Batan and Sabtang Island are amazing enough. But then I got to Itbayat, the northernmost inhabited island of Batanes, and I was floored. While Itbayat is more rugged and more difficult to explore, it has a unique charm of its own. Hiking over rough roads, hills and steep paths can be grueling, but you will be rewarded with amazing views of caves, cliffs and coasts.
Poverty incidence in Itbayat is high, yet the people are friendly, honest and generous. Itbayanons pride themselves on having no casualties when typhoons hit, since their stone and lime houses were built to withstand calamities. And just like their vernacular houses, the people are strong, resilient, and hard-working.
Their economy is mainly agricultural. I was told that everyone in town, even the mayor, is a farmer. Many families maintain small patches of farmlands, and their houses, no matter how humble are always decorated with blooming plants and flowers. With just a population of 2,914 (as of 2013), they’re also a tight-knit community, where everyone knows everyone else. Itbayat is one of the most off-beat places I’ve been to in the country, and my solo trip here was both an amazing and humbling experience.
Table of Contents
Where exactly is Itbayat?
Itbayat is the northernmost municipality of the Philippines, located only about 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the southernmost tip of Taiwan. It is the largest of the three inhabited islands of the province of Batanes. Itbayat is an Ancestral Domain with a CADT, the first municipality in Batanes to have such a title. Itbayat also includes several small and uninhabited northern islands including Dinem, Siayatan, Ditarem, A’li, Misanga and Mavulis.
How to get to Itbayat
As of April 2014, there are three motorized boats that ply the Basco-Itbayat inter-island route: M/B Itransa, M/B Ocean Spirit and M/B Veronica (new), which ferry all manner of cargo (from bags of cement to live pigs) and passengers as well. Of the three, M/B Veronica is the largest and the most stable. Waves are especially rough in these parts and boats don’t travel in inclement weather. In good weather, there are daily boat trips, except for Sunday. The fare is P450/person for a one-way trip.
The boat trip from Basco used to take roughly 4 hours long, which locals say has dissuaded many tourists in Basco from visiting. Since boats have upgraded to faster engines, the travel time is roughly 2.5-3.5 hours in good weather. There are no seats on the boat, so passengers usually lie down on the boat’s floor to counter seasickness and to sleep through the trip.
Boats leave Basco daily at around 6 am and arrive at Itbayat at 8:30 to 9am. The same boats leave Itbayat for Basco at around 10 or as soon as they have unloaded all the cargo. You should be at the port around 30 minutes before your time of departure to sign up in the manifesto of which boat you want to ride.
M/B Ocean Spirit: 0939-9186580. M/B Itransa: 0908-5022814. M/B Veronica. Ivatan Transport and Services. Tel. No: 0939-5023494
It’s also possible to travel to Itbayat by plane from Basco. NorthSky Airlines is an 8-seater plane that travels every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Elite Aviation (which started operating just April 19, 2014) is a 5-seater plane that offers daily flights. Fare for both planes cost in the range of P1,800 for a one way trip that will take 10-12 minutes long. Both aircrafts will only fly if there are enough passengers to fill all the seats. The Itbayat airport is an hour away from the town proper by land.
NorthSky Air. Basco: 0949-1550100, Itbayat: 0920-9651495. Elite Aviation c/o Batanes Travel & Tours: Contact persons: Basco: Mrs. Luz Cartano: CP: 0928-5250818. Itbayat: Ms. Gina Ponce: CP: 0999-7190410
Getting around
There are only 3 tour guides and 4 tricycles on the whole island of Itbayat. Solo travelers can ride with a guide aboard a motorbike (P1000/day) while groups of 2-3 can opt to hire a tricycle (P2000/day). For larger groups, the guides usually borrow a truck or bigger vehicle to get around. There’s also a standard tourist guide fee of P1000/day. Tricycle fare from the port to town center is P100. As of my visit, there were no motorbike rentals available, though the owners of Levinda Lodge mentioned they had ordered some XRM units that they were planning to rent out to guests.
You can bring rented motorcycles or mountain bikes from Basco (additional cargo fee: P360 for motorbikes, P50 for MTB, P40 for ladies bike), but I wouldn’t recommend it, since the terrain in Itbayat is steep and a bit tricky to navigate. Even if you rent a vehicle, the only option to get to many sites of interest is to go by foot. Expect to walk a lot.
