Although I stayed at Villa Igang, Raymen Beach Resort is just its neighbor. It was decided that the beach, considered as the most popular in Guimaras, was worth a visit.
RAYMEN BEACH RESORT
Alubihod, Poblacion, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras
Contact Persons: Annabelle Estaya / Salvacion Gentizon
Contact Nos.: +633-3960252, +633-3960383, +639185207271
“Among the tourist destinations in the island province, this is most accessible to both local and foreign tourists. It is accessible by boat and land transportation. Tranquil cove like… beach line even during turbulent seas makes it ideal for swimming, sunbathing, and fun games. Known for its pinky sand, blue waters, its rustic ambiance and panoramic view attract both local and international tourist. This resort has an Area of 1,008 square meters. If one travels by land, Raymen Beach is 40 minutes from Jordan wharf. If one chooses to travel by boat, it will take an hour from Iloilo Wharf. Raymen caters not only visiting tourists, but offer its ground and facilities to locals as well: Live-in conferences, workshops, seminars, weddings or any group celebrations.” (Source)
Depending on when you go, which I can’t really tell when, the beach can be really full of people, like in HERE, or empty, like in HERE and HERE. When I was there, I can say that it was somewhere in between.
It is usual to see picnickers and daytrippers on the beach, and I even bought some necklaces and bracelets from a few sellers set up on the beach.
Alubihod Beach, considered by those living in Iloilo as an affordable alternative to Boracay, is very accessible for tourists, large groups, families and day-trippers. Travel time to Alubihod Beach from Iloilo City takes about an hour compared with the 6 hours to get to Boracay. Plus, staying in the resorts in Guimaras is so much cheaper.
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The resort has various airconditioned rooms and cottages for resort-goers to choose from.
Fan Rooms:
Rose – 4 rooms at Php600/room
Daisy – 3 rooms at Php900/room
Sunflower – 2 rooms at Php900/room
Orchid – 2 rooms at Php700/room
Yellowbell – 2 rooms at Php700/room
Sampaguita – 1 room – Php700
Diether – 1 room – Php700
Gumamela – 2 rooms at Php700/room.
Air-conditioned Rooms:
Good for 8 persons with Ref – Php2,200
Good for 4 persons with TV, hot and cold shower – Php1,900
Good for 4 persons – Php1,400
Good for 2 persons with hot and cold shower – Php1,350
Good for 2 persons, beach front – Php1,350
Good for 4 persons with hot and cold shower (Room 216) – Php1,700
Picnic Huts:
Huts 1-21 – Php400 – P500
Hut 15 – Php600
Heat – Php600
Hornets – Php650
Lakers – Php550
Function Rooms/Pavilions:
Birds of Paradise Pavillion (beach front) Php2,700/day (fan), P500 additional for overnight stay
Mahogany Pavillion (2nd floor) Php5,500/day (aircon), Php3,800/day (fan)
Pine Tree Pavillion (Ground floor) Php5,000/day (aircon)
Additionals:
50 per table for overnight (picnic huts)
P250 extra person for fan rooms
P100 extra foam
Corkage for every food and drink you bring
P120 electric charge
P15 shower per head
Entrance fees: Adult P15, Child P5
Check out time 12NN
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There’s a resort restaurant to spare you from the hassle of bringing your own food.
Although the food is nothing to rave about, it is quite cheap.
Malou Ojastro-Talagtag of Stylemompreneur took photos of the menu. The following are her photos:
Photo by Malou Ojastro-Talagtag. Click to view source.
Photo by Malou Ojastro-Talagtag. Click to view source.
Photo by Malou Ojastro-Talagtag. Click to view source.
Photo by Malou Ojastro-Talagtag. Click to view source.
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Island Hopping Tours from Alubihod Beach
Alubihod Beach is the jump-off point for island hopping tours in Guimaras. The booking station can be found at a makeshift kiosk on the beach. There are a lot of pump boats (motorized outriggers) available and the boats charge a fixed rate.
Guimaras Island Hopping Rates
4-6 persons – Php400/hour (Additional Php150 per exceeding hour)
8 persons – Php500/hour (Additional Php150 per exceeding hour)
10 persons – Php600/hour (Additional Php150 per exceeding hour)
Popular destinations for the island hopping tours in Alubihod include Ave Maria Beach, Lawi Marine Turtle Rescue Center, Buho Ramirez Cave, and Baras Beach Resort. Tourists wanting to venture out further could also visit the SEAFDEC Research Center, Isla Pulang Pasayan (Tiniguiban Island), Guisi Beach and Lighthouse.
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How to Get to Raymen Beach Resort/Alubihod Beach
1. A 15-minute ferry ride from Ortiz Port in Iloilo City Proper to Jordan Wharf in Guimaras at Php14/person.
2. Upon arrival at Jordan Wharf. Look for the Guimaras Tourism Office located at the waiting shed outside the arrival area of the Jordan Wharf. The tourism officer can arrange your transportation to Raymen Beach Resort or any destination in Guimaras. There’s a set rate for vehicle rentals regulated by the Guimaras Provincial Government. No need to worry about over-priced rates.
Raymen Beach Resort / Alubihod Beach is 45 minutes away from Jordan Wharf.
3.a.Vehicle rent:
There are three transport options to choose from depending on your group size and preference. Tricycles (4-5 pax), multicabs (8-10 pax), shuttle vans/L300 (10-14 pax) range from Php250-Php500 per vehicle.
3.b Commute:
For independent travelers who would like to commute all the way to Alubihod Beach, the jeepney loading/unloading station is located near the exit of Jordan Wharf (past the waiting shed).
Ride a “Nueva Valencia” jeepney (30 to 45 minutes) – P40 per passenger
Get off at the gas station/intersection going to Alubihod Beach
Ride a single motorcycle to Raymen Beach Resort (10 minutes)
Note that there a possibility that the jeepneys would be overcrowded. Be prepared for delays due to long loading and unloading of stuff on the jeepney. But on the way back, jeepneys from Nueva Valencia to Jordan has less loading and unloading.
OR
Direct:
You can also take a 1-hour boat ride straight from Iloilo City straight to Alubihod Beach, price starts from Php2,000.
(*Source for above info.)
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This is Post 5 out of 5:
- Going Around the City of Iloilo, Panay Island
- Guimaras – Island of Mangoes
- Nagarao Island, Guimaras
- Villa Igang, Valencia, Guimaras
- Raymen Beach Resort, Alubihod Beach, Guimaras
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Related links:
- Virtual Tourist Reviews: Raymen Beach Resort
- Discover Guimaras: Raymen Beach Resort
- TravelBook: Raymen Beach Resort
- Stay in Guimaras: Raymen Beach Resort
- Raymen Beach Resort Rates and Others
- Explore Iloilo: Raymen Beach Resort in Alubihod, Guimaras
- Guimaras: Lunch in Raymen Beach Resort
- Guimaras: Raymen Beach Resort
- Suroy Pilipinas: Raymen Beach Resort in Guimaras
- Ilonggos.net: Raymen Beach Resort in Alubihod Guimaras