BATANES: Budget Travel Guide (Budget + Itinerary) 2018

BATANES is a scene of changing moods, sometimes balmy, sometimes placid and other times ominous.  But its postcard-worthy topography and the genuine hospitality of its people – the Ivatans, make it such a tourist-friendly place. From mighty stone houses blanketed by the richness of Ivatan culture, to towering sentinels standing on strikingly gorgeous hills pounded by incessant waves, Batanes tick all the boxes for a scenic and laid-back vacation.

 

Here’s a blog to help you plan your trip to Batanes:

HOW TO GO TO BATANES 

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Airlines such as Skyjet Airlines and Cebu Pacific Airlines flies between Manila and Batanes (Basco). Meanwhile,  the new Bombardier  Q400 of Philippine Airlines flies between Clark (Pampanga) to Basco (Batanes).   One way airfare starts at around PHP 2,914! Book at  www.philippineairlines.com

 

 

 

For those asking, as of the moment,  there is no passenger boat to Batanes from Manila or Ilocos.  There is no way to go to Batanes by land from Ilocos or Manila.  The only way to get there now is by air.

 


 

WHERE TO STAY IN BATANES

 

Hotels and homestays abound in Basco, Batanes.  Here are some of the cheap hotels you can find in Basco, Batanes.

(BASCO)

BUDGET

TROY LODGE

agoda troy lodge

Barangay Kayvaluganan, Basco

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

MARFEL’S LODGE

agoda marfel

De Padua Street, Barangay Kayvaluganan, Basco

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

NATHANIEL’S LODGE

agoda nathaniel

Nuñez Street, Brgy. Kaychanarianan, Basco

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

MID-RANGE

 

DIVE BATANES LODGE 
agoda batanes dive
Barangay Chanarian-Tukon, Basco

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

 

BATANES SEASIDE LODGE AND RESTAURANT

Agoda Batanes seaside

National Road, Basco, Basco, Philippines

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

 

AMBOY’S HOMETEL

agoda amboy

Barangay Chanarian, Basco Batanes

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

MIDTOWN INN BATANES

agoda midtown inn

Abad Street Cor. Lizardo Street Basco, Batanes

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

SHANEDEL’S INN CAFE

batanes shanedel inn

669 National Road Brgy. Kaychanarianan, Basco, Batanes

CHECK ROOM RATES HERE

 

(MAHATAO)

Diura Fishing Village

Php 300 per person per day

 

(ITBAYAT) 

 

Levinda Lodge

(fronting the church)

Sta,Maria Itbayat, Batanes

Mobile number: 0921 566 8269

Php 200 per day

 

Cano’s Lodge

Itbayat, Batanes

Mobile Number: 0919 300 4787

Php 250 per day

 


WHAT and WHERE TO EAT IN BATANES

 

When in Batanes, eating their traditional dishes wrapped in vunung leaves is a must-try.  These are available in some restaurants and eateries.

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Paulvanna’s Canteen in Mahatao

Contact#: 0928 362 8473

 

Octagon Restaurant

Contact#: 0917 552 6684

 

Fundacion Pacita Restaurant

Casa Napolli Pizza

Contact#: 0918 964 2567

WHERE TO BUY SOUVENIRS IN BATANES

Batanes33.jpg

Vavayat Souvenir Shop

National Road, Brgy. Kayvaluganan

Basco, Batanes

Contact#: 0929 341 1005  

 

 

 THINGS TO DO IN BATANES

batanes aerial 1

Batanes has 3 major inhabited islands, namely: Batan, Sabtang and Itbayat.  When you arrive in Batanes, you will land on Basco, the capital of Batanes which is located in Batan.

 

Batanes tour is divided into: North Batan Tour, South Batan Tour, Sabtang and Itbayat.

 


HOW TO TOUR BATANES

By Van/Tour Package

If you want a hassle-free tour you can avail of inexpensive tour packages offered in Batanes you can join the group tours or private tours of  BISUMI Tours and Services owned by my Ivatan friend, Ryan Cardona, a former tour guide.

 

BISUMI TOURS and SERVICES

Mobile #:  SMART – +63 998 988 5898 0919 279 5963

GLOBE – 0915 803 4582

Email: [email protected]

 

bascochurch (1 of 1)

 Batanes Tour Rates per Person  (BISUMI rates)

 

North Batan Tour: Php 1,100 per person

South Batan Tour: Php 1,700 per person

Sabtang Island Tour: Php 2,200 per person

Tour Package Inclusion

 

*Land Transportation (Tour and Transfer)   *All lunch during the tours. *Certified Ivatan tour guide.   *All registration fees and permits.   *Round-trip boat rides for Sabtang Island Tour.   *Refreshments during the tour.   *Php 100 worth souvenirs from Vavayat Souvenir  Shop.