Allot a bigger budget if you plan to go island-hopping from Itbayat. Boat trips to the uninhabited Northern Islands can be arranged but can cost you from P6000-8000/day (boat good for a group of 10), weather permitting. The boat trip to Yami can take another 4-6 hours. Tour Guide for main sites: Jason Asa – 0999-9327744
Where to go / What to do in Itbayat
Chinapoliran Port
Itbayat is one of the world’s largest uplifted coral reefs, and thus has no shoreline to land on. Chinapoliran Port is the port where you will dock when you arrive from Basco.
Instead of a flat platform, you will find a steep road and set of stairs built into the rocky coast leading up to small sheds that serve as offices for the different boat operators. Loading and unloading passengers and cargo is a feat in itself, since everyone needs to time the boat and jump when the water is level with the landing. A pulley system attached to a truck is used to pull up and lower cargo and motorcycles that will be transported on the boat.
Town Proper
Itbayat has 5 barangays, namely: San Jose (Raele), San Rafael (Idiang), Santa Lucia (Kauhauhasan), Santa Maria (Marapuy) and Santa Rosa (Kaynatuan). The town proper where most homestays are located is in Barangay Sta. Maria, which is also known as Mayan Centro.
The town center is marked by a large plaza. with a grassy field and basketball court, surrounded by a row of modern and vernacular houses, the municipal building, and the Sta. Maria Inmaculada Church, which was built in 1845. In the mornings, you can watch locals playing basketball and baseball in the plaza and people attending morning mass.
Lake Kavaywan
Lake Kavaywan is the landmark pilots use when landing in Itbayat. Guides say that when pilots see the lake, they can start to descend. The lake itself, which is surrounded by hills, is not really ideal for swimming, since it’s frequently used by the cows that graze in the nearby pasturelands.
Mt. Karoboban View Deck
Mt. Karoboban is the highest point in Itbayat, with an elevation of about 280 meters above sea level. It is one of the island’s foundations, being an old settlement for the early settlers of Itbayat. You can get to the view deck by tricycle, though the path is mostly unpaved and rocky. The view deck is currently being reconstructed since the old one got damaged by a typhoon. From here, you can see the four uninhabited islands North.
Torongan Cave
Torongan Cave is a massive cave, said to be an ancient dwelling place. It’s believed to be the first landing place of the Austronesians from Formosa, 4000 BC. The entrance to the cave is reachable by a 45 minute – 1 hour hike through dense forest from the jump-off point reachable by tricycle.
There’s a section at the end of the cave that looks out into the sea. The temperature inside the cave is quite cool and pleasant, as the wind blows through this hole.
Torongan Hills
From Torongan Cave, you can hike up to the top of Torongan Hills to get a view of the surrounding islands. Along the way, you’ll encounter stone boat-shaped burial markers. The area is believed to be the burial ground of the ancient settlers of the Torongan Cave.
Paganaman Port
A port where fishermen dock their boats. The platform here is really steep, and fishermen all pull together to raise the boats up to the platform.
Around the cliffs, you can see little windows and sheds built into the rocks where fishermen keep some supplies. It’s best visited during mid-late afternoons so you can watch the sunset.
Small Lagoon
The small lagoon is a set of several swimming holes at the foot of the cliffs of Paganaman Port, where locals go swimming. Several shallow, natural swimming pools are formed in the rocks surrounded by towering rocky cliffs.
Rapang Cliffs
A natural park and grazing area for goats comprised of forest, cliffs and rocky hills where bonsai arius tree abound. If you want to hike to Rapang Cliffs, you will need to hire a separate guide since the area passes through private property. The only way to get here is to walk from the town proper.
The hike takes about 5-7 hours (back and forth) depending on your pace. The hike will take you through several hills, through forests and clambering up rocky cliffs before you reach a high point overlooking the island. Allot one day for this activity (with free time in the afternoon). Alternatively, you can start your hike at 3am, catch the sunrise there, and get back to town by 8am if you need to catch the boat back to Basco the same day. Bring lots of water and light snacks and/or packed lunch.
