Batanes is the northernmost province of the Philippines and nothing like the white-sand resort islands further south. The draw is the land: rolling cattle pastures on sea cliffs, boulder beaches, lighthouses and the thick-walled stone houses of the Ivatan people. You fly into Basco on Batan island, tour it by tricycle, bike or guided van, then take the faluwa boat to Sabtang for the old stone villages. The province is a protected landscape and seascape with visitor fees. Plan four days, with a spare day for weather.
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When to go
December to May is the dry season; February to May is the safest bet for calm seas and flights. January and February are cool and windy. June to November is typhoon season, and the strongest storms have hit in August and September. Flights and the Sabtang boat stop in bad weather, so keep a buffer day.
Batanes right now and the next 7 days
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Batanes on the map
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The area
Getting there
Places to see
Day trips
Batanes · Open in Google Maps ↗
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Step 3 of 11Next: Cost↓What your trip costs
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Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Page updated 18 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book.
On the ground: stay, food, local travel and tickets. Pick a route above to add the journey.
Check live prices
Batanes in 3 days: a day-by-day plan
Our suggested plan, in a sensible order with times. Move things between days, remove them or add more. It saves on this device, and you can share it.
- 11:00North Batan loop1 day · ₹680 each · Vayang rolling hills, Valugan boulder beach and the Basco lighthouse. Price is a share of a two-person tricycle.
- Lunch on the way
- 08:00South Batan and Racuh a Payaman1 day · ₹1,020 each · The 'Marlboro Country' communal pasture on the cliffs. Mahatao charges about PHP 50; some stops have small extra fees.
- Lunch on the way
- 08:00Sabtang and the Chavayan stone houses1 day · ₹960 each · Faluwa about PHP 505 plus Sabtang's PHP 200 environmental fee. Register at the tourism office on arrival even without a tour.
- Lunch on the way
How to get to Batanes
One-way prices per person. The cheapest sensible option is marked. Each button opens live times and fares for the date you picked above.
Flight Cheapest
₹8,800Philippine Airlines showed about PHP 12,900 return for November 2026 dates, so roughly PHP 6,500 each way. Taxes included except the Philippine Travel Tax.
Flight
Check farePhilippine Airlines lists the route but showed no fare when checked. Seat sales are rare; last-minute one-way fares have topped PHP 10,000. Fly midweek.
Tricycle Last leg
₹70About PHP 30-50 in older guides. Many lodges include the airport pickup; check before you book a tour that also includes it.
Getting around once you're there
Tricycle, day hire
₹1,360About PHP 1,000 for two for North Batan, PHP 1,500 for South Batan (2018 rates, likely higher now; negotiate from the fare matrix).
Rented bicycle
₹410About PHP 300 a day for a small bike. Basco and the north loop are rideable; the south is hilly.
Rented motorbike
₹1,000About PHP 500-1,000 a day plus fuel in older guides.
Faluwa boat
₹690Ivana port to Sabtang about PHP 505 per person (2024). Early-morning departures; cancelled in rough seas.
Where to stay in Batanes
Price per night for the room. The buttons open live availability for your dates.
Single fan room
₹480/nightMarfel's Lodge: about PHP 350 a person for a single fan room (2018). Book ahead in peak months.
Homestay or inn
₹1,000/nightAbout PHP 500-1,000 a twin room in older guides; Troy's Lodge PHP 700-1,000 for up to three.
Hotel
₹4,000/nightAbout PHP 2,000-5,000 a twin room. Rates have risen since these were reported; check live prices.
What to eat, and what it costs
Carinderia meal
₹70About PHP 50 at local canteens (2018). Rice, a viand and soup.
Restaurant plate in Basco
₹270About PHP 100-300 at places like Vunong Dinette and Pension Ivatan.
Ivatan tour lunch
₹510About PHP 350-400 on guided tours: rice, vegetables, fish and meat.
Seafood lunch in Sabtang
₹480About PHP 350 a head at Paypanapanayan canteen for lobster, seafood and vegetables (2018).
Things to do in Batanes
Tap “Add to my plan” and it goes into your day-by-day plan above.
North Batan loop
₹680Vayang rolling hills, Valugan boulder beach and the Basco lighthouse. Price is a share of a two-person tricycle.
South Batan and Racuh a Payaman
₹1,020The 'Marlboro Country' communal pasture on the cliffs. Mahatao charges about PHP 50; some stops have small extra fees.
Sabtang and the Chavayan stone houses
₹960Faluwa about PHP 505 plus Sabtang's PHP 200 environmental fee. Register at the tourism office on arrival even without a tour.
