The flight booking game for Batanes is so strong. Either airlines exclude Batanes among the travel destinations in their respective seat sales or the travel dates available are unmanageable and impractical. If you’re one of the few lucky Abangers who snatched a very great deal, congratulations! For those who are Nganga, keep the faith alive. Batanes is worth the wait. Visiting what I consider the most photogenic province in the Philippines should be in your bucket list too. Here are the reasons why you should pay a visit to Batanes.

1. After flying a distance from Manila, you’ll be welcomed with this.

The islands of Batanes are said to be closer to Taiwan than to the main Luzon island.

2. The pretty simple airport of Basco

Open air. Manual inspection. Made of stones.

3. The crime rate is relatively zero.

Basco Municipal Plaza

4. They have the heart for the local arts.

Yaru nu Artes Ivatan Art

5. While the rest of the Philippines have wet and dry season, Batanes has summer, rainy, and winter seasons.

Different atmosphere. Literally and figuratively.

6. Kilometer marker posts and traffic signs out of stones are Basco’s trademark.

You’ll see more of this around the Batan Island.

7. #WhoGoat

Definitely a place for goat and those with hugot.

8. Cow na!

Batanes’ cattle seems they’re trying to communicate.

9. Most of the churches in the Batanes are bright and colorful.

Our Lady of Immaculate Concepcion

10. Scouting for a church for your wedding?

Tukon Chapel

11. Church as a strategic maritime vantage point

Ivana Church

12. You can also climb this active volcano for more adventures

Mt. Iraya

13. And yes, we’re still in the Philippines.

A view from Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge

14. How about living in this place for the rest of your life?

Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge

15. Looking for a “uniquely Batanes” backdrop for your Instagram?

Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge

16. No white sands, but just as equally stunning beach for photoholics

Valugan Boulder Beach

17. The same stretch of beach seen from the top of the Rolling Hills.

Rolling Hills

18. It’s like a throwback of the Windows XP desktop background + the Philippine Sea

A good site for star gazing and night photography

19. 90’s kids will remember The Flying House with this

Naidi Lighthouse

20. Or with this.

Mahatao Lighthouse

21. Your alarm clock in the morning would be the waves hitting the cliffs

Chawa View Deck

22. Question your purpose in life at this place.

Chawa View Deck

23. Among the lighthouses in the Philippines, Batanes has the fanciest ones.

Mahatao Lighthouse

24. Blessed with generous seas, traditional fishing methods are prominent.

Diura Fishing Village

25. Fishing village has a photogenic beach too.

Diura Fishing Village

26. The view of Diura beach on our way to the Fountain of Youth

Diura Fishing Village

27. Infinity pool. Sort of.

Fountain of Youth

28. Can you imagine these rocks came from Mt. Iraya centuries ago?

Diura Fishing Village

29. One of the staple food in Batanes is called Venus.

Dried gabi

30. Hold your horses because things will really get better from here.

Racuh-a-Payaman

31. This is also called the Marlboro Country.

Named after the popular cigarette brand’s advertisements

32. Blue and Green. Blue and Green. Can you handle the combo?

Racuh-a-Payaman

33. Jawdropping cliffs everywhere.

Racuh-a-Payaman

34. Batanes please. Share if you crey.

Racuh-a-Payaman

35. Mahatao Lighthouse to watch over Batan Island

Racuh-a-Payaman

36. Are you willing to get stranded here?

Racuh-a-Payaman

37. Sundae twirls. More fun in the Philippines.

Alapad Hill Rock Formation

38. I-Dawn Zulueta Mo Ako

Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta’s movie “Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit” was taken somewhere here in Alapad Hill.

39. Travel around Batan by bike

Batan circumferential road

40. Self-service shopping at this variety store.

Honesty Store

41. Yet another lighthouse. This time in Sabtang.

Sabtang Lighthouse

42. Due to typhoons that hit the province, houses are made out of stones.

Savidug Village

43. This abandoned old priest house

Old Beaterio in Savidug

44. The magnanimous view of Tinyan Viewpoint

Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint

45. You have to climb down from the cliff to get to the beach of the cove.

Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint

46. Traditional clothing for Ivatan men

Chamantad Cove and Tinyan Viewpoint

47. Yet another village of stone houses

Chavayan

48. The white beach of Batanes

Nakabuang Arch in Morong Beach

49. The natural arch formation of Nakabuang

Nakabuang Arch in Morong Beach

50. Because cold summers exist in Batanes

Nakabuang Arch in Morong Beach