Squares Apartments, Tabinay, Puerto Galera, Mindoro, Philippines

The Squares ‘Apartments’ all have a great view of the beach from the front doors, and provide Excellent accommodation on Small Tabinay beach in Puerto Galera on Mindoro Island, 140km South of Manila.

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Availability and Pricing at HotelsCombined

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Prices for western style accommodation start at 2,100 pesos per night.
This gives a 60sm apartment with living room/kitchenette, and a separate air conditioned bedroom and a bathroom with hot shower.

Long term renters can get discounts down to under 700 pesos per night, (20,000 pesos per month) but with electricity charged separately.

There are a total of 20 apartments and rooms.

The SQUARES APARTMENTS are located about 1.5km south of the Puerto Galera town center and Muelle Port, on the small beach called Small Tabinay Beach.

Travel cost to the Squares Apartments is normally 20 or 30 pesos each way for two people in a tricycle, for a 5 minute ride from the Muelle Ferry Terminal in Puerto Galera.

Prices from:

Rooms

500 pesos Per Night: One Bedroom (Fan Only)  Room and share bathroom

750 pesos Per Night: One Bedroom (Fan Only) kitchen and bathroom.

Apartments

From: 2,100 pesos (PHP1,704.55 plus taxes) per night: One Bedroom (Air Conditioned) Apartment.

The larger 3 bedroom apartment, is commonly rented long term for about 35,000 pesos per month, excluding electricity.

The Apartments:

There are three alternative apartment styles:

Standard

Standard Double bedroom with separate receiving room and terrace, and kitchen. Approximately 60 square meters, and very comfortable for 2 people.

• PHP 2,100 Peso per night (PHP 1,704.55 + service charge and tax)
• PHP 14,000 Peso per week
• PHP 21,000 Peso per month

Superior 

Superior Double bedroom with separate receiving room and terrace, and Kitchen.

• PHP 2,100 Peso per night (PHP 1,705 + service charge and tax)

Three bedroomed duplex

Three bedroomed duplex with two receiving rooms and three bathrooms, laundry room and four separate terraces. Approximately 220 square meters.

• PHP negotiable per night
• PHP negotiable per week
• PHP 35,000 Peso per month

All apartments have direct access to the beach and full sea views.
All apartments are fully furnished to European standards, have fully fitted kitchens and bathrooms with hot showers and air conditioned bedrooms.

Prices current at May 2013

Please contact us for full details and availability.

Getting to Squares Apartments:

From Manila to Batangas.

Coaches run from Manila to Batangas port on a regular basis, with the trip normally taking about one and a half to two hours, although traffic can be responsible for delays, especially at peak times. Go to any of the following bus terminals in Metro Manila:

• Buendia Bus Terminals near the corner of Taft Avenue and Gil Puyat Avenue, Pasay City – nearest to the Main Airports.
• Bus Terminal near Ali Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.
• Bus Terminal in EDSA corner Kamias Street, Quezon City.
• Bus Terminal in Alabang, Muntinlupa City.

From Batangas to Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental.

You need to get a ferry from Terminal 3 at the Batangas pier, to to Muelle Port in Puerto Galera.
Most of these ferries are large wooden outriggers or Bankas, and run frequent daytime services.
Passenger Ferries run from Batangas to Muelle Port, Sabang and White Beach, but it is the ones to Muelle Port that you need to catch.
The first MSL ferry trip to Puerto Galera is 7:30 am during the normal season and then every hour thereafter one or 2 ferries depart until 5:00 pm which is usually the last trip to Puerto Galera.
The May 2013 timetable is: 6:30 AM, 7:15 AM, 7:45 AM, 9:15 AM, 9:45 AM, 10:45 AM, 12:05 PM, 12:30 PM, 12:45 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM, 5:00 PM

The regular fare is 230php + terminal fee (30php) and environmental fee (50php). Total 310php.
But only 230php + terminal fee (10php) Total 260php for the return trip.

Please check current schedules and prices at: MSL to Muelle Port as this information is subject to changes, and is a guide only.

PUERTO GALERA FERRY

• Minolo Shipping Lines (MSL) (My favourite)
• Father and Son Shipping Lines (FSL)
• Montenegro Shipping Lines – RORO

From Muelle Port, Puerto Galera to Squares Apartments, Tabinay.

A tricycle can bring you the short 5 minute trip to the Apartments, and one can be arranged to collect you if you arrange with us in advance.
If you do choose to get your own tricycle, you may find that some drivers will take advantage of new tourists with charges up to 300 pesos, for a trip that should cost under 100 pesos even allowing for tips for carrying your luggage.

Location

A selection of photos:

Sunrise from the Apartment Door	6 Apartments shown in this photo, no 10 is middle bottom.
View from the door of apartment number 10	View from the door of apartment number 10

Comments

The White House, Tabinay, Puerto Galera

Most locals, especially tricycle drivers, know the Squares Apartments as “The White House”, but that can be confusing as there is another accommodation actually called the White House, also very close, but not as near to the Beach.
A safe way to ask for it is to say: “The White House next to Badladz, Tabinay”, which is what I said yesterday to a tricycle driver who didn’t know what I meant when I asked for the Squares Apartments. Instant recognition though when I mentioned Badladz. BUT.. make sure you specify Tabinay (Tabin i), do not just ask for Badladz, as there are two in Puerto Galera.

A Nice Place to Live

This part of Puerto Galera is a nice, peaceful and quiet area. A nice place to live, excellent for families.

Squares Cafe and Apartments

Squares Cafe and Apartments is a very well run block of beach front rooms and apartments, from a single bedroom with living room/kitchen and bathroom, up to the 3 bedroom two storey apartment. The cafe was not in operation when I arrived, but it is planned again for the future. Most guests here seem to be regular visitors, which indicates its popularity. (I may book until Christmas  )