since the Ponderosa Golf and Country Club offers a spectacular view in a relaxing environment. One could just sit down on the abundant greens while looking over Puerto Galera. And when the sky is clear blue, not-so-distant Batangas in Luzon becomes visible across the calm sea. …

An Exotic Hike to Aniuan Falls in Puerto Galera

January 7, 2014 By // by Jerome Aaron Leave a Comment

Even if you have heard about Puerto Galera as one of the top beach destinations in the Philippines, you have still not heard enough. Puerto Galera, simply referred to as Puerto by locals, is indeed famous for its beaches. However, it has many other natural attractions (thus far unsung) to offer, including the mystical Aniuan Falls.

Aniuan Falls in Puerto Galera – Philippines

The hike to Aniuan Falls is quite an experience itself. Foreign tourists taking this hike will get a better understanding of life in rural Philippines. What visitors see in the Puerto Galera area is pretty much what goes on in most rural areas in the Philippines: laid back life, exoticism, and with very little development. Puerto Galera is in Oriental Mindoro, an island not very far away from Manila, the capital city. It is a popular island for its beaches and tourist destinations (Puerto Galera is just one of them), and yet there has not been significant development or modernization of the island. If not for the pull of tourism, the locals would not have many opportunities for livelihood. …

Mount Halcon, the Tallest Peak in Mindoro and the Most Elusive Mountain in the Philippines

January 7, 2014 By // by Jerome Aaron Leave a Comment

Puerto Galera is many things to many people. It offers so many attractions and activities that coming here is considered by some to be a richer experience than going to other Philippine destinations. Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro boasts of white beaches, lush forests, ancient Spanish ruins, waterfalls and mountains-not to mention the interesting culture of its people. Although not really in Puerto Galera, Mount Halcon adds a special spice to the tourism in Mindoro. Located in the municipality of Baco between Oriental Mindoro and Occidental Mindoro, Mount Halcon is considered virtually impossible to climb, which makes it even more appealing to mountaineers and mountain-climbing enthusiasts.

Mount Halcon in Puerto Galera – Philippines

Getting to the foot of Mount Halcon is already a challenge because it is far from the nearest paved road. If you wish to face the most amazing nature-trek challenge of your life, you chose the right summit. It’s has been declared officially closed several times for the reason that it is too difficult to climb. So far, only three groups of expert mountaineers have claimed to have scaled it by 2009. Yet, officially, this elusive summit is declared closed until 2012. The office of the Mayor suggests Mount Baco as an equally challenging alternative. Yet the curious and unquenchable spirit of expert mountaineers still point to Mount Halcon. It seems that the more impossible the climb, the more people want to scale it. …