Batanes Island is located in the northernmost part of the Philippines. It is also the smallest province in the Philippines, having only a 230 km total land area.
Batanes is also one of the 19 places in the Philippines to be part of the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List. UNESCO entitled Batanes as “Batanes Protected Landscapes and Seascapes.”
While Batanes may be a small island, it doesn’t mean you can’t do a lot here! Some enjoyable activities in Batanes Island you can do is to visit its pristine beaches. The Morong Beach in Sabtang is one of the most sought-after because of its similarity to Boracay, except that there are fewer people in Batanes. You can also see the Ahaw Arch Formation on this beach where you can take an Instagram-worthy photo.
Photo: Morong Beach in Sabtang
Learn more about the Ivatan culture and History by talking to Ivatans, the natives of Batanes Island. Have a walk around Basco, strike a conversation with the Ivatans, and they’ll be more than willing to guide you throughout your stay. When touring around Basco, don’t forget to visit Fundacion Pacita owned by Pacita Abad, a full-blooded Ivatan.
The stone houses are the Ivatan’s pride. They were built more than a hundred years ago before the Spanish occupation, and most of them are still preserved today. They can be seen in all towns, but most traditional stone houses are at Sabtang. In case you want to visit Sabtang, you have to take a boat called the faluwa.
Photo: Batanes Island stone house
Take a breath of fresh air by going to the Vayang Rolling Hills. Before leaving, it’s a must to take a photo of Rolling Hills’ picturesque scenery. This attraction justifies that Batanes is a protected landscape and seascape.
Photo: Vayang Rolling Hills
Finally, see the Pacific Ocean by visiting the most-visited attraction on the Island - Rakuh a Payaman or the Marlboro Country! The English name originated from Montana, Virginia, where cowboys ride horses, cows roam around, and where the cigarette factory Marlboro was located. The Ivatan name means “a great ranch,” and to see is to believe! Be mesmerized by the large pastures, the green grasses, and the animals roaming around!
To wrap it up, here are all the activities in Batanes Island you can go and visit:
You can do more activities in Batanes Island, and this list is only the most visited attractions. The best time to go to Batanes is during the summer season or the colder seasons from December to early February.
Planning to visit Batanes Island in the next coming days? Checkout the weather in Batanes Island.
The fastest way to get to Batanes is by plane. However, plane tickets going here are known to be expensive. A one-way ticket to Batanes costs around Php 10,000. Here are the flight options from different parts of the country:
Promo fares in Batanes are rare. But when there are discounts, it’s always sold out! Follow the airlines’ social media accounts. Promos start around midnight, so be sure to keep an eye out for them.
If you book a flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the travel time will take around two hours to arrive at Batanes. Also, note that airlines, such as Cebgo and Sky Jet only fly to Batanes once a day. Book a Tuesday or Wednesday flight as these flights are less expensive than any other days.
Flying Philippine Airlines (PAL) via Clark Airport is cheaper than NAIA. They fly to Batanes twice a day for one hour and 40 minutes. Similar to NAIA, try booking on a Tuesday or Wednesday if you are on a budget.
Two airlines offer flights to Batanes: PAL and Cebgo. PAL also flies twice daily to Batanes, with a stopover at Clark, Pampanga. The total travel time is two hours and 55 minutes. On the other hand, Cebgo flies seven times daily with a stopover at Manila, having a travel time of almost four hours.
PAL and Cebgo flights from Davao to Batanes is also available. Similar to Cebu airport, PAL has a stopover at Clark and Cebgo in Manila. Travel time will take three to four hours.
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