Photo Credits: Pinterest
Guimaras Island in the Philippines is perhaps a superb option to eat fresh fruits such as mangoes while on vacation. The local and international tourists named the island the “Mango Capital of the Philippines” because of its abundance. Not only that, but the region’s tourism attractions will also tempt you to return and appreciate the place, which is exciting to discover. The following is a list of the tourist attractions that draw many international visitors regularly, organized by category.
1. ALUBIHOD BEACH
Photo Credits: Pinterest
Even though Alubihod’s beach in Guimaras does not have the powdery white sand of Boracay or Palawan, its attractiveness is one of a kind.
The sand, the waves, and the rocks on the seashore are lovely vistas all on their own. Why not go on a relaxing island bicycle tour, or enjoy the stunning scenery from a boat trip?
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Iloilo International Airport is adjacent to Cabatuan Airport, which is locally known as Iloilo International Airport (Iloilo)
Over the Air
- No direct flights exist between Manila and Guimaras. Nonetheless, the island is short of Iloilo City and is easily accessible from there. Direct and regular flights are offered by Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines, among other airlines.
- The most popular method for tourists to travel to Guimaras is via Ortiz Wharf, where boats bound for Jordan Wharf depart regularly. Taxis are an excellent choice to get from the city center to the dock in Iloilo. The short ferry voyage to the island and the reduced price (which at the time of writing is just about P15) are among the reasons it is the most popular port.
- Guests must register at the tourism office. They can also board tricycles to transport them throughout the area or directly to their chosen accommodations.
- The cost of a one-way excursion to Alubihod Beach in Nueva Valencia is approximately P250.
ENTRANCE FEES AND OTHER FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
- It costs different amounts to enter other places. However, you can usually enter free of charge when not entering through a resort.
- The cost of camping varies depending on the location. First, make sure you have permission.
- The cost of a cottage rental varies depending on the resort. The standard starting rate is P500.
- Guimaras via tricycle: P1200 – P1500
- Island Hopping Rates: P400 – P500 per hour for the first hour.
WHAT AWAITS YOU?
· The Alubihod Beach boasts a stunning beachscape complete with rock formations dotting its shoreline that will encourage you to swim and snap countless images.
· You can also enjoy yourself by playing beach volleyball or throwing a Frisbee because there is lots of space.
2. TATLONG PULO
Photo Credits: Pinterest
Tatlong Pulo is located in Brgy. Sinapsapan, Jordan, and is easily accessible if you’re looking for a short day trip destination. The name Tatlong Pulo (three islands) is from the three islets that line the island’s shoreline. In addition, because there is no electricity, this is an excellent location for nomads who wish to live a basic life at the beach. Nonetheless, there are nipa huts in the neighborhood, allowing you to sleep comfortably (better bring insect repellant)
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Traveling to Iloilo via plane or boat is recommended. Taking a jeep to Ortiz Wharf and then a ferry to Jordan will get you there in 15 minutes or less.
Take a jeep going to Buenavista and ask the driver to drop you off in Alibhon Market. It costs Php 13 to go somewhere by jeep for about 20 to 30 minutes.
Taking a tricycle or habal ride to Tatlong Pulo from the Market is a good option. If you’re traveling alone, you should consider taking a habal because it’s inexpensive for one person. Because the roads are uneven, you should take extra precautions with your goods. A habal costs 100 dollars. However, a tricycle would cost 150 or more dollars and can be shared.
From there, you may choose from a variety of beach resorts; I chose Tatlong Pulo Beach Resort, which my habal driver recommended. Balingasag Beach Resort is another option for a beach vacation. For a day tour, I remember paying 60 pesos, but other people told me it would cost 100 per day and 150 for an overnight excursion. It is preferable to bring your food and cooking equipment. However, Manang may cook for you for a price.
WHAT AWAITS YOU?
