2020 Breathtaking South Batan Tour | Top Places to Visit

We’ve been thought first with the locals that we should first take a glance at Batanes in the northern part before going for a South Batan Tour. Why? Simple answer, they say the South is much more beautiful. But two days have gone since we set our foot into Batanes Island and here we are, still in awe by the beautiful scenery we saw in the northern part of Batan Island. 

I was thinking hard, North Batan is already impressive but they claimed that the South is much much more than that, I wonder how beautiful it can be? Then the third day came and a few seconds after South Batan welcomed us, my mind came to a conclusion “I couldn’t agree more, South Batan is perfectly beautiful!”

Don’t get me wrong, both the North and South have their own definition and way of presenting their beautiful scenery. For me, the north one shows its own unique beauty through the historic events that took place in it while the South shows a visual representation of what Batanes is. But I know that every place in Batanes is more than just being beautiful. 

Now I want to get moving and show you the majestic places to visit in South Batan. Including all the things you need to know whether you go on your own or hire your own local tourist. South Batan has a lot of tourist spots to offer thus I am going to give you actionable tips on how can your itinerary goes on during this tour.

Make sure you check our Complete Batanes Travel Guide first to get you started before moving on in this comprehensive guide in South Batan.
Check it Here: 2020 BATANES TRAVEL GUIDE: MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR VACATION

How to get started with South Batan Tour?

There are different ways you can tour around the South Batan, it mostly depends on your pacing or maybe how adventurous you are. During our trip, we actually saw one foreigner tourist that is actually touring around Batanes with her foot! Yes you heard that right, she’s exploring the town by walking, so yeah that proves you can wander the island around with the method that you want and of course depending on how much time you got.

But I am only going to share with you the most common way.

Tricycle or Kugon Tour with Certified Local Tourists

There are actually two types of tricycle in Batanes, the ordinary one(the one we always know) and the so-called Kugon. What is the difference?
Ordinary – this is the common transportation being used by the locals or can be by us also if you just want a single point-to-point ride.
Kugon – this vehicle is specially designed for tours. The architecture behind it seems to make every tourist enjoy the majestic view of Batanes Island while they are hitting off the road.

For point-to-point destination, I suggest for hailing the ordinary tricycle. But in order to do that, you need to send a text message to BATODA or MATODA (depends on what part of Batanes you are). Those ordinary tricycle is being regulated by the government operators so you need to contact them and tell your location to hail a ride.

Here are the contact numbers:
BATODA (for Basco) – 09297038404/ 09152091060
MATODA (for Mahatao) – 09392883709

South Batan Tour with Kugon costs P 1500 pesos and it can carry a maximum of 3 tourists which is actually worth it for me. Not just that, because your Kugon driver will also be your tour guide along with all the iconic spots in the South. What I like about getting the Kugon tour was the local guide as they are really great at explaining the history of every place plus they are also a good photographer (they know what angle to get and they even suggest different poses!).

Local guides in Batanes are certified, they did undergone training before they can tour the guests. I highly recommend that you can even give them little tip because having them around is totally worth it.

Rent your own Motor or Bicycle

Another way to get around the South Batan is by motorcycle and I’m sure this is most common for some tourists as they wanted to explore around on their own. Touring the South with your rented motor couldn’t be any easier, in fact, the whole island of Batan is very easy to navigate so there is no way you could get lost. Just how simple the Ivatans are, same with their roads and navigation so it is even easy for first-timers to go around with yourselves.

Motor Rental can costs around P 1000 to P 1500 per day and yes it is somehow pricey. But the thing is, you have your own time and can go at your own pace. I suggest you look around the Basco town because there are rental stores that only offer the per hour rates of P 150. While there are someplace you can actually rent the motor for P 1000 per day so make sure to be attentive looking around if you want to get cheaper motor rent price.

Just a little tip, if you came from Basco and rent a motor from there, please don’t forget the helmet. Having the helmet is required if you travel from town to town.

Another method is the through a bike, same with motor you can tour at your own pace but make sure you have a lot of stamina. The elevated at curvy roads can actually drain your energy all throughout. Renting a bike costs around P 400 to P 1000, again make sure to look around.

Places to Visit in South Batan

The highlight of this guide is now up by showing you the most anticipated places to visit during the South Batan Tour. There are some places in the South that you may opt to visit in the other day separately, I’m going to show that to you later on but for now let me guide you on what you can visit if you only have a day to explore the South Batan.

