Guimaras is one of my favorite places to relax and unwind. I had a chance to travel to this province during a tumultuous time in my life when I just wanted to be away from the bustle of the city. Its rich nature helped me to be calm and cope with everything I’ve gone through. I truly recommend that you also visit this island.
Tucked in between the beautiful provinces of Bacolod and Iloilo is an absolutely stunning hidden paradise called Guimaras Island. Above anything else, Guimaras is known and famous for producing some of the sweetest mangoes in the world and hence dubbed the “Mango Capital of the Philippines”.
Guimaras Mangoes are the country’s best export quality mangoes and we take pride in helping to preserve and promote its unparalleled taste to the whole world. But aside from the heavenly sweet mangoes of Guimaras, the island also boasts some of the most beautiful tourist attractions that every traveler shouldn’t miss! From breathtaking islands, white-sand beaches, and awe-inspiring rock formations, I’m sure that the adventurer within you will absolutely have a great time. Oh, and also add the amazing cultural and historical landmarks of Guimaras Island to your itinerary because they too are definitely worth visiting.
So, what are you waiting for? Pack your things, prepare your bags, and buckle up because you’re going on another unforgettable adventure with me as we both explore the 15 Best Tourist Spots in Guimaras!
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1. Taklong Island National Marine Reserve
The first one on the list is none other than Taklong Island National Marine Reserve or TINMAR, which is one of the most important marine protected areas in the Philippines.
You can experience this marine reserve through island hopping offered by resorts around Nueva Valencia. In my case, I did island hopping when I visited Nature’s Eye Resort.
This marine reserve is composed of two (2) major islands and 37 smaller islets. Here, you will surely have a great time exploring the white sand beaches, sandbars, hidden coves, and stunning rock formations scattered all around the island. You can also witness the abundance of flora and fauna within TINMAR, so make sure to breathe in all the fresh air you can get! Oh, and there’s also a lighthouse located on top of one of the hills on the island, so after spending the day touring around TINMAR, make sure to drop by this lighthouse to watch the mesmerizing view of the sunset!
The University of the Philippines is primarily maintaining Taklong Island National Marine Reserve – Visayas (UPV), they have available dorm-type rooms for those who wish to spend the night.
2. Nature’s Eye Beach Resort
Up next, Nature’s Eye Beach Resort will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable highlights of your Guimaras trip because you will really feel like you’re at the center of paradise. This beach resort is located at Nueva Valencia, allowing guests to conveniently access many of the beautiful tourist spots of Guimaras Island. Aside from the exclusive breathtaking views that you can enjoy during your stay here at Nature’s Eye Beach Resort, you will also love all the wonderful facilities and amenities of the resort!
As part of your stay, have exclusive access to the private beach with creamy white sands, turquoise waters, and beautiful rock formations. Oh, and make sure to try some of the cool and exciting activities such as swimming, snorkeling, island hopping, and more! CHECK ROOM RATES HERE
I had a great time in this resort when I visited Guimaras last year. Some of the rooms are specially designed with terraces and balconies overlooking the majestic view of the ocean. Of course, Nature’s Eye Beach Resort guarantees that you will have a memorable vacation with the highest degree of comfort and convenience within your reach. Finally, be sure not to miss out on the seafood. Yum!
READ THE FULL BLOG POST: Nature’s Eye Resort: Commune with nature in Guimaras
3. Alubihod Beach
Up next, one of the most charming tourist spots you shouldn’t miss in Guimaras is Alubihod Beach. This one’s perfect for everyone who simply wants to enjoy the peace and serenity of a tropical paradise. The powdery creamy white sand of Alubihod Beach along with the turquoise blue ocean waters and beautiful rock formations surely is a sight you shouldn’t miss!
Photo by Nueva Valencia Tourism
Take a sip of your favorite drink as you catch up with friends in one of the Nipa Huts along the beach! Oh, and Alubihod Beach is also known for fun recreational activities such as beach volleyball, frisbee, snorkeling, and more. It’s also a popular jump-off point for exciting island hopping activities to nearby islands like Baras Beach, Turtle Island, Ave Maria Island, Tatlong Pulo, and more!
