This Banaue Travel Guide helps you make the most of your two days in Banaue. It features a well-thought-out travel itinerary and a detailed budget for the trip.
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Introduction
We arrived at the highland town of Banaue for the first time in the summer of 2004. I grew up in a broken family and don’t get to see each other very often. So, I was extremely delighted about this trip.
The lengthy talks, belly laughs, and the family photos taken on the gorgeous rice terraces of Banaue, Ifugao are memories worth cherishing. Undoubtedly, our short sojourn in the mountain village has imparted upon us the value of savouring these fleeting moments.
Banaue Travel Guide Contents
- Quick Fact About Banaue
- Visa in the Philippines
- Standard Time in Banaue
- Climate in Banaue
- Best Time to Visit Banaue
- Language in Banaue
- Currency in Banaue
- Mode of Payment in Banaue
- Ways of Getting to Banaue
- Getting Around Banaue
- Areas to Stay in Banaue
- Internet in Banaue
- Power Adaptor in Banaue
- Banaue Travel Guide Itinerary
- Budget for Banaue Trip
- Banaue Guidebook Resources
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Quick Fact About Banaue
Due to Banaue’s mountainous terrains, the early Ifugaos carved their mountains using their bare hands to grow crops. Hence, the existence of an engineering marvel and a great legacy to the world – the Banaue Rice Terraces.
Visa in the Philippines
Holders of foreign passports intending to visit the Philippines should contact the Embassy of the Philippines regarding entry requirements. Otherwise, consult iVisa.com, a reputable and trusted visa service provider.
Travelers to the country must undergo stringent immigration procedures. Please read the article, ‘How to Avoid Getting Offloaded at Philippine Immigration?’
Standard Time in Banaue
The Coordinated Universal Time, or UTC, in the mountains of Banaue is UTC +08:00.
Thus, Banaue is four hours ahead of Dubai, six hours ahead of Paris, and seven hours ahead of London. Also, Banaue is twelve hours ahead of New York City. Conversely, Banaue is an hour behind Tokyo and three hours behind Sydney.
Climate in Banaue
Like most parts of the Cordillera region, Banaue Ifugao has a temperate climate due to its high elevation. The mountain town has an altitude of around 4,000 feet above sea level. Thus, the months from December to February bring a much colder atmosphere than the rest of the year.
Best Time to Visit Banaue
Banaue’s main draw is the rice terraces located in Batad and Bangaan, declared as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. So, visiting Banaue is best when rice terraces are most verdant.
April to June
The driest month, from April to June, are the best time to witness Banaue’s rice terraces in their lush greens. However, the summer season may bring a bit warmer temperatures.
July to November
The harvest time begins in July so is the wet season. These months are often raining and prone to landslides. However, expect to witness an incredible view of the rice terraces growing luxuriantly, starting October until November.
December to March
Months from December until March is the best time to visit Banaue for much colder weather. However, rice fields in these months are pools of mud and completely barren. Hence, avoid these months or enjoy the scenic views of bare terraces.
Language in Banaue
Ifugao is the language spoken in the Ifugao province. It consists of other dialects, such as Ayangan, Kalanguya, and Tuwali. Additionally, locals speak and comprehend Ilocano, Tagalog, and English.
Here are essential Ifugao words and phrases to learn before your trip to Banaue, Ifugao.
- Mayat ni aghapa – Good morning
- Hipay ngadan mu? – What is your name?
- Mayat ni mangiwid – Good afternoon
- Agak maawatan – I can’t understand
- Mayat ni malabi – Good night
- Mabalin tulungan mirak? Can you help me?
- Hipay oras mo? – What time is it?
- Piga? – How much?
Currency in Banaue
The Philippine peso, abbreviated as PHP, is the official currency in the Philippines. Exchange rate as of December 9, 2022 is PHP 55.40 or USD 1.
Mode of Payment in Banaue
Like Batanes, hard cash is the primary payment mode in Banaue, especially in Batad. But there are a couple of ATMs in the public market if you run short of cash.
Banaue Travel Guide Tip: Bring enough cash to cover the entire duration of your trip. The ATMs in Banaue will likely run out of bills and is sometimes offline.
