BARKADA VACATION: TAMARAW BEACH, PUERTO GALERA
by Wandering Attercop


Puerto Galera is the northwesternmost municipality in the province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. This coastal town is well known among tourists for its numerous pocket beaches and many snorkeling and Scuba diving spots. Puerto Galera is a listed by the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World, and is the only bay in the Philippines to be listed there.

Me and my friends took another vacation during the last days of April just before the summer ends. This time we went to Puerto Galera. We took  the bus from Buendia to Batangas Port, approximately 1 ½ to 2 hours. We paid the environmental and port fees then took the ferry to Tamaraw Beach, approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.. We chose to buy back and forth tickets for P 600.

ferry to Tamaraw Beach

Tamaraw Beach shore

We stayed at Tamaraw Beach Resort for 3 days and 2 nights. Tamaraw Beach is just beside the well-known White Beach, where there lots of guests stay. Not to mention, the night life is also great there. But unlike White Beach, Tamaraw Beach is a place to stay if you just want to relax and enjoy the scenery.

Tamaraw Beach Resort Hotel

Standard Room (fan) costs P 1,200 per night (2 pax)  while De Luxe Room (aircon) costs P 3,200 (up to 5 pax)

standard room

When we arrived we just put our bags inside the rooms and hurried to the hotel restaurant to grab some food because we were so hungry. I ordered tapsilog. I would say the restaurant is okay. This is also where their reception is located.

hotel restaurant

my lunch (tapsilog)

After lunch, we headed back to our rooms and rested. At around 5pm, we decided to visit the nearby White Beach and have our dinner there. We took the main road instead of crossing the beach borders. Sunset there is amazing and good thing we captured it.

sunset at White Beach

sands of White Beach

Dinner was served. I ordered the chicken meal with unlimited rice (whoa!).

my dinner

After dinner, we ordered the Mindoro Sling and watched the show in one of the bars. There was  fire dancing on the beach.

fire dancing

my friend Faye enjoying with a fire dancer

fun show at Mikko's Bar

the famous Mindoro Sling

After the booze, we hired a tricycle (P100) to send us back to Tamaraw Beach (around 12 midnight) and rested. The next day we had our breakfast inside our rooms then went swimming.

our breakfast

We took our lunch again at the hotel restaurant. Now, I ordered their specialty, Tamaraw Rice! It is composed of rice, chopped pork, tomatoes and onions mixed with soy sauce(?) and sunny side up egg. It is delicious though, what a good combination!

Tamaraw rice

Much the same as the other day’s routine, we rested and went to White beach for dinner. At White Beach, we also bought “pasalubongs” there.

White T-shirt  (teen & adult): P90-100
Colored T-shirt/sleeveless  (teen & adult): P100-130
Kids sleeveless: P60-90 (depends on size)
Summer dress (kids): P120-150
Keychain: 5 for P100
Refrigerator magnet: P30-P60
Native bracelet: P10
I also bought a set of cultured pearls (necklace, earrings and ring) for my mom on Mothers’ Day (P150).

After dinner, we headed back to Tamaraw Beach to rest. The next day, we woke up early and dipped into the beach for a while because we need to catch the 10am ferry.

White Beach at night

Tamaraw Beach at night

Recommendation:

Puerto Galera is the nearest beach to Manila if you want to be away from the city.  White beach is recommended to those who want party and night life while Tamaraw Beach is the place where one wants to just relax and enjoy the beach.