4. Ave Maria Island
Ah, since we’re already at Alubihod Beach, we’ll now be heading to Ave Maria Island which can already be seen from the beach itself! It’s a relatively small island with a powdery white sand beach where you can freely soak in the surrounding crystal clear waters!
Photo by Philippines Journey
You can also try and snorkel around the area to see lots of colorful marine animals during your stay. But if you prefer to simply relax, feel the heat of the sun, and work on your tan, then Ave Maria Island is definitely the perfect spot for you! Oh, and there are no cottages or lodging facilities available within the island since it’s only usually included in island hopping tour packages, so I suggest that you maximize your time around this island.
5. Tatlong Pulo Beach
Right after Ave Maria Island, we’ll now jump off to one of Guimaras Island’s iconic attractions! Tatlong Pulo Beach is named after the three (3) majestic limestone karst formations facing the white-sand beach. Even though it is very popular among tourists, Tatlong Pulo is still considered a hidden paradise because it is away from all the noise and bustle of the city.
Photo by Guimaras Land Tour
Here, you can have your much-needed vacation as you enjoy the breeze of the tropical trees and the rustling ocean waves all to yourself. Tatlong Pulo Beach is absolutely elegant so if you’re looking for the perfect Instagram-worthy spot in Guimaras, this is definitely the one!
6. Guisi Lighthouse
And there it is! Your trip to Guimaras wouldn’t be complete if you were not able to visit the iconic Guisi Lighthouse. This 18th Century Spanish Colonial Lighthouse considered the 2nd oldest lighthouse in the Philippines, is one of the most significant historical landmarks in Guimaras as it guided mariners to safely pass through the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait for centuries.
Photo by Iloilo Today
If you really want to take your adventure to the next level, I suggest that you take on the challenge of overcoming the 15-minute uphill trek to reach the top of Guisi Lighthouse! Trust me, your efforts will all be worth it once you see the breathtaking view of the whole beachscape and the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait with your own eyes. Oh, and exploring the ruins of the Guisi Lighthouse is surely another worthy experience you won’t regret, so don’t miss out!
7. Tando Beach
Next up, if you’re a fan of exploring hidden pristine islands and beaches, then Tando Beach is definitely perfect for you. It’s situated in Nueva Valencia, away from all the buzz and noise of the city. And since Tando Beach is relatively underdeveloped, there are still not a lot of tourists who discovered this mesmerizing paradise.
Photo by Nature’s Eye Resort
So if you’re one of the lucky ones who managed to stumble upon Tando Beach, you’ll get to enjoy its raw and natural beauty by yourself! Imagine sipping your favorite cocktail while chilling at a hammock, feeling the cool breeze of the ocean waves, and enjoying the view of the beautiful rock formations, creamy white sands, and emerald green waters. Ah, what a life!
8. Guisi Beach
Walking along the shores of Guisi Beach alone is already an amazing experience when you visit the famous Guisi Lighthouse because you can witness the beauty of the golden creamy sands and the emerald green waters of the beach.
Photo by Gone Daiva
Of course, you can also try some of the fun and exciting activities here in Guisi Beach such as snorkeling, beach bumming, swimming, and more. Oh, and be sure not to miss out on taking pictures with the famous Guisi Rock Formations that can be found at both ends of the beach! These are absolutely one of the most eye-catching natural attractions that are worth seeing.
9. San Lorenzo Windmills (Guimaras Windmills)
Another must-visit tourist destination in Guimaras is the famous San Lorenzo Windmills or more popularly known as the Guimaras Windmills. The amazing thing about this wind farm is that it’s able to help boost both Guimaras Island’s tourism and economy, being able to produce approximately 54 megawatts of renewable energy.
