HomeBeyond IloiloGuimarasGuimaras Guide for First Time Travelers 225 sharesGuimaras Island is a favored destination by both foreign and domestic tourists because of its picturesque beaches, waterfalls, springs, off shore islets, and its famous mangoes, which is considered one of the sweetest in the world. Guimaras is an islan By Marcos Detourista. Updated on May 24, 2016.Guimaras Island is a favored destination by both foreign and domestic tourists because of its picturesque beaches, waterfalls, springs, off shore islets, and its famous mangoes, which is considered one of the sweetest in the world. Guimaras is an island province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Among the smallest and youngest provinces, its capital is Jordan. The island is located in the Panay Gulf, between the islands of Panay and Negros.Iloilo is the primary gateway to Guimaras. The island province is 15 minutes by motorboat or ferry from Parola and Ortiz Wharf in Downtown Iloilo City. A roll on – roll off (RORO) facility is available four times from Monday to Saturday and two times on Sunday from Iloilo to Hoskyn, Jordan. View of Ortiz Wharf from the tower of the Iloilo AduanaMost people associate Guimaras with its mangoes, which is the island’s most important product and the Philippines’ best export quality mangoes. They are grown in mango plantations spanning more than 8,000 hectares thoughout the island, which create an awesome verdant landscape and the characteristic ambiance of rural life in this “Mango Country”. Guimaras Mangoes sold in the Public MarketGuimaras mangoes are considered as one of the sweetest in the world and the only mango variety in the Country certified as pest-free by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The variety of mangoes produced are also best for making dried mangoes, jams and other delicacies. The best time to enjoy Guimaras’ mangoes is during the Manggahan Festival held every May 22 to commemorate the province’s charter day. Mango jam and other products are available at the Trappist MonasteryGuimaras is also well known for its white sand beaches, pristine seas, and secluded off shore islets. Among its most popular destinations include Alubihod Bay with its calm waters, and Guisi Beach, where visitors could enjoy the province’s natural beauty. Beachfront of Alubihod Bay in Nueva Valencia View of Guisi Beach from a nearby hill where an 18th century lighthouse restsWhite sand beaches, multi-colored corals, fish, and other marine life are also found in Igang and Tando Bays and Taklong islets. For those who opt to relax in a secluded and luxurious destination, there’s Costa Aguada Island Resort in Inampulungan Island, Nagarao Island Resort, and Isla Naburot. One can relax and be be at peace in the many hidden islands and bays of GuimarasDue to Guimaras rugged terrain and interesting natural blessings, the island also offers its visitors the opportunity to share the excitement of adventure. Guimaras is a great place where visitors can do mountain biking, rappeling, paintball and war games, and island hopping. There’s a lot of places to go and things to do in Guimaras for those seeking a fun adventureThere are many theories on how Guimaras got its name. Available historical documents can attest that pre-Spanish Ilonggos had knew Guimaras as “Himal-us” though some Spanish historians had written that Guimaras may have been named after after a peninsula in Portugal called Guimaraes, or from names of places in Spain such as Guimaron in the provinces of Leon and Galerea, Gimenia in Catalonia, Gomera in the Canary Islands, and Guimaraon in another province. On the other hand, Ilonggo folklore reveals that Guimaras, formerly known as Himal-us was named after the ill-fated romance of Princess Guima and slave Aras, who betrayed the tradition tribe to enkindle their forbidden love. They were able to ride a small raft and escape Aras’ arranged marriage by her father to another nobleson. Unfortunately, they disappeared in the raging seas, never found again, and from then on, people seemed to hear the repentant father’s calling of the lover’s names “Guim-Aras” echoed in the wind during stormy seas, thus, the name Guimaras. Guimaras is host to many religious destinations and events such as “Balaan Bukid” in Jordan TownDuring the Spanish Era, the beautiful sceneries in the island and abundant resources struck the Spaniards. They’ve built small settlements in Guimaras and left imprints on the island that, today, have become heritage destinations. Visit historical landmarks like McArthur’s Wharf, 18th century Guisi Lighthouse, Punta Blanco Target Range, Navalas Church and Roca Encandata. Navalas Church in Buenavista TownMost of the people of Guimaras could speak and undersand English though their main dialect is Hiligaynon and Kiniray-a just like Iloilo, which is not surprisding since Iloilo had dominated most of Guimaras’ history. Guisi Lighthouse in Nueva ValenciaAll the towns and most baranagys within Guimaras are accessible by land transport. However, three island barangays can only be reached via pumpboats and about 10 inland barangays are only accessible by using four-wheel drive vehicles and motorcycles due to poor condition roads. There are a wide variety of accommodations available in the island from inland resorts, mountain resorts, beach resorts, and island resorts. Raymen Beach Resort in Alubihod Bay Location map of Guimaras Island>Source: Wikipedia, Department of Tourism Region VIDon’t leave yet. There’s more!Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment *Name * Email * Website ΔThis site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.Comments raymen saysFebruary 5, 2013 at 4:28 pmHi, please visit the Raymen Official Website – raymenresort.comThanks for the blog.Reply MInda M. Ruiz saysApril 24, 2012 at 1:35 pmHi! I would like to know your rates for 2 air conditioned rooms for June 10-12. There will be 4 adults.ThanksReply Ian saysAugust 27, 2010 at 7:40 pmIf you know where the model sailing ships are built, or know the company, I want to videotape the ships.Also…Check my youtube site…Interesting clips!Please email me….Thanks, ianReply mae minda saysJanuary 8, 2013 at 9:26 pmi like this place..Reply riza saysFebruary 26, 2010 at 7:38 pmI would like to ask your help for one mountain beach resort in guimaras. Is for sale and I have interest in buying it. My question is. do you know where MT mountain beach resort is? is the a safe and good place? Can you help me find reason why the owner wants to sell it? I m just so facinated with the place but also scared since I am not for there. I was born and raised in Quezon City. Please give me some information regarding this. To my knowledge it is 10 Hectares and they give us the price of 6.8 M. Hope this will be between us. Thank you in advanced.Reply cha saysOctober 24, 2009 at 11:51 ammarc! hulam ko di article mo ha? butang ko thesis ko! thank you!Reply tresamigos saysApril 22, 2009 at 4:26 pmGood day AMBOT.AH.COM could you please tell me if a picture of a cottage overlooking the islands is of the floating cottage in Guisi? I don’t supposed you have the name of the person sitting at the table. A reply will be very much appreciated. Thanks and God Bless.Reply Marcos C. saysApril 27, 2009 at 9:28 pmHello amigo, I don’t have a picture from the floating cottage :( The person sitting at the table prefers to be anonymous, I hope you’re not overly disappointed.Maybe next time, I’ll be able to go to the new floating cottage in Guisi.Reply tres amigos saysSeptember 5, 2009 at 1:08 amHi Marcos, appreciate your reply to my query. Can’t say I’m disappointed but 99.9% when viewing this article I am expecting for him to turn around, he resembles fully of my brother (back,shoulder and hair). It makes me smile thinking he will screw his face to me when he turns.Thanks again. God Speed….. Edzel Jereza saysFebruary 14, 2009 at 4:41 amI just hope & pray that the powers that be will not let Guimaras become an overdeveloped destination like Boracay. Having been born and grew up in Iloilo up to my ‘teens and spending summers in Guimaras, I relish those memories. My mother’s family/clan are native Guimarasnon and practically everyone in the barrio of Magamay, Nueva Valencia are my relatives. We still have property there and I remember those days when the whole of the island was not even paved and we did not even have electricity and running water. Where our daily meal was my grandfather’s catch of the day. Where our summer highlight was walking to the tiny island of “Pasil”, with its pure white beach and one lone beach house (during lowtide water was only up to your hips). Looking to relocate to Iloilo/Guimaras this year and so excited about it.Reply Fe Galarpe Tabaque Morris saysApril 15, 2009 at 5:10 pmGosssh… a trip down memory lane… treasured memories ha! ! ! Manginhas, mamunit and ride the big waves during typhoon season. Myself too had begged so many in the authority along with all the prayers I can do to “not” to spoil our beautiful island especially around Nueva Valencia. From Tando to Pasil we as kids are so very lucky to have such a beautiful playground. The joy of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, will our leaders now take control and all the years ahead to make sure our little tressure be preserve? I honestly hope so, for their children’s and grandchildren’s sake. Let’s hope “GREED” will not be more powerful than one’s “HEART and CONSCIENCE”.Reply chiqui saysFebruary 13, 2009 at 4:41 pmyour pictures are prettyReply Lee saysFebruary 11, 2009 at 3:06 amI will ALWAYS have fond memories of Guimaras Island! With my 2-years stint in Nueva Valencia in the 80’s, it afforded me to tour the whole island, particularly Nueva Valencia. Though it used to have only 3 towns before, namely: Jordan, Buenavista and Nueva Valenica, Guimaras maintained it’s demure that is matchless. Alubihod used to be a secluded beach with only a handful local & foreign tourists knew the place, usually through word of mouth. I used to pamper myself before going island/islets hopping and doing snorkelling the whole day!Surrounded by beautiful live corals and tropical fishes abound beaches that it made me forget about time. As if you’re in a different world! Totally lost in time, so to speak! Overall, beaches in Nueva Valencia, then, where so prestine in its strickest sense! I want to keep that memory intact and it scares me to come back as it might ruin that imagery.Reply
