Where the Pacific merges with the South China Sea, you will find Batanes, the northernmost part of the Philippines and definitely one of those places you should say "YES" to. Batanes is a special place, nature meets nurture while everything is fresh, green, smelling with a hint of sea salt.

A perfect summer vacation place, Batanes offers wonders that can be found on other places in the country, but two folds better. For instance, this place is the smallest province in the Philippine islands, making it a tranquil and serene place to visit.

And this fact translates well to the community atmosphere that is Batanes. The province prides itself to have a zero crime rating. The local radio station serves as a central lost and found meeting point; tourists come here to report incidents and locals take items they have found here. Batanes is famous for its "Honesty Store", an unmanned store open to the public and guarded by a boxful of money. Purchasers are told by a simple note to get and pay for what items they wish to buy. Get your change honestly. This is just one of the charms of this small and quaint countryside. In addition to that, imagine no traffic jams or pollutions!

Batanes offers up nature in different ways. In the isolated island of Sabtang, pristine beaches and quiet resort spots are always perfect for a shoot, such is the beauty of the shores. One second may offer you lush scenes and forest but the bend will show you coves and beaches of white and blue. Batanes lends itself well to the enjoyment of hikers, campers and outdoorsmen who wants to end the day with a dip on the clear blue waters of the beach.

Pasture and farm lands can also be found here, most of them overlooking the Pacific ocean. Rocky formations and mountains also litter the area, making it a perfect hiking trip. The famous Rada Tukon rest atop a hillside, with a perfect 360 degree view of the island of Batanes.

Batanes also has its share of burial caves. The northern provinces of the Luzon island had the ancient custom of interring their dead in cold caves, and Batanes has a part of this cultural practice. In the town of Itbayat, pre-historical burial caves are regarded as chief places of interest.

Historic churches over 200 years old are a must see in the province. They hold a special charm with thick walls made of lime and stone. They tell of a different story when Spaniards traveled far and wide just to teach the Ivatans and other locals of Batanes their religion.

Like the local Ivatan houses, churches are built with thick walls, about more than an arm's length in width. This is so that they can withstand the occasional monsoons. This unique feature also makes the interior cooler at day and warmer at nights. People here do not lock doors. This is the kind of trusting community atmosphere they have here. They are not materialistic. In fact, if there is something that one needs, all he has to do is go in the house and he may borrow something.

Enjoy the festivities here, the fiesta, the beaches, the seafood, the produce and the local sugarcane wine- palek. Batanes is a quaint weathered island the may very well own the name of Tropical Paradise to the North.

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Batanes is a place that is hard to forget, a place so mesmerizing that going back home would be difficult. With its captivating beauty and magnificence Batanes is truly a feast for the senses. In Batanes, there is always that feeling of calmness and relaxation and the comforting fact that it is a place where time is not important and everything stands still. Need to get away from the world for a while? Batanes is your place.

Location
The Batanes Islands lie at the northernmost tip of the Philippines, where the Pacific Ocean merges with the South China Sea. Batanes is the smallest province in terms of population and land area, and is composed of three major islands: Batan, which contains the capital town of Basco; Sabtang, and Itbayat.

Best Times to Go
December to May are the best times to visit Batanes. It does rain most months of the year though, so be prepared with your rain gear.

Batanes Attractions
Whether you want to see the natural wonders or explore bits of religious history, Batanes has these sites to offer even the most discerning tourist.

Natural Sites

Sabtang Island
This island southwest of Batan Island remains undisturbed and unspoiled. It has intermittent white sand beaches, steep mountains, and deep canyons with small level areas sporadically found along the coastline, accessible by falowa (an oval-shaped motorized passenger boat without the outrigger) from Radiwan Port in Ivana. This island is also the take-off point for Ivuhos Island from Barangay Nakanmuan.

Itbayat Island
Located north of Batan Island, it is surrounded by massive boulders and cliffs rising 20-70 feet above sea level and has no shoreline. It has a dirt airstrip for light aircraft. Ferries also run the Batan-Itbayat route, with a travel time of about four hours by falowa from the Basco Seaport. Light planes fly from Basco Airport to Itbayat in 12-minute trips at PhP700.00 per person.

Batan Island
Batan Island is the most populated of all the islands in the province, and is also where the center of commerce and seat of the provincial government lie.

Mount Iraya
A dormant volcano standing at 1,517 meters whose last eruption was recorded in 505 AD. This peak is ideal for mountaineering, trekking, and trailblazing. It is located walking distance from Basco and can be climbed to the top in about three hours.

