Banks: 09:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday
Post Offices: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Government Offices: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Business Centres: 08:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday
Shops: 10:00 to 21:00, Monday to Saturday; some open on Sundays

Puerto Galera's relative proximity to Manila at the heart of the Philippines means that it enjoys an increased level of safety and security. Tourism dollars have revitalised these formerly sleepy fishing villages and priority is placed on protecting Puerto Galera's visitors. Tourists relaxing in Sabang or White beaches are a world away from the political unrest that occasionally crops up in the southernmost reaches of the Philippines.

Illegal drugs occasionally get tourists into trouble, and penalties for possession of small quantities can be stiff and can include the death penalty. Combine this with the notorious corruption within Filipino law enforcement and the government, and there's no reason to take the risk. Keep in mind that home embassies are often unable to intervene on behalf of tourists who defy the drug laws.

Theft can be an annoyance in Puerto Galera, especially in crowded areas where con-artists and pick-pockets occasionally prey on tourists. The scarcity of ATMs means tourists are forced to carry cash. To be safe, slim down your accessories to the bare minimum; refrain from flashing large amounts of cash; and keep whatever valuables you must carry close to your person—preferably in a money belt worn under the clothes.

International coverage of a few isolated accidents has generated excessive concern over the Philippines' transportation links, most of which are well cared for—especially along the routes between Manila and Puerto Galera. Practice caution when boarding boats that appear to be taking on too many passengers.

Electricity: 220 volts, 60 hertz

Tap water is safe to drink in many of the Philippines' most developed areas, but most visitors choose to stick to bottled water when vacationing in Puerto Galera. Avoid bottles that lack a safety seal, as these have likely been filled with tap water and then resold. Bottles available from reputable vendors are trustworthy, and the low cost makes drinking bottled water a good option.

While there are no vaccination requirements for visitors to the Philippines, it is still wise to check with your healthcare provider before travelling to make sure that your vaccines are up to date. Mosquito-borne illness can be a problem in rural villages, especially those towards Mindoro's interior, making insect repellent, long pants and mosquito nets important lines of defence.

Medical facilities throughout the Philippines are often quite modern, especially around Manila and other metropolitan centres. Hospitals in Calapan and Batangas are adequate for most minor procedures.

The touristy area around Puerto Galera doesn't have much in the way of government-run facilities, though three private clinics in town offer the best medical care available. The higher price of treatment in these clinics (still low by Western standards) is well worth the high standard in healthcare that it affords. There are very few facilities inland of Puerto Galera.

Tagalog is the official language of the Philippines, though there are countless local dialects throughout the archipelago. Several decades of US presence on the islands paved the way for a broad English proficiency. Puerto Galera sees plenty of tourists, and English is well embedded as a secondary local language. Rural portions of the interior have pockets of ethnic minorities that speak neither English nor Tagalog, making an interpreter a necessary component of jungle trekking.

The Filipino peso (or piso) is issued in banknotes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1,000 peso increments. The smallest peso denominations are also available in coin. Beyond this, the peso is further broken down into 100 centavos, which are strictly issued in coin.

Cash is a necessity in Puerto Galera, as there's not an ATM to be found closer than Calapan, a four-hour roundtrip from Puerto Galera. Tourists have limited success using traveller's cheques and credit cards, with some upscale restaurants and hotels accepting MasterCard, Visa and JCB. American Express is less widely accepted. Some institutions will issue a cash advance against a credit card, though a hefty surcharge is added.

However, currency exchange in Puerto Galera has become easier in the past few years. Moneychangers are more prevalent than they once were, though they offer poorer rates than their counterparts in Manila. Whenever possible, it's advisable to do your banking in Manila before setting out for Puerto Galera.

Visitors are barred from bringing the following items into the Philippines: pornography or otherwise obscene material; illicit drugs and firearms. Beyond these basics, there are also restrictions on items that may be exported. Generally, items like coral, orchids, turtle shells and snake skins may not be taken out of the country. Customs policy on foreign currency is fairly lax, and any amount may be carried out so long as it doesn't exceed the total value of foreign currency carried in.

Visitors are required to complete a customs declaration form before entering the Philippines. The following products are allowed to pass through customs free of duty: certain personal affects; 200 cigarettes (or a corresponding amount of tobacco); and up to two litres of alcohol or spirits.

When first meeting a group of Filipinos, it is customary to shake the hand of everyone. Handshakes are mutually exchanged between both sexes, though the man is expected to wait for the woman to initiate the greeting. A typical Filipino handshake is considerably limper than the Western variety, this being an offshoot of a deeply-ingrained aversion to aggressive behaviour.

This aversion informs many other aspects of the culture as well. Even a simple 'yes' and 'no' can sometimes be confusing. A single upward jerk of the head indicates 'yes', while a downward jerk indicates 'no.' However, a Filipino will sometimes indicate the negative response while actually saying 'yes', softening the perceived impact of the denial. This should not be misinterpreted as an affirmative response.

Try to remain conscious of your body language and similar cues that you may be unintentionally broadcasting. It is polite to indicate the quantity two with the ring and little fingers rather than with the index and middle fingers. To beckon another person, rake the fingers in a downward direction rather than curling the index finger in an upward direction. The latter is better used to call a dog and may be misinterpreted as an insult.

Overall, the Filipino culture is inviting and very hospitable. While the contrasts with Western culture may leave tourists perplexed at times, there's usually very little confusion that a dose of warm laughter can't remedy.

Dining and entertaining comprise an important part of Filipino culture, and it is quite likely that you'll be invited to dine with a group of locals while vacationing in Puerto Galera. There is a pervasive element of deference in extending and receiving invitations, so if you plan on doing the entertaining it is a good idea to reconfirm dinner plans with your intended guests. Some hosts call and reconfirm more than one time.

By the same token, if you come across a group of Filipino friends in a restaurant and you're invited to sit down and join in, then it's proper to politely refuse the first invitation. A second invitation usually follows, at which point it is acceptable to join the party. Regardless of when or where you're dining, the person who does the inviting pays.

When you have finished eating, you can indicate to the server or host that you're done by laying both your fork and spoon across the plate. Filipinos prefer to leave a small amount of food on the plate so as not to appear greedy.

For the lighter side of dining, be sure to visit a turo turo at least once during your stay in Puerto Galera. These cafeteria-style food stands offer some of the most authentic local cuisine. As the name implies (literally 'point point'), you simply point to your selection and the vendor will serve you.

As visa regulations are subject to constant change, visitors are advised to check with their local Philippine embassy for up to the minute information before setting out.

Standard tourist visas are issued upon arrival for a total of 21 days. There is no need make any previous arrangements for this visa so long as there are at least six months of validity left on your passport at the time of entry. This visa is easily extended to a total of 59 days at any Bureau of Immigration, which can be found in Manila as well as on Mindoro. Express extensions can be processed very quickly.

Tourist visas for 59 days can also be arranged at any Philippine embassy or consulate before entering the country. In the event that you have arranged this visa before travelling, be sure to point it out to the customs official who is reviewing your paperwork at the airport. If the official stamps your passport with 21 days instead of 59 days, the previous arrangements will become obsolete.

In Manila, the office of the Philippine Tourism Authority is located in the Department of Tourism (DOT) building on Kalaw street. Phone: +63 2 5247141; website: www.philtourism.com.

There is also a tourist information office in Puerto Galera at Muelle Pier. This is a great place to gather information about current attractions as well as to connect with local tour guides and jeepneys.