Guimaras Travel Guide 2024 – EVERYTHING You Need to Know!

Imagine this:

A giant theme park dedicated to mangoes…

Where people dance in bright yellow dresses, carrying basketfuls of the sweet fruit…

Where you can eat as many mangoes as you want, and everywhere you look it’s all mango, mango mango!

Well… guess what? 

You don’t have to imagine because it’s a real place! 

Guimaras is the mango capital of the Philippines. And it’s one of the quirkiest provinces I’ve ever been to. 

In this complete Guimaras travel guide, I’ll go over everything you need to know if you want to visit too! 

I’ll go over:

• Guimaras travel facts
• How to get to the island
• How to get around the island
• Where to stay
• A Guimaras travel map
• All about the Manggahan festival
• A list of things to do in Guimaras
• A sample Guimaras budget and itinerary

And a bunch of FAQs you need to know before visiting Guimaras. 

Let’s dive in!

Guimaras Travel Facts – 4 Things Travelers Need to Know About the Island

Before jumping into the details of how to get there and what to do, let me start by sharing some Guimaras travel facts to get you excited! 

Guimaras Travel Facts #1 – Guimaras Mangoes are NOT a Gimmick! 

Everyone knows that Guimaras is the mango capital of the Philippines. 

But you might be wondering if it’s all a gimmick. 

I know that’s what I was thinking when I was planning my trip. 

Turns out, it’s not a gimmick at all! 

The whole island breathes mangoes. You’ll find plantation after plantation after plantation here. 

Someone even told me that buying mangoes in Guimaras is expensive because everyone has their own trees! 

Guimaras Travel Facts #2 – Guimaras is a Biking Island

One of my biggest regrets while on Guimaras was not being able to ride a bicycle. 

Guimaras is next door to Ilo-Ilo, the bicycle capital of the Philippines. So it’s no surprise that the bike frenzy spread to Guimaras!

In Guimaras, you can rent bicycles, they have a bike park, and, if you’re fit enough, you can even bike around the whole island. 

This island is a must-visit not only for mango lovers but for bike lovers as well. 

Guimaras Travel Facts #3 – Guimaras is MORE Than Just Mangoes

Just because the island breathes mangoes doesn’t mean that’s all they’ve got. 

So if you can’t come during mango season, don’t fret! 

As you’ll see when we get to the thing to do section, there are plenty of cool spots all over Guimaras that have nothing to do with mangoes. 

They have beaches, windmills, historic landmarks, and some cool places. 

Guimaras Travel Facts #4 – Guimaras is Still a Hidden Gem

While most Filipinos have heard about this island and its mangoes, only a handful have been here. 

And even when I visited during the mango season, it wasn’t nearly as crowded as I was expecting it to be. 

Most visitors I came across were just from Ilo-Ilo across the sea. 

Guimaras is still under the radar for most tourists, making it a great backpackers’ destination! 

Alright…

I hope those facts got you excited. But now let’s get into the planning bits. 

Firstly, how exactly do you get to this island? 

How to Get to Guimaras

Source

There are two entry points into Guimaras:

1. Ilo-Ilo City (most popular for tourists)
2. Pulupandan (near Bacolod)

Guimaras does not have an airport, so the only way to get here is by hopping on a ferry. 

How to Get to Guimaras from Ilo-Ilo

There are organized Guimaras tours that start in Ilo-Ilo. However, if you want to go DIY, here’s how to do it:

The fast boats to Guimaras leave from Parola Wharf in Ilo-Ilo City. 

If you’re coming from the Ilo-Ilo airport, a taxi to Parola Wharf will cost you roughly php600-800.

When you get there, buy a ticket for Jordan Wharf (this is where most tourists want to go. The other wharf, Buenavista, is farther away from town). 

Fare costs only php30/head, and the trip takes roughly 15 minutes. 

Boats start leaving at around 4 a.m., and they leave at 30-minute intervals during rush hours, and 1-hour intervals in slower hours. The last trip is usually around 7 p.m. 

Note: getting to Guimaras is easy. There are several boat companies ferrying passengers, so even though the schedules can be confusing, all you have to do is show up at Parola Wharf, and you’re sure to get a ride. 

Also, I’d advise against booking ahead. In places like these, online bookings can be more confusing than helpful! 

How to Get to Guimaras From Bacolod

The boats to Guimaras from Negros leave from Pulupandan wharf, which is about 45 minutes away from Bacolod. 

