Guimaras Island Resorts March 2018 Preview 3 of 3

          When you come to Iloilo, the beautiful, yet underrated Guimaras Island should be included in your itinerary. White sand beaches, rock formations, mango plantations, innumerable islands, and the list goes on for this charming island just 10-15 minutes away from Iloilo City by boat.
           Click the links under each resort to learn more!

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It's almost summer! These are my 3 picks for March 2018 v3.0:
(These are in no particular order. They are randomly chosen from the many resorts in Guimaras island for this particular post. The photos are taken from the web.)

1. La Puerta Al Paraizo Resort

Address: Nueva Valencia, Guimaras
Google Maps Location: La Puerta Al Paraizo Resort 

Website: see other links below
Other Links: Facebook Page
                      TripAdvisor
                      Ocean Island Travel

Description:
          Very pristine beach with a good view of the surrounding islets. The cottages are good with some located on top of the hill with majestic ocean views.Perfect for those who want a little more privacy.

Shots from the Web:

2. Isla Naburot Resort

Address: Jordan, Guimaras
Google Map Location: Isla Naburot Resort 

Website: see other links below

Other Links: Facebook

                      TripAdvisor

                      Lonely Planet

Description:

          "Occupying its own island, this absolutely private resort is one of the best offshore options. Those who fantasise about being a castaway will enjoy the eight cottages made from natural materials, including pebbles, shells, tree trunks and the discarded parts of other houses. Each rustic structure is well designed and comfortable." - Lonely Planet

Shots from the Web:

3. Cabugan Adventure Resort

Address: Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

Google Map Location: Cabugan Adventure Resort 

Website: see other links below

Other Links: Facebook

                      TripAdvisor

                      Agoda

                      Lagawone

Description:

          "Cabugan Nature Resort is Guimaras' Ecological Reserve. It gives you a whole new experience of "Going Back to the Basics"... Thus, A Way of Life..."

          This resort is across Magic Island Resort.

Shots from the Web:

Sea Urchin Roe or 'Uni' as the Japanese people call it.

Guimaras Island Resorts March 2018 Preview 2 of 3

          When you come to Iloilo, the beautiful, yet underrated Guimaras Island should be included in your itinerary. White sand beaches, rock formations, mango plantations, innumerable islands, and the list goes on for this charming island just 10-15 minutes away from Iloilo City by boat.
           Click the links under each resort to learn more!

Link to Preview 1 of 3
Link to Preview 3 of 3

It's almost summer! These are my 3 picks for March 2018:
(These are in no particular order. They are randomly chosen from the many resorts in Guimaras island for this particular post. The photos are taken from the web.)

1. The Clara Beach and Guesthouse

Address: San Lorenzo, Guimaras
Google Maps Location: The Clara Beach and Guesthouse 

Website: https://www.theclarabeach.com/
Other Links: Facebook
                      TripAdvisor
                      Agoda

Description:
          "The Clara Beach, our boutique guesthouse on the beach in Guimaras-Philippines,  provides the facility to stay, to eat, to day visit, or use the whole facility for functions and meetings.
          Its simple, its relaxing, and its quality, with a gentle mix of eastern and western cultures blended together suiting both home and foreign visitors."

Shots from the Web:

2. Tatlong Pulo Beach Resort

Address: Jordan, Guimaras
Google Map Location: Tatlong Pulo Beach Resort 

Website: see other links below

Other Links: TripAdvisor

                      Pinoy Travel Freak

                      Valerie Caulin

Description:

          A breathtaking white-sand beach resort in Jordan, Guimaras unknown even to most locals in Iloilo. It sits in a beautiful cove beside Balingasag Beach Resort, protected from strong waves by a stunning islet just offshore.

Shots from the Web:

3. Costa Aguada Island Resort

Address: Inampulugan Island, San Lorenzo, Guimaras

Google Map Location: Costa Aguada Island Resort 

Website: see other links below

Other Links: Facebook

                      TripAdvisor

                      Agoda

                      Asia Travel

Description:

          "A first-class eco-tourism island resort where nature and people lived as one. Visit us and we will definitely bring you straight into the embrace of paradise."

          An island resort off the eastern coast of Guimaras.

Shots from the Web:

Guimaras Island Resorts March 2018 Preview 1 of 3

          When you come to Iloilo, the beautiful, yet underrated Guimaras Island should be included in your itinerary. White sand beaches, rock formations, mango plantations, innumerable islands, and the list goes on for this charming island just 10-15 minutes away from Iloilo City by boat.
           Click the links under each resort to learn more!

Link to Preview 2 of 3
Link to Preview 3 of 3

It's almost summer! These are my 3 picks for March 2018:
(These are in no particular order. They are randomly chosen from the many resorts in Guimaras island for this particular post. The photos are taken from the web.)

