Puerto Galera Travel Forum

I'm arriving in Manila tomorrow and after a day or two will go to PG. I think I know how to get there, but looking for a little bit of other help...

Is White Beach the best "home base" for low prices, snorkeling, relaxing and a little bit of night life? or is Sabang better? or...?

If I take a boat directly to White Beach, will there be people (touts) there when I get off looking for guests and will I get a good price on a room that way? Will I be able to find/get a room the day I arrive?

Any recommendations for a hut on/near the beach for 1000 pesos or less (just need a clean room, bed and a shower/toilet)? Hope it is kind of cute with ok surroundings/view.

What else should I do on the island (hike, waterfall, rent a scooter, other excursions)?

Thanks for the help.

White Beach or Sabang? Depends what you want: both have little beach left, both have night life of all sorts and descriptions to suit any taste; if anything separates them it is that Sabang tends to be 50:50 Filipino and foreigner whereas White Beach tends to be 80:20 in favor of Filipino. Will you get a better deal if you do not book in advance? probably not on either beach. Lowest price this time of year is around Php1000 per night (good for two) but if you come back at Easter (a) you must book in advance and (b) the lowest rates are double. If I was going to White Beach I would try Apartelle de Francesa (www.francescaresort.com) if I was going to Sabang I would try Captain Gregg's (www.captngreggs.com) or Big Apple Dive Resort (www.dive-bigapple.com). For other things to do in Puerto, check out the yacht club website - www.pgyc.org/puertogalera.html

Puerto Galera is nice also. Its easy to get a room or just walk in coz they are not usually full on Jan-Feb. Try Tamaraw beach resort where a friend stayed. Its at Anninuan part of the island.
If I may suggest, maybe you would like to go to the Taal Volcano just a few hours stop on the way to PG. You can stay overnight in Tagaytay checkout web:www.pelaggia.com. A private place w/ nice rooms and very quiet.Rate now is P950/person.From there you can take a tricycle to Talisay goin down the Lake and there are boats for rent there P1,200-1,500/boat (back and forth)A lot of vendors and tour guides who will swarm around you so be careful. Take one to walk with you up to the craters of the volcan w/c is around 30 mins walk up.Horses are also available for P500/person.
When you are done, better eat at Tgaytay city.Lost of restos you can choose from then you can rest and start early morning trip to PG or Fortune Island w/c is around 40mins away from Tagaytay then take 20mins by boat to the island. The beach and the view is alot better then PG.I have no idea w/ room rates now.Just ask.
You may also check out ANILAO, Batangas where a lot of divers go. Its a nice place also and plenty of accommodations from P1,000-5,000/night. Sabang is part of Lipa. Its also nice but not the beaches.There are small islands w/white sand near Anilao and you can rent boats nearby.Calatagan is also nice but theres only one part w/white beach and quite expensive accommmodation.
Please remember that from Manila to Tagaytay City is 1hr by car and 2hrs by bus coz of routes. Tagaytay to PG is another 2.5hrs by car and more if you take public transpo.Manila to Anilao via STAR Hi-way is 3.5hrs.Better decide well how you want to get to these places from Manila.Good Luck!