Guimaras Mangoes in Bacolod and Iloilo

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Guimaras is a small island province between Panay and Negros. It is a short boat ride from Iloilo City. The island is famous for its mangoes, which many Filipinos say are the sweetest in the country. Guimaras also has quiet beaches, small islands and a slow, rural feel. It is an easy day trip or a relaxed place to stay a few nights.

The famous mangoes

Guimaras mangoes are known for being very sweet and juicy, with smooth flesh and little fibre. The island has many mango farms and orchards. To protect the quality and health of its trees, Guimaras has strict rules about bringing mangoes from outside onto the island. You can buy fresh mangoes at markets and roadside stalls. The island also makes mango products such as dried mango, mango jam and mango pizza, which some local restaurants are known for. Ask your hotel where to find the best ones.

Mango season and the festival

Mangoes are available for much of the year, but the main harvest is in the hot, dry months, roughly from March to May. This is the best time to taste them at their sweetest. Each year, usually in May, Guimaras holds the Manggahan Festival to celebrate the mango. There are street events, food fairs, music and mango eating. Exact dates change each year, so check before you go. During the festival, rooms on the island can fill up, so book early.

Beaches and island trips

Guimaras has many quiet beaches, especially in the south around the town of Nueva Valencia. The water is clear and calm in the dry season. Many resorts offer island-hopping trips by small boat. Typical stops include small islands, sandbars, rock formations and snorkelling spots. Guisi Beach is a popular stop with white sand and an old lighthouse ruin nearby. The beaches are much less crowded than Boracay or Panglao, which many visitors enjoy. Bring cash, water and sun cream, because shops are few on the small islands.

Getting there and around

Small passenger boats called pump boats cross from Iloilo City to Jordan, the main port town of Guimaras. The crossing takes about 15 to 20 minutes. Boats leave often during the day from the Ortiz and Parola wharves; check the current schedule locally. On the island, you can hire a tricycle or van with a driver for a tour of the farms, viewpoints and beaches. Roads are good, but distances are longer than they look. A full day is enough for a quick tour, but one or two nights is more relaxed.

Guimaras Mangoes at a glance

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