Relaxing 4-Day Itinerary in Batanes, Philippines

  • Day 1: Marlboro Country and Chanarian Beach
    45 minutes (19.6 km) from Basco

    Start your day with a refreshing visit to Marlboro Country, which features rolling hills of grass and cows grazing in the distance. Enjoy the stunning view and take plenty of photos. Afterward, take a short drive to Chanarian Beach, where you can unwind and soak in the sea breeze. The beach is known for its clear waters, picturesque landscape, and peaceful atmosphere.

  • Day 2: Sabtang Island and Sumnanga Beach
    2 hours (16 km via boat and tricycle) from Basco

    Take a scenic boat ride to Sabtang Island, which is known for its traditional Ivatan stone houses with cogon-thatched roofs. Visit the century-old Savidug and Chavayan villages and discover the unique culture and traditions of the locals. After exploring the island, soak in the sun and relax at Sumnanga Beach, which is another breathtaking beach with fine sand and clear water.

  • Day 3: Vayang Rolling Hills and Valugan Boulder Beach
    15 minutes (5.5 km) from Basco

    Take in the fresh morning breeze at Vayang Rolling Hills and admire the jade-colored hills that sit along the coastline. While at the hills, get lost in the view, and take in the beauty that nature has to offer. Then, spend the afternoon exploring another natural wonder at Valugan Boulder Beach which is perfect for relaxation with its volcanic stones, and turquoise water.

  • Day 4: Naidi Hills and Idjang Viewing Point
    20 minutes (4.4 km) from Basco

    Start your day by catching the sunrise while overlooking the town of Basco at Naidi Hills. Afterward, take a drive to Idjang Viewing Point, which is perched on top of a hill with views of the town and the Batanes seascape. Learn about the Ivatan's way of life, culture, beliefs, and practices by visiting the living museum at the Honesto Abad Village.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Marlboro Country (1 hour, free)
  • Chanarian Beach (2 hours, free)
  • Sabtang Island and Sumnanga Beach (7 hours, ₱1000)
  • Vayang Rolling Hills (1 hour, free)
  • Valugan Boulder Beach (2 hours, free)
  • Naidi Hills and Idjang Viewing Point (3 hours, free)
  • Honesto Abad Village (2 hours, ₱100)
  • Total Estimated Costs: ₱1100

Transportation

To access the different locations, it's best to rent a tricycle, especially in Sabtang Island. A tricycle rental would cost around ₱1500 per day. A boat ride to Sabtang Island would cost around ₱1000 for a roundtrip ticket. For longer distances, it’s best to rent a motorcycle, which costs around ₱500 to ₱800 per day. Grab or private car hires are also available and are priced variably depending on the distance and vehicle type.

Useful tips

If you have more time, consider visiting more stunning beaches such as Itbayat, Nakamaya, and Homoron. You can also hike at Mount Iraya and experience an out of town picnic at Alapad hills. For those with less time, you may skip Naidi Hills, and Honest Abad Village to focus on the beauty of the beaches of Batanes.

Airports

Batanes Airport (BSO) is the only airport located in Batanes. It's a small airport but well-equipped with modern amenities. The airport is located in Basco's town proper, which is just 20 minutes away from Naidi Hills and Idjang Viewing Point.

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