Traveling to go to Guimaras for the first time this 2024? I hope this Guimaras Travel Guide Blog with list of top things to do in Guimaras, tourist spots and sample DIY Guimaras itinerary help you in planning your trip and have a memorable Guimaras Adventure!
Guimaras is an island province in Western Visayas located just off the coast of Iloilo City. Known as "the land of the sweetest mangoes in Philippines", it offers an array of tourist spots and attractions, exciting activities and amazing things to do that families, friends, and adventure junkies will surely enjoy! As a small province, a whole day or overnight adventure is a good itinerary if you want to see and experience most of the top tourist spots and attractions and best things to do in Guimaras - but personally, I'd recommend that you stay longer if you have more time. Visit its beaches, taste its mangoes, enjoy the islands and islets of Guimaras! Indeed, there are really a lot of things to do in Guimaras!
I'm sharing this Guimaras Travel Guide Blog to help you plan your trip and have a memorable Guimaras adventure. Here's a simple yet useful guide on how to enjoy the island of Guimaras and make the most out of it. This could also serve as your travel guide in creating your own Guimaras DIY Itinerary and to estimate your budget and travel expenses.
Are you ready to explore Guimaras? Be sure to read this travel guide with comprehensive list of Guimaras tourist spots and top things to do!
2024 GUIMARAS TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG FOR FIRST-TIMERS (UPDATED) - Things to Do in Guimaras, Tourist Spots & Places to Visit
How to Get to Guimaras?
- From Manila, take a 1-hour flight to Iloilo City. Cebu Pacific Air, Air Asia, and Philippine Airlines have several flights daily from Manila to Iloilo City.
- There are shuttle services that ferry passengers between Iloilo International Airport and Iloilo City with pick-up/drop-off points at SM City Iloilo. From the airport, take a passenger van to SM City Iloilo for 80 pesos per person. Travel time is about 30 minutes. You may book a Private or Shared Iloilo International Airport (ILO) Transfers for Iloilo here. If you're arriving in Iloilo via Fort San Pedro Port, you may book a Private and Shared Fort San Pedro Port Transfers for Iloilo here.
- From SM City Iloilo, you may take a taxi to Ortiz Port for around 80-100 pesos. Travel time is about 15-20 minutes depending on the traffic condition in the city.
- Then at Ortiz Port, take the passenger boat going to Jordan Port in Guimaras. Fare is 14 pesos per person and travel time is about 15 minutes.
- Upon arrival in Guimaras, you may take a tricycle or a jeepney going to your resort. You may also contact a tour guide with tricycle (see details below) that could fetch you from the port going to your resort. To maximize your tricycle rental and save on expenses, you can ask the driver to fetch you at Jordan Port, start the Guimaras island tour, and then bring you to your resort after the island tour.
10 Best Things to do in Guimaras, Tourist Spots and Places to Visit
What to do in Guimaras? Here are my top things to do in Guimaras, tourist spots, attractions and activities you should include in your Guimaras itinerary.
1. Marvel at the stunning San Lorenzo Wind Farm
San Lorenzo Wind farm is considered as "the first wind farm in the Visayas." It was built to enhance the energy supply, help reduce gas emission, and have a renewable source of energy. Aside from that, it also serves as a new attraction for both locals and tourists. Each windmill measures 40 meters wide and 80 meters tall. Each wind turbine blade can generate 2 megawatts of power. As a result, it can produce a total of 54 megawatts, enough to supply electricity for the province.
2. Pray and Reflect at Holy Family Hills
A pilgrim site located at Brgy. Tamborong, San Lorenzo, Guimaras, the Holy Family Hills is an ideal place for spiritual retreats and family gatherings. Managed by the Eucharistic Disciples of St. Pius X, the complex has a chapel, life-size statues of the "Way of the Cross," and a huge shrine of the Holy Family. Surrounded by tall tress and lush gardens, it is a good place to have some quiet time to reflect and pray.
3. Visit the smallest plaza
Where can you find what is considered as “The smallest plaza in the Philippines?” Yes, it is located on Guimaras Island! It used to hold the title of being the smallest plaza in the whole world in Guinness Book of World Records, and the locals take pride of it. The plaza is just a few minutes away from the port. It has a small statue of our National Hero - Dr. Jose Rizal at the center of the plaza.
