The Sweetest Mangoes in the Philippines

The tropical world competes to grow the best mangoes. The bragging and puffery is legendary and it is all a waste of time. First of all, mangoes are the world's greatest fruits. Other claimants to that crown will always be pretenders and anyone who claims that durian is No. 1 clearly lost their taste buds in the last gorilla attack. 

Guimaras Island in the Philippines has the world's sweetest mangoes and if you don't believe me, just ask anyone from Guimaras. 

Guimaras Mangoes. Source: f.llanora

For the people in this small island, their mangoes are protected from any outside influence of any kind. No other mangoes are allowed to come in to the island. They want their mangoes to remain the sweetest ever. In fact, there are claims that these are the only mangoes allowed in the kitchen of Buckingham Palace and the White House.  

Mango Stalls in Guimaras. Source: f.llanora

During the mango season which is around May, people flock to this island to have a taste of their mangoes. They have stalls offering "All You Can Eat Mangoes" for a minimal fee. 

But there is much more in Guimaras than mangoes. The beaches are also stunning and there are resorts for every budget. The underwater caves are remarkable and tropical fish in their millions flock there probably having heard of the mangoes.

My favourite place is the Trappist Monastery where you can sit and be at peace with the chanting of the monks in the background. The Trappist also make the most delicious guava jelly and they have also added to the list of products that are world championship class. So, put Guimaras on your life-time bucket list.

Mangoes in Guimaras. Source: f llanora

It's not that difficult to visit the island. You can fly from Manila or Cebu to Iloilo. The flight is about an hour and 10 minutes from Manila and about 50 minutes from Cebu.

From the Iloilo airport in Cabatuan, by taxi, it is about 45 minutes to reach the Ortiz and Parola wharf where you can take a quick boat to sunny Guimaras (Jordan wharf). There's a boat every 30 minutes and the crossing to the island only takes 15 minutes.

​Plan to stay a few days so you can eat and drink mangoes in every possible form and get some beach time and diving in before you have to leave heaven.