GUIMARAS TOURIST SPOTS

If you are wondering  what to do and where to go in Guimaras island in the Philippines, here’s a list of top Guimaras tourist spots for sightseeing and island hopping for your travel itinerary.  I also  included a sample Guimaras itinerary below, feel free to tweak it depending on your schedule and trip budget.

 GUIMARAS TOURIST SPOTS (LAND TOUR)

1.SMALLEST PLAZA

Once dubbed as the Smallest Plaza in the World in the Guinness World of Book Records,  Guimaras Smallest Plaza is just a stone’s throw away from Jordan Port. Often included in the tricycle tour of Guimaras island, this is one of the top tourist attractions in Guimaras.

Entrance Fee: FREE

2.BALAAN BUKID (HOLY MOUNTAIN)

 Balaan Bukid is another popular Guimaras tourist spot that is actually a pilgrimage site.  Tourists can hike up the hill dotted with the 14 Stations called “The Way of the Cross”. On top, visitors can witness a scenic view of Iloilo City hugged by cerulean sea.

Entrance Fee: FREE

How to get to Balaan Bukid:

 1.From Iloilo City, take a ferry from Ortiz Wharf to Jordan Port in Guimaras. Travel time is about 15 minutes.

2.At Jordan Port, take a tricycle to the foot of Balaan Bukid.

3.Trek for about 35 minutes to the summit of Balaan Bukid.

3.MANGO RESEARCH CENTER (Guimaras Mango Plantation)

Another famous tourist attraction in Guimaras is the sprawling National Mango Research Center  boasts of 8.87 hectares of land planted with mango trees.  So, if you want to visit a Mango Plantation in Guimaras, this is the place to be. They have satellite stations in Mclain and Pina, Buenavista. The center houses several buildings for mango research, production, packaging, horticulture, etc. You can even purchase grafted mango seedlings at their nursery here.

Entrance Fee: FREE

4.TRAPPIST MONASTERY

The Trappist Monastery in Guimaras (Abbey of Our Lady of the Philippines Monastery) run by the Cisterian Order of the Strict Observance is located in Brgy. San Miguel, Jordan Town in Guimaras and has become of the famous Guimaras tourist spots.  They are known for making a variety of mango souvenirs in Guimaras island like mango jams, dried mangoes, etc.  The Trappist Monastery is also available for retreats.

Entrance Fee: FREE

 5.MUSEO DE GUIMARAS

 Designed by architect Hermecito Gotera, the Guimaras Museum (Museo de Guimaras) houses an anthropology, archaeology, zoology, and arts division featuring the culture, history, and lifestyle of the Guimarasnon.

How to get to Museo de Guimaras:

Ride a jeepney to San Miguel in Jordan. Tell the driver to drop you off at Museo de Guimaras.

 6.PITSTOP RESTAURANT (MANGO PIZZA)

 Things to do in Guimaras? Of course, on top of the must-do list is to try the sweet Guimaras mangoes! And what better way to do it than to try different food and dishes made from Guimaras mango! A popular dining place in Guimaras island is the Pitstop Restaurant that serves mango pizza, mango beef bulalo,  and adobo with Guimaras mangoes.

Entrance Fee: FREE

7.GUIMARAS PASALUBONG

Along the road side of the main highway in Guimaras island, you’ll stumble upon small stores selling Guimaras Pasalubong like Guimaras mangoes, dried mangoes, mango candies, etc.

8.ALUBIHOD BEACH

Easily one of the top Guimaras tourist spots is Alubihod Beach.  It has cream powdery sand lapped by denim blue waters, a perfect place for swimming.  Due to its popularity, several beach resorts has mushroomed along Alubihod Beach now, which is a good base for island hopping in Guimaras.  While the main beach strip is fringed by coconut trees, some parts is also dappled with photo-worthy rock formations.

Entrance Fee: Depends on the beach resort

9.GUISI LIGHTHOUSE AND GUISI BEACH

Guisi Lighthouse is another well-known tourist attraction in Guimaras that is included in the tricycle tour.  Situated in Brgy. Dolores, Nueva Valencia. Guisi Lighthouse is actually a ruin of an 18^th century Spanish lighthouse (Faro de Punta Luzaran) that used to guide ships passing through the Iloilo and Guimaras Strait.  It is believed to be the 2^nd oldest lighthouse in the Philippines.  Climbing the lighthouse is now prohibited for safety reasons, but tourists can enjoy the scenic view of the Guisi Beach below.  The place is also perfect for photo ops.  A new white lighthouse now stands nearby.

Entrance Fee: ₱10 ($0.20, £0.16, SGD 0.27, AUD 0.29) Environmental Fee

₱30 ($0.59, £0.49, SGD 0.81, AUD 0.86)  – Swimming at the Beach

How to get to Guisi Lighthouse and Beach:

1.Ride a jeepney bound for Dolores or Pandaraonan Nueva Valencia.

2.Alight at crossing Pandaraonan. Travel time is about 45 minutes.

3.At crossing Pandaraonan, ride a motorbike to Guisi Lighthouse.

