Puerto Galera, Philippines

Date: June 2015
Location: Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines

Accommodation recommendation: Jack Daniels Apartments, Puerto Galera
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Puerto Galera is a cosy beach town at the northern coast of Mindoro. There are lots of tourist offices, restaurants, (floating) bars, shops and massage salons around but it doesn't feel like that at all. Compared to all the other towns in the Philippines I would say this is more complete/has it all. Diving is one of the main things to do and it's good! In the afternoon people gather in bars for some drinks after a day of diving.

As for accommodation, I stayed at Jack Daniels Apartments in a huge apartment with kitchen next to the pool which gave a beautiful view from the veranda for a good price. Highly recommended.

Do's in Puerto Galera:

Go diving at Verde island with Dive Dojo and bring a sandwich from Mira's Bakery & Deli Shop;
Try the water buffalo steak (only served well done) at Tamarind restaurant at the beach;
Make sure you arrive on time if travelling from the south, one boat a day from Abra de Ilog;
Drink draft beer and have some snacks at Big Apple Dive Resort (hard to miss).

Don'ts in Puerto Galera:

Expect huge white sandy beaches at Puerto Galera - go to White Beach;
Forget to walk the whole beach road, from Hemingway's to Tina's Reef Divers;
Think this is a cheap Philippine town - but they do have ATM's;
Dive Verde island if you can't handle heavy currents, there are a lot of dive sites around Sabang as well.