Traveling from Manila, Philippines, to Puerto Galera involves a combination of land and sea transportation. Puerto Galera is a popular beach and scuba diving destination.
Puerto Galera is situated in the province of Oriental Mindoro, which is part of the MIMAROPA region (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan).
Here’s a general guide on how to transfer from Manila to Puerto Galera:
Travel Time from Manila to Puerto Galera:
The total travel time can vary but usually takes around 4 to 5 hours, including both land and sea travel.
*Before your trip, it’s always a good idea to verify the current transportation options, schedules, and any travel advisories. Keep in mind that information may change, and it’s essential to stay updated with the latest details for a smooth journey.*
Bus from Manila to Batangas Pier:
We used the Grab App to get a ride from our hotel in Manila to the Jac Liner Buendia Bus Terminal.
I recommend downloading the Grab App for your trip to the Philippines, it’s the best way to get around for rides. Much better and easier than taxis.
Our hotel was about 15 minutes away from the bus terminal, and it cost around ₱219 PHP ($5CAD or $4USD).
How long does it take to get from Manila to Batangas Pier?
The distance from Manila to Batangas Pier is 103KM (64miles). The journey may take around 2 to 3 hours, depending on traffic.
For our journey, we left the bus terminal around 10:30am, and arrive around 12:20pm.
Jac Liner Buendia Bus Terminal
The bus terminal was less of a terminal and more so just a bunch of buses lined up. The buses each have a sign in the window, so you just look for the bus with the sign for Batangas Pier.
If you’re not ready for it, it’s a bit chaotic at the terminal. As soon as we got out of our Grab car, there were guys swarming us to ‘help’ with the luggage and giving us information, but be aware they do not work for the bus company and are just looking for a tip. You can’t really ignore them, as they are quite persistent, so be prepared to either be stern, or have a small tip.
We did our best to get to the bus without them, but ended up giving them ₱20 PHP. They wanted ₱200 but we said no way. Only the guys wearing the white shirts with the bus logo actually work for the bus company.
Once you figure out which bus is yours, make sure your luggage gets put onto the correct bus. The buses all have signs in the front window with their destinations.
You don’t need to buy tickets at a desk, once you get on the bus and the bus gets moving, someone will come around to give you a ticket and take your money.
How much is the fare from Manila to Batangas Pier?
We were charged ₱$268 PHP per person ($6.45CAD or $4.82USD).
Since we pretty much shuffled from our Grab car to the bus, I didn’t see anywhere that had a schedule listed. I believe they are meant to have a bus leaving every hour.
We left within 10 minutes of getting on the bus, as the bus was pretty much full. So I believe they do offer buses leaving frequently, and they leave as soon as it’s full enough.
Our journey took approximately 2 hours to get there.
Ferry from Batangas Pier to Puerto Galera:
From Batangas Pier, you can take a ferry to Puerto Galera. Ferries operate regularly, and the ride usually takes about 1 to 2 hours.
The bus drops you off in an empty lot about a 5 minute walk from the Ferry Port. Again, as soon as you come off the bus, there will be guys waiting to bombard you. They were a little less aggressive here, and we were able to keep them off of our bags.
You’ll walk through a little street market on your way to the port entrance. There will be people yelling at you again, offering you ferry tickets, but ignore them. They are not authorized ferry vendors.
Once you get inside the port, there is an actual nice big terminal where you can go inside and purchase your ferry tickets.
It was a bit hard to spot, but admist the market chaos, there are big yellow gates that have the entrance to the ferry port.
Inside the ferry terminal, there are places to get food and bathrooms and a large seated waiting area.
Galerian Water Transport Services
We booked our ferry tickets with Galerian Water Transport Services. They offer 3 ferries to Puerto Galera a day:
8:00am
1:15pm
4:30pm
The cost was ₱600 PHP per person ($14CAD or $10USD)
We caught the 1:15pm ferry, and it took about an hour altogether to get to the Puerto Galera Port. Puerto Galera is approximately 14 nautical miles away from Batangas City.
Transportation Options from Puerto Galera Ferry Port:
Upon arrival in Puerto Galera, there are tricycles and tuktuks available for local transportation within the area. They are waiting right outside of the port.
It cost us ₱250 PHP ($6CAD or $4.50USD) from the port to our hotel (The Arkipelago Dive Resort.)
Environmental Fee:
Tourists visiting Puerto Galera are required to pay an environmental fee upon arrival. This fee is intended to support local conservation and environmental protection initiatives.
We were charged ₱120 PHP per person ($2.89CAD or $2.16USD) for this fee. As you exit the ferry, you’ll wait in line to register your name and pay your fee.
How much does it cost to get from Manila to Puerto Galera?
Here is our cost breakdown for travel from Manila to Puerto Galera:
Grab/Taxi from hotel to Jac Liner Bus Terminal: ₱219 PHP ($5CAD or $4USD).
Bus from Jac Liner Buendia Bus Terminal to Port Batangas: ₱$268 PHP per person ($6.45CAD or $4.82USD).
Ferry from Port Batangas to Puerto Galera: ₱600 PHP per person ($14CAD or $10USD)
Environmental Fee for Puerto Galera: ₱120 PHP per person ($2.89CAD or $2.16USD)
Tuktuk from Puerto Galera Pier to Hotel: ₱250 PHP ($6CAD or $4.50USD)
Total: ₱1,457 PHP ($35CAD or $26USD) per person to get from Manila to Puerto Galera
Where to stay in Puerto Galera:
We stayed at the Arkipelago Dive Resort. It was one of the more budget options for dive resorts in the area, and it’s right on the beach.
The owners Amy & Pedro are wonderful and highly attentive. They made sure we had a great stay and had everything we needed. The rooms are pretty standard, nothing too fancy but not too shabby either.
Accidents happen, make sure you are covered for all your adventures!
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