Travel Guide: Batanes ❤

Its nice to know that since I posted pictures of our Batanes trip in FB and IG, i have been asked by many of my dear friends, officemates [even my boss] and relatives about Batanes. Common questions are: how much did our trip cost, where did we stay, how much is our airfare, how to get around in Batanes?  etc etc. And so I figured to write batanes travel guide and share with you our own personal experiences [that might help anyone out there) who are planning their next adventure in Batanes. With its lush green rolling hills, beautiful beaches, stoned houses and Ivatan's rich-culture, who wouldn't be convinced to go to Batanes? Although going there can be quite costly (some people would say that they'd rather spend airfare cost in Batanes traveling to Hongkong or Singapore and other Asian countries instead)  but believe me.. If you see Batanes with your very own eyes,  Every single penny would be really worth it. Hashtag choose Philippines! Wahehehe~

How to get there:

As of the moment, PAL and Skyjet are the only airline companies who have regular flights to Basco.Below are the flight schedule of PAL for your reference:

Manila-Basco

PR 2084 06:00am-07:45am (Daily)

PR 2086 07:30-9:15am (Daily)

Basco-Manila

PR2085 08:10am-9:50am (daily)

PR2086 09:40-11:20am (daily)

Please note that flight schedules  may change without prior notice.

From Basco Airport, Hotel/Inns in Basco usually offers free van shuttle/transfer to and from airport. You may also take a tricycle for alternative .

Where to stay?

Accommodations in Batanes are limited as the local govt restricted the infrastructure of buildings in Batanes to preserve its beauty [unlike what they did in Boracay]. Due to the high demand of tourism in Batanes, the Ivatans have found their way to earn a living by offering their humble homes to accommodate tourists-- so one can definitely enjoy the warm hospitality of the Ivatan people by staying in their homes.  We stayed in Marfel's lodge (Annex) during our whole stay and paid Php700 for 2pax per night (for a fan room) and we could say we had a pleasant stay there and even gained more new friends with our housemates. The lodge has every basic things you need for a comfortable stay in Batanes.

Below are the list of Hotel/Inns in Basco:

Marfel's Lode - Rate starts at Php350.00/ night (for a fan room) . Marfel's has 3 branches: Main branch (located near the airport), Annex and Extension

Nanay Cita Homestay- Rate is Php350.00/ night (for a fan room). Located behind Marfel's Lodge Annex

Troy Lodge Homestay- Rate is Php926 - Php1,147.00 (according to google)

ShaneDel's Inn- According to our group joiner, rate is Php2,000/night

Amboy Hometel-  Rate starts at Php2,200.00/ night

Fundacion Pacita- Rate start as Php5,000.00/night

Where/What to eat?

Since our lunches were included in our package tour, Jan and I cook for breakfast ..  then for dinner we made sure to dine in famous restaurant in Basco to have a taste of Ivatan's delicacies. For our 3 nights in Batanes, we've tried dinning in Octagon Restaurant (twice) and Shanedel's Restaurant. Some suggest Pension Ivatan Restaurant .

Must try:

-Seaweed soup, Coconut crab, Venes, Ivatan rice (turmeric rice), Ivatan Pork Lonyes, Pako Salad and Tubho tea. Dont also miss the chance to try their root crops such as Camote(sweet potato) because we all agreed [with our tour joiners] that Camote in batanes taste better than what we have in Manila.

What to wear?

We went to Batanes during the winter month (January) If you're planning to go to Batanes from November-February like we did.. Pack clothes that would keep you warm & comfortable during your whole trip such as Jackets, scarf, sleeves, socks and etc. I also highly suggest that you wear a sturdy pair of sandals for trekking on slippery hills.

What to bring?
-Lots of cash. There are only 2 ATM machines available in Basco--PNB and Allied Bank. Majority of establishments and restaurants only accept cash.
-Sunblock, waterproof bags for your gadgets (esp if u're going to Sabtang Island)

-You're own tumbler (for water refill) so you wont feel dehydrated exploring the destination.

How to get around in Batanes?

Its not a smart idea to do a DIY tour in Batanes.. To best experience your Batanes adventure I highly suggest that you avail a tour package. The cost if you do DIY tour and getting a package tour is just almost the same cost if you compute less the hassle and bargaining with tricycle drivers to tour you around [lesson learned from our other housemate]. If you will avail a 4days 3nights group tour with Bisumi Travel (North & South Batan and Sabtang Island), they will quote you Php5,200.00 per person  (Rate as of Jan 2015).

How much did our trip cost?

Our trip was not bongga nor thrift vacation. Jan and I hate thrift travels as we believe that we are in vacation for pleasure and enjoyment. We could compromise with our accommodation since we're out most of the time exploring the destination pero sa food is a big No-No for us. We usually dine out to experience the destination's delicacies. I think what only  makes Batanes Trip expensive is the airfare.  We're lucky our airfare was free as part of our employee benefit working for an airline company. Just keep an eye out for seat sale promos so it wont cause you a fortune for an expensive airfare to Batanes that usually ranges to Php12,000-15,000.00 or even higher . One of our housemates in Marfel's said that she was able to get Php2,000.00 roundtrip airfare through seat sale promos. Just be patient. :)

All in all, we spent more or less Php15,000 including Tour Package for two, Accomodation in Marfel's, dine outs and Pasalubong shopping. Airfare is not included.



Hope these help! :)



Rica ♡