10.GUIMARAS WINDMILLS

What I like about Guimaras island is, it’s shift to clean, renewable energy. It has banned the use of  coal and other dirty, polluting energy sources, making it the 1^st coal-free province in the Philippines. In fact, Guimaras is home to the 54-megawatt windfarm called San Lorenzo Wind Farm, one of the biggest in Southeast Asia. You can include the Guimaras Windmills in your tricycle tour.

Entrance Fee: ₱25 ($0.49, £0.40, SGD 0.67, AUD 0.71)

GUIMARAS TOURIST SPOTS  (ISLAND HOPPING)

11.SEAFDEC (Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center).

The SEAFDEC at Igang Marine Station in Brgy. Igang, Nueva Valencia is usually the first stop for the Guimaras island hopping tour.  As its name suggests, this place is a research center where they breed and study different  species of fish and other marine animals.  It is dotted with massive fish pens and floating cottage. The guard here serves as a guide, he can share information about the variety of fishes including their breeding and hatchery process.

Entrance Fee: ₱30 ($0.59, £0.49, SGD 0.81, AUD 0.86)

12.AVE MARIA ISLAND

Ave Maria Island is an uninhabited island in  Brgy. Lawi, Jordan, Guimaras that is peppered with rock formations.  In fact, the island got its name from a grotto-like rock formation. Ave Maria Island is a small island with powdery cream sand and clear turquoise water, perfect for swimming.

Entrance Fee: FREE

13.TURTLE ISLAND

Across Ave Maria Island is  Turtle Island, another popular Guimaras Beach included in the usual island hopping tour. This inhabited island in Brgy. Lawi in Jordan, Guimaras is a former pawikan (sea turtle) sanctuary, but don’t expect to see any turtles here. Brgy. Lawi is also home to Lawi Marine Turtle Rescue Center that has a feeding and caring station for green sea turtles and hawk bill turtles.

Entrance Fee: Donation

14.BARAS BEACH and CAVE

 A rustic, private beach resort in Guimaras peppered with rock formations. If you want peace and quiet, this is the place to be.  At Baras Beach Resort, rustic cottages are sprinkled on the rock formations.  Though the beach resort was in a state of despair during my visit, I still like the ambience of the place during sunset.  Nearby is Baras Cave with turquoise seawater, a beautiful cave with 2 small entrances where small outrigger boats can enter.  It’s a good place for swimming.

 Entrance Fee: FREE (Baras Cave), ₱30 ($0.59, £0.49, SGD 0.81, AUD 0.86)  (Baras Beach)

15.FAIRY CASTLE

 Another island that can be part of the island hopping tour in Guimaras if you still have more time and budget.

16.LAMURAWAN ISLAND

A small beach in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras that has a grotto of the Virgin Mary overlooking the 7 islands around it.  It is usually part of the island hopping tour in Guimaras.  It’s a great spot for photo op and has become one of the most sought-after Guimaras tourist spots.

Entrance Fee: Donation

17.NATAGO BEACH

Another popular island in Guimaras that you can include in your island hopping itinerary.  It’s quite hidden, hence the name Natago, a local word that means “hidden”.   The island is also sprinkled with rock formations.

OTHER GUIMARAS TOURIST SPOTS

18.ROCA ENCANTADA

Another popular Guimaras tourist spot is Roca Encantada – the summer house of the Lopez Clan in Buenavista. Roca Encantada was declared as a heritage house by the National Heritage Institute. It was constructed sometime in 1910 and dedicated to Doña Presentacion Hofilena Lopez. The age-old house sits beside a beautiful beach peppered with rock formations.

How to get to Roca Encantada:

1. From Jordan Port you can hire a tricycle to Navalas for about ₱400 ($8, £7, SGD 10, AUD 11)

19.NAVALAS CHURCH

Constructed between 1880 – 1885, Navalas Church is the oldest church in Guimaras.  It has gorgeous limestone façade and a beautifully manicured garden in front of it.  If you’re planning to visit Roca Encatada, you can make a side trip to Navalas Church as it is also situated in Buenavista.

Entrance Fee: FREE

How to get to Navalas Church:

1. From Jordan Port you can hire a tricycle to Navalas for about ₱400 ($8, £7, SGD 10, AUD 11)

20.ISLA NABUROT

Naburot Island was originally established as a rest house of the owners where they built 6 cottages for their 6 children. Today, Isla Naburot is open to in-house guests. The island is the place to be if you want a peaceful vacation.  It is peppered with rock formations and a good place to watch the sunset.

HOW TO GET TO GUIMARAS

Manila to Guimaras Via Iloilo

1.From Manila (Philippines),  take a flight to Iloilo. Travel time is 1 hour.

2.From Iloilo International Airport, take a bus (RESERVE HERE)  OR  shared or shared Van (RESERVE HERE) to downtown Iloilo. .  Fare is ₱80 ($1.38, £1, SGD 2, AUD 2).

NOTE: If coming from from Fort San Pedro Port in Iloilo, you may also book ahead for a private or shared van transfer. RESERVE HERE

3.From SM Iloilo or from downtown Iloilo City, you may take a jeepney or  taxi to Ortiz Wharf.

