Guimaras

Overview

Guimaras lies across a narrow strait from Iloilo, an island known above all for its mangoes, which grow under an island-wide quarantine meant to protect them. Beyond the orchards, a tricycle loop reaches an old lighthouse, a hilltop wind farm, and the country's only Trappist monastery, while the west coast around Alubihod opens onto island-hopping among small coves and coral. The Taklong Island reserve protects mangrove channels and reefs offshore, and the pace is slow enough to justify an overnight rather than a day trip.

Standout experiences

• 01 Mango country

  Orchards, roadside stalls, and mango-based cooking across the island, its signature and its livelihood.

• 02 Guisi Lighthouse

  The ruins of an 1890s Spanish lighthouse on a headland, with a beach and sunset below.

• 03 Alubihod island hopping

  Boat trips to small coves and islets, often with a floating-cottage lunch.

• 04 Taklong Island reserve

  Mangrove channels and coral gardens in a protected marine reserve, reached by boat.

• 05 Monastery and land loop

  The Trappist monastery and jams, the wind farm, and the island's small towns on a tricycle circuit.

Getting there

Guimaras has no commercial airport, so travelers reach it through Iloilo City. Pumpboats and ferries cross the Iloilo Strait from the Ortiz Street and Parola area to Jordan or Buenavista in about 15 to 20 minutes. A roll-on/roll-off ferry also runs between Iloilo and the Hoskyn port in Jordan, four round trips daily except Thursday.

When to go

The Manggahan Festival, held every May, is the island's signature event, with a Mango Eat All You Can, street dancing, and a regional trade fair that all five municipalities join. The drier months from December to May also give the calmest crossing on the Iloilo Strait. Rain is heaviest from June to November.