Puerto Galera is a “constellation” of naturally formed beaches in the Philippines, a country in the Far East.  The country consists of more than 7,000 islands, making it easily a true Beach Country.

The Philippines is a popular destination most especially for European tourists (Germans, Swiss, Dutch, and Swedish) many of whom work for a year in their respective countries and then spend their savings for a full one year or longer stay in the Philippine island of their choice.

Because of the much lower cost of living in the Philippines, the money of these tourists can be stretched in a very long way, indeed.  For example, your $200 will already cover a return trip for two from Manila, the country’s capital city to Puerto Galera; two-day cottage rental; including food and drinks.

Puerto Galera is one of the most accessible beach destinations in the Philippine Islands.  Spanish colonizers helped put the Philippines in the map of the known world when it was discovered in 1521 (named after King Philip of Spain).  In 1572, the colonizers made Puerto Galera a major settlement.

Even before that, though, Asian traders were already quite familiar with Puerto Galera dating back to the 10^th century.  It was the ideal trading post because of its unique geographical location, spread out along the Verde Island Passage.

To the east of the Puerto Galera islands is Sibuyan Sea, and to the west is China Sea, which usually brings strong currents to these parts by up to six knots.  It is not a good idea to venture too far in the waters near neighboring Calapan to the East, as the area usually becomes shark infested.

Elsewhere, deep sea diving should be exhilarating, if only for the marine life that lurks beneath, which happens to be a protected sanctuary.  From April to September, the waters here are ideally warm.

To get to Puerto Galera from the city of Manila, you can take a bus that will take you to the Port of Batangas within three hours.  From there, either you can pay a boatman or you can take a ferryboat ride for less than three hours.

While in Puerto Galera territory, you may want to start with White Beach, which is the longest one in its class.  Then you can go to the Coco, Sabang, Big and Small Lalaguna, and Tamaraw beaches. While you can hop from Sabang to Lalaguna by foot, you can only transfer to the other beaches by means of wheel or water transportation.

Nightlife is frenetic in any of the beaches of Puerto Galera, with Sabang Beach being the most notable.  Do not forget to sample a barbecue of the latest seafood catch, with a bottle or two of San Miguel Beer, easily the most popular brand in the country and dubbed the Tiger Brew of the Pacific!

While you are at it, grab the Karaoke microphone too when you can.  If you do not like to dance, you might have a future in singing, who knows? 

Just one thing you should be careful about, especially when you get a little tipsy, is mistaking a Philippine male for a female.  Pierce Brosnan joked about it as a retired assassin in the film The Matador, but it is as true in Manila as in any other part of the Philippines. So watch out!