The Necessities in the Philippines you Didn’t Bring (And How To Find Them) – – –
After a long flight to Manila, you’ve finally made it out of the airport safely. Being the smart traveler you are, you packed lightly, knowing you can easily buy most of what you need once you’re in town. Traveling with just the essentials is always a good idea in the Philippines. You never quite know how many forms of transportation you’ll need to reach your final destination.
Now that you’ve arrived safely, luggage in hand, the question is: where do you begin?
Philippine Currency
First things first, you’ll probably need to exchange some money if you haven’t done that in your home country. Most businesses in the Philippines don’t accept credit cards, so having some Filipino Pesos ready is important.
You can usually find currency exchange offices in major cities like Manila, Boracay, Cebu, and Angeles. However, not all privately owned exchange shops are trustworthy, especially if you don’t know the current rates. A good rule of thumb is to choose locations with a few customers — it’s an easy way to avoid being overcharged.
It’s also a good idea to have some pesos before going to Puerto Galera, as smaller towns may have fewer reliable exchange options.
Cell Phones in the Philippines
When you arrive in Puerto Galera, it can be helpful to get a local phone, especially if you plan to stay in the Philippines for a while. A local number is also needed if you want to make use of the many SMART carrier-free Wi-Fi hotspots in tourist areas like malls, port terminals, and other popular spots. Fortunately, several shops in town sell Nokia, Samsung, and other popular phone brands.
Most of these shops will have phones that work with the Philippines’ major carriers, SMART and GLOBE. There’s a wide selection of phones available, with some starting at around $20, depending on their quality. Adding a hundred pesos usually gives you enough prepaid “load” for calls and texts.
Keep in mind that some carriers may only allow calls to others on the same network. For this reason, many phones in the Philippines support dual SIM cards. This feature lets you use two carriers at once: you can buy a SIM card from each provider, load it with prepaid or postpaid credit, and activate both in your phone. Be sure to remember which number belongs to each carrier, as you’ll have two separate phone numbers on one device.
Transportation in Puerto Galera
Now that you have some cash and a working phone, let’s discuss getting around Puerto Galera.
When you arrive at Muelle or Balatero Pier, you will see many trike taxi drivers ready to offer rides anywhere on the island. If you are staying at our dive resort, it’s a short walk from Muelle Pier and only about five minutes from Balatero Pier. For our beach resort, a trike ride from Muelle Pier usually costs around 50 pesos, depending on the season.
Other transportation options include jeepneys, with fares that vary based on distance, and passenger vans, which people often use for trips to Calapan. Van fares to Calapan usually cost no more than 400 pesos one way, though prices can change with the season.
Keep in mind that trike rides to popular tourist spots like Sabang Beach and White Beach are typically more expensive at night than during the day.
If you’re planning to rent a motorbike, prices depend on the type of bike but generally cost less than 500 pesos per day. You can often negotiate better rates for longer rental periods.
Self Care Products in Puerto Galera
Next, if you need toothpaste, shampoo, soap, lotion, or other toiletries, go to Candava Supermarket on the main road in downtown Puerto Galera. You’ll find most everyday items at prices that are similar to or even lower than what you might pay back home.
Some specialty items, such as contact lens solutions, can be tougher to find in Puerto Galera, but they are usually available in the nearby city of Calapan.
Where to eat in Puerto Galera
After all that shopping, your stomach will probably be growling. Head over to the BADLADZ Restaurant for some of the tastiest Mexican food you’ll find anywhere in the Philippines.
Then, check into your room at BADLADZ Beach Resort and get some rest. A big day of adventure and fun awaits you all over Puerto Galera!
If you’re looking for exciting trips around Puerto Galera, we can help you plan your perfect island getaway. That’s how BADLADZ Adventure Resort got its name! Whether it’s island hopping, visiting waterfalls, or hiking the beautiful mountainsides of Puerto Galera, we can create an unforgettable experience for groups of any size.
Cheers,
Sean
