Puerto Galera

Puerto Galera, one of the oldest settlements of the religious missionaries in the Philippines, was founded by the Spanish in 1574 as the provincial capital of Mindoro Island. However, the history of the locale goes way back into the metal age and probably beyond. Artifacts found at ancient burial sites at Lalaguna and Minolo suggest that a thriving culture existed here for many millennia before the Spanish arrived. Occasional Chinese records from as far back as the 10th century suggest frequent trading with the indigenous Mangyan people: exchanging glazed porcelains for gold, jade, corals, shells, birds, rattan and other forest products that were abundant on the island. The Mangyans still live in the surrounding forested hills and can occasionally be seen in the town selling woven abaca items and gold recovered from the rivers and streams that cascade down the towering mountains behind.

Puerto Galera “The Most Beautiful Bay in the World”

The port town was probably named after Spanish ships that were based here in the early years of colonisation – Galeras (English = galleys — two masted, shallow draft, rowing/sailing ships) known locally as “prau” or “parao” – that were employed as short distance trading vessels, doubling as warships when required to subdue the populous or thwart attacks from pirates and nearby island chieftains. With the arrival of tourism in the 20th century it became more important to determine the origin of its name and in recent times the romantic translation, “The Port of Galleons”, has held sway over the more academic alternative. No matter the actual origin, Puerto Galera certainly offered a safe anchorage for many a galera and galleon during the tropical storms and typhoons (hurricanes/cyclones) that frequently cut across the country during the months of May through November

The town lost its status as the seat of government for Mindoro in 1837; Calapan took over the role, as the focus of agriculture and commerce shifted East along the coastal plains. [Puerto Galera was briefly the provincial capital again, in 1902 and 1903, while the Philippines was under American rule] More recently, on December 26, 1973, PD (Presidential Decree) 354 was issued by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos making Puerto Galera a reservation area under the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme.

Beaches of Puerto Galera

Take a walk. Take a dip. Or just sit around for hours. Whatever you fancy, let the beach at Infinity keep you company. Situated in a less frequented part of Puerto Galera, you will have the space to relax and soak in the sun, sand, and surf. There several beaches around the area, but Infinity’s beach in Talipanan is where you go to truly appreciate the Puerto Galera beach experience

Puerto Galera has beautiful beaches- Long beach, white sand beach, Coral Garden, Monkey Beach, Haligi Beach among others. Beach hopping is one way to experience all these in a day… Many deserted beaches are found on Mindoro. Just tell us when and where you want to go, and we’ll take you there by boat.

Talipanan Beach is a nice alternative to White Beach during peak season, when the waterfront gets a little crowded. A quick ride by jeepney will carry you from White Beach to Talipanan, where tourists enjoy an easy going atmosphere. There is ample space for swimming here.

Falls & Trekking

Tamaraw Falls is a series of cascades culminating in a 460-foot plunge into a nice manmade pool where children can swim. There is also a challenging hiking trail that tracks along the river as it descends through the mountain. A modest entrance fee allows access to a picturesque picnic area, making Tamaraw Falls an ideal daytrip destination for those staying in Puerto Galera. Travelling onwards a few more miles along the road to Calapan you’ll find a pleasant sand beach as well as the heritage fishing village of Villa Flor.

Aside from scaling mountains, enjoying panoramic views and relaxing near waterfalls, there is also opportunity to view wildlife while trekking. The most exciting specimen is the endangered tamaraw, an elusive buffalo that roams freely throughout the mountains that back Puerto Galera.

Ponderosa Golf Club

For the most panoramic views of Puerto Galera you simply must not miss a trip up the mountains to the Ponderosa Golf Club where, with very modest green-fees, you can play one of the world’s most dramatic 9-hole golf courses guaranteed to challenge your short game.

If you do not want to bring your own golf clubs then you can rent suitable sets from the Ponderosa Golf Club. And if you have friends who don’t play golf then still take them along for there is plenty to see and do for no-players.