Batanes
Wind-swept green hills, cliffs and lighthouses at the very top of the Philippines, where people built their homes from stone to survive the typhoons.
Quick answer
- What it is: the northernmost province of the Philippines, a group of small islands with rolling hills, cliffs and Ivatan stone villages.
- The main islands: Batan (with the capital, Basco), Sabtang (stone-house villages) and Itbayat.
- Getting there: fly to Basco from Manila or Clark. There is no regular passenger ferry from the rest of the country.
- Best time: roughly March to May, before the typhoon season.
- Plan ahead: flights and rooms are limited, and weather can delay flights, so leave spare days.
Why it is a wonder
Batanes doesn’t look like the rest of the Philippines. There are no palm-fringed lagoons here, but open green hills running down to the sea, grass kept short by grazing cattle, cliffs pounded by surf, and white lighthouses standing in the wind. It is the country’s northernmost province, closer to Taiwan than to Manila.
The Ivatan people who live here have adapted to one of the stormiest places in the country. Their traditional houses have thick walls of stone and lime and steep roofs of cogon grass, built to ride out typhoons. On Sabtang Island, the villages of Savidug and Chavayan still have rows of them, and the women of Chavayan weave the vakul, a palm-fibre headdress worn against sun, wind and rain.
Beat the crowds
- Book flights early, then plan your days around the weather rather than a fixed schedule.
- Go to Sabtang on a clear, calm morning: the boat crossing is only possible when the sea allows.
- Avoid peak weeks in April if you want the hills to yourself.
Getting there
Fly to Basco Airport on Batan Island, usually from Manila and sometimes from Clark. The flight takes about 1.5 hours. There are no regular passenger ferries to Batanes from the rest of the country. Boats link Batan to Sabtang (about 30 to 40 minutes from Ivana port) and to Itbayat (a longer, weather-dependent crossing). See our guide to getting around the Philippines.
A perfect day
- Ride north from Basco to the Basco Lighthouse and the Vayang Rolling Hills.
- Spend the next morning on Sabtang, walking Savidug and Chavayan.
- Tour South Batan for viewpoints, stone houses and coastal cliffs.
- Try Ivatan food at a local eatery in Basco, such as uved (banana-stem balls) and fresh fish.
Through the seasons
- March to May: the best weather, with calmer seas and clear skies.
- June to November: typhoon season. Flights and boats are often cancelled.
- December to February: cool and windy, with frequent rain.
See our guide to typhoon season.
Respect the place
Batanes is a protected area and the ancestral home of the Ivatan. Ask before photographing people or entering yards, stay on paths in the hills, and leave honesty stores as you found them: pay for what you take.
Photo gallery
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Batanes?
Fly to Basco Airport, usually from Manila and sometimes from Clark. Flights are limited and fill up early, especially from March to May.
When is the best time to visit?
March to May is usually the calmest and sunniest period. Batanes is very exposed to typhoons from roughly June to November, and the cooler months can be windy and rainy.
What are Ivatan stone houses?
Traditional homes with thick walls of stone and lime and roofs of cogon grass, built to withstand typhoon winds. The best-preserved villages are Savidug and Chavayan on Sabtang.
How many days do I need?
Three or four days covers North Batan, South Batan and Sabtang. Add a buffer day in case weather delays your flight home.
Do I need cash?
Yes. Card payment is limited, so bring enough pesos for tours, food and transport.
Sagada
A cool mountain town in the Cordilleras, where coffins hang from limestone cliffs and morning clouds fill the valleys below.
We checked this guide against the 3 sources listed below. Last updated 14 November 2026. Basis: researched from official sources. Written and edited by Delfin, with AI-assisted research (how we work). Prices, hours and rules change, so confirm before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