Ways of Getting to Banaue
Ifugao shares a land border with Mountain Province to the northwest and Benguet to the west. Moreover, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino are the neighboring provinces to the south, while Isabela is to the east.
If from the nearby provinces, or Metro Manila, land transportations are viable options to reach Banaue.
Metro Manila to Banaue via Baguio
Victory Liner, Joy Bus, and Solid North have daily trips to Baguio from their Pasay, Manila, Cubao, and Caloocan terminals. It will take 4-6 hours from Metro Manila to reach Baguio.
In addition, it will take another three-hour bus transfer from Baguio to get to Banaue. Ohayami Trans cater to this route.
Metro Manila to Banaue via Sagada
If you intend to visit Sagada before heading to Banaue Ifugao, spend eleven hours traveling from Metro Manila to Sagada.
From Sagada, ride a jeepney, which departs from 6:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., to Bontoc for about 45 minutes. And from Bontoc, buses, vans, jeepneys, and tricycles are the viable options to reach Banaue. The travel time is roughly an hour and a half.
Metro Manila to Banaue
Coda Lines and Ohayami Trans have direct trips from Metro Manila to Banaue for ten hours. An overnight journey to Banaue via night buses is recommended.
Banaue Travel Guide Tip: Otherwise, book an organized Banaue tour paired with Sagada and Baguio. This hassle-free tour often includes van transfers, lodgings, and entrance fees.
Getting Around Banaue
The Banaue Museum and the Tam-An Village, located in Poblacion, are nearby and walkable. However, expect some inconveniences as you go farther, like Batad, a secluded village and home to imposing ‘Batad Rice Terraces.’
To reach Batad, catch the only departing Batad-bound jeepney, stationing at Banaue Public Market at 2:00 p.m. Otherwise, hire an entire jeepney or tricycle that leads you to the village, but for a pricier fare. The tricycle fare starts at PHP 500.00, or USD 9.04 per way.
Inversely, ride a Poblacion-bound jeepney that leaves from Batad at 9:00 am once daily.
Areas to Stay in Banaue
Accommodations are sprawling in Banaue due to the growing number of tourists who wish to see up close Banaue’s renowned wonders. However, many accommodations are simple yet decent lodges, hostels, and inns concentrated in Poblacion and Batad.
Poblacion
A multitude of accommodations is found in Banaue’s commercial center, Poblacion. Also, retail shops and restaurants are close-packed and are the jumping-off place to other parts of the Cordillera.
Banaue Rice Terraces, located in Viewpoint, are a few minutes-ride from Poblacion.
Batad
The world-renowned Batad Rice Terraces and the Tappiya Falls are the main draws in Batad. Accommodations are homestays, guesthouses, and hostels, providing essentials like sleep and bath. Also, some have balconies with views of the expansive rice terraces of Batad.
Banaue Travel Guide Tip: Banaue, Ifugao is peppered with concreted structures, and so are their accommodations. But, visiting Banaue would not be complete without spending a night in a ‘Bale’ or a traditional Ifugao house.
Internet in Banaue
The internet connection in remote places like Siargao could be challenging, and so in Banaue. So, expect a slow to moderate internet speed as you explore this far-off Cordillera town.
Power Adaptor in Banaue
Banaue operates on a 220 V supply voltage with a frequency of 60 Hz and has one type of power adaptor:
• A or has two flat parallel pins
Banaue Travel Guide Itinerary
Day 1 - Batad
06:30 am – 07:15 am Head to Bontoc from Sagada, Mountain Province
- At the Sagada transport terminal
- Take a Bontoc-bound jeepney
- Alight in Bontoc
07:15 am – 08:45 am Head to Banaue
- From Bontoc
- Ride a Banaue-bound transport
- Drop-off at Banaue Municipal Tourism Office
08:45 am – 10:30 am Register, pay the tourism fee, amounting to PHP 100.00 or USD 1.81, and have lunch
Banaue Travel Guide Tip: Before going to Batad, ensure that you’re in good shape as activities may require strenuous hiking.
10:30 am – 12:00 pm Head to Batad
- From Banaue Public Market
- Take a Batad-bound jeepney or tricycle
- Alight at Batad Saddle Point
- Trek toward accommodation
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm Confirm reservation and check-in at Batad Roberto’s Abung Inn
12:30 pm – 01:00 pm Register and pay for the Batad tourism fee amounting to PHP 50.00, or USD 0.90 and reserve a tour guide.
