Batanes: Your very own Heaven on Earth
Heaven on Earth fittingly describes Batanes. Not known to many but it is the number one travel destination to seasoned Philippine travellers.
Visitors will literally forget that they are in the Philippines even before their plane lands.
Their culture is different. They bury their dead surprisingly like the Vikings. The people speak a different language. Their houses look different. If you are a Lord of the Rings follower, you will love the place. The weather is different. If you are anal with following a schedule, this is not the place for you. There, the weather rules. It is not typically tropical. It is the only place in the country that experiences four seasons. It is closer to Taiwan than Manila. It’s topography is likened to Scotland, Ireland and New Zealand due to its windswept hills and boulder-hemmed shores. You will forget your sanity and start singing “The Hills are alive… ” like a crazy person.
Getting there:
Seair (http://flyseair.com/) flies twice daily to Basco, Batanes. To minimize on cost (one way costs Php 7,039.20) watch out for promos that Seair regularly gives away — Feb and Sept, for half the price during the Philippine Travel Tour Expo and the Philippine Travel Mart, and for various discounts year-round online.
Topography:
The hills come alive in Batanes. The terrain is picturesque at every turn. No explanation needed for it is heaven on earth.
Architecture:
If unique architecture is what interests you, then there is Sabtang Island. It has most of the traditional houses intact and in perfect condition. As they say, it is a place that exists in another time. Ivatan houses are made of lime and stone. This to withstand the strongest typhoon. The walls are meter-thicked, while the roofs are foot-thicked made of cogon. To get to Sabtang, take an Ivana-bound jeepney/van from Basco (first trip is at 530am for Php30/35) and get off at Ivana Port. There are three fallowas that service the Ivana and Sabtang Port (first trip from Ivana is at 6-630am and the last trip from Sabtang is at 1pm). Make sure to inform the boat captain if you intend to have him wait for you.
Historic:
Archaeological Attraction:
When there is good weather, rejoice! Head to Ivuhos Island and create your own adventure à la Indiana Jones. In Ivuhos Island, you will find boat-shaped burial markers. The burial sites are marked with stones which are laid down to the shape of the local boat “tataya,” with a pit carved in the middle from limestone bedrock. It is said that only Vikings are known to have made boat-shaped burial markers.
Weather:
- However strong the materials used, there, the weather is king. A testament to this is the village that was wiped out by a great tidal wave back in the day. It is now called “The Sung Sung Ruins” or ghost town by some. Though it is said that the best time to go to Batanes is during the summer months, it is to be borne in mind, that the season has nothing to do with it when bad luck comes your way because the weather rules in this part of the country. We visited on October but were graced with sunny weather the whole time. Nevertheless, be prepared to have your schedule derailed.
Beaches:
Batanes Islands is situated between the Balintang Channel and the Bashi Channel, where South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean merge. It is no surprise that its shores are so ruggedly beautiful. On the way to the northern part of Batan Island, you will encounter beautiful boulder-hemmed shoures by the road side. Nakabuang Beach in Sabtang Island, meanwhile, is an example of how the ocean is wild in this part of the country. An arch was naturally formed by the rough waves of the sea.
Transportation:
There are a few public vehicles plying its streets. In fact, only at the airport will you find a line of tricycles waiting for passengers. Because the province is so small, the locals ride their own bicycles to get to one place to another. However if you plan on touring the island, there are a number of jeepneys and/or vans for hire. Also, most resorts have motorcycles for rent. While for the budget conscious, tricycles are available for charter at a minimal fee (Php 150/hour in Basco & Php 900/half day in Sabtang). To get from one island to another, Ivatans use the “falowa.” Its round bottom makes the journey smoother despite the big waves in Batanes.
Accommodation:
Finding a place to stay is not hard, but be sure to book ahead during peak season (summer months). There are a number of resorts and lodging houses scattered around the town of Basco. Fundacion Pacita is one such place with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. It was the home of internationally acclaimed artist Pacita Abad. The government-run Ivatan Lodge, meanwhile, is the favorite of backpackers. For just Php 200/night, it is sufficient for the no frills kind. Clean and Safe.
Food:
Although a favorite destination of some of the most high-profile individuals of the country, surprisingly, Batanes has few restaurants. Canteens and cafeterias nevertheless have mushroomed everywhere. Backpackers usually head to the SDC Canteen run by the Dominican Sisters, where a meal costs for about Php 50. For your last night, you may want to splurge and try Casa Napoli’s home-made pizza (Php 300).