You may enjoy swimming, snorkeling, beach tanning, kayaking, and the most exhilarating one-day island hopping excursion in tatlong Polo, Guimaras. The location is truly ideal for travelers who enjoy participating in beach activities in the open air.
TRAVEL RECOMMENDATIONS AND REMINDERS:
1. Because there is no electricity in the area, make sure to bring a flashlight and a power bank with you. It is important to note that bonfires are not allowed on the beach. Also, don’t forget to pack a high-quality waterproof phone case to keep your phone safe from becoming wet if it gets wet by accident.
2. If you’re traveling by tricycle, be aware that the poor road conditions may prevent you from arriving at the beach or resort on time. Before you can get to the beach, you’ll have to hike for 20-30 minutes up a steep road.
3. Because there are only three cottages for staying at Tatlong Pulo Beach Resort, it is highly suggested that you reserve in advance, especially during peak season.
4. They provide food/paluto; however, if you like, you can bring your food by stocking up on groceries at Alibhon Market beforehand before traveling to the location mentioned above. They have some grilling equipment available to them.
5. To make returning to Jordan Wharf or anyplace else on the island more accessible, make arrangements with your driver to have him pick you up at a specific time and day.
6. Use Globe SIM card for solid signal.
7. Island hopping is another activity available from Tatlong Pulo Beach. A small paddle boat is available for rent if you visit the nearby islands, only a few meters away from the beach. In addition to the beach and hut, you can relax and socialize with your loved ones and friends in the nearby area.
3. SAN LORENZO WINDMILLS (GUIMARAS WINDMILLS)
The first wind farm in the Visayas is in Guimaras. It serves as a tourist attraction and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
The San Lorenzo Wind Farm aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region while also being a tourist attraction. Suclaran in San Lorenzo, Guimaras houses the project’s office. In the four barangays of San Lorenzo, they placed the 27 wind turbine generators: Cabano, M. Chavez, Cabungahan, and Suclaran. Each of the 27 wind turbine generators produces 2 megawatts of energy, which is sufficient to power all of the wind turbines in the country.
Turbines are stretching out over 14 kilometers. This project in the Visayas region can deliver 100% of its capacity to the grid, making it the first wind energy project in the area to do so. The project includes the construction of a 2.8-kilometer underwater cable connection that connects Panay to Guimaras. It is also possible to visit the 54MW San Lorenzo wind farm as a tourist attraction. At Lookout Point Number Seventeen, an integrated tourism complex that TAREC intends to contract by the second quarter of 2016, tourists can take in the wind turbines. WTG No. 17 is a wind turbine on that property.
The feeling of being tiny and defenseless while one is at its foot might be overwhelming. It is possible to see all of the remaining 26 wind turbines that make up the complete San Lorenzo Wind Farm from the observation platform. It is rather windy and dry on the deck, so you wear a scarf to keep the wind off your face and protect your hair.
4. Nature’s Eye Resort
The Nature’s Eye Resort is closest to Mothe Nature, a place to go away from the busy metropolitan area. There is no comparison to being at a spot all to yourself at the Nature’s Eye Resort in Nueva Valencia, in the island province of Guimaras.
Photo Credits: TripAdvisor
Despite its excellent existence, there are not enough people aware of it, which explains why this resort is quite lonely in terms of the number of people who visit it. The most important is having the privacy and freedom to be in a place that you may refer to as your temporary residence. It is difficult to find a site that provides as much independence as leaving an islet Cove at your leisure when there is no one else there to enjoy.
WHERE AND HOW TO GET TO NATURE’S EYE RESORT
Take the Pump boat traveling to Jordan Guimaras from the Iloilo Parola Wharf in Iloilo, approximately 15 minutes crossing. The ticket is PHP 14 per person one way.
There are options for getting to Nature’s Eye Resort from Jordan Wharf, including:
- Suppose you are traveling by yourself or with a friend. In that case, you can hire a Habal-habal (Single Motorcycle) to transport you to the Tando crossing point. You can then ask around for directions to the resort from where you are currently located. Fare is Php 50 per person.
