Puerto Galera: Top Gay-Friendly Island of the Philippines
Closed Published by maricar June 12th, 2009 in Gay friendly islandsReader’s Question:
My boo and I have been to many parts of the world for our vacations. This year we’re looking at South East Asia for some good beach fun. Thailand is out of the question (too crowded), are there any good beaches in the Philippines that caters to gay couples? We’ve never been there but have always wanted to go.
Chris
Denver, CO
The Philippines has some of the best vacation islands in the world. In your case the best place that I am happy to recommend is White Beach, Puerto Galera. Located in the island of Oriental Mindoro this gem of a place is just a three-hour bus ride and one-hour boat ride away from the capital, Metro Manila. White Beach is the biggest and most famous of the 32 beaches on Puerto Galera. It is even more famous for being the most popular gay friendly beach in the whole country (besting world famous Boracay Island in Kalibo, Aklan province.)
There are many activities (both queer-friendly and family-friendly) that both you and your boo will surely enjoy. Puerto Galera has 15 of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the county. It also offers nature trekking and plenty of water sporting activities. The beach is also lined up with plenty of bars and restaurants that offer excellent yet cheap meals. There are also a lot of affordable accommodations and there is even a three-star hotel.
Peak seasons are during Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Holy Week. This is when the island becomes a true “gay-man’s land”. During this time half of White Beach, known as “Jurassic Park”, becomes a cruising spot for literally hundreds of gay men. If cruising is not your thing you can always go to anyone of the many beach side bars, be attended and even get treated to impromptu dance numbers by the many lady boy waitresses, and take a swig of the infamous concoction known as “Mindoro Sling”, and a hundred other crazy things that this beach is famous for. Whatever you and your boo is looking for, Puerto Galera is surely to become one of your best and most memorable gay friendly travel experiences.