4. Chill at Pit Stop Restaurant and have a taste of Mango Pizza
Pizza is common and we all know that almost everywhere, you could find a variety of pizza. But did you know that there's a restaurant in Guimaras that offers a unique Mango Pizza? The Pit Stop Restaurant tried to experiment with Guimaras' famed mangoes, and then Mango Pizza was invented. Who would have thought that it is possible? Well, The Pit Stop Restaurant did. They started in 2005 as a small local diner and later on turned to be one of the most famous restaurants in Guimaras, because of their unique Mango Pizza. They even have a branch in Iloilo City.
Aside from their famous Mango Pizza, they also serve other dishes infused with mango, such as the Mango Sisig, and the Mango Bulalo. You should try them too!
5. Visit a Mango Farm
Did you know that bringing mangoes in Guimaras is prohibited? It is because the local government of Guimaras is preserving the quality of their mangoes. Guimaras is known to have the sweetest mango in the world. This is the reason why your stay in Guimaras is not complete without visiting one of the many mango farms on the island.
6. Light a candle, Pray and Reflect at Trappist Monastery
The Trappist Monsatery is a peaceful place run by the monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. This is also where you could find the Abbey of Our Lady of the Philippines where you could light some candles, offer some prayers, and spend some minutes to reflect.
Trappist Monastery also has a small shop where you could buy some souvenirs and food items made by the monks. This is where you could buy souvenirs and pasalubong items to bring back home. Be sure to add this on your list of things to do in Guimaras and don't forget to drop by before going back home.
7. Marvel at the Guisi Lighthouse
The Guisi Lighthouse is an 18th-century Spanish-colonial lighthouse built beside Guisi Beach and is considered as "the second oldest lighthouse in the Philippines" - next to Cape Engaño Lighthouse on Palau Island, Cagayan. Located in the town of Nueva Valencia, you can reach the lighthouse by following a light trail going up to the Guisi Lighthouse ruins where the old and rusty lighthouse is erected. You have to do a 10-15-minute uphill trek if you want to reach the lighthouse. But don't worry; it should be a piece of cake because the trek will provide a stunning views of the Guisi Beach and Guimaras Strait.
8. Unwind at Guisi beach
Guisi Beach is one of the nicest beaches in Guimaras, located just below Guisi Lighthouse. You can actually get to the beach by just taking the stairs at the entrance of Guisi Lighthouse. If you are an adventure seeker, you can try cliff diving although you have to be extra careful since they only have low cliffs. Aside from that, you can also enjoy seeing rock formations which you can easily reach especially during low tides. And of course, sun bathing, swimming are just some of the popular activities to enjoy when you're on this part of Guimaras Island.
9. Enjoy Alubihod Beach
Alubihod beach is the most popular beach in Guimaras and it is where most of the resorts in Guimaras are located. The stretch of Alubihod beach may not offer you a powdery white sand but rest assured that this beach has its own charm and beauty. You will instantly fall in love with its stunning rock formations in its shores, perfect if you love to just enjoy the beauty of nature.
10. Island hopping
Out of the many things to do in Guimaras, this is one of my most favorite! Like any other island destinations, island hopping is a must-do activity when in Guimaras. There are locals offering tours that will cost you around five hundred to one thousand pesos depending on how many are you in the group and how many hours you want to do your island hopping adventure. The tour includes their best beaches in the island such - Turtle Island, Nagtago Beach, Lawi Marine Turtle Rescue Center, Baras Beach, Isla Naburot, Ave Maria Islet, and many more.
DIY Sample Guimaras Itinerary (2 Days and 1 Night)
Here is my suggested 2 days and 1 night Guimaras itinerary. You may adjust it depending on the activities you want to do, the tourist spots in Guimaras you want to visit, and how long you want to stay on the island. If you want to have a day tour in Guimaras, you may also check out the Guimaras day tour itinerary below.
DAY 1: Arrival + Guimaras Tourist Spots Tour
06:00 AM - Arrive in Iloilo City √ Book an Airport Transfer Here!
