The Guimaras Island

The Guimaras Island is located between Negros and Panay Islands and is best recognized for its world well known golden mangoes. The island has white sand beaches and small coral islands. The interior of the island is perfect for hikers and mountain bike enthusiasts.

In Guimaras, you will find the Navatas Church and the Buenavista Wharf which are some of the living legacies of the past. Religious attractions are the Trappist Monastery in Barangay San Miguel and the Bataan Bukid Shrine. Best beaches are Alubihod, Tatlong Pulo, Baras and Inampulugan.

The people of Guimaras are considered as Guimarasnon and their languages are Hiligaynon and Kinaray-a as it was once a sub-province of Iloilo. Hiligaynon is the major language spoken, although the people can understand and speak Tagalog and English.

How to Get to Guimaras

Iloilo City is the primary gateway to Guimaras. From Iloilo City, there are two main jump off points to Guimaras, which includes Parola (for ferry boats bound for Buenavista, Guimaras) and Ortiz Port (for ferries bound for Jordan, Guimaras).

Ortiz Port

Ortiz Port is located in Ortiz St., Iloilo City (near University of Iloilo). It is the busiest jump off point to Guimaras because the vessels bound for Jordan, the capital town of Guimaras, are stationed here. Tourist transit Ortiz Port to go to popular beaches found in Nueva Valencia town.

Parola

Parola is located at the mouth of the Iloilo River (near the Iloilo Domestic Port). Ferries bound for McArthur Port in Buenavista town, Guimaras are stationed at Parola.

There are ferry boats leaving Parola and Ortiz ports every 15 minutes and the trip lasts about 10 minutes. There are regular trips from sunrise to sunset, night trips are rare because of the danger of navigating the Iloilo Strait during nighttime. The fare approximately costs P10-P20,