BATANES TRAVEL GUIDE AND TIPS

How to Get to Batanes

The fastest way to reach Batanes is by air. However, the options are limited:

Philippine Airlines (PAL) Daily

Skyjet Air Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Wakay Air (AirSwift ) Daily

Year-Round Fares. Basco flights are expensive. They can cost as much as P15, 000 or higher. So watch out for Seat Sale and travel expo.

How much did it cost me to fly to Batanes? 899php ! Yup! I am so lucky! I got mine from Travel expo last year September of 2015. It’s a year before my flight, and it’s worth to wait.

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Where to stay :

There is a lot of hotels, homestay and inn’s available in the island. I recommend :

Vatan Inn

Located at: Abad St. cor. Amboy St., Basco, Batanes

For reservation and rates : Contact Mr.Jover Vargas at 0998-551-9656/ 0995-810-5205

They have clean and affordable rooms with free breakfast – and their staffs are nice and very accommodating. Thanks Mr. Jover Vargas for your warm welcome, all the best for your family. It was nice meeting you.

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Tours:

I recommend Mr. Lito Alcantara for your South and North Batan Tour : Contact number : 09182167440 | Kuya Jun for Sabtang Tour – 09098770155 ( madami po silang Jun sa Sabtang – so better text or call him, and he is the only guide who can bring guest sa light house in Sabtang )

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When to Visit

September- March as per locals ( Maulan daw from April – Aug )

April – “ Kulay “ Festival – Basco

June 19- July 1 Ivatan Festival – Basco

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Sample Itinerary

DAY 1:  NORTH BATAN TOUR

07:40 am – Basco Airport

08:10 am – Check in at Vatan Inn

09:00 am – Start Batan Island NORTH Tour

02:00 pm – Late lunch

03:00 pm – Rest

04:00 pm – Coffee at Phil’s Brew

06:00 pm – Dinner

DAY 2: SABTANG ISLAND TOUR 0

5:30 am – Breakfast

06:00 am – Port

06:30 am – Boarding

07:00 am – Arrive at San Vicente Port, Sabtang

07:30 am – Check in at

08:30 am – Sabtang Island Tour

12:00 nn – Lunch

01:00 pm – Back at Sabtang Tour

06:00 pm – Back at inn/lodge, rest

07:00 pm – Dinner

DAY 3:

05:00 am – Wakeup call/ Sun Rise

06:00 am – Breakfast

07:00 am – Swimming

12:00 nn – Lunch

01:00 pm – Boarding ( Back to Main Land – Basco )

01:30 pm – Basco

02:00 pm – Vatan Inn

03:00 pm – Free time – Sleep /socials

06:00 pm – Dinner

DAY 4 South Batan Tour

06:00 am – Wake up 07:00 am – South Batan Tour

12:00 nn – Lunch

01:00 pm – Resume South Batan Tour

06:00 pm – Dinner

DAY 5 – Departure

07:45 am – Time to go home –

09:00 am – Manila

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Actual Budget Breakdown

Here’s a list of expenses that I made during my last trip to Batanes (4D4N). This does not includes all the pasalubong and some unnecessary expenses I had.

• 899php – Air Fare Via Skyjet
• 350php – Basco Eco- Tourism Fee
• 200php – Sabtang Eco- Tourism Fee
• 1050php – Vatan Inn (350/n /3 nights – fan room) with Breakfast
• 500php – Sabtang lodging
• 500php – North Tour (P1500/3 pax)
• 670php – South Tour (P2000/3pax) that’s include fountain of youth
• 500php – Sabtang Tour (1000/3 pax) We decided to give 500php each – Sulit naman kase sa layo ng byahe at sa bait ni Kuya Jun
• 74php – RT Basco- Port Tricycle (P220/3 pax)
• 200php – RT Sabtang Island Boat Fare
• 25php – Jeepney fare From Port to Basco
• 200php – Sabtang Environmental Fee
• P2000 – Total Food expenses (Lunch, Dinner, coffee, water and snacks)
• 100php – Terminal Fee ( Basco Airport )
• 6768php – TOTAL EXPENSES

Tips

• In every tour , your guide will take you to their affiliated restaurant that will cost you 300+ per meal , so for you to save more money, you can eat to local eatery instead. But don’t missed their Tatus ( coconut Crab ) . You can ask Kuya Jun or Kuya Lito to get one for you, buy it then cook it – You can cook in Vatan Inn ( or to any homestay you are in ) for 50php.
• Globe Mobile Network Signal is Weak/no signal at all in some areas
• Smart/Sun Network is available
• Banks and Money Transfer are available around the town proper
• Bring Umbrella and sunscreen protection