1. Andana Resort

Address: Nueva Valencia, Guimaras
Google Maps Location: Andana Resort 

Website: http://www.andanaresort.com/
Other Links: Facebook Page
                      TripAdvisor

Description:
          "Nestled within a secret cove southwest of Guimaras sits Andana. A 70-room luxury resort with white sand beaches, serene waters and mesmerizing scenery."
          This resort is near the more mainstream Raymen's Beach Resort or Alubihod.

Shots from the Web:

2. Kenyama Beach Resort

Address: Nueva Valencia, Guimaras
Google Map Location: Kenyama Beach Resort 

Website: see other links below

Other Links: Facebook

                      TripAdvisor

                      Agoda

Description:

          A white sand beach resort at the westernmost part of Guimaras Island in close proximity to the historic Guisi Lighthouse.

Shots from the Web:

3. Vilches Beach Resort

Address: San Lorenzo, Guimaras

Google Map Location: Vilches Beach Resort 

Website: http://vilchesresorts.com/

Other Links: Facebook

                      TripAdvisor

                      Ocean Island Travel

Description:

          "Vilches Beach Resort was established in 1993 and originally called Sunrise Beach Resort. A major renovation took place in July 2007 which resulted in a modern yet authentic resort. Our accommodations include a air conditioned beach house, 2 bedroom air conditioned cottages and native cottages where you are literally steps away from the ocean. Enjoy waking up every morning to see the beautiful Guimaras sunrise...."

          This resort is just about 2.5 kilometers from the Guimaras Windmills.

Shots from the Web:

TINMR Escapade (Taklong Island National Marine Reserve)

               The Province of Guimaras is one of the provinces that comprise Western Visayas or Region 6 in central Philippines. The island province is the smallest of the six provinces of the region both in population and land area. Before becoming a full pledged province on May 22, 1992, Guimaras was considered as a sub-province of Iloilo. Presently, the island province consists of five towns from the three original towns. These are Jordan (the administrative center), Buenavista (the oldest town among the five), San Lorenzo, Sibunag, and Nueva Valencia. San Lorenzo and Sibunag are the latest addition to the three original towns. The seat of the government which used to be located in Barangay Poblacion and Hoskyn along with one of the province's principal port is currently situated in Barangay San Miguel, all in Jordan town.

               Guimaras island is known to most Filipinos because of their mangoes which are famed to be the sweetest in the Philippines or even in the world. In fact their main festival showcases primarily mangoes - the Manggahan Festival. That could be one reason why Guimaras is always visited by tourists both local and foreign. Actually, the province of Guimaras has a lot more to offer than that. Guimaras is now gaining wide acceptance as a popular sun-worshipper's paradise because of the fact that this limestone island province has numerous white sand beaches and even more numerous islands dotting its coasts. One of the most famous beaches of Guimaras is Raymen's Beach Resort or more popularly known as Alubihod beach. Most of the islands are found in the municipalities of Nueva Valencia and Sibunag while the beaches are scattered all along its breathtaking coast. Aside form the beaches, the province is also famous for their Trappist Monastery producing delicious take-home foods such as dried mangoes, mango-flavored barquillos, biscocho, and many other mango-flavored stuff. Due to the rich marine ecosystem of the island, several institutions have helped hands in preserving and protecting several areas along its coast.

               The TINMR is under the protection of the DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) along with the neighboring islets and Tandog island. One hectare of land in Taklong island was donated to the University of the Philippines - Visayas. This piece of land was used to build a research station for students and professors of the said university. Last April 30, 2013, I (with my classmates) went to TINMR (Taklong Island National Marine Reserve) to spend two weeks of field work in the protected island. We travelled from Iloilo City to Jordan using a pumpboat then rode a jeepney from Jordan to Sitio Luzaran, Barangay Lapaz, Nueva Valencia for about an hour. From there we hired a pumpboat that would take us to the island. The journey from sitio Luzaran to Taklong island is only about 10 minutes.

Riding a pumpboat (motorized banca/boat) in Ortiz wharf in Iloilo City heading to the port of Jordan in Guimaras island.

While riding the pumpboat...

After arriving in Jordan port, we rode a jeepney through the spectacular Guimaras roadside scenery.

One of the best stretches of the road from Jordan to Sitio Luzaran. Feels like the US wild west.

Now in Barangay Lapaz, it's only about 0.90 km to Sitio Luzaran.

Sitio Luzaran, Lapaz, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

This is the front/main dock of Taklong Island where most bancas and pumpboats load/unload the passengers.

Another view of the place.

This building is the UPV Research Station in TINMR.

...

This is the view from the back dock ideal for smaller bancas.

This islet is really cute, it doesn't have any visible plants growing on it but is the nesting site of numerous black birds.

A different islet.

A view of one the sandbars (tombolo) found in TINMR. This particular one is named Calaparan.

In the Calaparan sandbar (tombolo).

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Taklong island at dawn.

          Guimaras is really a wonderful place to explore. There are a lot of other must-see places in the island. So next time you travel to Western Visayas, don't forget to stop by Guimaras island.