Mavudis Island
Mavudis is the northernmost island of Batanes. Coconut crabs (called "Tatus" by the locals) are bountiful on this island, which is surrounded by rich marine life. Chawa Cave Chawa is believed to be an enchanted cave. It has a natural salt bed and a mouth that opens to the South China Sea, which is also is accessible through the boulders of Chawa Point in Mahatao. This cave lies about 4 kilometers from Basco.

White Beach
As testament to the province's natural beauty, this white beautiful white beach can be found in Vatang Hapnit and Mavatuy Point at Mahatao.

Bird Watching at Cuyab
Observe the migratory birds from China that flock the islands in search of a warmer climate every October.

Religious Sites

San Jose Church (Ivana)
Built in 1814 (although its foundation dates back to 1795), this church is truly unique among all the old churches in Batanes as it is the only one not built in the espadana style of the day. It has a crenellated fortress-like campanile or belltower that gives the appearance of a fortification. San Jose Church fronts the Ivana Seaport and offers a commanding view of the sea and surrounding countryside due to its elevation. It is 14 kilometers from Basco.

San Carlos Borromeo Church & Convent (Mahatao)
Founded in 1789 and built in 1873, it has a facade modeled after that of Basco Cathedral, with two round arches at roof level for the bells. On its outer walls are massive buttresses that used to serve as stairways to the roof - a thing of convenience in the olden days when frequent repairs had to be made to the cogon grass roofing. The church still retains its centuries-old features. Located six kilometers from Basco. Church of Sto. Domingo de Basco (Basco Cathedral) Established in 1783, it is the oldest and most important church in Batanes. To give the facade stability and strength against earthquakes and typhoon winds, the church walls were buttressed with massive pilasters from foundation to top. The church is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, patroness of Batanes.

San Vicente Ferrer Church (Sabtang Island)
Another church modeled after the one in Basco. Following an unfortunate incident in 1790, when Spanish emissaries sent to procure goods from the parish were killed by some natives, the people of Sabtang were forcibly resettled across the channel to Ivana and not allowed to return until 1844 when the foundations of the present church were laid.

Other Attractions

Kanyuyan Beach & Port (Baluarte Bay, Basco). The port of call of the cargo ships bringing goods from Manila.

Sitio Jura at Racujaide The fishermens village at Mananoy Bay. Fishing season is marked by a festival in mid-March called Payvanuvanuan during which visitors are treated with fresh fish delicacies from the Pacific Ocean. Within the area is the legendary spring of Youth and a living cave with crystal limestone formations. Mananoy Bay is nine kilometers from Basco proper.

Batanes Day (June 26) Marked with playground demonstrations, parades, the Palu-palo Festival, and other cultural events.

Feast of Three Kings (January 6) On this day, the image of the Sto. Nino (Holy Child) is venerated in every home in Batanes.

Ruins of Songsong A ghost barangay which is really a cluster of roofless shells of old stone houses abandoned after a tidal wave that hit the island of Batan in the 1950s. The area has a long stretch of beach. Located 23 kilometers from Basco.

Radiwan Point Located at Ivana Seaport, this is the landing site of the Katipuneros on September 18, 1898, thus making it a very historical location. The falowas plying the islands of Sabtang and Itbayat are also stationed here.

Other Places of interest in Batanes:
● House of Dakay (1887) a UNESCO heritage building.
● Lighthouses of Batanes
● St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Cathedral
● Mt. Iraya - A 1008-meter mountain on Batan Island.
● Mahatao View Deck
● Burial Caves - Pre-historic burial caves in the town of Itbayat.
● Sumhao Wind Power Plant
● Nakaboang Beach, Ark & Cave
● Beaches - Chadpidan Beach, White Beach and more.
● Payaman - known as "Marlboro Country", a pasture overlooking farm fields & the Pacific Ocean.

Accommodations in Batanes With the emergent interest in this part of the country, regular visitors to Batanes have witnessed a marked improvement in the available accommodations. There are also additional places to stay, which goes to saying that Batanes has truly emerged as a top Philippine destination. Most travelers to Batanes stay in pension- or lodge-type accommodations which are plentiful in the area. These places are very inexpensive, clean, well-maintained, and are near the top attractions of the area. Most of these pension houses are even installing wi-fi for their tech-savvy lodgers. More luxurious accommodations are also available, as Batanes aims to cater to every type of tourist and vacationer.

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Liee Lozano works for LocalPhilippines, the most comprehensive online directory of Philippine destinations, events, and attractions. The aim of LocalPhilippines is to take you to over 7,107 destinations, which will give you that WOW experience only the Philippines and Filipinos can give.