Guimaras used to be a sub-province of Iloilo but has since become an Independent province with four municipalities which include: Buenavista, Sibunag, Valencia and San Lorenzo. It is only a 20min boatride from Iloilo City and fare is only P15. Boats dock at the Buenavista pier and from there tricycles, and jeepneys can take passengers to their destination. Guimaras is well-known as the producer of the best mangoes. Mangoes, however are seasonal products so the trappist monks found a way of utilizing mangoes in various food products such as cookies, tarts, brownies, and many kinds of preserves such as jams, jellies, chutneys.
The Municipality of Buenavista Guimaras was awarded as a child-friendly municipality and Guimaras is also a tourist-friendly area with their tourism office right at the wharf.
Guimaras is likewise known for its island-hopping tours. Included in the tour is the heritage house built on a rocky hill known as Roca Encantada owned by the Lopez family. It was built in honor of Dona Presentacion Holifena Lopez back in 1910. It is situated by the sea and used to be their summer getaway. At present, with out anyone living in the mansion, it could get eerily quiet and ghostly at night.
Other attractions that were added lately are the windmills in San Lorenzo. On the way back, you may also stop by the church, and before boarding the boat back to the city, you may drop by the pasalubong center near the wharf to buy some yummy goodies to take home.
The best time to go to Guimaras is April when mangoes abound and they celebrate the Manggahan Festival. Another reason is during April, the sea is mostly calm, and island-hopping in a boat would be more pleasant and enjoyable.
Images: Other Journeys 