Guimaras is widely known with their mangos and literally, mango farms are everywhere! Unfortunately, we visited the island out of mango season. So if you want to witness the golden fields of the sweetest mangoes in the world, they say, the best time to visit is during summer.
I didn’t research about this trip, but luckily, I learned that Guimaras offers more than mangoes and beaches. In fact, people suggest that it’s an all-in island, as it could give you beyond what is expected from it’s humble name.
Hey there! My name’s May and you can view more about me here. I travel a lot for both work and leisure. Thanks to being an auditor and a content creator and, of course, to my love for travel, I barely feel I’m actually at work when traveling. And if I’m actually off work, I usually am with friends or family, discovering places and trying out new food. I’m juggling three jobs – the two mentioned + being a single mom. You think it’s easy? Of course not! But what glues me together is my passion and love for these three. More about my story here.
I love sharing what I know and how I do things, so if you haven’t read these yet, visit the following pages to view:
About Guimaras
According to a website, there are many theories and stories behind the name Guimaras. But except from wordplays, what I caught my interest most was the story about a Princess and a slave. Kinda cliche, but whatever. Here goes: 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.
Pre-travel Guide
How to get there?
There are no direct flights to Guimaras. From Manila, take a flight to Iloilo via Airasia, Philippine Airlines, or Cebu Pacific. In my case, we took and availed a seat sale from Airasia. Then from Iloilo, take a jeepney or taxi going to Iloilo City harbor (Ortiz Wharf), and then take a 15-minute boat ride going to Jordan Wharf, Guimaras – the main port of entry in Guimaras. They have a trip and can accommodate you every 30 mins, daily.
Going around the island is a bit difficult, as many tourists and locals hire tricycles for private trips. However, you can request for one via the tourist guide table right at the Jordan Wharf.
When is the best time to visit Guimaras?
If you’d like to experience the golden views of ripe mangoes, it’s best to visit the island within April to June. But the rest of the year is safe and good, though.
Sample Itinerary
Getting around the island is no joke. There are too many spots to visit, and are far from each other. So unless you want to wait for an available tricycle every time you finish taking pictures, you don’t have other choice but to rent a bike or hire a tricycle and a driver.
We’re lucky to have a driver that also has a talent in photography. I understand they are tourist guides as well, so they’re already trained an practiced, but some of the “kuyas” I meet during my travels didn’t have such skills. So yep, I’d recommend Manong Saoro. His contact details were mentioned above.
Below are just some of my recommendations on where to go around Guimaras in a day, but if you have more time, I’d suggest you stay for a couple of days or more. I mean, Guimaras is indeed an island worth seeing. You’d like to discover more of it, swear!
Our first stop was this plaza they claim the “smallest” in PH. It once held the title in Guinness Book of World Records, but surpassed by another country in I don’t know what year. But hey, it’s still the smallest plaza here in the Philippines.
Before heading back for lunch, we had enough time to take photos in this park (OMG I forgot to ask the name of this place) where stands the GUIMARAS letterings every tourist is looking for. I mean, it’s like a must-have photo or else people won’t believe you’re actually there.
Another famous spots in Guimaras, of course, are the mango plantations. Yep, there are more than one mango farm in the island – that I haven’t ask Manong about the exact number, but I know there’s at least two. Or three. Correct me here, guys!
Since we were there off season, we didn’t witness the golden farm of mangoes. But we were able to visit one farm, roam around, and take pictures for free! But really, I am sooooo full of regret I didn’t research first about when was the best time to go to Guimaras.
And of course, and I’m not sure why, I usually don’t go back home with no “pasalubong”. The Trappist Monastery is one of (if not the only) place to shop for goodies that are best to bring for our friends and families. As expected, almost every food there are made of mangoes. Trappist Monastery is actually the only Trappist monastery in the Philippines. If you are not familiar with the word “Trappist” but are a Google nerd but too lazy to open a new tab and search, here goes the meaning: relating to a branch of the Cistercian order of monks founded in 1664 and noted for an austere rule that includes remaining silent for much of the time.
One of my favorite parts of the tour was the Guisi lighthouse. I am not just a lover of the world, but I also am a lover of the past. Naks! Well, that’s why if I were a diver (or a really good swimmer, at least), I’d dive every underwater wreck discovered. It really amazes me just looking at these old places.
Read more of my Guisi Lighthouse experience here >>
And as I told you, there is more than mangoes and island hopping in Guimaras. The beautiful island has it all, as they say. And what’s more amusing is that no matter how notorious and well-traveled the place is, the locals are able to keep it virgin-like clean and you’ll see that they love doing such.
When we were island hopping, (well, technically sight-seeing because it was super low tide that our boat cannot get to the shore safely,) I noticed the water was still super clear and beautiful. I couldn’t help but compare it to the island hopping experiences I had at some provinces near Manila. I was standing at the front end of the boat and it made me realized, “wow, humans really are assholes.”
Though we didn’t get the chance to experience the island hopping per se, our boatmen and guide didn’t fail to give us the most of the tour and at least told us stories I won’t spoil here anymore, and finally brought us to this beautiful cave.
Baras Cave is one of the favorite stops of the tourists in Guimaras on their island hopping, which makes it almost always crowded. It is a small cave with two openings just small enough for the boat to pass through. But it’s nice that locals are keeping the boats outside for the travelers to enjoy the enchanting cave while swimming and chilling. Plus, I still have doubts on how safe these boats are to the environment, but thanks for bringing us to where these beauties are. Hehe.
I feel like I have to also mention that I noticed the bats are still comfortable inside the cave even though their bed was not that far from the light and outside noise. Another sign that the place isn’t abused and that animals are still well taken care of. #SanaAll
Another attraction on the island of Guimaras is this line of windmills in San Lorenzo. It’s more or less 30 minutes from the town proper, but the trip is worth it. Yep, I didn’t know they have a “Bangui-like” windmill view here, but apparently, it’s famous among the tourists, and locals are very much excited to share this pride. Also, unlike what we have in Ilocos, the windmills in Guimaras are beautifully standing on hills which makes it even more relaxing to look at.
These windmills were said to be put up to provide 54 megawatts of electricity to the local communities of Guimaras.
Best time of the day to visit the windmills? SUNSET!
Where to eat
“Where are we eating?” is one of the questions and one of the important things I need to know when going out. Good thing we have a great Manong who knew exactly what I was craving for: seafoods.
Biking’s Seafood Resto looked small, but they had more than one hut to accommodate more diners. Plus, they offer really cheap, fresh, and yummy food.
I came to Guimaras with a strong decision of commuting so we have enough time at every stop we will make. Good thing I didn’t trust myself then (lol) and hired a tricycle instead. For 1500php (around 29USD), not only the transport you could be thankful for, but the wonderful experience, the beauty of nature, and nice company you can trust. Not to mention your time and effort and safety.