Oriental Mindoro is one of five provinces comprising the Mimaropa Region ( Region IV-B ).
The island province is divided into fourteen (14) municipalities and one city, represented as two congressional districts. The seat of the provincial government is at the capital city of Calapan.
Oriental Mindoro offers a diverse range of attractions—from Puerto Galera’s world-famous diving spots to Naujan’s waterfalls and cultural landmarks of Calapan. Each town has its own set of highlights, resulting in a province with a mix of beaches, heritage sites, and natural wonders.
Below are the key travel highlights grouped by locality:
Baco
- Mount Halcon: Towering 8,488 feet above sea level, Mount Halcon is the country’s third highest peak and a favourite destination for nature tripping and mountain climbing, offering a challenging four-day trek through old-growth rain-forest.
- Mount Iglit-Baco National Park: One of the last homes of the tamaraw, the endangered wild buffalo of the Philppines. Park rangers monitor the tamaraw population carefully, and with their help, trekkers have a good chance of seeing these elusive animals, after braving the rugged journey to the park.
- Alibatan Island: Noted for its white sand, and serves as a breeding place for seagulls and turtles. Corals and oysters can be found all around the area.
- Banana Festival: Held every March 18-19, the festival is a celebration of the abundance of bananas. It features a banana cookfest and a street dancing competition and beauty pageant. Festivities coincide with the town fiesta held in honor of the patron, St. Joseph.
Bansud
- Bansud Mangrove Forest, coastal areas: Mangrove conservation, quiet beaches
Bongabong
- Bongabong River, heritage churches: River eco-tourism, cultural sites
Bulalacao
- Tambaron Island, Suguicay Island, Aslom Island: Island-hopping, pristine beaches, diving
Calapan City
- Sto. Niño Cathedral, Calapan Plaza, Silonay Mangrove Conservation: Cultural landmarks, eco-tourism, city hub
Gloria
- Agsalin Fish Sanctuary, Maluanluan Falls: Marine sanctuary, waterfalls, eco-tourism
Mansalay
- Mansalay Fossil Sites, local beaches: Archaeological interest, coastal scenery
Naujan
- Naujan Lake National Park, Arangin Falls, 333 Steps: Largest lake in Mindoro, birdwatching, hiking
Pinamalayan
- Aplaya de Ana Liza, Aplaya by Positadi: Long sandy beaches, family-friendly resorts
Pola
- Pola Mangrove Forest, coastal attractions: Mangrove tours, fishing villages
Puerto Galera
- The province’s foremost asset, it is blessed with one of the world’s most beautiful natural harbors. Just off its coast lies the Verde Island Passage, recognized as the global center of marine shore fish biodiversity, a paradise for both local and international divers.
- Known as the Pearl of Mindoro, Puerto Galera is world-famous for splendid beaches and exquisite dive sites that highlight stunning coral gardens, interesting rock formations, and diverse marine species such as crabs, shrimps, sea anemones, moray, and trumpet fishes.
- Sabang Beach: This beach is ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. A cluster of nightspots abound in the area, which make it popular for evening socials. Cottages with entertainment facilities stand close to each other. Low-budget accommodations are available. Sabang Beach can be reached within 15 minutes from the Puerto Galera pier by taking a jeepney or an outrigger banca.
- Small La Laguna Beach: Located beside Sabang, featuring amazingly beautiful coral reefs, and water ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving.
- Tamaraw Falls: This 423-foot waterfalls, actually a series of asymmetrical falls, leads to the grand one, dropping to a frothy waterbed below. Located in Barangay Villaflor, it can be reached in two hours by taking a jeepney from Puerto Galera proper or Calapan.
Roxas
- Agritektura Enterprises (farm tourism), local beaches: Agri-tourism, coastal relaxation
San Teodoro
- Aras Cave, Aras Falls: Caving, waterfalls, adventure tourism
Socorro
- Bucayao River, waterfalls: Inland eco-tourism, river adventures
Victoria
- Trekking, mountain views, agri-tourism. Known as the Fruit Basket of the Philippines.
Then complement the experience by visiting pocket communities of the province’s existing ethnic tribal group, the Mangyans.
The Mangyans are a gentle and withdrawn people, though many have managed to merge into the cultural mainstream, particularly in the towns of Baco, Bongabong, Mansalay, Puerto Galera, and Roxas.
The Mangyan tribe consists of various smaller tribes like the Iraya, Alangan, and Tadwanan. They are skilled weavers and craftsmen who create intricate tribal finery, such as baskets, mats, and other practical and aesthetically pleasing products.
Oriental Mindoro consists of thirty-nine (39) named and eighty-nine (89) unnamed islands and islets, leaving much of its charms virgin to visitors, providing an untrammeled area to explore.
The province is endowed with some of the country’s best naturescapes, including intriguing mountain lairs, lakes, rivers, and rain forests with wild animals and rare flora and fauna.
Visitors can choose their own beach among the many that abound, from fawn beige to powdery white. To name a notable few, there are the beaches of Sabang, Suqui, Banilad, Bongol, La Laguna, Small La Laguna, Talipanan, Melco, Punta Guarda, and White Sand, drawing local and foreign water enthusiasts alike with majestic sites ideal for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.
Indulge in a number of special interest tours while in the province, from mountain climbing to trekking, hiking, camping, butterfly watching, game fishing, and adventure trips to the wilderness. Enjoy active water sports such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming. Visit the Mangyan settlement areas, and find it rewarding to engage in natural cave and waterfall exploration and island hopping.