Guide for Rapang Cliffs: Jose Valiente – 0949-6200184. Guide fee: P1000/day (regardless of size of group)
Stone Bell
At the base of Rapang Cliffs, you can find the stone bell, a flat stone which lies naturally upon another stone, which produces melodious sounds resembling a bell when struck with stones. Striking the stone bell served as an alarm for the ancient inhabitants when enemies were approaching. The bell was also used by farmers as a signal for meetings and to gather their goats.
The Beach of Kaxobcan
Since Itbayat is one of the world’s largest uplifted coral reefs, it does not have any beaches. However, we did come across a beach formed from a calamity. We made our way to another area where a natural beach was formed when an earthquake caused a landslide on one side of the cliff, leading to a small white sand beach surrounded by natural swimming holes in the cliffs.
According to our guide, Jose, we were only the second group he had taken to that site. Locals haven’t been to this spot either, and it doesn’t seem to be in any tourist map or guide yet. The water here looked so enticing. I only wish I could have gone down the cliffs to take a swim.
Other tourist attractions
- Mt. Riposed – one of the two volcanoes considered to have been the foundation of Itbayat, from where you can get a panoramic view of the island.
- Nahili Votox – an ancient settlement with boat-shaped burial markers.
- Komayasakas Cave and Water Source – an underground stream on the Northwest of Itbayat which flows to the sea.
- Manoyok – a sinkhole that serves as a giant drainage of the town of Itbayat. Manoyok is believed to be a haunted sinkhole because ancestors used to throw witches there as punishment according to local justice system during the ancient times.
- Other Caves: Northern Sarokan, Eastern Sarokan, Pevangan Cave, Do’tboran Cave
- Agosan Rocks – a rock formation north of Itbayat
- Port Mauyen – alternative port south of Itbayat
Other islands
- Siayan – an island north of Itbayat, said to have beautiful white sand beaches
- Dinem – an island southeast of Itbayat with boulder beaches
- Ditarem – an island behind Siayan
- Misanga – North Island
- Yami – known locally as Mavolis, the northernmost point of the country.
Where to stay in Itbayat
There are a few lodging houses in Itbayat, mostly located in the town center around the plaza and near the church. Most charge a standard rate of P200/night for fan rooms. There’s one hotel that has air-conditioned rooms, but since electricity is turned off from midnight to 6 am, I suggest you just book a fan room.
I stayed in Levinda Lodge, a two-story house converted into a homestay, which has several rooms on the second floor, a balcony with a good view of the plaza and church where you can take your meals, a spacious kitchen, and two well-maintained bathrooms. The lower floor is occupied by the owner’s family, a small computer shop and a convenience store, where you can buy supplies. The owners are very accommodating and friendly. Elaine, Levinda’s daughter, is a TESDA-accredited therapist who offers massage services to guests, which is great if you’ve been hiking all day. Since I was traveling solo, they also offered free pick up and drop off service from the port (so I didn’t have to take a tricycle).
Levinda Lodge, Itbayat, Batanes. Mobile number: 0921-5668269
Cano’s Lodge is another well-known homestay in Itbayat, run by the friendly Faustina Cano, a retired teacher who serves as Itbayat’s tourism officer. She can give you a good orientation of the history of Itbayat prior to your tour around the island. The rooms at the lodge are quite large, with an open air gazebo outside and a handy map showing some of the sites of interest.
Cano’s Lodge, Itbayat, Batanes. Mobile Number: 0919-3004787
Others places to stay:
- Guest House c/o Municipal Mayor (capacity 4) – P150/pax/day
- Brgy. Sta. Lucia c/o Brgy. Secretary (capacity 6) – P150/day
- SM Island Lodge Homestay (capacity 11) – First class/aircon – P1300/room
- Fernando Dierra Homestay (capacity 8) – P200/pax/day
- Faustina Cano Homestay (capacity 10) – P200/pax/day
- Maria Gordo Homestay (capacity 4) – P200/pax/day
- Levinda Lodge Homestay (capacity 15) – P200/pax/day
- Domnena Gaza Homestay (capacity 2) – P200/pax/day
Where to eat in Itbayat
Larez Carinderia in the town center is one of the few places you can eat out in Itbayat. Nanay Laura serves a variety of home cooked dishes and Ivatan specialties, with meals costing P200/each. Other eateries such as Danevelle’s Canteen, Jasser’s Canteen and Yvette’s Canteen are no longer operating (as of April 2014).
