Explore Batanes: The Philippines' Last Frontier

Hands down if you ask me about our favorite destinations in the Philippines, Batanes is on top of it. What is it about Batanes that appeals greatly to me? Or perhaps the astonishing scenery, rolling hills to boulder-laden beaches? Or the calm and tranquility despite being in one of the wildest oceans. It could be the mystery of this, our most northern province — one that is not easily accessible to any traveler. Batanes is remote, rugged, and utterly spell-binding.

 How to go To Batanes: Your Gateway Towards Paradise

Air — The quickest, most convenient way to get to Batanes is via air. The capital of the province, Basco has its own airport and you will need 70-110 minutes to reach Batanes from your place to departure based on our airline. But then again, airfare to Batanes can be very pricey and would often cost more than ₱10,000 per way when booked near your scheduled departure. Poke no further — try the following tips for saving money on airfare:

Fly out of Clark: Flights from Clark International Airport are often much cheaper than those at the Manila airport.

Fly Midweek: Flying to Basco on a Tuesday or Wednesday will 100% money more than make up for the amount saved, and return flights are cheaper during Fridays and Saturdays.

Look For Seat Sales: Although it is hard to come across promo fares going to Batanes, there are still occasions where they do exist. If you are on social media, follow airlines and get updates from sites such as The Poor Traveler for sale alerts.

When is the Best Time to Go to Batanes: When Nature Smiles

The best time to visit Batanes is at any given month from December all the way down to May, as this is its dry season. However, I have a soft corner for the months of January-February when there is an icy chill in the air and you can see from miles around. The weather in Batanes can be erratic at times so expect a sunny morning, raining lunches, and clear afternoon skies on the same day. Even though the rainy season (June-November) often means showers, they usually come and go rather than fall down for hours on end. Throw on a raincoat and let nature do its thing.

Accommodation: Your Home in Batanes

There are also three main islands in Batanes: Batan, Sabtang and Itbayat. Located on Batan Island, Basco is the most popular launching pad for travelers — not only because of its location near to the airport but it's also considered a commercial center. It is a small town with quite some charm to offer and you can stay in Basco since it serves as the capital although they have different accommodation ranges from homestays to more upscale inns.

Top Picks:

Troy's Lodge: One of the favorite homestays for budget travelers.

Marfel's Lodge — popular among travel bloggers; cozy accommodations

How to get around: The way locals see Batanes

Just making your way around Batanes can be an adventure. Cycling is the cheapest way to go around Batan Island, which by no means is easier as the island has a kind of hilly terrain. Alternatively, rent a motorcycle if you have a license and cycling sounds tedious to you. And for those wishing to take it as easy and restful a trip, there are many tricycles around that can be rented out per day-long tour package ideal for small groups.

Food: A Sample Of Batanes

Though Batanes is not exactly known as a foodies' paradise, you will find some really interesting local cuisine there. The unflinchingly black-and-white landscape of the province restricts a certain kind of pantry, but in its way that too is an authentic experience. Must-try dishes include:

Uved: ground banana corn plus fish/meat made into balls

Vunes – fish (or meat) wrapped in dried gabi stalk.

Luñis — pork fat; Bayonne-style salted belly

Lobsters – Locally known as payi, it is surprisingly cheap and almost always costs you less.

Note: Tatus, the coconut crab is a delicacy but also an endangered species – one should not catch them. So let's save these creatures and have other local dishes to eat.

Top Tourist Spots: Batanes Wonders

Batanes tourist spots in general are divided into 4 zones — North Batan, South Batan, Sabtang, and Itbayat. If you are planning for your itinerary, my advice is to begin with the North Batan Tour which offers a great insight on what more can be expected in Batanes. Yet South Batan is the gorgeous one, showcasing only wider and more breathtaking sights.

Pro Tip: Do not forget to pay the tourism and environmental fees to protect this untouched natural beauty site.

See you again next time. Plan Exciting, Travel Smart- Stay Safe– Make Every Trip Worth!!

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