Basco
Basco is the provincial capital of the smallest Philippine province, Batanes. It is on Batan Island. It is home to about 10,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
For practical reasons, this guide covers Basco and the neighboring municipality of Mahatao.
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Get in
[edit]The best time to visit is during the dry season between March and June, when the winds and waves are calm. Otherwise, expect frequent cancellations at the last minute.
By plane
[edit]- 1 Basco Airport (BSO IATA), Contra Costa Road. There are seasonal international flights to Basco and year round domestic flights. It is also the only airport serving the neighboring island of Itbayat. Due to Batanes’ infamously volatile weather, delays and cancellations happen more than in other airports, particularly during the rainy season. A rule of thumb among aviation veterans is to check whether Mount Iraya is obscured by clouds before landing.
PAL Express flies from Manila-Basco. Sky Pasada flies from Tuguegarao-Basco.
By boat
[edit]Basco has its own seaport, but is mainly used for trips to Itbayat. The ferries to Sabtang are in Ivana, on the southern side of Batan Island.
- 2 Basco Port.
Get around
[edit]There are not much cars or heavy vehicles due to high costs, logistical difficulties when it comes to importation, and short distances. Motorcycles and tricycles are more common. There are passenger jeepneys servicing Batan Island, though.
See
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- 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 and 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.
- 9 Basco Cathedral (Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Santo Domingo de Guzman Parish Church), National Road, Barangay Kayhuvokan, Basco, soccombatanes@gmail.com. The seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Batanes, built during the Spanish era in 1812.
- 10 Mahatao Church (San Carlos Borromeo Parish Church), National Road, Barangay Panatayan, Mahatao. A 19th century Spanish colonial church that was declared a National Cultural Treasure in 2001.
- 11 Mount Iraya, Barangay San Joaquin, Basco. The highest peak in Batanes, with a height of 1,009 metres (3,310 ft). It is a dormant volcano that is home to endemic species such as the Batanes pit viper. It also serves as a local weather instrument of sorts; clouds obscuring the peak mean that bad weather is expected all over Batan Island.
Do
[edit]Buy
[edit]Basco is the only place in Batanes where banks are available.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Casa Napoli Pizza, La Fuente Street, ☏ +63 999 990 7553. 10AM–7PM. 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, Caspo Road, Kaychanrianan, ☏ +63 919 006 3280, kurt.donato@hotmail.com. 10AM–2PM, 5-10PM. They serve a mixture of Filipino and Italian food. Try out 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, Kayvaluganan, ☏ +63 910 900 6548, quiloanaljon20@gmail.com. Open 24 hours.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge, Sitio Tukon, Chanarian-Tukon, ☏ +63 920 972 0014, toll-free: +63 2 9292602, inquiries@fundacionpacita.com. 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, ☏ +63 956-815-8643.
- 3 Batanes Octagon Bed and Dine, National Road, Kaychanarianan, ☏ +63 960 229 2730, octagonbedanddine2014@yahoo.com. 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 corner Lizardo Streets, ☏ +63 921 367 7933, midtowninn.batanes@gmail.com. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱1,530 - ₱2,153.
Stay safe
[edit]Crime in Basco is very low, though by the quiet standards in Batanes, any incident would be comparable to a level of a major city on account of it being the most-populated settlement and political hub.
Stay healthy
[edit]Basco hosts the only hospital in the province, the Batanes General Hospital, but try not to get into a serious medical emergency, as you will need to be evacuated to mainland Luzon due to a lack of medicines and other resources.
- 1 Batanes General Hospital, National Road, Basco, ☏ +63 968 857 3577, +63 961 192 2900.
Connect
[edit]Basco's postal code is 3900, while that of Mahatao is 3901.
Like in the rest of Batanes, electricity is on a rotational basis, with generators and solar panels being the norm. Cellphone and internet signals are often sketchy, although things are improving with the proliferation of Starlink terminals, while the reception from radio stations in Taiwan can be clearer than the domestic ones.