You can also arrange to have home-cooked meals delivered to your homestay every day from the Itbayat Caterer’s Cooperative for P200/meal. The meals I got usually consisted of rice, 2 viands and 1 vegetable or soup dish. The servings were pretty generous. One meal could have easily fed 2 people or could last the entire day.
If you’re going on a day hike, the caterers can pack meals for you in Tipoho leaves, so that it’s lighter to bring and you can just dispose of the leaves easily after eating. The rate of P200/meal may seem expensive at first glance, but you have to remember supplies on the island are limited especially if boats can’t make trips.
If you want to save some money, you can also buy canned goods or noodles as most homestays have their own kitchens where you can cook meals. Antas Family Enterprise (the convenience store on the ground floor of Levinda Lodge) has a wide selection of supplies. They are open Monday – Sunday 7:00 am – 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
What to buy in Itbayat
Most people in the town are farmers, and garlic is the main produce. While the bulbs are very small, they are really tasty. It’s worth buying strings of garlic to take home as useful souvenirs. The garlic sold in Basco comes from Itbayat.
You can also buy other Batanes souvenirs like Ivatan headdresses and baskets at Larez Carinderia and souvenir t-shirts, bags and hats at Larez Carinderia and the convenience store.
Travel tips & useful info
- According to locals, the best time to visit Itbayat is from the month of April to June and the coldest months are from November to March.
- Tourists, visitors and researchers are required to pay first their tourist fee (P90), which covers Torongan and View Deck, to the office of the Municipal Treasurer before visiting the sites.
- Bring warm clothing like jackets during the cold months: October to March.
- It is prohibited to gather/extract corals, orchids and other endangered flora and fauna.
- Wear light, comfortable clothes, shorts or jeans, rubber slippers or sandals during the tour. Tourists are advised to wear decent clothes.
- Electricity is from 6:00 am to 12:00 midnight. Voltage is 220 volts.
- Water is non-potable; mineral water is available for sale.
- You will need to hire different guides depending on your itinerary. The 4 accredited tour guides can take you to most of the sites around town, but you need a separate guide if you want to visit Rapang Cliffs & the Stone Bell.
- Smart and Globe communications are available for text and calls. No Wifi (that I know of) and poor 3G signal in Itbayat.
true. pagbaba pa lang ng boat adventure na! lalo na pag malakas ang alon at kailangan mo timing-an yung pagdikit ng boat sa pier sabay talon! buti na lang madami tagasalo 😀
oo nga pala, i forgot about the part that a batanes trip involves (or at least can involve) a lot of hiking. dapat pala physically fit ako pagbalik, he he. great guide!
Tga batanes ako but never been to itbayat. Thank you for this article, may iikutin ako pag umuwi ako, been wanting to go there since.
Thanks Rina. Na-enganyo na rin si Art pumunta Itbayat, minus his bike :p Next time daw. Better talaga kung group para makapag-island hopping pa. Still want to set foot on Yami.
Hi Olala. Enjoy your trip. At least mas marami na options ngayon to get to Itbayat from Basco. I heard it used to take locals up to 8 hours by boat if weather was bad.
Huwaw! Ang ganda! Rapang cliffs and Torongan cave are uber love… Never been to Batanes, and always been a bucket list. Sana makapunta ako soon…
Very informative. Thanks for sharing Kara 🙂
You’re welcome Gelai. Hope it encourages more people to visit Itbayat when they go to Batanes. It’s really worth the trip! Love your Bali pics, btw!
Wonderful article and photos! I’d like to go to Itbayat someday. Thanks for the helpful info. 🙂
Bucket list destination! Requires good timing talaga because of the weather.
Hi, Ms. Kara. Great article and the photos are absolutely beautiful! I’m an aspiring backpacker and photographer. If it’s okay to ask, what camera and setting did you use for these shots? Thank you!
Ask ko lang, may number ka po ng tour guide nyo dito sa Itbayat Island? Thanks!!
Hello Kaye. Please read the travel guide again. I included the number of the tour guide there under the “Getting Around” section.
