A Glance - Batanes

Batanes is a place of real kindness and beauty.

Being the Northernmost province of the country, surrounded by nothing but water and blessed with rich, breathtaking scenery makes Batanes a worth to visit place. However, visiting Batanes is almost always a "big dream" for many due to expensive airfare and unpre. For those who have been to Batanes, I'm pretty sure we felt and experienced the same, from stunning picturesque landscapes that will leave you breathless to low-profile and kindhearted people that will make you feel so at-home.

Batanes' humble airport :)

How To Get There:

The only way for a person to get to Batanes is via plane, it is less than 2 hours flight from Manila. Regular trips offered by PAL and SkyJet which both can tear your bank accounts up if talking about the regular fare - one reason why visiting Batanes may not be as easy as ABC for most. Key note is, watch out for seat sales!! I got mine for 4K RT (not so low but not that bad).

PAL and SkyPasada

Where To Stay:

With the blooming tourism in the province, lodges and homestays are growing too. One of the known homestays here is Marfel's Lodge (Ate Fe - 09209764966), where I stayed for 4days. Since the Ivatans are naturally kind, Ate Fe will find you an accommodation and options you can choose from in case they are fully booked.

Singing our hearts out at our living room with my new found friends! :)

My homemates - Jerome, Daddy Paul, Mommy Lulu, Ate Fe, Peter, Kuya Marlon, Ate Jovie, and Gab !!

What To Do:

Batanes is a safe haven, going around whenever and wherever can be easily done. You can join a group tour from various tour organizers like Ryan Cardona's BISUMI or Batanes Travel and Tours or set your DIY tour by accredited vans/tricycles. I am a solo traveler and so I opted for DIY with the help of Chyng Reyes and Loraine of Adventure Accounting's Batanes travel blog. I made it possible. Thanks girls!

Batanes has 3 habited islands you can visit, Batan, Sabtang and Itbayat. I was able to visit the 1st 2 since visiting Itbayat requires a "very good sea condition" that could last for 3-4 hours faluwa ride, which is rare in Batanes or pay almost P4,000 RT for a plane ride from Batan to Itbayat.

Visit and get mesmerized with Batanes' treasures:

- North Batan - It is highly recommended to visit North Batan first before anything for one, it's the nearest and two, it has the "simplest" beauty of all other attractions. I wasn't able to visit North Batan spots aside from Basco Lighthouse due to a bad timing but anyway, trike rent for North Batan is P1000 good for 2 persons. Other attractions in North Batan includes Fundacion Pacita, Valugan Beach, Vayang Rolling Hills, Japanese Tunnel and Tukon Church. 

- South Batan (Click the link)

- Sabtang (Click the link)

Basco Lighthouse - stayed for hours .. get stunned by the view

Things To Know:

• Marfel's has 3 branches - Main, Extension and Annex. Main and Extension is 3-5mins walk from the airport, has very good water supply and located on a narrow street (eskinita) . Annex on the other hand has limited water supply (scheduled shower water heater), 15 - 20mins walk from the airport BUT has a big lawn and located along a wide highway.
• Bunker Restaurant at Naidi Hills near Basco Lighthouse is no longer operational as of January 2015.
• PNB and Landbank are both operational in Basco.
• Boat ride from/to Sabtang is only once a day. Batan to Sabtang - 6am - 7am. Sabtang to Batan - 12pm - 1pm.

Itinerary and Expenses:

I was able to purchase my roundtrip ticket from PAL for P4000, and my pasalubongs for less than P1000.

Batanes, blessed by all these amazing places and kind, warm-hearted people will make you feel terrible by the time you have to leave. I just hope that no matter how far and high this place nad it's people go, they will maintain their rich culture and kindness - the main reasons why people love Batanes in the first place.

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