Photo by Province of Guimaras
It stretches for as long as 14 kilometers and has a total of 27 turbines each standing at about 404 feet tall. Indeed, what a breathtaking sight it really is to see all these majestic wind turbines along with the scenic landscape of Guimaras. Oh, and just a quick tip, watch the mesmerizing view of the sunset here at the San Lorenzo Wind Farm to take awesome and unforgettable photos!
10. Trappist Monastery & Pasalubong Center
The Trappist Monastery is one of the best spots in Guimaras to buy pasalubong and some delicious treats to bring home. It is managed by the monks of the Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance. They are known to follow the laws and teachings of St. Benedict and are famous for their extreme discipline and austerity.
Photo by Wikimedia
The monastery is located in Barangay San Miguel, Jordan, which is very accessible through different types of transportation. Tourists can freely explore the monastery grounds and even talk to the monks and nuns living there, some even visit the Trappist Monastery to ask them for wise thoughts and advice. To earn a living, the monks are selling Visayas delicacies such as piaya, jellies, jams, candies, and other sweets. So be sure to drop by when you’re around!
11. Malingin Island
Next on our list is another small yet beautiful island located in Nueva Valencia. Malingin Island is also one of the undeveloped island destinations in Guimaras so you’ll definitely get to see it in its raw and pristine state. The white-sand beach, the rugged rock formations, and the abundant trees on the island are very refreshing sights to enjoy.
During your island hopping activities, you can stop by this island for a quick while and have a nice time walking along the shores, swimming, beach bumming, and even snorkeling. It’s also a wonderful and romantic spot to watch the sunset, so be sure to check it out!
12. Navalas Church
Ah, after visiting many of Guimaras Island’s top tourist destinations, one place we should never miss out on is the famous Navalas Church. It is the most significant religious landmark in Guimaras, being the oldest heritage church on the island. It was built in 1880 and has been the center of religion in Buenavista, Guimaras, ever since the Spanish Colonial Period.
Photo by Experience Guimaras
Exploring this magnificent historical building will really bring you back to the old times and I’m sure that you can’t help but be fascinated by its beauty. The Navalas Church is built of stones and has a beautiful garden where you can freely walk around and explore. Taking a picture here would be a great souvenir idea so make sure to take some!
13. Unisan Island
Located right beside Malingin Island is another natural wonder worth visiting, and that’s the one and only Unisan Island. Characterized by its stunning beachscape with white sands, crystal clear waters, and beautiful rock formations, I’m sure that you’ll have a great time relaxing and enjoying nature in this wonder.
Just like Malingin Island, this one’s also undeveloped so expect that there won’t be any lodging facilities or establishments around, just pure nature. It is indeed a perfect place to simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the astounding view of paradise!
14. Balaan Bukid
Another important religious destination in Guimaras is the Balaan Bukid of Jordan. This is a famous pilgrimage site for Roman Catholic Filipinos during the Holy Week season, especially for everyone who’s fulfilling the tradition of Visita Iglesia. Balaan Bukid can be easily reached by boat, but to reach the top, you first have to hike for about 45 minutes.
Photo by Guimarasnon Around the World
On the way to the top, the pilgrims will encounter the 14 Ways of the Cross which depicts the important events in the life of Jesus Christ. Eventually, you will reach the top where the Chapel of Ave Maria Purisima can be found. It’s a great place to offer prayers and reflections simply because of the peace and tranquility of the place, as well as the stunning scenery on top. So for everyone who would like to cure their souls and at the same time have an amazing adventure, this is the perfect place to visit!
15. Fairy Castle Rock Formation
Finally, our last destination for our Guimaras Island adventure is known as the Fairy Castle Rock Formation. I know, that’s quite an interesting name, isn’t it? Well, it’s because this rock formation islet looks like a fairy’s fantasy castle! It’s a nice addition to island hopping activities especially because this is truly an Instagram-worthy attraction. So aside from having a great time enjoying the crystalline waters, white sands, and beautiful rock formations, make sure to also take lots and lots of pictures!