Chawa View Deck

The first stop of the day is the Chawa View Deck with a very stunning view to start our South Batan tour. The Chawa view deck has this little grotto at the Top where you can sit, relax, and enjoy the view. You can also take a hundred steps down to see a small coast at the bottom.

Tayid Light House

As you all know, Batanes is full of lighthouse and one of their famous lighthouse in town is the Tayid. The architecture of the lighthouse is a little bit different because of it’s hexagonal body shape.
The lighthouse also have their little souvenir shop, honesty is the best policy here as well, you just be honest and put your payments on the respective box!

• 

• 

Rakuh-A-Payaman a.k.a. Marlboro Hills

This is one of the highlights and remarkable tourist spots in Batanes and surely you’ll take more time to spend on this spot. It is vast pastureland of the Mahatao, Batanes where you can only see hills enveloped with lushes of green grass. This place is definitely relaxing and amazing just by seeing wide green hilly scenes blended with the sea plus the view of Mt. Iraya.

I am pretty sure you don’t want to leave this paradise once you’ve set your foot in this ultra-greenish land of Batanes. This place definitely captures my heart all throughout the trip!

So what am I saying again that the local guides are indeed great at taking pictures. See the panoramic shot of our tour guide, Kuya Christian took. He is actually the one who suggested this one and the outcome is great!

• 

Alapad Rock Formation

What other scenic views can South Batan offer? The Alapad Rock Formation! You’ll just gonna get amazed at how this rocks formed right? You can also find here the famous Blow UR Horn in Town, you see that Batanes have a lot of this yellow signage because of the sharp curves they have, but this one sets the record of being famous by sitting near the Alapad Rock formation.

Taking a shot here couldn’t get any trendier with the beautiful rocks at the backdrop! Now make your jump shot and photo op at the Blow UR Horn Sign.

• 

• 

Lunch at Nanay Ching’s

You’ve been through a lot, I know! So it is time for your stomach to get filled and our tour guide suggest the Nanay Ching’s Restaurant. We had a full course of local meal for only 300php per head! The food is already set and they serve different meal sets per day.

I’m loving also the theme of the restaurant as I am a garden-loving type of girl.

• 

• 

Muchong Viewpoint

This place, the so-called Muchong or Motchong View Point, is an amazing spot in South Batan as you get 3-in-1 view, a beach, a hills and stunning rock formations! If you can’t get enough of the Marlboro Hills a while ago, a mini re-enactment of the scene can took place here plus majestic view of the beach.

There are also a lot of beautiful rocks formed at the far end of the hills which serves as the photographic scene many tourist enjoys. So our tour guide has another idea again and took this exhilarating photoshoot that looks like a pre-nup picture.

• 

• 

• 

Honesty Store

One of our favorite stops in the South Batan tour is getting here in the famous Honesty Coffe Shop. This place can prove how honest the Ivatans are. The shop is nice and has a lot of food for pasalubong and some souvenirs. It doesn’t have a storekeeper, you just need to list down the things you’ll be buying and put your payment in the box provided. Also, get your own change if you have. Unique right?

House of Dakay

Few meters away comes this known oldest stone House in Batanes, the House of Dakay. It was built way back in 1887. The house was said to be passed down to Jose Dakay from his Aunt. This is also one of the five houses that stood strong and survived the killer earthquake that struck Batanes way back in 1918.
The owner now is very friendly and even offers us to take a picture of the traditional clothes of Ivatan.

• 

• 

Beach at last! Homoron White Beach

This is our last stop before we end the tour. We drop by Homoron Beach, this beach has the friendliest waves so the tourists and people can enjoy swimming!

---

Other Places you can Visit in South Batan

Raku-a-idi Spring or Spring of Youth

If you have another day to spend in Batanes, I do suggest you go visit this spring and have a day relaxing with the beautiful spring and views. Getting there is quite of an exercise because you will be needing to trek for 30 mins before reaching this hidden gem. But all of it will definitely be worth it. The entrance fee is very affordable costing only P 50 for the entrance fee.

Want to know more about the tourist spots in Batanes Island?
Check out the 32 Awe-Inspiring Batanes Tourist Spots You’ll Regret Not Visiting to!

Overall Experience in South Batan Tour

Indeed a very great tour and experience that I was able to see these majestic views as if I am not in the Philippines. I love how the South Batan offers exhilarating natural scenes plus a bit of history and traditional information. As for me, I actually cannot compare the North and the South as they give more of a different vibe and yes, South Batan is amazingly beautiful but North as well shows a deep beautiful meaning of how Batanes is.

So what do you think the South Batan is?

Hope you do like our article!

Did you Enjoy our South Batan Tour? Pin it!