raymen saysFebruary 5, 2013 at 4:28 pmHi, please visit the Raymen Official Website – raymenresort.comThanks for the blog.Reply
MInda M. Ruiz saysApril 24, 2012 at 1:35 pmHi! I would like to know your rates for 2 air conditioned rooms for June 10-12. There will be 4 adults.ThanksReply
Ian saysAugust 27, 2010 at 7:40 pmIf you know where the model sailing ships are built, or know the company, I want to videotape the ships.Also…Check my youtube site…Interesting clips!Please email me….Thanks, ianReply
riza saysFebruary 26, 2010 at 7:38 pmI would like to ask your help for one mountain beach resort in guimaras. Is for sale and I have interest in buying it. My question is. do you know where MT mountain beach resort is? is the a safe and good place? Can you help me find reason why the owner wants to sell it? I m just so facinated with the place but also scared since I am not for there. I was born and raised in Quezon City. Please give me some information regarding this. To my knowledge it is 10 Hectares and they give us the price of 6.8 M. Hope this will be between us. Thank you in advanced.Reply
cha saysOctober 24, 2009 at 11:51 ammarc! hulam ko di article mo ha? butang ko thesis ko! thank you!Reply
tresamigos saysApril 22, 2009 at 4:26 pmGood day AMBOT.AH.COM could you please tell me if a picture of a cottage overlooking the islands is of the floating cottage in Guisi? I don’t supposed you have the name of the person sitting at the table. A reply will be very much appreciated. Thanks and God Bless.Reply
Marcos C. saysApril 27, 2009 at 9:28 pmHello amigo, I don’t have a picture from the floating cottage :( The person sitting at the table prefers to be anonymous, I hope you’re not overly disappointed.Maybe next time, I’ll be able to go to the new floating cottage in Guisi.Reply
tres amigos saysSeptember 5, 2009 at 1:08 amHi Marcos, appreciate your reply to my query. Can’t say I’m disappointed but 99.9% when viewing this article I am expecting for him to turn around, he resembles fully of my brother (back,shoulder and hair). It makes me smile thinking he will screw his face to me when he turns.Thanks again. God Speed…..
Edzel Jereza saysFebruary 14, 2009 at 4:41 amI just hope & pray that the powers that be will not let Guimaras become an overdeveloped destination like Boracay. Having been born and grew up in Iloilo up to my ‘teens and spending summers in Guimaras, I relish those memories. My mother’s family/clan are native Guimarasnon and practically everyone in the barrio of Magamay, Nueva Valencia are my relatives. We still have property there and I remember those days when the whole of the island was not even paved and we did not even have electricity and running water. Where our daily meal was my grandfather’s catch of the day. Where our summer highlight was walking to the tiny island of “Pasil”, with its pure white beach and one lone beach house (during lowtide water was only up to your hips). Looking to relocate to Iloilo/Guimaras this year and so excited about it.Reply
Fe Galarpe Tabaque Morris saysApril 15, 2009 at 5:10 pmGosssh… a trip down memory lane… treasured memories ha! ! ! Manginhas, mamunit and ride the big waves during typhoon season. Myself too had begged so many in the authority along with all the prayers I can do to “not” to spoil our beautiful island especially around Nueva Valencia. From Tando to Pasil we as kids are so very lucky to have such a beautiful playground. The joy of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, will our leaders now take control and all the years ahead to make sure our little tressure be preserve? I honestly hope so, for their children’s and grandchildren’s sake. Let’s hope “GREED” will not be more powerful than one’s “HEART and CONSCIENCE”.Reply
Lee saysFebruary 11, 2009 at 3:06 amI will ALWAYS have fond memories of Guimaras Island! With my 2-years stint in Nueva Valencia in the 80’s, it afforded me to tour the whole island, particularly Nueva Valencia. Though it used to have only 3 towns before, namely: Jordan, Buenavista and Nueva Valenica, Guimaras maintained it’s demure that is matchless. Alubihod used to be a secluded beach with only a handful local & foreign tourists knew the place, usually through word of mouth. I used to pamper myself before going island/islets hopping and doing snorkelling the whole day!Surrounded by beautiful live corals and tropical fishes abound beaches that it made me forget about time. As if you’re in a different world! Totally lost in time, so to speak! Overall, beaches in Nueva Valencia, then, where so prestine in its strickest sense! I want to keep that memory intact and it scares me to come back as it might ruin that imagery.Reply