Oriental Mindoro Hotels

Oriental Mindoro Rundown

The island of Mindoro, home to 1 million people strong, is unlike any other in the Philippines. While others display a collection of urban barangays that teem with generic jeepney clatter, Jollibees and SM Supermalls, Mindoro has a touch of provincial charm. With a population density of 100/km² Mindoro is not quite Palawan to the south but, indeed, a far cry from the likes of Luzon, Cebu, Bohol and Mindanao. ... Read more »

And so they come en masse from Batangas, by ferry or catamaran across the Verde Island Passage, to bask on the pristine coast and commune with the feral wilderness of Mount Calavite and Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park. The lush summits of Mindoro split the island in two, with the provinces of Occidental and Oriental the result.

Calapan, the capital of Oriental Mindoro, is the only city on this island of sugar cane and tropical fruit. Indeed, agriculture (and aquaculture) is still the lifeblood of much of Mindoro. The resorts of Puerto Galera, however, do boost the local economy throughout the short dry season. The north coast of Oriental Mindoro has no less than 32 distinct beach areas to explore and Puerto Galera is the only member of the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World in the Philippines.

Oriental Mindoro’s Top 10

10. Mangyan Village is one of the last bastions of indigenous culture in Mindoro.	5. Mount Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary unveils a colourful parade of native fauna and flora.
9. Paradise Reptile Zoo, on the north coast of Mindoro, claims to have the most prolific reptile collection in Asia.	4. Tamaraw Falls is the most popular natural attraction in Oriental Mindoro.
8. Mounts Iglit-Baco National Park punctuates the heart of Mindoro and cleaves the island in two.	3. White Beach is a favourite with locals and visitors from Luzon.
7. Calapan Public Market is the most conspicuous hive of commercial activity in the capital of Oriental Mindoro.	2. Sabang Beach is arguably the most popular tourist beach in Oriental Mindoro.
6. Calapan City Museum is a vital civic repository and archive.	1. Puerto Galera is one of the top resort areas in the entire Philippines.

Oriental Mindoro History

Puerto Galera – Also known as the “Port of the Galleons”, its excellent natural harbours are famous among seafarers during the galleon trade.
Moriones Festival – A local Oriental Mindoro holy week religious festival.
Lubang Island – Known as the historical hideout of Hiroo Onoda, the last Japanese soldier to surrender 29 years after the end of World War II.
Kuta – The oldest Spanish fortress in the Philippines constructed by the Jesuits.
Cross at Muelle in Puerto Galera – A marble cross erected to commemorate the victory of the fall of Cañonero Mariveles Battleship during the Spanish American War in 1878.

Oriental Mindoro Art & Culture

Mangyan Cultural Festival – A major cultural activity conducted by the Mangyan Heritage Centre during the month of February that showcases Mangyan unique arts and crafts.
Harvest Festival – Thanksgiving festival celebrated in March.
Sinkaw Festival – This is the artistic, creative painting competition in which the carabao serves as the canvass.
Sanduguan – A festival that commemorates the early relationship of Chinese and Oriental Mindoro merchants.
Ambahan and Urukay – Poetry written in pre-colonial script of Indic origin on carabao horns and bamboo slivers using knives.

Oriental Mindoro Shopping

Tree of Life Shop – Purchase coconut oil, nut arts, paintings and exclusively designed summer dresses.
White Beach – Offers a stretch of souvenir shops where you can find beachwear, inflatables, jewellery and souvenirs.
Mangyan's Craft – Witness the Mangyan's artistry and craftsmanship with woven bags, colourful branklets (bracelet/anklets) and fancy pearl jewellery.
Calapan City Market – Shop at Oriental Mindoro's Capital City market, the Most Outstanding Development Project awardee in 2010.
Seashore Vendors – Find cheap handicrafts made from natural materials like beads, seashells and pearls from local vendors.

Gay & Lesbian Oriental Mindoro

Puerto Galera – Labelled as the unofficial "Gay Capital of the Philippines".
Stretch of White Beach, Puerto Galera – A series of bars, centre of nightlife in Puerto Galera. Some of these Oriental Mindoro bars feature gay waitresses.
Music Festival at Puerto Gallera – Catch the country's best bands in Long Beach every Lenten season.
Mingle 2 – Free gay dating site designed for Mindoreños.
Mindoro Sling – Known as the "juice with a kick", it's a must-try sweet concoction in White Beach.

Oriental Mindoro Events

Oriental Mindoro has some of the best dive sites and conditions for water sports in all of the Philippines and Southeast Asia.

The Calapan City Harvest Festival celebrates the annual bounty every March 21. A foremost display of civic pride.

The Sinkaw Festival honours the agricultural heritage of Mindoro with a variety of parades and cultural performances.

The Calapan City Fiesta brings a carnival-like atmosphere to the Oriental Mindoro capital every February.

When To Go

The annual wet season can unleash havoc on Mindoro’s vast network of primitive interior roads. The result is often a total washout and can nullify the most meticulous holiday or day trip plan. As is the case most infamously in central Luzon, the worst monsoon rains elicit floods and exact a significant infrastructure and human toll. Bottom line: be prudent in the months of August, September, October and even December and April.

Overall, January, February and March offer the best weather for resort visit.

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