06:30 AM - Travel to Ortiz Port
07:00 AM - Arrive at Ortiz Port, take a boat to Jordan, Guimaras
07:15 AM - Arrive at Jordan Port, Guimaras / Meet your tour guide (see below for the details)
07:30 AM - Start the Island Tour
07:45 AM - Smallest Plaza
08:30 AM - San Lorenzo Wind Farm
09:30 AM - Holy Family Hills
10:30 AM - Mango Farm
11:00 AM - Lunch at Pit Stop Restaurant
12:00 NN - Trappist Monastery
01:30 PM - Guisi Lighthouse
02:30 PM - Guisi Beach
04:00 PM - Check-in at the hotel/resort √ See here the list of hotels and resorts in Guimaras!
07:00 PM - Dinner
DAY 2: Guimaras Island Hopping + Departure
07:00 AM - Alubihod Beach
08:00 AM - Guimaras Island hopping
- Natago Beach
- Ave Maria
- Turtle Sanctuary
- Pirate Cave
01:00 PM - Travel back to Iloilo City
For ease and conveninece, you may avail a Guimaras Island Private Day Tour from Iloilo.
Tricycle Rental and Tour Guide in Guimaras
For ease and convenience in touring around the island, I highly suggest hiring a tricycle for a day to visit most of the tourist spots and attractions in Guimaras.
For your tricycle needs and tour guide that will tour you around Guimaras, you may contact Michael Selorico at 0977-3725074 or you may also send him a message thru Facebook at facebook.com/michael.selorico. He is very nice, takes good photos, and really takes good care of his guests' need. Please give my regards to him when you meet him!
Tricycle rental rates depend on how many are you in the group and the tourist spots in Guimaras you want to visit. Standard day tour rate is 1,500 pesos for 2 to 3 persons.
Hotels and Resorts in Guimaras
As one of the top tourist destinations in Western Visayas, the island province of Guimaras is filled with many hotels and resorts where you could stay during your trip. ON my previous visits, I've stayed at Raymen Beach Resort and at Nature's Eye Resort. I both recommend them for you to consider on your trip to Guimaras.
RESORT REVIEW Nature's Eye Resort, "The Best Place to Stay Close with Nature in Guimaras!"
OTHER HOTELS AND RESORTS IN GUIMARAS
Here are some of the top-rated hotels, hostels, and budget hotels in Guimaras with very good to exceptional rating from previous guests. Save as much as 50% DISCOUNT when you book in advance online!- Andana Resort Guimaras
- Stunning Beachfront Mediterranean-Style Villa
- Jannah Glycel Beach House
- SunSea Resort, Guimaras
- Costa Aguada Island Resort
- La Puerta El Paraizo Beach Resort
- Playa de Paraiso Resort
- Guimaras Sleepover Inn
Recommended Guimaras Tour Package
For ease and convenience, I highly recommend that you avail a Guimaras Tour Package for a hassle-free and convenient Guimaras adventure. Here are some of the options you may avail.
Photo from Klook
Guimaras Island Day Tour from Iloilo City
This whole day tour is ideal if you just want to visit Guimaras on a day tour from Iloilo City. Availing this tour will let you experience and enjoy the clear blue waters of the island and white sand beach of Natago Beach, have taste Guimaras mangoes - which is known as one of the sweetest mangoes in the world, visit the wind farm, turtle sanctuary, and a lot more. This convenient and hassle-free Guimaras day tour tour package includes round-trip transfers, local driver and tour guide, entrance fees to all attractions, bottled water during the tour, lunch and snacks, tour insurance and boat transfer/RORO.
Sample Guimaras Day Tour Itinerary:
- 08:00 am - pick up time
- Meet up at Jordan Guimaras Jetty Port
- Trappist Monastery and mango farm
- Raymen Beach Resort
- Wind Farm
- GTEC Pasalubong
- Island hopping
- Natago Beach
- Ave Maria
- Turtle Sanctuary
- Pirate Cave
- 05:00 pm - end of tour
Photo from Klook
Am planning on visiting Phillippines (as well as SEA) with my baby next month so thank you very much for this wonderful resource. I will be using it to help with our planning.
ReplyDeleteim going to guimaras island in july alone for 2 days is there any other way to tour the island aside from renting a tricycle ? I meanlike single motorcycle to make it cheaper. thanks.
ReplyDeleteme on june 21
DeleteJuly 9 - 10
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