Basco
Basco is the provincial capital of the smallest Filipino province, Batanes. It is on a Batan Island.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]- 1 Basco Airport (BSO IATA), Contra Costa Road. There are seasonal international flights to Basco and year round domestic flights.
PAL Express flies from Manila-Basco.
Sky Pasada flies from Tuguegarao-Basco.
Get around
[edit]See
[edit]- 1 Basco Lighthouse, Songsong-Iraya Road. 8AM–4PM. Spiral stairs wind upwards to a 5th-floor deck, popular for its panoramic hill, sea & sunset views. Free.
- 2 Kilometer Zero (Batan Island), National Road. Open 24 hours.
- 3 Basco Plaza, National Road. Open 24 hours. Free.
- 4 Basco Rolling Hills. Scenic hilly area offering views of the ocean & Mt. Iraya, with grazing cows, goats & other animals.
- 5 Dipnaysuhuan Japanese Tunnel, La Fuente Street.
- 6 Mahatao Lighthouse, National Road, Mahatao.
- 7 Chawa View Deck, National Road, Mahatao. Open 24 hours. A perfect place to watch the sunset. Romantic sunset viewing. Highly recommended for sunset lovers. Free.
- 8 Rakuh A Payaman (Marlboro Country), Mahatao. Open 24 hours. Scenic trails through rolling hills & lush meadows offering sweeping views of a rugged coast & sea. Free.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 Casa Napoli Pizza. 11AM–8:30PM. Best, real handmade pizza in Batanes! Handmade crust made from scratch, good mozzarella, and awesome flavor.
- 2 Beehan Meals & Snacks, Lizardo Street. 7AM–9PM. This is probably the most affordable place to eat in Basco.
- 3 Harbour Cafe-Basco, National Road. 10AM–10PM. They serve a mixture of Filipino and Italian food. Tried our their pasta and pork Sinigang.
- 4 Cafe du Tukon, Sitio Tukon Chanarian, Tukon, fundacionpacita50@gmail.com. 5AM–9PM. Great food and view, a must visit when you go to Batanes compete with outdoor and indoor dining.
- 5 HiroJoy Cafe, #106 Abuyo Street. 9AM–9PM. Don't be fooled by the carinderia/eatery set up of this place. This is the best restaurant in Basco!
Drink
[edit]- 1 Sidewalk Resto Bar, Contra Costa Road. 5PM–1AM.
- 2 Café Pampayukay, Abad Street. Open 24 hours.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge, Bgy. Chanarian-Tukon, ☏ +63 2 9292602. This Batanes resort was once the home studio of renowned artist Pacita Abad. Today, it has been transformed into a lovely building offering charming Batanes accommodation for visitors who want to get closer to nature. It offers 9 rooms, all with viewing decks where you can enjoy the breathtaking landscape of Batanes. Complimentary breakfast is served to all guest, and a half-day heritage tour of the mainland is also included.
- 2 Hudhud Homestay, Tukon, ☏ +63956-815-8643.
- 3 Batanes Octagon Bed and Dine, National Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Octagon Bed and Dine started out as a simple octagon shaped restaurant serving local Ivatan cuisine and Batanes' own take of the favorite Filipino dishes.
- 4 Den Den Guesthouse, Dita corner Castillejos Streets. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 9AM. PHP1,500.
- 5 Midtown Inn Batanes, Abad Street. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱1,530 - ₱2,153.