Hi Paolo, sorry for the late reply and thanks for the kind words. I use a Canon EOS 600D with an 18- 135 mm lens. Settings vary, but mostly it’s f/10-f/11 for the landscape shots.
hangkul! wifey and I stayed there last year, Dec 2013 5days 4 nights. Pero hindi kami nakaabot ng Itbayat. Yan ang susunod na goal! 🙂
Hi Kara!
How many days did you allocate for Itbayat?
Thanks!
Hi Ferdinand, I stayed 2 days and 2 nights in Itbayat. You’ll need to allot more days if you plan to do island-hopping and visit the other caves. Here are some other Batanes posts.
Hi! 5 days po kami sa Batanes, yung 5th day pabalik na ng Manila. Tingin niyo po ba sa mga araw na yun kayang isama yung Itbayat Island?
Hi Mo, a trip to Itbayat might be too tight with your sked because boat trips are sometimes cancelled and there’s a possibility na ma-strand kayo sa island especially kung malakas ang alon. Meron din chartered plane, pero mas mahal. Hindi rin sulit ang 1 day lang (I spent 2 days there and kulang pa yun to visit the all the sights). I suggest you maximize North Batan, South Batan and Sabtang island. Just sked Sabtang Island trip on your 2nd day para siguradong makabalik yung boat 🙂
I am a native of Itbayat I enjoyed reading everything you wrote about the island. I have to admit that I have not been to most of the places that you had advertised for the tourists to visit. I would like to join the tour next time I go home. Sad to admit that I had traveled the world but had not been to most of the interesting places in the very island I was born, raised, earned my education and call home. It is humbling to read about how other people admire and appreciate the little things that the Itbayat natives have to offer. Thank you and I wish you the best in your future travels.
Nelda Garcia Terrado
A proud Itbayat native
hi! my mother is from marapuy, itbayat 🙂 yayo orbino-velayo. i was only a year old when she brought me to itbayat & i NEED to go back soon! thank you for the very detailed info about itbayat. btw, 2 of the homestays are owned by relatives! 🙂
God bless you more!
Hi! My mother is from Itbayat..how are you related to uncle Cres Garcia?…
Thank you Nelda for taking the time to leave a comment here. Visiting your beautiful hometown of Itbayat was a humbling experience. It’s one of the most unique places I’ve been to in the country and I consider myself lucky that I got to see the sights firsthand. Everyone was so welcoming on the island. Actually, I feel the same way whenever I read other peoples accounts about my hometown of Naga City in the Bicol region so I’ve been trying to explore more of my hometown whenever I get the chance. I hope that you get a chance to revisit your home island soon. 🙂
Hi Beverly, I must have met your relatives then! Mrs. Cano and Levinda were very accommodating. Really enjoyed going around Itbayat. It feels so different from other places in the country! Hope you get to go back and trace your roots there!
Hi Nerves, even if we stayed a week, parang bitin pa rin ang Batanes! Would love to go back.
hi everyone. does anybody know how far is basco port from basco airport? thanks guys.
Basco port (which has boats that go to Itbayat) is about 5-10 mins. away from Basco airport. You can walk or take a tricycle. The port that has boats going to Sabtang island is the one that’s located in Ivana, about 40 mins-1 hour away.
Hello, Kara! Thanks for this post. I travelled solo in Basco and Sabtang two years ago and will leave this May for Itbayat. My initial plan is to have a tour guide from Basco to guide me in Itbayat, but after reading, i am considering changing plans. I’m not into hiking. I just want to see the beauty of the place. Is one day/one night ok, or do i really have to make it two nights? Thanks!
Hi Elicec, a lot of the really beautiful sights in Itbayat require hiking and more time to get to. If you stay one night, you can still easily walk around the town proper, then hire a trike to visit the view deck and different ports including Paganaman Port and the Small Lagoon. The rest of the attractions I visited require walking.
Which one do you think is worth going to more, sabtang or itbayat? I have five full days (th-t) there this coming june but the sunday no boat trip is forcing me to choose between the two. Which one is more costly too?
Hi Dee, both islands have their own unique charm, though Itbayat is more rugged. Most tourists opt to visit Sabtang, because you can go there on a day trip. Here’s what you can expect from Sabtang. Itbayat’s a bit more expensive and you’ll have to stay overnight at least if you go around to the different sites. Whatever the case, plan your island visit on the 2nd day of your 5-day trip so you have some leeway in case boat trips get cancelled.
