How to get to Puerto Galera Hotel
Travel Overview
The trip to Big Lala Philippines Dive Resort is made in two parts: First you go to Manila, the capital of the Philippines. Then you continue - usually by minivan and boat - on to Big La Laguna Beach on Mindoro island (you can see some maps of the Philippines and Mindoro by clicking on this link).
Therefore, you should take care of the following in preparation of your trip:
- Obtain plane-tickets to the Philippines (Manila).
- Decide how you want to get from Manila to our location on the island of Mindoro.
- Decide what kind of hotel room (and perhaps which hotel) you want to live in on Mindoro.
- Put together a dive package and contact us (via this website).
The following sections go through each step...
1. Airplane tickets to the Philippines
You probably need to go to Manila. From most countries there are many airline connections to choose from to go to Manila. Your local travel bureau or airline can help you, or you can get the information on the Internet. A few of these may be able to handle the transport on to Puerto Galera..
2. From Manila to our location on Mindoro
| It's up to you to decide if you want to stay overnight in Manila or
continue to Mindoro immediately. If you want to make the most of your time, we
recommend that you immediately continue on to the beautiful surroundings on
Mindoro instead of spending your valuable time in the polluted atmosphere
of a very big city (population estimated at 15 million).
From Manila your trip continues on to our location: Big La Laguna Beach on Mindoro. This can be done in one of two ways: The first one we call "The easy way", and the other one is called, you guessed it, "The not-so-easy way".but cheaper way. We go through each below: |
 |
Manila to Big La laguna Beach: The easy way -
VIP Express Transport Service
"The easy way" is our VIP Express Transport Service: We will pick you up at the airport (or elsewhere in Manila) in an air-conditioned minivan, drive you to Batangas Harbor, and sail you directly to Big La laguna in a boat specifically for you - not one of the public ferries. The price is 140 US dollars for up to six people (not each, but split among you), each way. Please note that the VIP Express Transport Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
NOTE! If it, due to bad weather or other unforeseeable circumstances, is necessary to stay in Batangas (a pretty rare occurrence), then that hotel stay is on you. However, you do not pay for our rooms during the same period.
Pickup from Manila airport
If you request that we pick you up at the airport, this is how you will find our
van: When you come out of the arrival terminal, you
cross the pavement, and on the other side there are tunnels going off to the left
and right that go down to the level below. Both the tunnel on the left and on
the right go down to that same level, but you should take the one on the right.
When you get down you will arrive at a platform from which you will be picked
up. Above, there are signs like ABCD, EFGH, IJKL and so on. Plant yourself under
the one that includes an "S" (for "Big Lala Philippines Dive Resort", of course), and keep an
eye out for a chauffeur
with a Big Lala Philippines Dive Resort sign and/or your name on it.
The length of the trip down to us with VIP Express Transport Service varies due to the traffic, but in general it takes about two hours to get to Batangas and one hour to take the boat over.
These pictures show a typical pickup at Manila International Airport:
When you come out of the arrival terminal, |
...this sign shows you the way to the two
tunnels going |
...overview of the pickup area, where our van
is waiting for you. |
|
Manila to Big La laguna: The not-so-easy way
As this description takes a good deal of space, we have put it on a separate
page, which you get to by clicking here.
Worth knowing when traveling to the Philippines
Vaccination and Medicine
Please ask your own doctor for advice with respect to vaccinations.
We recommend that you bring your own medicine if needed on a regular basis, since the drug stores in the Philippines - although there are a great number of them - do not have the same variety of drugs as you might be able to find at
home.
In the Philippines it is not advisable to drink the local water or use ice cubes made from local tap water.
Even small cuts or insect bites can cause infection. They should, therefore, be cleaned at once and a band-aid applied. It is advisable to bring an antibiotic cream with you for treatment that your doctor can prescribe.
Luggage
During the summer months, temperatures on Mindoro are often close to 90 degrees F. (about 30 degrees C.) in the daytime a little cooler by night. You should, therefore, only bring light clothing. It's also a good idea to bring practical items such as sun screan and a flashlight, since power interruptions are not uncommon in the Philippines.
Insurance
Normal travel insurance, including health insurance, should be taken out before
departure from home.
Money
The best foreign currency to bring is US dollars, since it can be used everywhere. Bring only undamaged notes. Travel checks and credit cards can also be used, but they are not accepted everywhere, and the fees for using credit cards are high - the fee for a cash advance on your VISA card runs between 6.5 and 8.5
percent! Big Lala Philippines Dive Resort Inc. accepts credit cards at an additional fee so it is better pay in cash
Food prices are generally low. A regular breakfast costs around 3 US dollars, and a main meal around 6-10 US dollars. Tipping is customary and normally around the 10% range.
Also many other items - such as watches, clothing, wood-carvings, liquor,
tobacco etc. - can be bought at bargain prices.
Passport and Visa
Please contact your local authorities as to the requirements for traveling to - and staying in - the Philippines.
Airport Tax
An airport tax of 750 pesos is charged for each passenger before departure from the Philippines.