 

You can choose from:   *4D/3N (North + South Batan and Sabtang Island Tour)   *3D/2N (North + South Batan and Sabtang Island Tour)   *3D/2N (North + South Batan Tour)

 

 

By Tricycle

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North Batan Tricycle Tour: Php 1,000

South Batan Tour: Php 1,500

Sabtang Tour: Php 1,350

 

Recommended Batanes Tricycle Driver:

Ryan Cardona – Mobile #:  SMART – +63 998 988 5898 0919 279 5963

 

By Bike 

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Due to the craggy and hilly landscape of Batanes and the distance of the attractions from each other, I won’t recommend this unless you have a strong stamina or you’re an experienced mountain biker.  I tried biking from Marfel’s Lodge Extension to Basco Lighthouse in Naidi Hill using a Japanese bike and I had a really hard time.

 

Batanes bike rental rates:  

Php 25 per day    Php 300 per day for small bikes/Japanese bikes

Php 600 per day for mountain bikes

     


BATAN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

 

Batan tour is divided into South and North tour, you can do this in 2 days. See the sample Batanes Itinerary below this post:

 

  NORTH BATAN TOUR

 

ALSO READ:   TOP THINGS TO DO IN NORTH BATAN

 

Attractions in North Batan 

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Naidi Hills Lighthouse

Valugan Boulder Beach

Vayang  Rolling Hills

Sto.Domingo Church

Dipnaysupuan Japanese Tunnel

Idjang Viewing

Mt.Carmel Chapel

PAG-ASA Weather Station

Fundacion Pacita  

 

SOUTH BATAN TOUR

 

Attractions in South Batan include:

batanes aerial 9

Mahatao Town Tour

 

Mahatao Church (San Jose Borromeo Church)

Mahatao Pier/ Boat Shelter

Mahatao Stone Houses

Mahatao Lighthouse

Diura Fishing Village

Fountain of Youth   Racuh a Payaman (Malboro Country)

   

Imnajbu Tour

 

Imnajbu Beach and Chapel

Old Naval Base

Alapad

Song Song Ruins

 

Uyugan Town Tour

Spanish Bridge    

 

Ivana Town Tour

San Jose de Ivana Church

Honesty Coffee Shop

House of Dakay (oldest stonehouse in Batanes)

San Jose de Ivana Church

 

SABTANG TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

batanes 17

 

Sabtang Town Tour

 

Sabtang Lighthouse

San Vicenter Ferer Church

Savidug Community

Savidug Idjang (Fortress)

Sabtang Town Vernacular Houses

Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint

Chavayan Community Vernacular Houses

St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel and the Old Beaterio

Morong Beach

 

ITBAYAT TOUR

batanes aerial 14

Hiring a tour guide is recommended if you wish to visit the gorgeous attractions in Itbayat since hiking are mostly required.

 

HOW TO GET TO ITBAYAT

The port of the falowa (boats) going to Itbayat is located in Basco, so you can just take a tricycle to get there. Flowat/Boats to Itbayat costs Php 450 per way, travel tie is 3-4 hours.

GETTING AROUND ITBAYAT

Motorbike Rental with Driver/Guide: Php 2,000 per day

Tricycle: Php 3,000 per day with Guide

Contact: Kuya Jojo Labrador at 0949 349 9350  

*If you are visiting Rapang Cliff, there is another guide fee of Php 1,000.

 ITBAYAT TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

batanes 58

Sta. Maria Immaculada Church

Lake Kavaywan

Mt. Karoboban View Deck

Torongan Cave

Torongan Hills

Paganaman Port

Small Lagoon

Rapang Cliffs

Stone Bell

The Beach of Kaxobcan

Mt.Riposed

Nahili Votox

Komayasakas Cave and Water Source

Manoyok

Northern Sarokan

Eastern Sarokan

Pevangan Cave

Agosan Rocks

Port Mauyen

 

*Boat rental to other islands north of Itbayat  like Yami , Siayan , Dinem , Ditarem and Misanga can cost as much as Php 7,000.

 

 


BATANES ITINERARY

4 Days / 3 Nights

 

batanes 55

 

If you are pressed for time, the typical Batanes itinerary is 4Days/3Nights which includes North Batan, South Batan and Sabtang Tour.

 

If you wish to include Itbayat in your tour, I suggest adding 3-4 more days to be able to explore it. But I recommend doing it on the 2nd day of your trip and just follow the itinerary below for the succeeding days, just in case the boat trip back to Basco gets cancelled because bad weather .  Do check the weather update before proceeding to Itbayat.

