Visiting Wonderful Guimaras for your cheap budget travel

Sandwiched between the island of Negros and Panay, Guimaras is lapped by sun-kissed azure waters and clad by vast pastoral lands. This small province of Western Visayas is synonymous with sweet mangoes; said to have more or less 50,000 mango trees grown in its fertile soil.

Jordan, the capital of Guimaras, has a modest tourism office near the wharf that offers assistance to visitors. For solo adventurers or small groups, a low-cost way to get around the island is by chartering a tricycle, nonetheless, if you have the luxury of time, you can take the passenger jeep. For large groups, renting a multi-cab is a wiser choice.

After the customary countryside tour of Guimaras, it is highly recommended to explore the treasures off its coast. A favorite jump off point for island hopping is Alibuhod Beach in the town of Nueva Valencia. It is a favorite spot for swimming due to its clear cerulean waters hugging its powdery white sand shore. Chartering a boat is reasonably priced at Php 500 for the first hour and Php 150 every succeeding hour.

The typical first stop is either the Lawi Marine Turtle Rescue Center or the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC), an aquaculture research center that conducts artificial breeding of fishes like lapu-lapu, milkfish and abalone.

The next stop is Ave Maria Island, an island dotted with rock formations and has a patch of powdery white sand, an ideal spot for swimming and picnic. Another interesting stop in Brgy.Lawi is Baras Cave, a small cavern with an opening wide enough to accommodate an outrigger boat. It is dappled with cave formations and a handful of stalactites, the placid emerald green waters inside also tempt tourists to take a plunge.

Natago Beach is best known for its unassuming native abode sitting on its cliff. Like most islets in Guimaras, it has cream powdery sand and calm waters that are perfect for swimming. The laid-back Baras Cove and Beach Resort is an idyllic island hide-away; it is surrounded by small islands and its rugged cliff is dotted with native cottages overlooking the azure sea. Isla Naburot on the other hand is perfect for lounging. It has a lovely stretch of pristine white sand lapped by tranquil waters and coral reefs within reach from the island.