Some jeepneys ply the Libertad Market – Pulupandan route, or you can hop on a southbound bus in Bacolod and ask them to drop you in Pulupandan. 

From the Pulupandan Port, you can hop on a ferry that’ll take you to a pier on the east side of Guimaras (Nueva Valencia, Sibunag, or San Lorenzo).

From there, you can take a tricycle to take you to Jordan (the capital and tourist center of Guimaras). 

There are about 3 trips a day, which costs php220/head and takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. 

Note: Keep in mind that this route is NOT reliable. There are constant schedule changes, and sometimes no trips. There’s one company (Navimar Shipping) that plies this route regularly, and I highly recommend visiting their Facebook page for updates before going! 

How to Get to Guimaras From Manila and Cebu

If you’re coming to Guimaras from Manila, Cebu, or other parts of the Philippines, I highly recommend flying into Ilo-Ilo City instead of Bacolod. 

My advice is to only use the Bacolod route if you’re already in Bacolod or somewhere else in Negros island like Dumaguete. 

There are direct flights to the Ilo-Ilo airport from Manila, Cebu, Davao, Clark, General Santos, Puerto Princessa, and Cagayan de Oro. 

Once you arrive at the Ilo-Ilo airport, see how to get to Guimaras from Ilo-Ilo above! 

How to Get Around Guimaras

Public transportation in Guimaras is limited. There are tricycles in towns, but to explore the island you can join an organized tour or rent a motorbike. 

When you arrive in Guimaras, you’ll find a bunch of tricycles ready to take you on a land tour. 

This tour will take you to almost all of Guimaras’ spots. These tours cost php1,500 – php1,800 per tricycle (which can fit up to 5 pax) and take around 8 hours. 

If your accommodation is outside Jordan, you can also ask the tricycles to take you there for about php500. Going back, keep in mind that it may take some time before you can hail a tricycle or jeepney heading to Jordan. 

You can also rent a motorbike for around php600/day, which I highly recommend doing. 

Again, there isn’t a lot of public transportation in Guimaras. So having your own vehicle will save you lots of headaches. 

You can ask around on Jordan Wharf for rentals, or you can contact this Facebook page ahead. 

Finally, if you’re fit enough, you can also rent a bicycle! 

Bicycles go for php500/day. You can message this page for more info. 

Where to Stay in Guimaras

A word of advice:

If you’re coming to Guimaras during the Manggahan Festival, BOOK FAR AHEAD. 

At least one month ahead. 

When I was looking for places to stay 2 weeks before going, most of the budget options were fully booked. 

All that I was left with was luxury resorts and rooms that were very far away from Jordan. 

That said, here are the different areas you can consider staying while in Guimaras! 

Where to Stay in Guimaras: Jordan – The Main Town

As a backpacker, I highly recommend staying somewhere in Jordan. 

Jordan is the heart of Guimaras. This is where all the action of the Manggahan Festival takes place. And unlike the rest of the island, public transportation and establishments are plentiful here. 

There’s a mix of budget accommodations like Red Doorz, as well as more expensive hotels. 

Keep in mind that if you’re staying outside Jordan, transportation can be tricky! 

Budget stays:

• Tiliponan Nipa Hut – Hut with bed and pillows inside. You will be right by the beach so you can hear the waves and the breeze. Common dining and bathroom area.
• RedDoorz @ Southern Suites Guimaras – Great location and near the stores in the island. If you are on a budget this is a good place to stay. The rooms are clean and spacious, but the bathroom is shared.
• CABRERA GUEST HOUSE exGREEN BAMBOO GUIMARAS – Situated in an area with stunning sunset. Clean rooms, a kitchen where you can cook and a nice balcony outside.

Mid-range:

• RedDoorz @ Marceily Point Resort Guimaras – Best location for accommodation. It is near the port and middle point for all the tourist spots. It has an own restaurant and cafe, too!
• Tiliponan – Located in Buenavista. Enjoy a balcony sea view, access to a terrace, free private parking, shared kitchen and spacious rooms with flat-screen TVs.
• The Lazy Tiki – Located at Buenavista. The place is clean, cozy, and close to nature with the beach in front, mangroves nearby, and other great places to visit in Guimaras island nearby.

Where to Stay in Guimaras: Alubihod Beach Resorts – Nueva Valencia

About 20 minutes from Jordan is Alubihod Beach in Nueva Valencia. 

This area is the most popular beach destination in Guimaras, and it’s also where the jump-off for island hopping tours is. 

The most popular resort here is Raymen Beach Resort. 

