Literally, meaning "Port of Galleons", Puerto Galera became popular among seafarers during the galleon trade at the start of the 10th century. Because of its excellent natural harbor - which until now is considered as one of the most beautiful and safest in the world, it was a regular stopover for merchant vessels sailing on the important trade routes of the East, Indian and Indo-Chinese coasts, China, Philippines, Sumatra and Java.

Muelle Bay area was used for dock repairs and as a safe anchorage for all types of vessels especially during bad weather. It is also here thar a lot of merchant ships dock to trade with the natives, bartering and exchanging glazed porcelains for gold, jade, corals, shells, birds, rattans and other products of the forest that were abundant in the island of Mindoro. An excavation of an ancient gravesite lends proof to this - the antiques unearthed from the gravesite were traced back to the 10 th and 15 th centuries, mostly from China, Vietnam and Thailand.

Founded in 1572, Puerto Galera is considered as one of the oldest Spanish settlement in the Philippines and was declared a town and as the capital of Mindoro island in 1574 until 1905 when the seat of the island's government was transferred to Calapan.

With geologists and botanist regarding it a an ideal place to study the eco-structure of plants, animals and micro-organisms in almost undisturbed natural conditions, a Marine Biological Station was set up in 1934 by the University of the Philippines. In 1974, the United Nations Man & Biosphere Program International declared Puerto Galera a nature centre and marine sanctuary.

But long after that, its beaches was discovered and slowly it became a favorite destination for those who love the sun and the sea. At just about 130 kilometers south of Manila, this island paradise is an ideal holiday place for people of all ages.


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