Puerto Galera Tourist Traps

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The tourist trap is not being a Filipino and having a white skin and very easy to steal bellybag.
The tourist trap is not understanding or being able to speak their language.
Sailing on a ferry that is not seaworthy between islands. Often they will put new paint over the ferry to cover-up the badly needed repairs to make an impression of good maintenance.
Never become too involved with Filipinos that you don't know, avoid drinking in sessions with them, they can become aggressive. I'm speaking from experience, I was an idiot! Expect without warning in the bar or disco, a bloody fight to start at any time. Never assume that because you are bigger and taller, that you will win, they mostly carry knives! Even if you have good friends there, stay ALERT!!!

Unique Suggestions: As a foreigner, you will ALWAYS be ripped off in the 2nd most corrupt country in the world.
If I go shopping, lease a house, rent a bike or whatever, I always do this with my Filipino girlfriend.
Filipinos rip their own people off, what chance do foreigners have...NONE - PERIOD!!!
If you don't have a Filipino partner, good luck!

(This applies to all areas where there are tourists, off the beaten track not, that has other lovely pitfalls & dangers, be careful!)

Fun Alternatives: Just bare in mind please that: Corruption at all levels - (especially taxi drivers), dangerous for single women, nasty beasties that sting and bite, sea snakes that (at night) swim to the water's edge, typhoons, mudslides, earthquakes, pick-pockets, hold-ups, dangerous ferries, drunk tricycle drivers, death-trap hotels with no fire escape or insurance, and a whole bunch of diseases that can be fatal.

Some of the things worth mentioning before you start your adventure. I have adventure in my blood and have travelled alone for many years. If the above mentioned possibilities bother you............................... ALTERNATIVE = STAY AT HOME!

PS: I forgot to add that Filipinos are extremely hospitable, otherwise I would stop going there!

Look out for numerous locals selling items on the street. They are pretty persistent and have lots of energy. They usually stick to the busy parts of town and hang around the street corners. Also watch out for fruit sellers who bring produce to your door they will double or triple the going rate.

Fun Alternatives: Smile and walk away

As folks in PG depend so much on tourism, it's normal to try to get as much out of a tourist as possible.

We wanted to rent a small motorbike (moped) to go around the island. The 1st shop we went to wanted Pesos 700, the next one wanted Pesos 1200 and the next day in a different shop they wanted Pesos 1500! All for the same type of motorbike.

The same goes for jeepney and boat rides.

Unique Suggestions: It's best to compare prices first before renting anything here.

Fun Alternatives: We finally decided just to chill by the pool.

Once we arrived at Sabang beach, lots of locals come aboard to take the tourists' luggage... if you are planning to carry it by yourself, grab it and don't leave it... but if you want some "help", of course they will charge you for that...

In our case, well, we were kind of overloaded, so it was not a bad idea to have them carried.

Fun Alternatives: You can always say a polite "no, thank you"...

One way charge for transporting a car from Batangas to Puerto Galera by RORO was PHP 1,600. But the guy demanded fare applicable to mini truck, while trying to hide fare table.