People:
If that has not convinced you still, maybe the people will. Though naturally shy, they will not hesitate to help visitors. If safety is a concern, worry no more because the province has zero to none crime rate.
A place that exists in another time. Dream it or Live it. Your choice.
Basco Contacts:
♦ Accommodation
◊ Ivatan Lodge (Php 200/pax)
Elisa A. Castillo – 0930-8511884
♦ tricycle charter (Php 150/hour)
◊ Glenn – 0919-9854506
Sabtang Contacts:
♦ Accommodation
◊ Chavayan Homestay (Php100/pax)
Harold Gabotero or Alejandro Havana
◊ Heritage House (Php 150/folding bed; Php 600/room, good for 2pax)
Glo – 0908-3997873
♦ tricycle charter (Php 950/half day)
◊ Edwin Hubalde – 0918-3694083
♦ van charter (Php 1500)
◊ Rudy Grecha – 0908-5607833
♦ tour guide (Php 500)
◊ Emilio Fedel (BCTA) – 0921-5201265
◊ Rudy Grecha – 0908-5607833
*** Click here for our itinerary and here for an accounting of our expenses.
You’ve been to Batanes. Thanks for visiting our province.
Dios mamajes.
Er said this on December 8, 2010 at 2:58 pm |
it was definitely Heaven on Earth… i still dream about the place. 🙂
Happy Sole said this on December 8, 2010 at 5:18 pm |
yipeeee! I came, I saw, I conquered BATANES! waaaaaaa! thumbs up! its really a paradise!
xty said this on December 8, 2010 at 7:36 pm |
true true! hope to go back there in the future…
Happy Sole said this on December 8, 2010 at 8:38 pm |
great post, gwen! now i miss batanes 😦
diane said this on December 8, 2010 at 9:29 pm |
thanks, diane! nkaka-miss talaga… 😦
Happy Sole said this on December 8, 2010 at 10:16 pm |
Wow! Batanes! I’m still saving up for my trip to this place. Di pa napupuno ang alkansiya ko para dito 😀 I’m really enjoying your stories and your photos of Batanes.
Nortehanon said this on December 9, 2010 at 5:01 pm |
thanks for dropping by! contrary to everyone’s belief, one doesn’t really need to break the bank to be able to go to and enjoy Batanes… bilis-bilisan mo na ang pag-puno ng alkansya mo. hehe happy travellin’!
Happy Sole said this on December 9, 2010 at 8:59 pm |
watch out for promo flights. saw about a week ago P6K all in round trip ticket to Basco. Not bad at all! someday, i’ll go there!!!
pinoy boy said this on December 12, 2010 at 1:36 am |
Thanks for the info Jerik! Batanes is such an amazing place, you should go there! SOON! 🙂
Happy Sole said this on December 12, 2010 at 8:24 am |
thanks for visiting my blog and recommending a nice info about my PROJECT: TOUR MANILA…
🙂
darwinthetreasuretracker said this on December 22, 2010 at 7:46 pm |
What a great, useful entry! And fantastic photos. Saving it for when I finally get to go 🙂
slouchingsomewhere said this on December 27, 2010 at 11:33 am |
Thanks for dropping by! Happy travellin’!
Happy Sole said this on December 27, 2010 at 2:20 pm |
One of my future trips! Ive heard alot of interesting news about this place and being a photo hobbyist, it is something to be explored with my lens.
reymos said this on December 28, 2010 at 8:10 am |
Hi Reymos, do go. I’m sure you will love Batanes as much as your lens will. Thanks for stumbling upon my site. Otherwise I wouldn’t have discovered your amazing travels in your site as well. Happy travellin’!
Happy Sole said this on December 29, 2010 at 2:17 am |
ganda naman I’ve been planning a trip to batanes but for some reasons it’s always been cancelled. sana this year matuloy na ganda nung mga pics
Philippines Travel Guide said this on January 29, 2011 at 1:35 pm |
thank you for the compliment.. i appreciate it. punta na po kayo, sunod sunod ang promo ng seair. 🙂 happy travels!
Happy Sole said this on January 30, 2011 at 1:50 pm |
Loving these shots of Batanes. It seems so romantic actually, I can imagine it would be so epic to get married on a cliff here overlooking the sea.
GG said this on January 30, 2011 at 7:52 pm |
thanks! a wedding on one of the cliffs in Batanes — magical and yes, epic! 🙂 happy travels…
Happy Sole said this on January 31, 2011 at 11:13 am |
Hi! We are going to Batanes on March 12 to 16 and we are so excited!