Hello, ano pong month maganda pumunta sa batanes? Mahina lang po ba alon ng mga February?
Hi Rachel, Batanes gets most visitors from February to June, because weather is usually sunny and seas are calm. Weather is more unpredictable from July to January.
Hello, Kara! I made it! I stayed there last June 6 t0 8, 2015 at Mother Cano’s lodging. I am the only tourist who roamed around the place (except for the two foreigners making some research of the place.) during that time. I watched the sunrise by the viewdeck while sipping coffee and eating pan de sal with my guide on the second day, (the other guides find it ok daw pala), joyride in the afternoon and short talks with the locals, and went to Rapang on the third day. Kuya Jason and Kuya Pepe are my guides there. :-).
I got sad nang konti lang after, kasi I left my camera along the road, after Rapang, and not so sure lang where ko nai-drop and I left Itbayat without it. But the guides promised me they will do their best to find it and return it to me. But still, I will go back there pa rin to visit the the other islands and see the people of Itbayat again. I told them, ulitin ko nalang ang adventure. 🙂
Thank you so much! 🙂
Hi Elicec. Glad you were able to visit especially Rapang Cliffs, even though you mentioned you’re not into hiking. The view there is just superb. It’s such a different experience, visiting a place when there are no other tourists around. It just feels so raw and authentic. A lot of places feel so commercialized, but Itbayat is one of those rare, special places where everything is just so pure. Sorry to hear about your camera though, but hopefully you’ll get it back. That reminds me, when we were in the mainland of Batan, my husband accidentally left his biking gloves at the lodge we were staying, but somehow the owners managed to mail it back to us by LBC. Sobrang bait ng mga tao diyan. 🙂
Elicec, I remember kuya Pepe mentioned about your camera lost in Itbayat. Sayang naman. We were the group of tourist who came the day after you left. Kuya Pepe says hi, and he says he’ll try his best to retrieve the camera, or even the memory card.
The charterer / contractor of the Valanga Port is also looking for the camera, since the community is small – the search is still ongoing.
I do hope they find it soonest. Sayang naman kasi ang documentation. 🙂
-Ella
http://www.twitter.com/mariaellabetos
Nice to hear that, Ella! Kuya Pepe and I had a great time sa aming Rapang Adventure. We had Itbayaten lessons while walking and he enjoyed taking picture of my buwis-buhay stunts! Kaya sobrang nakakahinayang talaga if hindi na makikita yung camera.. Anyway, I don’t want to spoil my Itbayat memories naman because of that. I have few pictures on my phone naman.
Hope you enjoyed din your Itbayat trip kahit one day lang (kuya Pepe told me you did not try Rapang Cliffs daw eh.. 🙂 )
Thank you very much for this guide! The Batanes Islands have been in our travel target, and this blog post will be very helpful in planning out our trip.
There’s a place in Itbayat in Rapang Cliffs that I thought would be great for rock climbing. No one has tried climbing it yet, according to the guide when I went there. You guys might want to check it out. 🙂
Mga ilang araw po ang need iispent na malibot lahat yung itbayat at sabtang?
Most people just do a day trip sa Sabtang, pero pwede rin mag overnight para mas makaikot. Sa Itbayat, I stayed 2 nights.
Hello, Kara! An update on my lost camera.
Somebody found it and gave it to Kuya Pepe. Kuya Pepe then asked a guest from Manila to personally hand it to me. 🙂 So thankful to these people.. 🙂
Sige po. Salamat. 🙂
Been searching for Itbayat blogs and glad I stumbled upon yours!! 🙂 I’ll be in Batanes for a week in late October and planning to go to Itbayat right away since nga the alon.
I dunno but shed super tears reading your replies. I just can’t wait for my trip and experience everything I’ve been reading from solo travellers who’ve been there. I want to feel everything myself.
PS. Please pray with me for the “sunniest days” and calm seas on those days!!!
And hope to cross paths with you one day! <3
Hi Elicec! Wow, glad you got reunited with your camera and treasured memories from the trip. Ang galing naman! That kind of thing rarely happens here in Manila.