I didn’t stay the night here, but I went to the resort for island hopping, and it looks like it has good amenities. 

There are several other inns and resorts in this area. So if you’re looking for a relaxing stay by the beach, this is a great area to stay in. 

Other places to stay:

• SunSea Resort – Located in Nueva Valencia Guimaras. Good ambience for relaxation. Superb deluxe rooms, clean pool, karaoke, billiards and kayaking also included.

Where to Stay in Guimaras: Where I Stayed – Charito’s Guest House (Nueva Valencia)

Because there were no more affordable options in Jordan, I stayed in an Airbnb 30 minutes away from Jordan. 

The home was lovely, and Tita Charito was a very pleasant host. The rooms were only for 2 people, but she gladly accommodated us (we were 3). 

Keep in mind that this is a BNB, not a hotel or inn. 

I’d give it 5-stars, but my only problem with the place was that it was so far off Jordan, and there were no establishments nearby. 

We ended up renting a motorbike to deal with this, and things were okay. But if we had to commute, it would’ve been difficult.  

Guimaras Travel Map

Source

A fun and informative travel map coming soon! For now, here’s a map of the municipalities!

There are 5 municipalities in Guimaras: Jordan, Nueva Valencia, Sibunag, San Lorenzo, and Buenavista. 

Here’s a quick summary of each of them! 

• Jordan is the capital and busiest part of Guimaras. It’s where all the action during the Manggahan Festival happens, and is definitely the most lively part of the island. 

• Nueva Valencia is sort of the “beach capital” of Guimaras. There are several resorts here, and two of the most popular beaches in Guimaras are here (Alubihod and Guisi). Nueva Valencia is probably the second most visited area in Guimaras after Jordan. 

• Sibunag is, to be completely honest, a place I don’t know much about. There aren’t many attractions to visit here, so I only passed by this area. For intrepid travelers, I’m SURE there are a lot of hidden spots here that you can go searching for! 

• San Lorenzo is found on the east side of Guimaras. It’s the home of the Guimaras Windmills, which are one of only two wind farms in the Visayas region. Aside from that, San Lorenzo is mostly unexplored by travelers. 

• Buenavista is on the north end of Guimaras. It’s a quiet and mostly empty place, and aside from the Roca Encantada mansion, isn’t very visited either. 

As you can tell, there are still a lot of places in Guimaras that aren’t frequented by visitors. 

But there’s one thing in Guimaras that almost everyone knows about. 

I’m talking, of course, about the Maggahan Festival!

Guide to the Guimaras Manggahan Festival

The Manggahan Festival is the main event of Guimaras. 

Every April – May, Guimaras throws festivities for about a month. 

At the center of the festival is the famous Mango-Eat-All-You-Can, which only happens at the very end of the festival. 

Speaking of which…

The Guimaras Mango-Eat-All-You-Can 

Yup! 

You read that right. 

There’s an event where you have 30 minutes to eat as many mangoes as you can. 

It’s hosted in the Guimaras Provincial Capitol on the last few days of the festival, and it costs php150 to get in. 

You’re given a plate with 3 mangoes on it. 

And when the timer starts, you can start eating away! 

Once you’re finished with the first 3, you can raise your hand and ask for another mango. 

Now…

You might think you can gobble down 10 mangoes. But the truth is getting down 3 super plump sweet mangoes is already a challenge. 

In the end, I ate only 4. 

My sister ate 7, but the 30 minutes were up before she could ask for more! 

Other Activities at the Manggahan Festival

Aside from the Mango-Eat-All-You-Can (which only happens towards the end of the festival), there are a lot of other activities that go on during the Maggahan Festival. 

If you head to the Guimaras Capitol Grounds during this time, you’ll find stall after stall selling cheap mangoes and mango products. 

The whole month is packed with other activities too. Expos, sports competitions, processions, pageants, and a lot more. 

At the end of it all there’s a big fireworks display, which is a great way to say goodbye to the mango festival. 

Things To Do in Guimaras (Aside from the Mango Festival)

Joining the mango festival is undoubtedly the #1 thing to do in Guimaras. 

But what if you’re coming during the off-season? 

Is Guimaras still worth a visit?

Absolutely!

Here are a few other cool things you can do in Guimaras. 

Other Things to do in Guimaras: Go on a Land Tour

For land tours, you can opt to hire a tricycle, or you can rent a motorbike and go visit the spots on your own. 