01:00 pm – 05:00 pm Explore Tappiya Falls
Tappiya Falls
Aside from the impressive Batad Rice Terrace, Tappiya Falls is another must-see spot. This waterfall, tucked amidst the lush greeneries, offers refreshing cold water after an arduous hike. The guide fee is PHP 1,200 or USD 21.70 for five pax
05:00 pm Head to the homestay, have dinner, and sleep
Day 2 - Poblacion
06:00 am – 09:00 am Wake up, prepare for departure, have breakfast, and watch up close the Batad Rice Terraces from your homestay’s balcony.
Batad Rice Terraces
Built more than 2,000 years ago, the Batad Rice Terraces is an imposing engineering wonder, carved using bare hands. This world-renowned amphitheater-like terrace is the result of the inventiveness of the early Igorots to sustainable agriculture.
Ifugao’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites are the rice terraces in Batad and Bangaan in Banaue. Moreover, Hungduan, Mayoyao, and Nagacadan in Kiangan are also part of the list. Regrettably, Banaue Rice Terraces in Viewpoint are delisted due to preservation concerns brought about by modernization.
Banaue Travel Guide Tip: Hike to the Awa View Deck for an incredible sight of Batad Rice Terraces. But, getting to this vantage point demands physical endurance as you will face a challenging trail.
09:00 am – 10:15 am Head to Poblacion
- From the accommodation
- Hike toward Batad Saddle Point
- Take a Poblacion-bound jeepney
- Alight at the Banaue Public Market
10:15 am – 04:00 pm Stroll around Poblacion
The Banaue Museum
Banaue Museum, situated next to Banaue View Inn, is a two-storied building showcasing a few collections of items of cultural importance. Some are traditional Igorot costumes, books, old photographs, maps, and ancient tools.
The admission fee is PHP 50.00 or USD 0.90. Banaue Museum is open from Monday until Sunday, from 08:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m.
Tamn-An Village
Situated near Banaue, Hotel Tam-An Village has a few traditional Igorot houses with a backdrop of rice terraces.
04:00 pm – 05:30 pm Head toward Banaue Municipal Tourism Office and prepare for the departure
05:30 pm – 03:00 am travel to Manila.
Budget for Banaue Trip
In 2022, I spent P 3,427.50 for two days and one night in Banaue. However, costs may still vary depending on your travel lifestyle. Please read ’35 Excellent Tips to Save Money on Travel.’
Below is the Banaue travel guide budget for your reference.
Pre-Departure
- Bus fare, Banaue to Manila, PHP 770.00
- 2D1N lodging, PHP 855.00/2, PHP 427.50
1st Day
- Sagada to Bontoc via jeepney, PHP 80.00
- Bontoc to Banaue via tricycle, PHP 500.00/2, PHP 250.00
- Banaue Tourism Fee, PHP 100.00
- Lunch, P 150.00
- Poblacion to Batad via tricycle PHP 500.00/2, PHP 250.00
- Batad Tourism Fee, PHP 50.00
- Guide fee for Tappiya Falls, PHP 1,200.00/4, PHP 300.00
- Dinner P 250.00
2nd Day
- Breakfast, PHP 250.00
- Batad to Poblacion via jeepney, PHP 150.00
- Banaue Museum entrance fee, PHP 100.00
- Lunch, PHP 150.00
- Dinner, PHP 150.00
Banaue Travel Guide Resources
To help you with your travel plans, I’ve gathered a checklist of carefully chosen travel resources. These are the trusted online marketplaces that I highly endorse because of their excellent deals.
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Drive your way to undiscovered places! Book a car via Discover Cars and experience hassle-free road trips.
Banaue Travel Guide Question: What are the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Banaue, Ifugao?
Please drop your answers or messages in the comment section. Thank you, and see you on the road!
About the Author
J. Sac is the author of ‘Banaue Travel Guide: An Excellent Guide to the World.’ He is also the founder of Traveledictorian – a travel blog that publishes well-thought-out travel content.
His passion for writing, photography, and travel fueled him to explore Asia and the rest of the world. He also plans to undertake humanitarian work in his travels. Read his inspiring story and follow him on social media!
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