Hello! Can I ask how long did you stayed at Itbayat, Batanes? And in Batan? How long was your total Batanes adventure? I’m currently planning for an adventure to Batanes in mid of 2016 and right now, waiting for a seat sale. This would be my first solo travel ever and I am having mixed emotions towards my planning. Hahaha. And oh, would it be alright if you can send to me or post here your total expenses for the Itbayat tour alone. Everything that you may share would surely be a great help for me in planning my trip. Thank you!!
Hi Broke Traveller. I went to Itbayat on my 2nd trip to Batanes and stayed there for 2 nights while I stayed in Batan for 4 nights (total 6 nights). On my first trip (3 days only), I went to Sabtang Island on a day trip.
Itbayat total expenses:
– Boat fare from Batan to Itbayat & back: P450 one way x 2 = P900
– 2 nights stay in Levinda Lodge: P200/night x 2 = P400
– Tricycle day tour: P2000/trike (split with another traveler) = P1000
– Hiking day tour: P1000/guide fee (split with another traveler) = P500
– Meals: P200/meal x 6 meals (2 days) = P1200
TOTAL EXPENSES: P4000 for 2 days. This doesn’t include souvenirs and other miscellaneous expenses. You can lessen costs slightly by buying food yourself and cooking, but since the island rarely gets tourists and its their alternative source of income, I suggest you pay for it. Here are all of my posts on Batanes, which might help you plan your trip.
I recommend you check out this useful Batanes guide from Ironwulf as well.
I hope I can visit Itbayat also, I have been to Basco and Sabtang and I really love that place.
I have been to the main islands of Batanes (the most beautiful place in my opinion) except Itbayat, and been wanting to go back and visit that island… Great article, it enticed me to really go there, hopefully in June 🙂
Thanks Kristin. I got to visit Itbayat during my 2nd trip to Batanes since time was too limited during my first trip. It’s really one of the most amazing places I’ve been to in the Philippines. Hope you get to experience it for yourself!
Hi! Thanks for sharing this info… BATANES is one of my dream destinations sa Pinas. Ask ko lang po kung kailangan po best time to travel to Batanes? Thank you!
Hi Prim Rose, March is considered the best time to travel to Batanes in terms of clear weather. This particular trip was near the end of April. The first time I went (Batan and Sabtang only), it was end of January and the weather was cooler then.
hi, i’m planing to go to itbayat on april 10 with my friends i just want to ask if the lodging rates are updated?
Hi Patrick. My visit to Itbayat was in 2014, so I can’t be sure. I suggest you inquire directly with the lodges since I included their contact info in the post.
thank you for this! this will surely help me on my trip to batanes on september. i will bookmark this.
Hi Trekero, enjoy your trip to Batanes! 🙂
huwag kana pumunta sa itbayat malalaki ang alon
hi there! I enjoyed your article about Itbayat! Been thinking of other places to go to besides the famous ones in Batanes since we are planning to have our honeymoon in there preferably in January 9-14, 2017. I was thinking if the weather is fine by then if we plan to go to Sabtang and Itbayat? We are thinking of going to Itbayat on January 11 then probably stay for a night there, then leave for Basco the next day. Does that sound okay? Thank you! 🙂
Wow!! Amazing Batanes 🙂 Certified bucketlist!! I was planning to go with my husband this end of December2016. I’m just having second thoughts co’z it would be better and much cheaper to go in groups..right? ANYONE?? heheh Also, I’m worried about the weather and if we can survive the hike..waaaaa! It would be our first trip together as couple..or even as single..lols! Super thanks Kara for the awesome info ^o^ Yosh!
We are set to go to Batanes on Aug. 29 – Sept 5 and we feel like not going to Itbayat when we have that much time is a waste. However, the trip was scheduled before we knew that I am pregnant. I’m now 4 months in. Do you think it’s still advisable for us to go to Itbayat given my condition? Thanks!
Hi Kara! How many nights did you stay there in Itbayat? How much is the guide for the Rapang Cliff?
Hi Ronnie. I stayed in Itbayat 2 nights, while I stayed in the main Batan island for 4 nights (total 6 nights for the whole trip). The Guide fee for Rapang Cliff was P1000/day (no matter the size of the group). I split the fee with another solo traveler.