The usual spots you’ll stop by are:

• Smallest Plaza
• San Lorenzo Wind Farm
• Pitstop Restaurant (mango pizza)
• Mango Plantation
• Trappist Monastery
• Guisi Lighthouse

All of these don’t have entrance fees except Guisi Lighthouse, which has a php10 environmental fee. 

The Smallest Plaza is right outside the Jordan Wharf. 

I’m going to be super honest here… there’s nothing special about it. 😂

All it is is a small patch of grass with a blue signage. Behind is a small cemented area with a statue of Jose Rizal.

Apparently, it was once listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the smallest plaza in the world. 

Nowadays, it’s just a quick stopover for pictures people make while coming from the Jordan Wharf. 

The San Lorenzo Wind Farm is probably the coolest spot of the bunch. It’s one of only two wind farms in the Visayas, and the only one accessible for visitors. 

The windmills are so tall, and you can walk right underneath them! I love how they didn’t fence off these windmills like they did with the Nabas windmills. 

San Lorenzo is further away from the other spots, so some tours don’t include this spot. Make sure you get one that does because it’s super cool! 

The Pitstop Restaurant is located in the heart of Jordan town, and it’s famous for its mango pizza. 

Yup! Some lunatic decided it was a good idea to put mango on pizza. 

But the real question is… does it taste good?

It’s fine.

If anything, the cheese taste of the pizza overpowers the mango flavor. 

I’d say it’s still a must-try, just for the kick of it. But it’s probably not something you’ll come back for! 

Aside from the pizza, the Pitstop also serves mango bulalo, mango sisig, mango adobo, mango spaghetti (this was the worst of the bunch), and a few other mango-themed dishes. 

Next, the Mango Plantations. 

There are a bunch of plantations in Guimaras, but most visitors head over to the National Mango Research and Development Center. 

It’s a HUGE property with endless rows of mango trees that are super fun to walk through. 

The Trappist Monastery is right next to the mango plantation. 

It’s run by monks, who live in a community beside the monastery. They sell souvenirs and pasalubong products here. 

Other than that, there’s not much else to say about this place. It’s close to the mango plantation, so you can stop by if you’d like to. 

Finally, the Guisi Lighthouse was probably my favorite spot of the bunch. 

Built in 1894, the Guisi Lighthouse is the 2nd oldest lighthouse in the Philippines, and it sure looks like it! 

The metal they used to build the lighthouse is completely rusted and falling apart. So much so that you’re no longer allowed to climb it. 

Beside the lighthouse are ruins of a house which, I believe, was used by the people manning the lighthouse. 

The Guisi Lighthouse is found in Nueva Valencia, which is also quite far away from the other spots. 

After visiting the lighthouse, you can visit Tahi Beach, which has white sand just like Boracay! 

Other Things to do in Guimaras: Island Hopping

Another great thing you can do in Guimaras is to go island hopping. 

Now, don’t expect an out-of-this-world experience like you get in places like Coron or El Nido. 

Instead, Guimaras island hopping is a lot more simple. 

The beauty of this is that the islands you visit are still relatively “untouched.” There are some cool-looking fish swimming very close to shore, a testament that not a lot of people go here yet. 

Some organized tours include island hopping. But here’s how to do it in DIY mode:

The island hopping tours can be found at Raymen Beach Resort in Alubihod Beach, Nueva Valencia. 

They have a pretty confusing pricing system, which I’ve put below: 

The islands you visit also have some fees:

The sea turtle sanctuary was closed when we visited. And we gave a php100 donation in Lamurawan. 

Rates are subject to change, so check out Raymen Beach Resort’s Facebook page for updates. 

The island hopping is quite short compared to other island hoppings around the Philippines. 

But after the tour, your guides will ask if you want to have lunch/dinner in a floating cottage (usually Charle’s floating cottage). 

There’s a php150/head entrance fee, and the food here is quite pricey (most dishes cost php300+). 

The floating cottage does have a swimming area, dive board, Tarzan swing, and water slide though, so you can enjoy yourself for a longer time. 

We ended up spending about 5 hours in total, but we were not charged for the additional hours for the boat (probably because we were at the floating cottage?). 

Other Things to Do in Guimaras: Road Trip! 

Source: Google Maps

If you’re renting a motorbike, Guimaras is small enough for you to drive around the whole island in about 3 hours. 

Most roads are well-paved, and there are very few vehicles so it’s a lot of fun to drive around. 

You can also stop by Roca Encatada in Buenavista, which is the heritage house of the Lopez clan. 

The entrance here is php50, and it’s a very peaceful place. 