I just wanna ask DIY kayo? no tour guides or the tricycle drivers nyo na serve as your guides?
Ganda ng mga pics mo!
Mitzi said this on March 3, 2011 at 9:39 am |
hi! DIY po kami… yung tricycle driver namin ang naging tour guide na rin. you can replicate our itinerary if you want. Batanes is soo maganda. Enjoy it to the max! 🙂 thanks for appreciating my photos.
Happy Sole said this on March 3, 2011 at 1:35 pm |
[…] Click here for photos and here for our […]
Expenses for Batanes Trip (2010) « Live today. Lagaw tomorrow. Capture the moment. said this on March 5, 2011 at 8:35 am |
[…] Travellers to this Heaven on Earth are rewarded to friendly people and a culture different from the rest of the country. Find out how, here. […]
Suggested Itinerary for Batanes « Live today. Lagaw tomorrow. Capture the moment. said this on March 6, 2011 at 4:36 pm |
I would love to go here soon! Nice pictures. 🙂
kaxpaintsyoured said this on March 7, 2011 at 4:39 pm |
thanks! the place is just beautiful at every turn.. it’s impossible to get a bad shot. 🙂 punta ka, di ka magsisisi. promise. 🙂
Happy Sole said this on March 7, 2011 at 9:01 pm |
[…] Be amazed at the beauty of Batanes, here. […]
Batanes Accomodation: Ivatan Lodge « Live today. Lagaw tomorrow. Capture the moment. said this on March 16, 2011 at 9:23 pm |
[…] Batanes closely resembles Scotland with its wind-swept hills, boulder-hemmed shore, and limestone houses. Don’t forget to bring your own magic wand! Read more … […]
10 Local Trips inspired by Hollywood Films « Live today. Lagaw tomorrow. Capture the moment. said this on April 7, 2011 at 9:40 pm |
Thanks for posting the contact infos in Sabtang. I’ll be making a return visit next week. 🙂
Just a bit of a correction – Songsong ruins and Nakabuang beach are both in Batan, not Sabtang. 🙂
liquiddruid said this on September 2, 2011 at 6:36 pm |
clearly, that’s a typo error. but thanks for pointing it out.
the correct info are:
Nakabuang Beach – Sabtang Island
Sungsung Ruins – Batan Island
Happy Sole said this on September 2, 2011 at 6:50 pm |
Haha, nagkamali rin pala ako!
liquiddruid said this on September 3, 2011 at 8:41 am |
[…] Tourists have been raving about the homey pizza place in the northernmost tip of the country.They say it’s all in the dough, which is freshly made from scratch by the house chef-owner. Read on how to get to Batanes, here. […]
Why I Run: A Gastronomic Tour of the Philippines « Live today. Lagaw tomorrow. Capture the moment. said this on October 23, 2011 at 11:04 am |
Hello, what’s the contact number of Harold Gabotero or Alejandro Havana regarding the Chavayan Homestay? Thanks
Ibarra Siapno
photographer
Ibarra T. Siapno said this on December 11, 2012 at 6:24 pm |
Hello, they didn’t have contact numbers when we visited. You may contact Edwin Hubalde, our tricycle driver, to make the arrangements for you. – 0918-3694083. Good Luck!
Happy Sole said this on December 16, 2012 at 2:28 am |
Alrighty thank you very much! =)
Ibarra Siapno/ Photographer
FB page: IBARRA photography
Ibarra T. Siapno said this on December 16, 2012 at 12:18 pm
Thanks so much for this helpful post! We’re planning to stay in Batanes for 3 months and are looking for cheap digs.
Wander Girl said this on October 31, 2013 at 1:14 pm |
wow! 3 months in Batanes.. that’s awesome! when is the start of the trip? 🙂 Batanes is such a charming place and everyone there is nice. planning will be a breeze. looking forward to your posts..
Happy Sole said this on October 31, 2013 at 4:23 pm |
Wow…that’s very very good…i’m planning to go home around march next year, and i want to see the place too..thinking of retiring early to enjoy a simple. I am looking for a cheap place to retire in the philippines with low crime rate, and i think batanes is the right place..the only thing that i dont know is how much money needed per month to retire in batanes..any update would be greatly appreciated….thanks
Anonymous said this on November 4, 2013 at 5:07 am |
you made the right choice! you don’t literally need much (financially) in Batanes. 🙂 Life there is very simple. good luck!
Happy Sole said this on November 6, 2013 at 6:42 pm