A Guide to Enjoying a Quick Side Trip Summer Getaway in Guimaras Island

For your first stop, try Guimaras' sweet mangoes. After all, it’s the mango capital of the Philippines. This summer is the best time to visit the island, especially this May with its month-long celebration of the Manggahan Festival. You can eat mangoes as much as you want for just PhP100 at the festival’s expo area. You can still enjoy eat-all-you-can mangoes until 22. The eat-all-you-can be availed at the following times: 9:00 to 9:30 AM, 9:45 to 10:15 AM, 10:30 to 11:00 AM, 11:15 AM to 11:45 AM, 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM, 2:45 PM to 3:15 PM, 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM, and 4:15 PM to 4:45 PM.

Yet, of course, you can always buy mangoes for at least PhP100 per kilo and eat them whenever you want. Besides fresh mangoes, you can also try other mango-infused dishes that are indeed a must. One is the mango pizza, popularized by Pitstop, a local diner on Guimaras Island. Combining the savory crust and the sweet mangoes offers a different experience on the palate. A fresh mango shake is also a perfect thirst quencher this summer. You don’t have to add sugar with how sweet Guimaras mango is.

Aside from fresh mangoes, you can also try products from the monks of Trappist Monastery. They are famous for their mango bars, dried mango, biscocho, otap, and jams. Their products are among the favorite souvenirs from the island. The monastery and the gift shop are also a famous stop for island visitors.

Guimaras Island is home to several beautiful beaches. One popular place to visit on Guimaras Island is Guisi Beach in Nueva Valencia. Guisi may not have powdery white sand, but the stunning rock formation is one of its charms. Beach bums can enjoy a relaxing swim in its alluring water. Beside the beach, you will also find an 18th-century Spanish colonial lighthouse. The Guisi Lighthouse can be reached via a light trail. It offers a great view of the beach, and the old structure becomes a dramatic background in a pictorial style.

A few minutes away from Guisi Beach is Alobijod Beach. This Guimaras destination is perfect for swimming with its cream-colored shore and blue waters. Resorts are also in the area, including the Raymen Beach Resort and Alobijod Cove, which has beach huts for day visitors.

Villa Igang, Tatlong Pulo Beach, and Natago Beach are other beaches you should not miss on Guimaras Island. With so many places to visit in Guimaras, you will surely need more days to explore the island.

If you have the luxury of time and want to explore more, visit the inviting resorts on the island with their charm. Nature’s Eye Resort is also in Nueva Valencia if you want privacy. The resort is in a secluded and quiet location with a private beachfront. The resort has wooden interiors, offering a rustic vibe. You can spend a day swimming at the beach or enjoy the fantastic sunrise or sunset view from your rooms. They also provide private island-hopping tours for a more adventurous day.

Another tropical escape in Guimaras Island is the Playa de Paraiso in San Lorenzo. The resort has a private beach, an outdoor pool, and an in-house restaurant, so you have all the amenities you need. They also offer other activities, including biking, kayaking, banana boating, and buggy and ATV rides.

If you want somewhere closer to the port, Tely's Beach House, located in Buenavista town, is just 20 minutes away. This beachfront accommodation is perfect for an overnight getaway with family and friends. They offer exciting water sports like jetskis, paddle boards, and crystal kayaks. They also do land tours for groups.

Depending on your taste, there are several resorts on Guimaras Island where you can surely stay and relax.

Besides having the sweetest mangoes, Guimaras Island is also home to one of the region's renewable energy producers. Like in Ilocos, the San Lorenzo Windmills attract tourists to the island. You can experience being up close to these gigantic wind turbines, which produce 54 megawatts of electricity.

If you want to immerse deeply in the rich natural beauty of Guimaras Island, a visit to the Taklong Island National Marine Reserve should be part of your itinerary. There are floating cottages in the area, managed by the community. You can then enjoy a good swim in its crystal-clear water or do some snorkeling.

Another attraction in the marine reserve is the 53-hectare mangrove plantation, which serves as a breeding ground for various aquatic species and a bird-nesting site.

From Iloilo City’s Parola Port, a boat ride to Jordan Wharf on the island only takes about 15 minutes. The boat fee is PhP30 pesos. Upon arrival, tourists have to log in to the tourism office booth. You can rent a tricycle for PhP1,200 to PhP1,500, suitable for five people for a full-day tour around the island.

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