Guimaras Promotion

Guimaras, whose capital is Jordan, is a scenic island province which is part of Western Visayas region. Located in the Gulf of Panay, it is situated between the two major islands of Panay and Negros Occidental. Only 60, 457 hectares in land area, it offsets its size by its natural beauty and terrain. With its appealing sites full of history and excitement, it is a place waiting to be discovered by those who prefer to tackle the road less travelled. The island offers a lot of interesting activities for the not so faint-hearted. With its unspoiled beaches and pristine white sand, tourists are tempted to dive in and enjoy its beauty. To some, it is known as the Mango Country as it produces one of the sweetest mangoes on earth. To appreciate this wonderful bounty from Earth, the locals celebrate Manggahan Festival, held during the month of May; it offers tourists the chance to experience the sweetness of the hailed fruit. Visitors can taste a variety of mango products created by the residents. It not only promotes the major product of the province but also the cultural heritage the people of Guimaras are very proud of. Aside from its mangoes, the island is best known for its white, immaculate beaches and calm waters with colourful fish and corals abound; islets that offer relief from the hustle and bustle of the city, sometimes offering visitors the a glimpse of the rare red shrimp that can only be seen during high tide and places that offer meditation for the weary soul. Snorkelling, island hopping, mountain biking, wall climbing, rappelling and even paintball are just a few of the activities an adventurous visitor can experience while vacationing on the island. For those who prefer to relax, there are deluxe resorts one can avail of. Nagarao Island Resort is just one of the luxurious resorts tourists can go to to experience some valuable R and R. The Trappist Monastery is the only men’s monastery in the country. This serves a place of reflection to those who wish to seek peace through self-contemplation. Historical sites such as the Guisi Lighthouse, built in the 18th century, once guided fisherman and sailors as navigate the calm seas of the island and the Balaan Bukid, a place of pilgrimage to most Catholic Filipinos. They would hike up the mountain every summer during Holy Week to commemorate Christ’s crucifixion. Visitors will not find it a hard time to communicate with the locals as they are fluent in English as most Filipinos are in the region. As most Filipinos, people from Guimaras are friendly and easy to deal with. There a number of tourist outposts where they can ask information from. Guimaras can only be reached via motorized boat from Iloilo City. Travel time takes about 20-30 minutes from Iloilo port to the island. Upon reaching, there is a lot of transportation one can avail some of. As part of the adventure the island offers, some roads are only accessible by four-wheel drive, an adventure that naturally goes along with the place. Guimaras, an island like no other, would definitely take one’s breath away.