Why visit Batad, Banaue
Want to see the finest and grandest rice terraces in all of the Philippines? Then, skip Banaue, and head right straight to the laid-back and scenic village of Batad. As great and eye-catching as the Banaue Rice Terraces are, this national cultural treasure isn’t as serene and breathtaking as Batad’s man-made wonder.
Don’t get us wrong – the famed Banaue Rice Terraces are still a must-see sight, but Batad’s gorgeous marvel is more dramatic and spectacular since it’s not riddled with modern-day structures. Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, the Batad Rice Terraces inspire awe, evoke a sense of peace and serenity, and offer phenomenal views like no other in the Ifugao region.
What’s more, Batad, with its limited mobile and internet connection, offers you a taste of the idyllic life. Being there truly lets you disconnect from the bustling digital world. And did we mention that it has a few other stunning attractions that will put you in a state of pure bliss?
Photo credit: Flickr/Batad/Beyond Neon/CC-BY
How to get to Batad from Manila
Option 1From Manila, hop on a bus bound to Banaue. Ohayami Bus in Sampaloc, Manila (near University of Santo Thomas) has a couple of trips per day to Banaue at 9:00 and 10:00 PM. Fare is 470 PHP, and travel time is about 9 hours. Try to get there as early as you can since these buses get full quickly. Also, we recommend that buy your ticket in advance, especially if you’re going during holidays and weekends.
Option 2Alternatively, you may also take the 9:30 PM bus ride to Kiangan/Lagawa. From Lagawa, take a jeepney ride to Banaue. Fare is 30 PHP, and travel time is around 30 minutes.
Option 3 The GV Florida also has a deluxe bus trip, with a toilet inside, to Banaue at 10:45 PM every day. Fare is 530 PHP, and travel time is 7 to 8 hours.
Upon your arrival at Banaue town proper, go to the Banaue tourism office, register, and pay 20 PHP for the environmental fee. Afterwards, charter a jeepney for 1,500 PHP (good for 20 people) or a tricycle for 150 PHP (good for 3 people) to the Batad Saddle Point. Once there, hire a guide (1,400 PHP) that will take you’re the Batad Rice Terraces.
_Photo credit: Flickr/Brightly coloured jeepney/Madeleine Deaton/CC-BY_
Bus schedules
Ohayami Trans Address: Corner J. Fajardo AH Lacson, Sampaloc, ManilaContact numbers: (02) 5160 501 or 0917 560 0917
Manila
| Departure time | Bus route |
|---|---|
| 9:00 PM | Manila to Banaue |
| 9:30 PM | Manila to Kiangan/Lagawe |
| 10:00 PM | Manila to Banaue |
Banaue
| Departure time | Bus route |
|---|---|
| 6:30 PM | Banaue to Manila |
| 7:00 PM | Banaue to Manila |
| 5:30 PM | Banaue to Baguio |
GV FloridaAddress: Sampaloc, Manila, Metro ManilaContact number: 0922 871 4934
| Departure time | Bus route |
|---|---|
| 10:45 PM | Manila to Banaue |
Photo credit: Flickr/ohayami bus terminal/Roslyn/CC-BY
How to get around Batad
Batad is literally a mountainous village, and there’s no motorized vehicles to be found here. Of course, this means that you must get around Batad on foot. Also, it means that you are going to enjoy a delightful and relaxing respite from the ubiquitous jeepneys and tricycles in the Philippines.
How to get back to Banaue town proper
To get back from Batad Village to Banaue, you have to take a 3-kilometer trek to the saddle, so you can catch the public jeep that normally leaves at 9:00 am every day. If you miss the jeepney, take another 3-kilometer trek to the Batad Junction, and hop on a jeepney or tricycle to the town.
Where to eat and stay
There are no ritzy resorts or hotels in Batad, and accommodations are limited to native huts, inns, and lodges. As for the range of prices you can expect, a single fan room in Batad only costs 200 PHP per person a night. You may also stay in a native Ifugao hut that costs as low as 250 PHP a night per person.
Dining won’t be a problem either since most lodges and inns in Batad, Banaue have their own restaurants. There are plenty of inns and lodges in the tranquil village to accommodate visitors, meaning you can find a good place to stay here without advance reservations. If, however, you are visiting during its peak season (summer), it’s highly recommended that you reserve a room in advance.
Recommended places to stay in Batad with their contact numbers
• Ramon Native Homestay: 0916 984 8380• Batad Pension and Restaurant : 0918 964 3368• Cristina Inn: 0906 977 3771• Foreigner’s Inn: 0905 397 2317• Hillside Inn and Restaurant: 0927 761 6176• Batad View Inn and Restaurant: 0916 984 8380• Batad Top View Point and Restaurant: 0935 130 2911
Things to do in Batad
• Trek to Awa View Deck, and enjoy mesmerizing bird’s eye views of the rice terraces• Hike to Tappiya Falls• Walk around the picturesque Batad rice terraces• Hike to Tappiya Falls• Sample their native rice wine• Indulge on traditional delicacies like the pinikpikan• Appreciate culture and nature
Sample Batad travel itinerary
Day 1 7:00 AM – Arrival/Breakfast/Buy return tickets to Manila8:00 AM – Register at Banaue tourism office8:30 AM – Ride to jeep/tricycle to Batad saddle point10:00 AM – Arrive at saddle point10:05 AM – Hike to Batad proper12:00 PM – Arrive in Batad/check in/lunch/freshen up1:00 PM – Hike to Tappiya Falls3:30 PM – Go back to Batad proper7:30 PM – Dinner and lights out
Day 27:30 AM – Breakfast/Check out8: 00 AM – Hike to Awa Viewdeck1:00 PM – Lunch2:00 PM – Trek back to the saddle3:30 PM – Hire a tricycle or jeep back to Banaue town proper. Once there, you can either head back to Manila, explore Banaue, or go to another destination like Baguio, Sagada or Bontoc.
_Photo credit: Flickr/Loved the reflections/Madeleine Deaton/CC-BY_
Batad travel budget breakdown
• Bus fares (back and forth) – 940 PHP• Environmental fee – 20 PHP• Tricycle (round trip) – 300 PHP• Fee for a local guide – 1,400 PHP• Overnight accommodations – 250 PHP• Meals – 1,200 PHP
Approximate grand total cost – 4,110 PHP (price will be a bit cheaper if you have a couple of buddies tagging along)
Photo credit: Flickr/Batad Rice Terraces/Beyond Neon/CC-BY
Batad, Banaue insider travel tips
• Respect their culture• Wear the appropriate trekking clothes• Don’t collect soil and plants as your souvenirs• Bring extra cash since there are no ATM machines in Batad (there’s one in Banaue town proper)• No establishment in Batad accepts debit or credit cards as well as traveler’s check• May is the best time to visit Bata, when the rice terraces are its greenest
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