Hi Pauline. I’m sure the locals travel when they’re pregnant and have no problem going from island to island. But to be honest, for those not used to it, the boat ride can be pretty rocky and even getting off from the boat to the port might be problematic if you’re pregnant. You need to jump from the boat. Roads are pretty rough and steep and getting to the good sights requires a LOT of hiking. Please refer to the photos. I guess it depends on the type of activities you want to do. Are you willing to ride a motorcycle or tricycle over really steep, rough roads in your condition? Since your trip is long, maybe you can stay 2 nights in Sabtang Island instead. The beach there is very nice, sights are accessible from the road and you can just relax. Then spend the rest of the days in North and South Batan.
Good evening,
How far is the Basco Batanes to Itbayat? What is the transportation going there? Can we go back to Basco in the afternoon?
Thank you
Mira
Hi Mira. Please read my article again. That information is under the “How to Get There” Section. No, you can’t go back to Basco the same afternoon because of the boat schedules. Technically, you could but you’d have to charter a private plane.
I have been to Itbayat, I stayed there dec.31 and welcome the new year there with my 13 year old son and my husband.We experienced the very rough 4 hours sea travel but its nothing compared to the beauty of Itbayat as well as the locals. I still want to go back.
Hello! I like your blog. Anyway, can you recommend a cheap stay in Basco?
Hello Joan, please read my other travel guide that covers the whole Batanes. https://www.traveling-up.com/travel-guide-batanes/
Hi Kara,
I love your post about Itabayat, Batanes. Congratulations! Very informative and useful for investors and grant agencies.
Got my two way air ticket via Cebu Pacific for March 26~28, 2018 visit.
Please advise :
1. Have you visited Itbayat (between 2015~2018)? Any changes on rates for guides, tricycles, homestays, etc.
2. Do you have office addresses , contact persons and phones of Mayor, LGU’s and NGO’s operating in the area?
Thank you and hoping to personally meet you and discuss helpful matters for Itabyat residents.
Cheers,
Lloyd
Hi Lloyd. You’re welcome. I revisited Batanes in 2016 but was not able to go to Itbayat again (just Sabtang and Batan island), so this is the latest first-hand information I have. I guess the best person to contact is Nanay Faustina Cano, who works in tourism there and can probably put you in touch with other officials. You can get in touch with her at 0919-3004787 or through the FB Page: Cano’s Lodging Services
Hi Kara,
Thanks for your honest advise and prompt response.
Got confirmed lodging with Nanay Cano. Rates now are Php300/day and meals at Php250.
Also got Mayor’s CP number and requested appointment.
More power to you, take care always.
Cheers,
Lloyd
Hi Lloyd. I hope you have a fruitful trip to Itbayat. Regards to Nanay Cano.
Hi Kara, I am wondering kung pwede ba mag camping anywhere in Batanes?
Hi Aiza, there are areas in Sabtang Island that might be good for camping. The area of Twin Heart Hometel has a wide beach area where you could probably set up tents. Not sure about the fees or it’s allowed, but you can ask them directly. Contact info is in the post.
Hi maam kara.. Okay lng poh ba irepost mga kuha mong pictures nang itbayat? Pati narin yung articles… Detalyado poh lahat.. For guest purpose poh. Bale isa narin poh ako sa local tourguide ngayon nang itbayat kya gusto ko rin poh ipromote ang lugar namin.. Thank you for promoting itbayat batanes. God bless you.
Ganda talaga ng Batanes sana hindi nasira ng lindol. But knowing the locals makakabangon after the tragedy. Thank you mam sa informative na article. Hope I can also visit the place. God bless.
Hoping for their swift recovery too. Thanks, Rogel.
Hi Ms K. We will be visiting batanes on Dec. Could it be a great timing to visit Itbayat ?? Thanks for the feedback. Take care😊
Hi Pam. Peak season for Batanes is March to June and October to February. I think there are larger boats now going to Itbayat so travel is a little bit safer. It really depends on the weather though. As long as you don’t get hit by a typhoon, I think December should be fine.
Hi Kara,
Thank you for your blog on Batanes. I learned a lot from it.
I am thinking of going to Batanes in May 2024 with my family. This will be a first time trip to Batanes. I would like to know, based on your previous trips there, if the boat ride from Basco to Itbayat has been shortened due to improved and larger engines and boats. I noticed from the photos that the passengers of the faluwa vessel don’t wear life jackets. Is the wearing of life jacket not required by the Coast Guard?
Thank you.