Mindoro Travel Guide

In a nutshell

The island province of Mindoro is located just a few hours of Manila yet it remains idyllic and unspoiled, boasting of rugged coastlines, dense forests, and fantastic dive sites.

Where to go in Mindoro

Puerto Galera

To those living in the metro, Mindoro is almost synonymous with Puerto Galera because of its close proximity to Manila and the myriad of attractions that it offers.

The number of beaches alone is enough to lure those who need a break if only for a couple of days. There are a total of 32 beaches so you get to decide whether you want to be in the beautiful but commercialized White Beach or the more laid-back Tamaraw Beach. If you love water sports then you'll enjoy Sabang Beach while Talipanan Beach is a favourite of those who want a more serene beach escapade.

After you've had your fill of the salty water and fine, white sand, it is always refreshing to cool down in some fresh water for a change. If you don't mind the long hike, go to Aninuan Falls. Tamaraw Falls is great for a picnic while Tukuran Falls presents an adventurous opportunity to cliff dive or clamber on its hanging bridge. Talipanan Falls meanwhile is just a really small waterfall but it's not without its own charm. The 18th highest peak in the country, Mount Halcon, can also be found here. It's not for the faint hearted though but if you can manage to get a permit, go climb it. The view from the top is definitely worth it! For a more educational foray into nature, you can spend some time in the Mangrove Conservation Area where the sea and the sky intersperse with a lush forest of mangroves.

Finally, amidst the beautiful landscapes of Puerto Galera, party-goers descend a few nights each year as the town showcases the best in today's music. The Malasimbo Music & Arts Festival is held 3 nights each year in an amphitheater located 250 meters above sea level, nestled on a grassy hill dotted with palm trees. Magical, isn't it?

Apo Island

As tempting as it may be to spend all your days in Puerto Galera, do not rob yourself the opportunity of seeing the rest of what this province has to offer. Topping this list is Apo Reef Natural Park in Sablayan where an encounter with whales, dolphins, sharks, sea turtles, and an array of colourful reef fish awaits you. In Sablayan Prison Farm & Rainforest, a prisoner-guided tour into the verdant forests offers tourists an unconventional experience. There are also islands to discover, most notable would be Pandan island in Sablayan and San Jose's Ilin and Grace islands. There are lakes, wildlife sanctuaries, and lighthouses. Indeed, you can be here for weeks and you'll only be scratching the surface.

When to go to Mindoro

The rainy months of June to November can spell turbulent seas and an overall dreary weather so it is always best to go during the summer months of February to May. Tourist arrival peaks at around April and May especially the days leading to Holy Week so make sure to book your accommodation in advance.

Where to stay in Mindoro

White Beach is definitely the place to be in Puerto Galera. Most accommodations in the province can be found here while your options grow thinner the farther you go out in the province. Be aware that hotel rates can more than double up during summer. Nowadays, it has become quite common especially for the millennials to join group packages to save on transfers and accommodation.

While most local tourists tend to stay along White Beach, most foreigners prefer to stay in Sabang Beach. There are lots of girlie bars there though so it's not ideal for families.

Where to eat in Mindoro

Because of its abundant marine resources, protein rich food such as chicken is more expensive than seafood so it's the perfect opportunity to indulge in local seafood dishes such as adobong pugita (octopus stewed in soy sauce and vinegar sauce) and sarsa (tiny freshwater shrimps boiled in coconut and chilis and wrapped in a coconut leaf). Puerto Galera has as many restaurants as they have hotels with a nice array of local and international dishes.

How to get around Mindoro

Like the rest of the country, a tricycle is the most common mode of transportation for short distances. Minimum fare is usually around PHP10.

It is also possible to rent a scooter for approximately PHP500 per day.

If going farther out, Dimple Star Transport have buses and vans that regularly passes through various towns in the province.

In any case, the Nautical Highway connects all of these towns so all you need to do is to flag a bus down when it's headed in the direction you're going. Alternatively, you can board a shuttle van which might be a faster option considering it doesn't stop to pick up or unload passengers as often as buses do.

How to get to and from Mindoro

Getting to Puerto Galera can be as simple as hopping on a plane or taking the bus and then a ferry. The only air carrier that flies directly into town is Air Juan. You need to board the seaplane from CCP Harbor Dock and Terminal in Manila and it can whisk you there in just half an hour. One way fare costs between PHP4500 to PHP6500.

We recommend taking a bus if you cannot book with Air Juan as the closest airport in San Jose is located about 7 hours away. What you can do is head over to the bus terminals in Buendia, Alabang, or Kamuning and board a bus bound for Batangas Pier for no more than PHP200. Travel time to the pier should take between 2 to 3 hours depending on traffic.

On average, ferry ticket prices cost PHP250 and travel time lasts 1 to 2 hours. Keep in mind that there are various destinations in Puerto Galera including Sabang, White Beach, Muelle, Aninuan, and Talipanan so make sure which one is closest to your hotel.

If you have your mind set on visiting either Apo Reef Natural Park or Pandan Island, you need to go to Sablayan. Book an airline ticket with Cebu Pacific Air bound for San Jose airport in Occidental Mindoro. It will take only about an hour and 5 minutes and costs between PHP2000 to PHP3000. After arriving in San Jose, hop on a tricycle and proceed to the bus terminal. Sablayan is about 3 hours away.

If time is not an issue, you can catch a bus from Manila that goes directly to Sablayan. Dimple Star has bus terminals in Pasay, Cubao, Alabang, Sampaloc, and Quezon City. Travel time could stretch up to 10 hours depending on the traffic and ferry schedule and fare should be around PHP800.

If you're on a tight budget, your best bet is to go to Batangas Port and catch a ferry to Abra de Ilog port. In 2 to 3 hours you should be by the port where you can take a bus for another 3-hour trip to Sablayan.

For those coming from Boracay or Caticlan, RoRo boats have several trips to Roxas daily. The boat ride takes about 4 hours and on average costs PHP400 one-way.

You can also get to San Jose by way of Coron by boat. The journey should take about 5 to 6 hours and the ticket should cost you about PHP1000 to PHP1200.

Is Mindoro a safe place to visit?

The entire region is relatively safe to visit but if you're planning to go diving then it would be wise to invest in a travel insurance. Make sure to wear fins or aqua shoes too in order to avoid getting cuts from sharp corals.