The volcanic islands of Batanes located at the northernmost part of the Philippines, dubbed as the last frontier of the country, attracts local and foreign tourists due to the islands unique, pristine, and rugged landscape as well as the hospitality of the Ivatans.
Due to its distance, trading of goods are difficult which make costs high. Still, you can visit this province on a low budget and I’ll tell you how in this article.
Batanes on a budget? Explore by bike!
Get there on the cheap
Batanes is accessible by air and sea. By air via the Basco Airport and Itbayat Airport and by sea via Basco port and Chinapoliran Port.
By air from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), PAL Express is usually the cheapest. The affiliate carrier of Philippine Airlines flies thrice weekly service to Basco, Batanes using a 76-seater Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft from NAIA Terminal 3 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday morning. They sell fares for as low as 1,800 Php.
Air Republiq, Northskyair, SkyJet, and Sky Pasada also serves Basco, you may want to compare prices before booking.
Sleep comfortably on a cheap accommodation
Crisan Lodge – 300 per person per night
Marfel’s Lodge – 350 per person per night, call or text Ate Fe at +63908893475
Shanedel’s Inn and Cafe – 450 per person per night
Eat cheap food
SDCBI Canteen and Store Department – each meal around 40 to 70 Php. I love their desserts!
6to8 Panicteria – pancit for less than 50 Php. Along National Road near Shanedel’s Inn and Cafe.
Along National Road near Shanedel’s Inn and Cafe is a barbeque and hotdog stand, each for 10 Php. Also along the National Road are several carinderias and a tapsilogan near Rizal Park for around Php 70.
If you’re really going to explore Batanes on a tight budget, you may want to walk along Abad Street and look for home cooked meals (usually grilled fish and local Pinoy dishes) for 70 Php or less.
Cheap way to explore Batanes
Bike – rent a bike for 20 to 40 Php per hour.
Motorcycle – 100 to 200 Php per hour or per destination
Or enjoy these free activities
Walk around Basco
Sleep in Vayang Rolling Hills
Picnic by the beach
See the sun as it sets to the sea in Naidi Hills
Go inside the Dipnaysupuan Japanese Secret Tunnels
See the boulder beach in Valugan Bay
Visit Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge
How cheap can you spend on a day
You can get a room, three meals, and a beer all for less than 1,000 Php in Batanes.