Guimaras Island (Home to the Sweetest Mangoes in the World)

[chymera00]

Guimaras Island
Home to the Sweetest Mangoes in the World

Guimaras is the youngest and smallest of the six component provinces of the Western Visayas Region (Region 6). Known as the "Mango Country", Guimaras Island has 8,000 hectares of mango orchards managed by corporations and individual growers. The province's mango orchards produce the best mango variety certified as pest-free by the United States Department of Agriculture.

Declared as a full-pledged province on May 22,1992, Guimaras has also been proclaimed as the "island to watch" due to unspoiled natural beauty as for its potential.

The province is composed of five municipalities, namely: Jordan, the provincial capital; Buenavista; Nueva Valencia; and the newly created Sibunag and San Lorenzo. Guimaras occupies about 3% of the region's total land area.

The fastest route to the province is by means of a pump boat which is about 10-15 minutes ride from Iloilo City

[img width=500 height=448]http://www.guimaras.gov.ph/image/asiamap.GIF[/img]

FACTS AND FIGURES
Land Area : 604.6 sq. km (2004)
No. of Municipalities: 5 (As of September, 2003)
No. of Barangays: 98 (As of September, 2003)
Total Population: 141,450 (As of May 1, 2000
census)
Population Growth Rate: 2.43% (1995-2000)
Income Class: Fourth
Consumer Price Index: 120.3 (2004)
Inflation Rate: 6.4 (2004)
No. of Tertiary Schools: 2 (SY 2003-2004)
No. of Licensed Hospitals: 1 (2003)
Telephone Loads: 829 (2003)
Telephone Density: 0.6 per 100 population (2003)
No. of Elementary Schools:
Public: 99 (SY 2003-2004)
Private: 4 (SY 2003-2004)
No. of Secondary Schools:
Public : 15 (SY 2003-2004)
Private: 3 (SY 2003-2004)
No. of Resorts: 25 (2003)
No. of Motor Vehicles Registered: 4,612 (2004)
No. of Establishments (3rd Qtr. 2004)
Business Name Registration: 48
Water Transport Facilities:
123 Pump Boats
5 Ferry Boats
1 Roll on-Roll off (RoRo)

[chymera00]

How to Get There
Guimaras can be reached via Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Philippines from Manila, 9 times daily to Iloilo City. There is also a daily boat trip from Cebu and 21 trips daily by fastcraft from Bacolod. The Guimaras mainland is close to the Iloilo Harbor and reachable in 15 minutes by motorboat or ferryboat that services the island from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Motorized banca (pumpboat) to the different islets are available on special arrangement. Travel time is from five minutes to five hours depending on how far you wish to wander around.

The motorized banca picks up passengers from Ortiz Wharf, Iloilo City and docks at the Jordan Wharf in Guimaras. On the other hand, there is also a ferryboat, which will bring you to Jordan Wharf, available at Muelle Loney Street in front of the customhouse. Meanwhile, there is another pumpboat terminal in Parola going to Buenavista Wharf.

For those who want to bring their private vehicle, there is a Roll-on-Roll-off (Ro-Ro) service, which will take you to Jordan. The Ro-Ro picks up passengers at Lapuz La Paz. It has four trips to Guimaras from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM and another four trips from Guimaras to Iloilo from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. it will take about 30 minutes to get there via Ro-Ro. Fare is Php 20.00 per person. For private vehicles pay Php 515.00 for cars plus 20 pesos per passenger. For buses, fare is Php 990.00 if it is empty. If it is loaded the Ro-Ro charges Php 1,450.00 plus Php 20.00 per passenger. For ten wheeler trucks, it is Php 1,330.00 if empty and Php 1,935.00 plus Php 20.00 each passenger excluding the driver if loaded.

[img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p545a7efb6af2b256cf47039ef9dad5bb/f2239dcf.jpg[/img] [img width=338 height=450]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p78cad8b75e4e856022fd70548818bc28/f2239dcd.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p06637a799030c9c598a8e5a260ad5a68/f2239dcc.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p585dfbb73c329f92245f261002999d50/f2239dc8.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/pc30685de844ece4ede0842def57223de/f2239dc5.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p423bed0dd2983c0b87b2101bcbdcfb72/f2239dc0.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p42317f1f8f32c57c40d19eb5dc1f2703/f2239dbd.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/pb9ee55c7369fdddd8cf8d4fb90e4500c/f2239db8.jpg[/img]

[koukla]

How to Get There
Guimaras can be reached via Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Philippines from Manila, 9 times daily to Iloilo City. There is also a daily boat trip from Cebu and 21 trips daily by fastcraft from Bacolod. The Guimaras mainland is close to the Iloilo Harbor and reachable in 15 minutes by motorboat or ferryboat that services the island from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Motorized banca (pumpboat) to the different islets are available on special arrangement. Travel time is from five minutes to five hours depending on how far you wish to wander around.