4.Get in line and purchase your ferry/boat ticket to Jordan Wharf. Fare is ₱15 ($0.30, £0.24, SGD 0.40, AUD 0.43)  at daytime (6:00 AM – 5:57 PM) and ₱22 ($0.43, £0.36, SGD 0.59, AUD 0.63)  at nighttime (6:00 PM).

5.Board your boat to Jordan Port in Guimaras. Travel time is about 15 minutes.

6.Take a jeepney or tricycle to your resort.

GETTING AROUND GUIMARAS

By Jeepneys/Multicab

Jeepneys and multicabs are available to take you around Guimaras, but they are usually full. Fare is around ₱15 ($0.30, £0.24, SGD 0.40, AUD 0.43) – ₱50 ($0.98, £0.81, SGD1.35, AUD 1.43), depending on your destination. If you are a large group, you can also hire a multi-cab for your Guimaras land tour for ₱1,500 ($30, £24, SGD 0.40, AUD 40) – ₱2,000 ($39, £32, SGD 54, AUD 57).

By Tricycle

For places that aren’t reachable by jeepneys, you may take a tricycle, fare is ₱20 ($0.39, £0.32, SGD 0.54, AUD 0.57) per 2 km ride, but if you are alone, expect to pay more.

 Tourists also usually prefer Tricycle tours in Guimaras.  Rate is ₱1,500 ($30, £24, SGD 0.40, AUD 40) for a whole day tour, good for 2 -3 persons. The Guimaras tourist spots typically included in the tricycle tour are:

• Balaan Bukid (hike for 30 minutes)
• The Smallest Plaza
• Mango Farm
• Trappist Monastery (Mango Products and Souvenirs)
• Pitstop Restaurant (Mango Pizza)
• Guisi Lighthouse and Guisi Beach
• Alubihod Beach
• San Lorenzo Wind Farm

By motorcycle

I remember during one of my visits to Guimaras (I’ve been to Guimaras 3 times), habal-habal (motorcycle) drivers offers tours around the island. If you are traveling alone and you are on a budget, this is another option.  Just make sure you are provided a helmet for safety reasons.

Guimaras Island Hopping Rate

One of the top things to do in Guimaras is island hopping tour.  Although the usual jumping off point is Alubihod Beach (since it’s closer to the islands), nowadays, you can rent a boat in Nueva Valencia or other parts of Guimaras.

Here’s the Guimaras island hopping rate starts:

boat (good for 1-10 persons) – ₱600 ($12, £10, SGD 16, AUD 17) for the 1^st hour and ₱200 ($4, £3, SGD 5, AUD 6) for succeeding hour

boat (good for 11- 16 persons) – ₱800 for the 1^st hour and ₱250 for succeeding hour boat (good for 16 – 20 persons) – ₱1,000 for the 1^st hour and ₱300 for  succeeding hour

Snorkeling gear rental – ₱1,000 ($20, £16, SGD 27, AUD 28).

You can pick from the following island destinations:

• SEAFDEC (Igang Marine Station)
• Tatlong Pulo
• Ave Maria Island
• Turtle Island
• Baras Cave
• Fairy Castle
• Lamurawan Island

It is possible to visit a few islands for 2-3 hours. Prepare to shell out around ₱800 – ₱1,000 at least if you want to enjoy island hopping in Guimaras.

WHERE TO STAY IN GUIMARAS

Guimaras is peppered with beach resorts, so you’ll never really run out of place to stay.  Sitio Alubihod in Nueva Valencia is the preferred base if you plan to go island hopping as many of the islands included in the island hopping tours of Guimaras are situated nearby.

Here are some of the top rated Guimaras beach resorts according to booking websites:

Jannah Glycel Beach Resort

Location: Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

CHECK RATES HERE

 Raymen Beach Resort

Location: Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

CHECK RATES HERE

Cabugan Adventure Resort

 Location: Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

CHECK RATES HERE

Andana Resort Guimaras

Location: Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

CHECK RATES HERE

We stayed at Nature’s Eye Beach Resort during one of our visits in Guimaras.  I like the atmosphere of the place as it is quiet and it has a scenic view of the islands below. It’s also a perfect spot for sunset watching.  There’s a small village adjacent to the resort where you can mingle with the locals and experience local lifestyle. The only downside is it’s too far from Jordan Port.  So, if you plan to do the usual Guimaras island hopping, this is not a good base. But, they also offer an alternative island hopping to islands near the beach resort. 

Nature’s Eye Beach Resort

Location: Nueva Valencia

CHECK RATES HERE

 GUIMARAS ITINERARY + BUDGET

Here’s a sample Guimaras itinerary for 2 Days 1 night, perfect for  a weekend trip.  The sample budget is good for a solo traveler. If you are a party of 2 or more, it’ll be cheaper as you can share the cost of tricycle tour and island hopping.

*Sample budget doesn’t include airfare, souvenirs, and hotel.

 ALSO READ:

GUIMARAS TRAVEL GUIDE

MACAU TOURIST SPOTS

KYOTO TOURIST SPOTS