Have you ever been so excited to see a place and then ended up being disappointed when you arrived? I have. Puerto Galera, Luzon’s “Little Boracay,” underwhelmed me.
Despite being relatively near Cavite (where I live), I didn’t have the chance to visit Puerto Galera until last May, when my travel buddies Len and Mike arranged the trip. Puerto Galera is a coastal town in Oriental Mindoro known for its numerous beaches and snorkeling/diving spots. For some, it is known as Luzon’s “Little Boracay” because of its white sand that’s just a little rougher than that of Boracay’s. Like Boracay, Puerto Galera is also teeming with bars and restaurants, making for a loud, lively nightlife. And since it’s one of the most accessible beaches near Metro Manila, it is also one of the most crowded.
We arrived at night and because I was tired from the commute and the fun but exhausting activities in Tagbungan Mountain Resort, I fell asleep within minutes. At around 10pm, I woke up and went out with Gelo, Claire, and Joker to check out the beach and to have late dinner. I couldn’t see much of the beach because it was dark but the bars and restaurants along the shoreline were in full swing. Every bar played its own, loud music; it was a wonder how the performers heard themselves. While I don’t have anything against party animals, I am not one so the nightlife didn’t appeal to me.
The next morning, we had breakfast at a food court along the beach. The silog (viand + egg + fried rice) meals were okay but I felt particularly disappointed with the pancake tower I ordered for the group. It looked so appetizing on the photo. Unfortunately, the pancake itself tasted so bland (despite all those sweets peppered on top and round it). Charged it to experience.
We spent the rest of the morning strolling, swimming (or in my case, attempting to swim), asking the manongs for a discount on the banana boat (which we never got, so we just posed near the inflatable rides), and looking around for souvenirs. Puerto Galera is naturally beautiful but it’s so commercialized. It’s crowded and everything is expensive from the rides to the pasalubongs (souvenirs) to the food. Even the drinking water is expensive.
However, this place made me realize that not every trip will be picture perfect and that as time passes by, my travel preferences will change and develop. And that’s not a bad thing. So don’t let my disappointment stop you from visiting Puerto Galera. It just wasn’t my cup of tea, but it’s still worth checking out.
Have you ever had a similar experience? What’s the one destination you have no plans of visiting again?
19 Comments
Woah! I hope it wasn’t that bad. This is exactly what I wrote about in my recent post, travel misadventures that gave us GGB (gulo gulong buhay) 🙂
ArisMape | https://dyanlang.wordpress.com
It really wasn’t that bad… It just wasn’t what I hoped for. I mean, Puerto Galera is so famous and I kinda hoped that my first time there would be awesome. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. It was okay but too crowded for my taste.
I’m checking out your blog post and wow, your site looks great! Thanks so much for dropping by, Aris! 🙂
Thank you! Kinda same feeling I got when I was there years ago. But it was still an OK trip because of the barkada. Haha. Visit Cebu, we can tour around!
You’re from Cebu? I visited last April and it was the best! I loved Aguinid Falls. Oh, and I plan to come back for Sinulog. 🙂
I moved here last year, from Manila. Haven’t experienced Sinulog yet, so thats something to look forward to.
Niiiice! Let’s meet up when I go there! Are you on Twitter?
Sure! Kinda on Twitter. Im more on FB and IG, joy.
Trying to figure out how to PM you. Hmm… Where to go? Hahaha
My blog has links to my social media accts, joy. FB me, Aris Mape. 🙂
I have been in Puerto Galera a decade ago! Just to relax & it was a bliss… Maybe someday again I be back with my family this time 🙂
That’s good to hear! Maybe I should try going there during lean season.
Thanks for visiting, Vinneve! 🙂
please check my blog too when you have time thanks 🙂
Will definitely do. 🙂
Hi, is it good to visit Puerto Galera on September? Isn’t it raining all day? Thanks!
Hi, Tan! We went in May so it was really hot. But since the Philippines is experiencing El Nino this year, there’s been little rains so I think if you go this month or even next month, it will still be okay. 🙂
I haven’t been and don’t have plans anytime soon. Hehe. Let’s just schedule a trip to El Nido!
Hello baaaaeeee! <3
Schedule tayo pag payat na tayo. Hahahaha