         

Day 1   NORTH BATAN TOUR
9:00 AMArrival in Basco, Check-In at Hotel
9:30 AMBreakfast and rest
12:00PMLunch
1:00 PMNorth Batan Tour
Mt. Carmel Chapel, PAG-ASA Weather Station, Fundacion Pacita, Idjang Viewing. Japanese Tunnel, Boulder Beach Valugan, Vayang Rolling Hills, Naidi Hills and Lighthouse, Bunker Cafe, Sto. Domingo Church in Basco
7:00 PMDinner

 

 

Day 2                  SABTANG TOUR
6:00 AMBreakfast
6:30 AMTravel to San Vicente Port to catch the boat to Sabtang
7:15 AMSabtang Town Tour
 San Vicenter Ferer Church, Savidug Community, Savidug Idjang, Stone Houses, Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint, Chavayan Community Vernacular Houses
12:00 PMLunch
1:00 PMMorong Beach/ Siesta/ Swimming
2:00 PMBack to Sabtang Port/ Travel back to San Vicente Port
3:30 PMBack to Hotel
7:00 PMDinner

 

Day 3                  SOUTH  BATAN TOUR
7:00 AMBreakfast
7:30 AMMahatao Town Tour
 Chawa Viewdeck, Mahatao Pier, Vernacular Houses, San Jose Borromeo Church, Diura Fishing Village, Fountain of Youth, Racuh a Payaman (Marlboro Country)
12:00PMLunch
1:00 PMImnajbu Tour
 Imnajbu Chapel and Beach, Old Naval Base, Alapad, Song Song Ruins
3:00 PMUyugan Town Tour
3:30 PMIvana Town Tour
 San Jose de Ivana Church, Honesty Coffee Shop, Oldest House
7:00 PMDinner

 

DAY 4                   DEPARTURE
6:00 AMBreakfast
7:00 AMDeparture to Manila

 


BATANES TRIP BUDGET/ EXPENSES

batanes 27

 

 

EXPENSESTRANSPORTATIONDESTINATION
PHP 6,000 (USD 119/SGD 162/ MYR 510)Roundtrip Flights (via Philippine Airlines) Clark – BascoClark-Basco-Clark
PHP 200 (USD 4/SGD 5/MYR 17)Tricycle from Basco to Ivana PortBasco to Ivana Port
PHP 150 (USD 3/SGD 4/MYR)Falowa / Boat ( Basco-Sabtang-Basco)Basco-Sabtang-Basco
PHP 900 (USD 18/SGD 24/MYR 77)Falowa / Boat (Basco-Itbayat-Basco)Basco-Itbayat-Basco
PHP 7,250 (USD 197/SGD 144/MYR 617)GRAND TOTAL 

 

 

EXPENSESACCOMODATIONTYPE OF ROOM
PHP 350 (USD 7/SGD 10/MYR 30)BASCO: Marfel Lodge ExtensionFan room
PHP 300 (USD 6/SGD 8/MYR 26)Diura Fishing VillageFan room
PHP 150 (USD 3/SGD 4/MYR) per daySabtang HomestayFan room
PHP 250 (USD 5/SGD 5/MYR 21)Itbayat HomestayFan room
PHP 1,050 (USD 21/SGD 28/MYR 89)GRAND TOTAL 

 

 

 

EXPENSESTOUR DESTINATIONSTYPE
PHP 1,100 (USD 21/SGD 30/MYR 94)North Batan TourTour Package
PHP 2,200 (USD 44/SGD 60/MYR 187)South Batan TourTour Package
PHP 2,000 (USD 40/SGD 54/MYR 170)Sabtang Island TourTour Package
PHP 2,000 (USD 40/SGD 54/MYR 170)Itbayat Tour (Driver + Motorcycle) per dayDIY Tour
PHP 1,000 (USD 20/SGD 27/MYR 85)Rapang Cliff Tour GuideDIY Tour
PHP 8,300 (USD 165/SGD 225/MYR 706)GRAND TOTALBatan (North and South) +Sabtang+Itbayat

 

 

*If you have limited time, you can do North Batan, South Batan and Sabtang Tour.  Only do the Itbayat tour if your schedule is flexible as falowa/boat trips is dependent on the weather.

 

TOURISM FEEDESTINATION
PHP 100 (USD 2/SGD 3/MYR 9)BASCO
PHP 50 (USD 1/SGD 1.35/MYR 4.25)MAHATAO
PHP 200 (USD 4/SGD 5/MYR 17)SABTANG
PHP 100 (USD 2/SGD 3/MYR 9)ITBAYAT
PHP 450 (USD 9/SGD 12/MYR 38)GRAND TOTAL

 


 RELATED BATANES POSTS:

 

Cheap Batanes Tour Package 2018

North Batan Tour

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24264_351910964162_336201504162_3580676_6142279_nAbout the Blogger : Gael is a Filipina travel blogger. Her work has appeared in local and international publications.

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For advertisements, sponsorship and partnerships, you may reach her at gaelhilotinblog (at) gmail (dot) com.

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