Melo Villareal
Batan Island Visitors Guide: Everything you need to know about the Island of Batan
It’s Winter season again and while some of you are already starting to create a Christmas wishlist, others are thinking about where to go this holiday season. Why not try visiting Batanes this Winter? For the unfamiliar, Batanes experiences 4 seasons, and its winter starts from December to mid-February. You may not experience a real winter wonderland but just imagine the temperature that can go down to as cool as 7 degrees Celsius.
Similar to some European countries, the islands in Batanes are characterized by verdant rolling hills with the addition of beautiful black and white sand beaches dominated by large rock formations. This group of Islands is the Philippines’ northernmost province. Batan Island is the largest island and Basco is the center of commerce since all major modes of transportation, trade, and commerce are located here.
On my past visits to the island, I was surprised to hear some locals, especially those on the island of Sabtang – listening to Taiwanese radio stations since Taiwan is just 190 kilometers from Taiwan. On the island, every motorist are always required to blow their horn each time they pass by a curve to avoid accident since the roads in Batanes are not that wide.
Transportation in Sabtang is dominated by bicycles and scooters which makes the island away from pollution. Jeepneys for rent are abundant in Basco, You can ask anyone if you need help and they are more than willing to assist.
Ivatans are polite and peace-loving not to mention they are also honest (check out my Honesty Coffee Shop post). Vacul is uniquely Ivantan, it’s an all-weather headgear made from dried Vuyavuy fiber that is commonly used by farmers to protect them from too much heat and rain as well.
If you missed visiting Batanes during summer time, you can also visit Batanes during “Indian Summer” which takes place from September to October. Sabtang Island is a 30-minute boat ride from Radiwan Point at the Ivana Seaport. It is known for its steep mountains and deep canyons that earned its name as the “New Zealand of the Philippines.”
In Basco, you can visit Basco Cathedral – the island’s oldest church before going to Naidi Hills. Discover Batanes historical past and its culture by visiting a small museum located near Basco cathedral.
That is all for now… more Batanes discoveries in my next post:)
Also Read: Batanes Travel Guide: Explore Breathtaking Batanes (here)
Searching for the best Batanes hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of best Batanes affordable places to stay via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the province.
Want more updates about new tourist attractions on the Island of Batanes? Follow #TeamOutofTown, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel tips and ideas.
Read:
- Batanes on my Mind: Dreaming of a Batanes vacation even after it was over
- How to go to Batanes
- Sabtang Island in Batanes: Adventures from the Farmland to the Untamed Sea!