- The rental of a tricycle is another option that is a little more pleasant than taking a habal-habal. From Jordan Wharf, you must spend PHP 500 for a tricycle to take you to your destination. When riding a tricycle, it can fit up to 4 people, but if you are of slight build, the trike can accept up to 5.
- If you are going with a large group, renting a boat to transport you directly to Nature’s Eye Resort is the most convenient and comfortable option. The cost of renting a boat is Php 4,000, and it can accommodate up to 10 people.
5. Guisi Lighthouse
The Spanish government constructed the Guisi Lighthouse between 1894 and 1896 as part of a grand plan for lighting the Maritime Coasts of the Philippine Archipelago. The Philippines’ oldest lighthouse is in it.
Photo Credits: Iloilo Today
The program aimed to illuminate the Philippine seas and canals to guide ships into and through the most significant sea routes leading to Manila, Iloilo, and Cebu, among other destinations. The lighthouse, known as Faro de Punta Luzaran, acted as a navigational aid for anglers and sailors cruising the Panay Gulf. While the original lighthouse is no longer in operation, the Philippine Coast Guard has constructed a new one to take its place.
This station is Guimaras Island, and it serves as a landmark for the southern entry to Iloilo. The lighthouse, which is 17.5 meters (58 feet) tall and has an octagonal cylindrical tower, was built in 1896. It has a similar appearance to the lights of Cabo Bojeador and Cabo Engano. The entire light station is in ruins; the lantern has been removed from the tower, and the roof of the one-story stone keeper’s house has also been removed.
After 1920, the light was replaced by a metal tower with an hourglass design, only 38 feet (11.5 meters) tall on the current inventory. (Description: Painted white with a focal plane of 34 meters (111 feet), a white flash every 15 seconds, and no lantern.
One of the Philippines’ 27 Spanish lighthouses of historical importance is lighthouse number 12, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.
What to Do When You Get There
The city of Iloilo accesses Guimaras. Air and boat transportation from Manila and other points of origin and pump boat ride from Pulupandan in the Negros Occidental are available. The island province may be reached in 20-30 minutes by motorboat or ferry boat from the Iloilo City wharves of Parola, Ortiz, Muelle Loney, and Lapuz. Light planes may fly directly to Guimaras and land at the Guimaras Feeder Airport, making it possible to go now.
Jeeps and tricycles can be used for public transit across provinces when moving from town to town.
Magic Island Resort is an island destination located in Sitio Dungcaan, Brgy. Lucmayan, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. It is ideal for family gatherings, bonding with friends and colleagues, and team building. Guests can relax, enjoy nature, and have a good time at Magic Island Resort, an island destination. Guimaras Island, where the resort is part of a group of islets. The province of Cebu is in the Western Visayas Region of the Philippines.
WHAT ARE THE ROUTES TO GET THERE?
From the city of Iloilo:
Take a pump boat going for Jordan Wharf to get to your destination. When you arrive at Jordan Wharf, please stop by the Tourism Assistance Office and tell them you’re on your way to Magic Island Resort. Suppose you intend to hire tricycles, motorbikes, a van, or a multicab. In that case, you can inquire about trip charges from them in advance.
You can also use a LUCMAYAN jeepney to get to Magic Island; tell the driver that you are going to Magic Island. The fare ranges between 35 and 50 PHP.
From the city of Bacolod:
Alternatively, you can travel by pump boat along the Pulupandan route or by swift craft along the Iloilo route. Boats depart from Pulupandan at 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. daily. It is also possible to take the RoRo via Pulupandan. A direct jeepney route from Guimaras port (in Tumanda) to Sitio Dungcaan is not available.
WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED TRIP TIME?
It usually takes 45-90 minutes to go to Jordan Wharf from there. The same goes for Pulupandan.
