The popular hideaway of Puerto Galera is conveniently close to the Philippine capital city of Manila. Increasingly popular with crowds of tourists from other parts of the Philippines and abroad, the city offers plenty of entertainment infrastructure around the coastal resorts. However, visitors don't have to travel far before landing in an isolated part of Mindoro's interior mountains.
Hemmed in by the sea on one side and Mindoro's rugged interior on the other, Puerto Galera is a traveller's oasis with a surprisingly diverse nightlife and plenty of entertainment and restaurants. It's possible to spend a day sipping cocktails and relaxing on the beach, or hiking into remote Mangayan villages hidden in the mountains.
 Puerto Galera itself is little more than the region's transportation gateway. Nearby Sabang Beach is the most popular place for visitors, with a high-energy nightlife that thrives on tourism dollars. Visitors seeking solace and an early bedtime typically spend more time at White Beach, where the atmosphere is laid-back and the sands are much nicer than at Sabang.
 Above all, Puerto Galera is world-renown for its first-class diving opportunities. The underwater environment here enjoys protection from UNESCO and is home to a staggering variety of marine species. There are more than 30 individual diving sites around Sabang alone, where diving schools and scuba outfitters are on every street corner. Travel agents throughout Puerto Galera offer diving excursions that tour various remote reefs or open-water wreck sites.
Restaurants throughout the resorts and coastal towns serve a mixture of Western and local cuisine. Fresh seafood is Puerto Galera's strong suit; and whether dining in Filipino or international-style venues, locally-caught fish is always the star ingredient.
Accommodation is abundant throughout the region. Sabang is home to the greatest concentration of hotels, covering both budget and upmarket needs. There are also several hotels located throughout Big and Small La Laguna beaches. White Beach caters more for domestic travellers as well as families with children.
Whether you seek exciting underwater expeditions or relaxing afternoons on the beach, Puerto Galera is an ideal place to pass a holiday. Even though most of the activities take place near the waterfront, there are hiking trails, waterfalls and hidden villages to explore at higher altitudes. Warm Filipino hospitality and charming accommodations will likely keep you here a bit longer than you intended.
History
Named after the merchant ships (galleons) that once frequented its harbour, Puerto Galera was formerly an important stopover on international trade routes in the 10th century. Trading vessels moored their ships in the harbour at Muelle Bay for extensive repairs and trading with locals. At this point in history, the majority of the merchants were Chinese, and trading involved jade, Chinese porcelain, gold and wicker wares.
European interests played an increasing role in Puerto Galera's governance as the Philippines fell under the jurisdiction of the Spanish crown. In the 1600s, the port was named capital of Mindoro Island, and continued to hold this status for more than 200 years.
A fire of little consequence destroyed a large amount of stored rice in the 1700s and cast millions of scorched grains into the sea. In a peculiar twist, the saltwater preserved these grains, and they still wash up on the shores of Puerto Galera to this day. Visitors can see where these 300 year-old grains of rice are collected next to the rickshaw stand at Muelle Pier.
 The US purchased the Philippines archipelago from Spain after the Spanish American War at the end of the 19th century, and capital status was passed to Calapan, which remains East Mindoro's current government seat. During the first half of the 20th century, the Philippines were promised self-governance by the US, though the Japanese invasion during WWII placed the archipelago in limbo.
Initially, Filipinos welcomed the Japanese as their liberators, but as the war raged on it became obvious that plans for independence would remain on hold. Eventually, the Philippines abandoned their enthusiasm for the Japanese occupiers and sided once again with the Allied forces to drive out the Japanese military.
The Philippines officially gained independence in 1946, though a strong US military presence remained in the country well into the 1990s. The country's fledging government floundered somewhat in the midst of unnerving corruption and a 20-year dictatorship under Ferdinand Marcos.
 Today, as the tides of tourism sweep further into the Philippines, the old harbour at Puerto Galera is seeing an influx of tourists bound for the resorts of White Beach and Sabang. This is a fantastic destination for water sports, jungle trekking, and underwater exploration of the UNESCO-protected marine environment.
Weather
Puerto Galera's weather comes in waves of wet and dry, though there isn't a pronounced monsoon season. Typhoons passing through this part of the world impart periods of stormy weather between June and October. Storms generated by typhoons and tropical depressions typically last a few days at a time, bringing strong winds and occasional flooding, and then quickly subside. This is not a favourite time for visitors, as unstable weather patterns regularly put flights on hold and otherwise complicate travel plans.
The climate is warm year round, with seasonal lows of around 27°C between November and February. Weather is also drier this time of year, making it an ideal season for tourists. The airways become clogged during the Christmas season as Filipinos across the archipelago to return home for the holidays.
Temperatures continue to rise well into June when highs are reach the mid-30s (°C). Visitors in this season have to guard themselves against sun exposure, especially on the beach. It is wise to do as the locals do and avoid the heat of the day by staying indoors or at least in the shade during this time. Sightseeing typically resumes in the late afternoon when temperatures cool.
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