The motorized banca picks up passengers from Ortiz Wharf, Iloilo City and docks at the Jordan Wharf in Guimaras. On the other hand, there is also a ferryboat, which will bring you to Jordan Wharf, available at Muelle Loney Street in front of the customhouse. Meanwhile, there is another pumpboat terminal in Parola going to Buenavista Wharf.

For those who want to bring their private vehicle, there is a Roll-on-Roll-off (Ro-Ro) service, which will take you to Jordan. The Ro-Ro picks up passengers at Lapuz La Paz. It has four trips to Guimaras from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM and another four trips from Guimaras to Iloilo from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. it will take about 30 minutes to get there via Ro-Ro. Fare is Php 20.00 per person. For private vehicles pay Php 515.00 for cars plus 20 pesos per passenger. For buses, fare is Php 990.00 if it is empty. If it is loaded the Ro-Ro charges Php 1,450.00 plus Php 20.00 per passenger. For ten wheeler trucks, it is Php 1,330.00 if empty and Php 1,935.00 plus Php 20.00 each passenger excluding the driver if loaded.

[img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p545a7efb6af2b256cf47039ef9dad5bb/f2239dcf.jpg[/img] [img width=338 height=450]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p78cad8b75e4e856022fd70548818bc28/f2239dcd.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p06637a799030c9c598a8e5a260ad5a68/f2239dcc.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p585dfbb73c329f92245f261002999d50/f2239dc8.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/pc30685de844ece4ede0842def57223de/f2239dc5.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p423bed0dd2983c0b87b2101bcbdcfb72/f2239dc0.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p42317f1f8f32c57c40d19eb5dc1f2703/f2239dbd.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/pb9ee55c7369fdddd8cf8d4fb90e4500c/f2239db8.jpg[/img]

hi chymera00! just wanna ask what are resorts in Guimaras and how much is the usual rate? me and my fiance are planning to go island hopping next year, and Guimaras is one of the islands we want to visit...

[chymera00]

How to Get There
Guimaras can be reached via Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Air Philippines from Manila, 9 times daily to Iloilo City. There is also a daily boat trip from Cebu and 21 trips daily by fastcraft from Bacolod. The Guimaras mainland is close to the Iloilo Harbor and reachable in 15 minutes by motorboat or ferryboat that services the island from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Motorized banca (pumpboat) to the different islets are available on special arrangement. Travel time is from five minutes to five hours depending on how far you wish to wander around.

The motorized banca picks up passengers from Ortiz Wharf, Iloilo City and docks at the Jordan Wharf in Guimaras. On the other hand, there is also a ferryboat, which will bring you to Jordan Wharf, available at Muelle Loney Street in front of the customhouse. Meanwhile, there is another pumpboat terminal in Parola going to Buenavista Wharf.

For those who want to bring their private vehicle, there is a Roll-on-Roll-off (Ro-Ro) service, which will take you to Jordan. The Ro-Ro picks up passengers at Lapuz La Paz. It has four trips to Guimaras from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM and another four trips from Guimaras to Iloilo from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. it will take about 30 minutes to get there via Ro-Ro. Fare is Php 20.00 per person. For private vehicles pay Php 515.00 for cars plus 20 pesos per passenger. For buses, fare is Php 990.00 if it is empty. If it is loaded the Ro-Ro charges Php 1,450.00 plus Php 20.00 per passenger. For ten wheeler trucks, it is Php 1,330.00 if empty and Php 1,935.00 plus Php 20.00 each passenger excluding the driver if loaded.

[img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p545a7efb6af2b256cf47039ef9dad5bb/f2239dcf.jpg[/img] [img width=338 height=450]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p78cad8b75e4e856022fd70548818bc28/f2239dcd.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p06637a799030c9c598a8e5a260ad5a68/f2239dcc.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p585dfbb73c329f92245f261002999d50/f2239dc8.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/pc30685de844ece4ede0842def57223de/f2239dc5.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p423bed0dd2983c0b87b2101bcbdcfb72/f2239dc0.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/p42317f1f8f32c57c40d19eb5dc1f2703/f2239dbd.jpg[/img] [img width=450 height=338]http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid188/pb9ee55c7369fdddd8cf8d4fb90e4500c/f2239db8.jpg[/img]

hi chymera00! just wanna ask what are resorts in Guimaras and how much is the usual rate? me and my fiance are planning to go island hopping next year, and Guimaras is one of the islands we want to visit...

I am not sure of the rates nowadays, its best to google these resorts I will post or to ask DOT or a travel agency. The cheaest here would be Raymen's Beach Resort, yet the most exensive is a place called Nagarao Island

[chymera00]

[img width=400 height=323]http://wowphilippines.com.ph/images/Explore/Gallery/Big/GUIMARAS/Guimaras.jpg[/img]

Things to Do and See in Guimaras...

