Among more than a hundred of islands and destinations I have visited, I can say that Batanes is the best destination I have ever been to in the entire archipelago.

It’s my third visit to Batanes but I still feel that there are still a lot of places that i need to explore and discover. Batanes is composed of ten islands which are situated between the vast expanse of the waters of Bashi Channel and Balintang Channel, where the Pacific Ocean, merges with the China Sea.

Batanes Lighthouse

The island is rich with marine resources, including the rarest sea corals in the world which makes the island an unexplored and unexploited dive destination in the world.

Marlboro Hills in Batan

Basco – The Capital of Batanes is a reference point each time a typhoon enters the Philippine area of responsibility and due to this, people think that the island is all about typhoons. But for the Ivatans, the province’s native inhabitants, the mainlanders’ perception of their home is inaccurate.

Nakanmuan Famous Arc

Breathtaking Batanes is the Philippines smalles province both in terms of population and land area, It is hilly and mountainous with only 1,631.50 hectares or 7.10% of its area level to undulating and 78.20% or 17,994.40 hectares varying in terms from rolling to steep and very steep.

Valugan Beach

Everyday Life in Batanes is so lax. More than half of the Ivatans are farmers and fishermens. Some of the locals are employed in the government and services sector like the local government and the public schools. Ivatans also plant vegetables for their food like camote (sweet potato), cassava, gabi or tuber and a unique variety of white uvi. Crime is not even part of their vocabulary, In fact the provincial jail has been useless for several years now.

Ivatan wearing Vacul

Why Batanes is everyones dream Destination?

• Friendly People – Tourist are always greeted with a friendly smile
• Fresh Food – Fresh Seafood is abbundant in the island
• Ivatan House – stone walled and thick thatched roofs that can survive any typhoon passing the island.
• Wear Vacul – the unique all weather headgear of the Ivatans which is made of shredded leaves of a unique palm which is endemic in Sabtang island.
• Learn Ivatan – an Austronesian language, with pidgin Spanish and Chinese accent.
• Test your Honesty – Batanes’ Honesty Coffee Shop, No one is minding the store. Just read the price list, get the item and leave your payment inside a jar.
• Experience Faluwa – Batanes colorful boats are called Faluwa. If you need to travel to Sabtang or Itbayat you need to take a motorized boat called faluwa.
• Drink Palek – A native wine made of Sugarcane.
• Batanes is also a candidate in the World Heritage Site list by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Lighthouse in Mahatao

Interesting Places to visit :

• House of Dakay (1887) a UNESCO heritage building.
• Lighthouses of Batanes
• St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Cathedral
• Mt. Iraya – A 1008-meter mountain on Batan Island.
• Mahatao View Deck
• Burial Caves – Pre-historic burial caves in the town of Itbayat.
• Sumhao Wind Power Plant
• Nakaboang Beach, Ark & Cave
• Songsong Ruins
• Beaches – Chadpidan Beach, White Beach and more.
• Payaman – known as “Marlboro Country”, a pasture overlooking farm fields & the Pacific Ocean.
  Imagine yourself in an island without noisy night clubs, traffic and pollution and just experience the country’s dream Eco-cultural destination that only offers peace of mind, fresh air and never ending panoramic views.

January 2005 Batanes visit

Seair offers fastest, safest and the most number flights to Batanes. Please call SEAIR at 8490100 for flight reservation or visit www.flyseair.com . To know more about Batanes visit the Batanes Cultural Travel Agency (BCTA) is at 219 ODC Plaza Bldg., Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village, Makati. BCTA can be contacted at tel 8100988 in Makati and (0906) 3766778, (0917) 8112282, or (0917) 5266333 in Batanes. You can also visit the website of Batanes Cultural Travel Agency (BCTA).

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