Located between Panay and Negros islands, this small Philippine province grows some of Asia's sweetest mangoes and has 60 kilometers of white-sand beaches along its coast.
Guimaras Island, a small province in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines, is known globally for growing exceptionally sweet mangoes. Located between Panay and Negros, the island includes Alubihod Beach, Guisi Beach with its 18th-century lighthouse ruins, and the yearly Manggahan Festival held every May. Coastal roads wind past coconut trees and hills lined with 54 wind turbines at San Lorenzo Wind Farm, while marine areas like Taklong Island preserve coral reefs. Ferries from Iloilo City take 15–20 minutes to reach the island, where life moves at a calm rhythm. Guimaras mixes farming traditions with peaceful beaches, creating a destination shaped by both agriculture and coastal beauty.
Mango Farming and Culinary Experiences
Guimaras produces more than half of the Philippines’ exported mangoes, with farms such as Oro Verde Plantation welcoming visitors for tours. From April to June, roadside stalls sell freshly picked mangoes, and Pitstop Restaurant serves unique dishes like mango pizza topped with cheese and cashews. The Manggahan Festival in May includes parades with floats covered in mangoes, street dancers wearing costumes inspired by tropical fruits, and contests like eating as many mangoes as possible in 30 minutes. Many locals work in mango cultivation, and the fruit’s consistent quality has led to exports to countries like the United States. Before leaving, purchase dried mango slices, mango jam, or bottled mango pulp from local markets.
Coastal Areas and Nearby Islands
Alubihod Beach in Nueva Valencia is a common starting point for boat trips to smaller islands. Daily tours visit Yato Island’s sandbars and Taklong Marine Reserve, where snorkelers can see giant clams and schools of fish in clear water. Guisi Beach, reached by hiking from the crumbling Guisi Lighthouse, has green-blue water and rocky outcrops perfect for watching the sun dip below the horizon. Ave Maria Island, less developed than others, allows visitors to swim and picnic without crowds. Most boat rentals include snorkeling equipment, but bring your own biodegradable sunscreen to protect marine life.
Manggahan Festival Events and Activities
Each May, the Manggahan Festival celebrates Guimaras’ farming roots with street parties, mango recipe competitions, and traditional dance performances. Neighborhoods build elaborate floats decorated with mangoes, flowers, and leaves, competing for prizes. At the festival market, farmers sell fresh mangoes alongside products like mango wine, mango-filled pastries, and mango ice cream. Visitors can join guided tours to orchards to learn how mangoes are grown and harvested. Book hotels or resorts at least three months ahead if planning to attend the festival, as rooms sell out quickly.
Historical Sites from the Spanish Colonial Period
The Guisi Lighthouse, constructed in the late 1800s, sits partially collapsed on a hill above Panay Gulf. Climb the trail to the lighthouse for views of the coast and the beach below. In Buenavista, Navalas Church maintains its original coral stone walls and a hand-carved wooden altar dating back to the 1880s. Balaan Bukid Shrine, a pilgrimage site, has a path with 14 religious markers leading to a hilltop chapel overlooking the island. These landmarks highlight Guimaras’ Spanish colonial history, often overshadowed by its beaches.
San Lorenzo Wind Farm and Rural Landscapes
San Lorenzo Wind Farm’s 54 turbines rise above hills near the eastern coast, their white blades spinning against a backdrop of coconut palms. A viewing area on one hill provides clear photo opportunities of the turbines and the sea beyond. Inland, narrow roads pass through villages where residents make bamboo furniture and harvest coconuts. Rent a motorbike or bicycle to explore these areas independently, stopping at roadside stalls selling fresh cashews, calamansi limes, and pineapples. The wind farm is open dail