Historical
Buenavista Wharf / McArthur’s Wharf
It was built by Lt. Douglas McArthur in 1903.

Punta Blanco & Camp Jossman
(Tinadtaran, Buenavista). Target range and military camp constructed by the United States Army in 1903.

Natural
Costa Aguada Island Resort
[img width=400 height=323]http://wowphilippines.com.ph/images/Explore/Gallery/Big/GUIMARAS/Costa-Aguada-Guimaras.jpg[/img]
(Sibunag). Located at the crocodile-shaped Inampulugan Island, it has clean white sand beaches, a mini zoo, jungle park. Ideal for horseback riding, snorkeling.

Nagarao Island Resort
(Sibunag). Located at the southern tip of Guimaras; surrounded with sandy beach and growing corals; has 20 cottages, a restaurant and a bar for cold drinks, a fresh water swimming pool. Offers island hopping tours, sailing, excursion, and snorkeling in neighboring islands.

Isla Naburot Resort
[img width=400 height=323]http://wowphilippines.com.ph/images/Explore/Gallery/Big/GUIMARAS/Isla-Naburot-Guimaras.jpg[/img]
(Sinapsapan, Jordan). The island has rich colorful marine life, visible and exotic sealife; special berth for lovers; tranquil hideaway for soothing tense nerves; has 7 native-styled cottages; ideal for fishing, boating, swimming, snorkeling, island hopping, and scuba diving.

Raymen Beach Cottages
(Alubihod, Nueva Valencia). White sand beach and crystal clear water; ideal for swimming, sunbathing.

Baras Beach Resort
[img width=675 height=324]http://www.pilmap.com.ph/PILMAP%20(Special%20Edition)/images/guimaras_01.gif[/img]
(Bgy. Lawi, Jordan). White sand beaches ideal for swimming, boating, and windsurfing; offers a hidden lagoon.

Villa Encarnacion Mountain Resort
(Bgy. Zaldivar, Buenavista). Swimming pool; topmost part offers a commanding view of the whole place.
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Free Lance Beach Cottages
(Poblacion, Nueva Valencia). Ideal for swimming and sunbathing.

Enrico Beach
(Zaldivar, Buenavista). Stretch of white sand beach; abundant supply of cool spring water.

Sunrise Beach
(San Enrique, Buenavista). One-hectare beach with picnic huts and cottages.

Rumagangrang Beach
(Cabalagnan, Nueva Valencia). Offers a clean beach and coves.

Paradise Cove
(Sinapsapan, Jordan). Has a beach house and beach hut.

Tatlong Pulo Resort
(Tando Area, Unisan Island). Some of the diving sites in Guimaras.

Dream Land Beach Huts
(Nauway Island). Features the beautiful natural rock formations at the shoreline of the beach.

Abelardo’s Beach Resort
(Buenavista). Has expansive shoreline and clear water ideal for swimming and snorkeling.

Carmel by the Sea Resort
(Buenavista). Features golden sand beach, clear water ideal for bathing, swimming, and water sports.

Villa Fe Daliran Cave and Summer Resort
(Brgy. Old Poblacion, Buenavista). It is accessible by jeepney or tricycle from Buenavista Wharf in 10 to 15 minutes.
Suli Cave (Sitio Boro-Boro, Dagsaan, Buenavista). This cave is located along the shore passing through different holes. If you explore further, the holes will lead you to the scenic lake.
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Hurot-Hurot Cave
(Brgy. Espinosa). It has two openings, 1 ½ x2 meters and 2x1 meters. It is 50 meters more or less in length.

Higante Cave
Located at a lot owned by Mr. & Mrs. Nemesio Galve in Bgy. Espinosa, Jordan. It has 3 entrances, 3x4 ft. wide, 2x3 ft. wide, 2x3 ft. wide. It is 200 meters long more or less and could be found on top of the hill. Nipa huts are available with a good glimpse of Iloilo Strait. Has an abundant of stalagmites and stalactites.

Capitoguan Cave
Found at Bgy. Balcon Maravilla. A big cave full of bats and a good source of guano, a fertilizer for plants.

Buho Ramirez Cave
(Bgy. Lawi). It is a small cave but the entire entrance is going down more or less about 40-50 ft. deep. It has 3 openings with gushing water. Studies show that it could be a good source of spring water that can supply 2 barangays with 429 households.

Religious
Trappist Monastery (Bgy. San Miguel, Jordan)
[img width=560 height=420]http://p.vtourist.com/842071-Things_To_Do-Guimaras_Island.jpg[/img]
The only trappist monastery in the Philippines run by the order of Cistersians of the Strict Observance.