If you’re not joining a tricycle tour, you can also use this road trip to stop by the San Lorenzo Wind Farm and the Guisi Lighthouse. 

Both of these spots are along the circumferential road, but quite far away from Jordan. 

Other Things to Do in Guimaras: Bike! 

Again, one of the things that I regret not being able to do was bike around Guimaras. 

So don’t be like me.

Plan an extra day, rent a bicycle, and bike around! 

Sample Guimaras Itineraries and Budgets!

I love planning trips from scratch. 

But if you’re looking for some ideas on where to start, here are a few sample budgets and itineraries.

Guimaras 2-Day Budget and Itinerary – php2,985

For Guimaras, the truth is you can see almost everything in just 2 days. 

Here’s how!

Note: this budget doesn’t include flights to Ilo-Ilo and a taxi to Parola Wharf. This budget also assumes you are staying in Jordan.

Day 1 – Arrival and Land Tour

Day 2 – Island Hopping, Mango Eat-All-You-Can

Guimaras 3-Day Itinerary Ideas

Again, you only really need 2 days to explore Guimaras. 

If you’re staying for 3 days, I’d follow the itinerary above for the first two days. Then on the third day, I’d think about:

• Renting a motorbike (php600/day) and exploring lesser-known spots like Roca Encantada, Tatlong Pulo Beach, Balaan Bukid, and whatever else you can find!
• Renting a bicycle (php500/day) and biking to the Woodland Bike Park in Jordan
• Just chilling by the beach

Guimaras Daytrip Budget and Itinerary

If you’re just doing a day trip, you can grab Day 1 of the 2-day itinerary above.

However, if you want to mix some land spots with island hopping, I highly recommend getting an organized tour instead.

There are several tour providers you can find on Facebook. Or, you can also use booking sites like Klook to find these!

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Guimaras

At the end of all that, here are a few more FAQs to answer some questions you might have! 

When is the Best Time to Visit Guimaras?

The best time to visit Guimaras is during the Mango Festival season, which runs from April 14 to May 22.

The mango eat-all-you-can usually runs from May 18 – 22, with the grand finale firework show happening on the 22nd.

Other than that, it’s best to visit during the dry season, which runs from November to April. The worst time to visit would be the wettest season, from June to September! 

Note: in recent years, Philippine weather has been extremely unpredictable. So even if you’re only available during the supposed “wet” season, there’s still a chance you’ll get 3 full days of sunshine! 

How Long Should You Stay in Guimaras?

2 days is enough time to visit all the highlights of Guimaras. However, if you’re not in a hurry, staying 3 days is great so you can visit lesser-known spots and absorb the culture a bit more!

What is Guimaras Famous For?

Mangoes! 

Guimaras mangoes are said to be the sweetest in the whole world. One bite of their juicy yellow mangoes and you’ll find it hard to disagree!

Again, the whole Guimaras mango thing isn’t a gimmick. It really does taste amazing. 

Do You Need Tickets to Join the Manggahan Festival?

No. You need to pay php150 to join the eat-all-you-can, but the festival itself is free for everyone to join!

Do You Need a Tour to Visit Guimaras?

No. Going DIY is very easy in Guimaras.

That said, if you can’t rent a motorbike, having a driver to bring you around will make your life a lot easier. Public transportation is very limited outside of Jordan.

You can always ask around on Jordan Port for tour providers. If you want to book ahead, you can search on Facebook or book in Klook.

How Big is Guimaras?

With a land area of only 604.7 km², Guimaras is the 5th smallest province in the Philippines! 

This makes it easy to explore in a short time. 

Also, if you rent a motorbike, it’s a great place for a whole-island road trip! 

Is Guimaras Part of Ilo-Ilo?

No. Guimaras is no longer part of Ilo-Ilo and is now a full province of its own since May 22, 1992. 

That’s also the biggest day of the Manggahan Festival. Truly a time to celebrate for Guimarasanons!

As of the time I’m writing this, Guimaras is the 7th youngest province in the Philippines. 

Ready to Visit Guimaras???

That’s everything you need to know before visiting Guimaras! 

Visiting Guimaras was truly one of the most unique adventures I’ve been on in the Philippines. 

From the mangoes to the quiet, unknown tourist spots, I can’t wait for another chance to visit. 

I hope this Guimaras travel guide helps you with your planning! 

If you have any more questions, leave a comment down below, or message me on my Instagram (where I also have reels about Guimaras!). 

You can also check out my Guimaras Tourist Spots (coming soon!) post to learn more about the different spots you can visit!