Guided 3-day tour of the islands
₹6,090About PHP 4,465 a person for five people (2024). Range PHP 3,000-16,000 depending on group size, days and lunch.
Climb Mt Iraya
Check priceThe volcano behind Basco. Guided only; rates fall with group size. Current price not confirmed.
Day trips and next stops
Sabtang island
₹960Tricycle to Ivana, then boat
Itbayat island
₹615Boat from Basco, or a short flight
Racuh a Payaman
Check fareTricycle or tour van
Clark / Manila
₹8,800Flight
Know before you go
Mistakes to avoid
- Typhoon season runs June to November (UK FCDO). Flights to Basco and the Sabtang boat are cancelled in bad weather; keep a spare day before your flight out.
- Visitor fees apply: an eco and protected-area fee for Batan (about PHP 400 in 2024) and PHP 200 on Sabtang. A new province-wide eco-tourism fee ordinance was passed in 2025; check the current amount.
- Food options are limited and close early outside Basco. Carry snacks and water on tricycle days.
Ways to spend less
- Hire a tricycle with one or two others instead of a guided van tour; the driver doubles as a guide and costs a fraction.
- If your lodge includes the airport transfer, drop it from any tour package so you do not pay twice.
- Fly from Clark rather than Manila when PAL has seats: fares have been listed there, and it avoids Manila traffic.
Before-you-go checklist
Batanes in pictures
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Step 11 of 11Next: FAQ↓Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Batanes?
Feb–May is the best time. December to May is the dry season; February to May is the safest bet for calm seas and flights. January and February are cool and windy. June to November is typhoon season, and the strongest storms have hit in August and September. Flights and the Sabtang boat stop in bad weather, so keep a buffer day.
How do I reach Batanes?
Flight: Clark (CRK) → Basco (BSO), About 1 h 30 m, about ₹8,800 one way.
How much does a 3-day trip to Batanes cost?
On the ground (stay, food, local travel and tickets), one person spends about ₹4,800 on a shoestring, ₹9,000 mid-range or ₹18,000 in comfort over 3 days. Add the journey: the cheapest sensible option is flight (Clark (CRK) → Basco (BSO)) at about ₹8,800 each way.
How many days do you need in Batanes?
3 days is right for most people. That covers North Batan loop, South Batan and Racuh a Payaman, Sabtang and the Chavayan stone houses without rushing.
Is Batanes good for families or solo travellers?
Batanes works best for solo, couples, groups, families. Solo travellers find it easy and cheap.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Batanes?
Hard. Ivatan cooking is built on fish, pork and beef, and canteens have little else. Ask your lodge to cook vegetables and rice, and tell tour operators in advance; tours let you skip lunch if you bring your own.
Will my phone and cards work in Batanes?
Buy a Philippine SIM at Manila or Clark airport before you fly. Rarely accepted outside a few hotels. Cash is the main way to pay. Bring enough pesos for fees, boats and tricycles.
Guides for Batanes
Longer reads from our blog that cover this trip.
Sources and last check
Checked 11 October 2026. Fees, hours and rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay.
- gov.uk OfficialFCDO (updated 15 Jul 2026): advise against travel only in Mindanao/Sulu areas; typhoons mostly June-November; Batanes not mentioned
- flights.philippineairlines.comPAL Clark-Basco round trip PHP 12,932 for 5-9 and 23-27 Nov 2026; fares include taxes except Philippine Travel Tax
- flights.philippineairlines.comPAL Manila-Basco route page exists but showed no fares for the default dates
- mavidalugar.comAs of May 2024: tours PHP 3,000-16,000 pp; 3-day 5 pax PHP 4,465 pp; faluwa PHP 505; Sabtang env. fee PHP 200; provincial eco + PAMB fee PHP 400; Mahatao PHP 50; lunch PHP 350-400
- thepoortraveler.net2019 guide (many prices Feb 2018): fees, tricycle rates, bike/motorbike rental, lodges, food prices, Itbayat boat PHP 450, ATMs (1 PNB, 2 Landbank), best months Dec-May, strongest typhoons Aug-Sep
- lorenlegarda.com.phBatanes Responsible Tourism Act (RA 10866) background: protected landscape and seascape, ecotourism zone
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Back to the planner ↑Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we sell nothing, take no commission, and every booking link goes straight to the provider. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 18 October 2026 · Photo: Kirkamon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Johnkevinreglos · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Jsinglador · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Ranieljosecastaneda · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: KisekiLacroix · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
