Just a 15-minute pumpboat ride across the strait from bustling Iloilo City lies Guimaras - a small, laid-back island famous for one thing above all: growing what many consider the sweetest mangoes in the world. But there is far more to Guimaras than fruit. This easygoing Western Visayas island hides white-sand coves, dozens of tiny offshore islets for island hopping, working mango plantations you can tour, and a gentle rural rhythm that makes it the perfect quiet add-on to an Iloilo trip. Here is your complete 2026 guide.
Why Visit Guimaras?
Guimaras is the kind of place where you slow right down. It is small, safe, cheap and refreshingly uncrowded, yet it is incredibly easy to reach - making it one of the best low-effort island escapes in the country. Whether you come for the mangoes, the island hopping, or simply to unwind, it delivers. Begin by sorting flights into Iloilo on our flights page.
How to Get to Guimaras from Iloilo
This is the easy part:
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- Fly to Iloilo City (ILO) from Manila, Cebu or other hubs.
- Head to Ortiz Wharf or the Parola Pumpboat Terminal in Iloilo City.
- Take a pumpboat to Jordan Wharf on Guimaras - the crossing takes about 15 to 20 minutes and costs only a small fare. Boats run frequently throughout the day.
From Jordan you can hire a tricycle, multicab or arrange a tour. Iloilo itself is worth a day or two - and our nearby Boracay alternatives guide shows how Guimaras fits a wider Visayas loop.
Top Things to Do in Guimaras
Take a Mango Farm Tour
No visit is complete without sampling Guimaras mangoes at the source. Tour a plantation, learn how the prized fruit is grown, and feast on fresh mangoes, mango pizza, mango ice cream and more. The annual Manggahan Festival in May is a sweet-toothed traveler's dream.
Go Island Hopping
Guimaras is surrounded by small islands and sandbars. A boat tour typically visits spots like Ave Maria Islet, Baras Cave, SEAFDEC, Turtle Island and the natural rock formations, with swimming and snorkeling stops along the way.
Relax on the Beaches and Resorts
The Nueva Valencia coast holds the island's prettiest beaches and small resorts - Alubihod Beach being the most popular, with calm clear water ideal for families.
Visit the Trappist Monastery and Lighthouses
Stop at the Navalas Church (the oldest on the island), the Guisi Lighthouse ruins with sweeping sea views, and the Trappist Monastery, where the monks sell mango jams and pastries.
A Suggested 2-Day Guimaras Itinerary
- Day 1: Cross from Iloilo, do a land tour - mango farm, Trappist Monastery, Navalas Church, Guisi Lighthouse - then sunset at Alubihod Beach.
- Day 2: Island-hopping boat tour from Alubihod, swimming and snorkeling, then ferry back to Iloilo.
Plan the routing and budget with live prices on our trip planner, and book day trips on our activities page.
Where to Stay and Practical Tips
Most accommodation clusters around Alubihod Beach and Nueva Valencia - small resorts, beach cottages and homestays from PHP 1,000 to 3,000. Browse options on our stays page. Tips: bring cash, visit in the dry season (March to May) and especially during the May Manggahan Festival for mango overload, and consider basing in Iloilo and doing Guimaras as a relaxed day or overnight trip.
Getting Around Guimaras
Guimaras is small and easy to explore. The most popular options are hiring a multicab or tricycle for a half- or full-day tour (negotiated per vehicle, very affordable when split among a group) or renting a scooter to roam at your own pace. Many travelers arrange a fixed land-tour package through their resort that bundles the mango farm, monastery, church and lighthouse into one efficient loop. Roads are quiet and the distances short, so you never spend long in transit - leaving more time for beaches and mangoes.
Pairing Guimaras with Iloilo and Bacolod
Guimaras shines as part of a wider Western Visayas trip. Base yourself in Iloilo City - a underrated foodie destination famous for La Paz batchoy, fresh seafood and beautifully preserved heritage churches like Miagao and Molo - and treat Guimaras as an easy day or overnight escape across the strait. With a little more time you can continue to Bacolod, the City of Smiles, known for its chicken inasal and the colorful MassKara Festival in October. This Iloilo-Guimaras-Bacolod triangle is one of the most rewarding and least touristy regional loops in the country, all linked by short flights and ferries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Guimaras from Iloilo?
From Iloilo City, go to Ortiz Wharf or the Parola Pumpboat Terminal and take a pumpboat to Jordan Wharf on Guimaras. The crossing takes only about 15 to 20 minutes and costs a small fare, with boats running frequently throughout the day. Fly into Iloilo Airport first from Manila or Cebu.
What is Guimaras famous for?
Guimaras is famous for growing some of the sweetest mangoes in the world. Visitors tour mango plantations, sample mango pizza and ice cream, and attend the May Manggahan Festival. The island is also known for quiet beaches like Alubihod, island hopping, the Guisi Lighthouse and the Trappist Monastery.
How many days do you need in Guimaras?
Two days is ideal - one for a land tour of the mango farm, monastery, church and lighthouse, and one for island hopping and beach time at Alubihod. Many travelers also visit Guimaras as a single relaxed day trip from Iloilo City.
When is the best time to visit Guimaras?
The dry season from March to May offers the best beach and island-hopping weather. May is especially popular thanks to the Manggahan Festival, when mangoes are at their peak and the island celebrates its famous fruit.
Is Guimaras worth visiting?
Yes. Guimaras is an easy, affordable and uncrowded island escape just minutes from Iloilo, offering world-class mangoes, quiet beaches, island hopping and gentle rural charm - perfect as an add-on to a Western Visayas trip.