Balaan Bukid Shrine (Bgy. Hoskyn, Jordan).
[img width=400 height=323]http://wowphilippines.com.ph/images/Explore/Gallery/Big/GUIMARAS/Guimaras-Island.jpg[/img]
Where a large cross and a chapel were constructed on top of a mountain. Offers a scenic view of Iloilo City across Guimaras Strait.

Navalas Church (Navalas, Buenavista)
The oldest existing Roman Catholic Church in the province of Guimaras that has survived the ravages of time.

Navalas Church
(Navalas, Buenavista) The oldest existing Roman Catholic church in the province of Guimaras that has survived the ravages of time.

Man-Made
Roca Encantada
(Buenavista). Summer house of the Lopez family built in 1910 on top of a huge rock.

Lopezville
(Buenavista). A panoramic vacation house of the Lopez family; offers a picturesque view of Iloilo City.

Good Shepherd's Fold Academy (Buenavista)
45-hectare orphanage; offers high school, vocational training, practical arts, and sciences; built in 1946.

SEAFDEC Research Station
(Bgy. Magamay, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras). Where different kinds of fish are studied for the improvement of their species.
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Festivals
Ang Pagtaltal sa Guimaras
[img width=400 height=323]http://wowphilippines.com.ph/images/Explore/Gallery/Big/GUIMARAS/pagtaltal_guimaras.jpg[/img]
A Lenten presentation staged by the townspeople of Jordan patterned after Oberammergau in South Bavaria, Germany. The final act of the play shows Jesus being taken off and laid on his mother’s lap. The trip is climaxed by a visit to Balaan Bukid (Holy Mountain). It is a pilgrimage site for the Catholics.

Paraw Regatta
[img width=591 height=266]http://wowphilippines.com.ph/images/Explore/province/36_4.jpg[/img]
The Iloilo-Guimaras Paraw Regatta is open to any sea-worthy paraw solely dependent on the wind for its power for motion, subject to the specific requirements and qualifications of each category. Held every 1st Sunday of March.

Mountain Bike Festival
A multi-event team sports (mountain biking, coastal and mountain trekking, a call to rediscover, and adventure). Guimaras Mountain Bike Association (GUIMBA) spearheads Governor’s Cup Mountain Bike and Downhill Competitions. The mission is to promote bicycling as a sport, environmentalism as a way of life, and Guimaras as an ecotourism destination.

Manggahan Sa Guimaras Festival
An identity festival commemorating the annual provincehood anniversary every 22nd day of May depicting the cultural heritage of the province with emphasis on the promotion of Guimaras as “mango country”. A week-long celebration showcasing Guimaras products, cuisine, and services. Highlighted with the Search for Miss Guimaras and Miss Manggahan.

Special Interest
Diving
The Small Island Agricultural Support Services Program (SMISLE) took effort to under water world in order to identify the best of the island's sites for diving. They found out that most of the cora reefs were destroyed by dynamite fishing, but with the joint effort of the vigilant people in the coastal areas and the Bantay Dagat, Guimaras will have a lot of potential areas for diving.

Mountainbiking
Despite being located on a flat coastal plain with few of the terrain features most people associate with extreme cycling, loilo City is home to one of the country's most dedicated mountainbiking groups, the Iloilo Mountain Bike Association (IMBA). Their principal playground is Guimaras, a rugged 580sq. km formation of coral rock just across Iloilo harbour, a 20 min. boat ride from the city. Guimaras is noted for plantations of mango trees, locally believed to produce the finest fruit in the country, and the excellent beaches dotting the outer shore. The island is also home to one of the country's wildest mountain bike races.

[img width=400 height=323]http://wowphilippines.com.ph/images/Explore/Gallery/Big/GUIMARAS/Guimaras-Mango-Plantation.jpg[/img]
[img width=560 height=420]http://p.vtourist.com/987645-green_and_yellow_guimaras_mangoes-Guimaras_Island.jpg[/img]

[koukla]

thanks very much for the info! :mrgreen:

[chymera00]

thanks very much for the info! :mrgreen:

you're welcome

[koukla]

i was checking the resorts in Guimaras, la man ko na kita oi... instead i found another island nearer sa Guimaras?? pwede ask favor? pwede pm nmo sa ako ang number sa DOT in Guimaras? thanks!!!!!!!!!

[raztadog]

buhion tani na thread beh.. ni adto mi aning lugara.. ninduta man dae kaau ddto oe. favorite place is ang guisi lighthouse and beach.. nahan mo muadto? check out my blog Guimaras Island: Breeder of the Sweetest Mangoes on Earth! | enchantingphilippines

[perkytech]

been to Guimaras several times. im from Iloilo. nice place.. nindot pud mag island hopping...