Have you visited Sabang and Puerto Galera in the Philippines? These two resorts are located on the north-eastern part of the island of Mindoro, in the country of over 7000 islands. We holidayed here a few years ago, and now collect all our tips and memories in a single blog post.
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Sabang and Puerto Galera in the Philippines
Peter was tipped off about Sabang and Puerto Galera, on the island of Mindoro, by a girl he met in a phone shop in Stockholm who is from the Philippines. And what could be better than a tip from someone from that country? Puerto Galera is home to just over 20,000 people and Sabang, right on the beach, is smaller.
We got here by bus from Manila to Batanga, and from there we continued the journey by boat. The bus journey was quite smooth. All the buses stopped at one big bus stop and it was easy to find the right one. You just had to have warm clothes, because the air conditioning had been turned on as hard as possible. The boat trip afterwards, with the Philippine boat, was really lovely!
Hotels in Sabang
We chose to stay in Sabang, which is nicely located right on the beach. We did not book a hotel before we arrived, but came in by boat and started with a beer at a beach bar. We were not exactly left alone, as everyone wanted to sell us a hotel room, so after that first beer we went to a simple apartment hotel that was nicely located on the beach.
The hotel we chose was not luxurious in any way, but we had our own little balcony overlooking the sea. And that's luxury, right? The hotel is called At-Cans Inn and is perfectly located to hear the waves, and watch the boats glide in and out of the harbour. We had AC and a small kitchen, and the staff were fantastic.
Sabang centre
The centre of Sabang was full of shops, restaurants, people and beauty salons. Here you could also get a ride from a moped with a sidecar or a so-called "jeepny" (the silver car in the picture). So no problem getting around!
Restaurants and Bars
The Swedish-Filipino girl who told us about Mindoro also told us about the resort. Steps Gardenwhich, at least when we were there, was run by a Swede. This also meant that a genuine Swedish Christmas table was served here in the damp heat. It was unexpected, to say the least, to suddenly munch on salmon and courtmaster sauce, boiled potatoes, Jansson's temptation and meatballs. But of course it was good!
Other restaurants we visited were Toko's, where we had a whole roast pig buffet on New Year's Eve. We also spent an evening at the Swedish-owned restaurant. Tamarind, for a drink and chat with other Swedes. There are also plenty of bars in Sabang. We hung out at one bar in particular with British (and other) divers. Diving is a large stuff in Sabang.
Beaches at Puerto Galera
We had a beach right outside our hotel, but could also go to the nicer White Beach. Here we were met by a long and shallow beach with fine white sand and green-blue sea. The beach is lined with palm trees and along the row of palm trees there are countless simple little restaurants, eateries and shops selling jewellery and dresses.
When we were here, many of the tourists were Asian, Australian, German ... or Swedish. When a salesman learnt that we were Swedes, he pointed to his necklaces and exclaimed "Cheaper than Ullared!".
Excursions on Mindoro Island
There are of course many different excursions on the island, and a good way to get around is by moped. We met a Swedish couple on the flight down, and together with them we took a tour around the immediate surroundings. Above all, we experienced lush greenery, but we also saw lots of small simple houses, people, children, mops, cows, dogs and chickens.
Our first destination was a waterfall. It was really nice! The water flowed down in different "terraces" and the children played in the water and enjoyed themselves. We stood here for quite some time and just soaked up the atmosphere. We settled for watching and photographing, but that was enough!
We then stopped for lunch at a beach restaurant by the sea. By this time I (Helena) had gotten a stomach bug, but everyone else seemed very happy.
Christmas and New Year in Sabang
We celebrated both Christmas and New Year in Sabang, at Puerto Galera in the Philippines. Christmas is a big and important holiday for the population, as most people are Catholics. On Christmas Day we were invited to the home of the couple who ran the hotel. What hospitality! We were served traditional Filipino Christmas food in the kitchen: rice, prawns and dishes with chicken and pork. Then we had dessert with green jelly and sticky rice (sweet sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves).
The New Year was celebrated with much fanfare in the restaurants and bars of Sabang, and at midnight there were fireworks over the sea.
Travelling to and from Mindoro Island
We travelled to Mindoro by boat from Batangas, which is not too far from the capital Manila. When we left Mindoro, we chose instead to take a boat from the town of Roxas to Boracay. This meant a relatively long car journey from Puerto Galera, and then a long drive to Boracay. boat journey with a fairly large and rather worn car ferry, where the staff hung laundry on deck. But suddenly we arrived on the beautiful island of Boracay!
Prices and healthcare
Thinking about practical things like prices and healthcare? Prices vary, of course, but in general we can say that we found everything very cheap, whether it was a hotel room, moped hire, beer in the pub or a massage.
According to the Forex holiday index, the Philippines is at 37 compared to Sweden's 100, which of course means that it feels cheap for us Swedes. It is often possible to haggle, but if it was a fair price, we often preferred to pay what was asked for, rather than haggle for the sake of haggling.
Health care is of course most enjoyable if you slip but after a terrible stomach bug that wouldn't go away, we hit the road in a jeepny, accompanied by the hotel's maid. And sure enough, we found a little medical centre where I was given both a drip and medicine.
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Johnny Friskilä says:
Hehe, yes, I have actually been to Puerto Galera. But I did not remember what the place was called until now when I read your text
The place is, as I understand, a fairly popular weekend destination for Manila residents. I haven't written about the Philippines all on my blog, I think. Maybe time to do it, before I forget everything.
06 October 2018 - 8:31
Helena says:
Glad you were here Johnny!
It's quite easy to go from Manila. so I can understand that Manila people like it. And yes, time to write!
06 October 2018 - 10:28
Kenneth Risberg says:
Well, there it is again. visited the Philippines for diving 12 years ago. The island we were on is called Cebu and is located more south from Mindoro between the islands of Negros and Leyte. The town near the dive centre is called Moalboal.
Lovely chalk-white beaches and exciting nature / jungle. There was a lot of adventure, I can say, in addition to all the fantastic diving.
Then there was a quick stop in Hong Kong on the way home, also exciting.
06 October 2018 - 8:51
Helena says:
I can imagine that the Philippines is a good destination if you like diving! I have heard good things about Cebu from others as well. Hong Kong also sounds exciting!
06 October 2018 - 19:12
Sandra Lifsresor.se says:
I have also been to Puerto Galera. Stayed at Coco beach. So I can add good diving. Especially if you like small things. Saw a lot of seahorse and my first free swimming giant frogfish.
06 October 2018 - 9:05
Helena says:
Nice that you have also been here! Yes, we met lots of divers so we understood that it was nice to dive there!
Googled frogfish and it looked super cool!
06 October 2018 - 19:13
Ama de casa says:
Looks both nice and exotic. But lousy to get so sick on the trip, luckily there was help to get.
I've never been to the Philippines (except for an 8-hour wait during a stopover in Manila), but my longing for this post is more likely to be Ullared
Well, at some point I should still get there, right? Even if the stuff is cheaper in the Philippines
.
06 October 2018 - 9:55
BP says:
Good that you are doing some publicity for the Philippines. The islands need all the publicity and help they can get after all the earthquakes and tsunami the poor people have had to endure recently.
06 October 2018 - 23:04
Sven-Erik says:
Great place
With the floating bar in Sabang
Puerto Galera with Dr Fritz (German) if he is still alive.
25 May 2020 - 21:32
Sven-Erik says:
Great place
23 May 2021 - 20:40
Mr Tony says:
sabang and manilla is my second home good swedish food in mabini at gpoint bar swedish owner
12 April 2023 - 12:32