6. NATAGO BEACH
Photo Credits: Pinterest
Natago Beach is one of the places featured in island hopping cruises departing from Alubihod Beach, and it is accessible via boat. Its shoreline of gritty, cream-colored sand, pristine waters, and rock formations are scattered throughout. It has a raw appeal and charm, making it an excellent choice for anyone seeking a place to get away from it all.
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
The nearest airport is Iloilo International Airport, popularly known as Cabatuan Airport (Iloilo).
VIA AIRPLANE
Guimaras is next to Iloilo City, so although direct flights don’t exist from Manila to Guimaras, the island is still accessible. Cebu Pacific Air and Philippine Airlines, as well as other airlines, all offer regularly scheduled flights.
The most popular method for tourists to travel to Guimaras is via Ortiz Wharf, where boats bound for Jordan Wharf depart regularly. Ride a taxi to get from the city center to the dock in Iloilo. The short ferry voyage to the island and the reduced price (which at the time of writing is just about P15) are among the reasons it is the most popular port.
As soon as they arrive at Jordan Wharf, guests must register at the tourism office. They can also board tricycles to transport them throughout the area or directly to their chosen accommodations.
The cost of a one-way excursion to Alubihod Beach in Nueva Valencia is approximately P250. Natago Beach is a stop on the island hopping tour that most people take from Alubihod Beach to the other islands.
ENTRANCE FEES AND OTHER FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
The Entrance Fee.
- This is usually included in the cost of an island-hopping activity. So, before you reserve your time slot, be sure you understand what is included.
- Guimaras Island Tricycle Tour: P1200 – P1500 Island Tricycle Tour Hopping Rates: P400 – P500 per hour for the first hour (P150 for succeeding hours; prices may vary depending on the size of the boat.)
Don’t Miss Out On This Opportunity.
- Natago Beach, with its rock formations and gritty sand, has a rough look that appeals to many visitors.
- A short sand bar joins two islets with massive rock formations, visible on the map during low tide.
Don’t Forget About It.
- Before leaving Manila or Iloilo City, be sure you have enough cash to cover your expenses.
- When you’re island hopping, don’t forget to bring a Ziploc bag for holding your electrical devices, wallet, and money.
- Have a power bank with you so that you can keep your devices charged.
- If you intend to enjoy a light supper on one of the islands, you should stock up on food and beverages. Leave no trace or rubbish in your wake.
- However, there are instances when the owner will not allow boats to dock or remain for an extended period.
- Suppose you have more time and money to devote to your adventure. In that case, you can explore the region’s points of interest on a land tour, such as the Guisi Beach and Guisi Lighthouse, Trappist Monastery, and Sad Sad Falls.
- Take a trip to Iloilo and learn about the city’s fascinating history through churches and estates that date back to Iloilo’s past.
7. AVE MARIA ISLAND
Located within Barangay Lawi in Jordan, Ave Maria Islet is a gorgeous white-sand beach with a scattering of coral pebbles curving beautifully. It features magnificent white sand and is surrounded by crystal-clear blue water, making it a dream destination.
The calm sandbar has a cave, yet the Virgin Mary is nowhere in the scene. But it’s excellent for picture-taking because Turtle Island is in the foreground with other great photo subjects in the background. A perfect place to enjoy the ocean on your Guimaras Island Hopping trip is here. It is Guimaras’ second stop on the Guimaras Island hopping tour. There is a small island off the coast of Jordan which boasts a white-sand beach and granite formations.
Alubihod Beach is adjacent to Ave Maria Islet to go island hopping.
Final words
As you explore Guimaras, the country’s past becomes more and more relevant in a way that deepens your understanding of humanity. It works well with the main reasons for traveling—gaining knowledge, self-discovery, relaxation, and growth. If you want to know more about the Philippines, you may also try the best time to visit the country. What kind of experiences have you had in Guimaras during your travels? Please share them in the comments section!
