Thursday, February 20, 2014

How I Spent less than Php 4,000.00 in my almost 5 days in Batanes?

It has been widely believed since time immemorial that a trip to Batanes is very much expensive, even up to this day. A round trip airfare could already cost Php 12-16,000.00, no joke. However, because of the entry of promo fares offered by Philipine Airlines, many people especially backpackers and frequent travelers were able to visit the islands and experience its magic. 


Day 1. Cheap Batanes Travel
Notes : Before flying out to Batanes, Natz shopped for our grocery provision which we consequently put in the baggage, thus the entry above. If breakfast and dinner is not indicated in the expenses for the day, it means, we cooked our own food. BATODA stands for Basco TODA.

After the airfare is the cost of accommodation, food, and tour. A tour just North of Batan Island could already cost as much as 3,650.00 if you are alone and 1,350.00 if you are part of a group of more than 10 people (though food and other fees such as tourism fee are already included). Food is also somewhat expensive for it could cost one 400 for a lunch or dinner buffet and 200 for breakfast.**

But all this expenses can be lowered by "doing-it-yourself", Batanes style. I, with 3 more travel bloggers Glen, Arjay and Natz, were able to spend less in exchange of countless walks in the rolling and definitely mesmerizing roads and hills of Batanes.

Below are my detailed expenses, from Day 2 until Day 5 (Day 1 above) starting from when I left our house in San Jose del Monte until I got back.

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

All in all, I have spent only Php 3,978.25 until I was able to get back to our house in San Jose del Monte. If you add my airfare which I got for only Php 1,760.00, my Batanes Escapade expenses would only total to Php 5,738.00! Whew! Even I was not able to believe it at first...

I have to give thanks to my fellow travelers for they have influenced me much in this ultra-budget Batanes trip.

**The advantage of joining a tour though is that, you have to worry not about everything because your guide will do it all for you. In addition to that, there would be no long walks, and some more long waiting for the jeepneys to pass by which by the way has a schedule.

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More posts about Batanes:
Ivana : The Other Town (soon!)
Mahatao : Marlboro's Home (soon!)
Uyugan : The Really Quaint Town of Batanes (soon!)

author image

About the Author

I am ROMEL RAFOR JAIME, the man behind San Josenyong Gala. My travel blogger name came about because I am a proud resident of the City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. In real life, I am a licensed librarian who works in a college in Gapan, Nueva Ecija as a librarian and teaches general education subjects from time to time. My goal is to visit all the 81 provinces of the Philippines before visiting other countries. As of 2017, I have already visited 73... :)

17 comments :

  1. Replies
    1. Yup sir... mejo nadamay ako sa katipiran ng mga kasama ko... hehehe...

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  2. Im jealous! I wasnt able to book. now im on a lookout for batanes promos! Sarap jan mg two weeks baon nlng ako ng skyflakes and pancit canton. :p

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    1. Go go promo fare! Sana nga, mag-promo ulit, balak ko bumalik next week nang makapag-stay na ng mahaba... :)

      At tama, baon baon na lang din... :)

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  3. Wow, Batanes is on my travel list. Super tipid yet very nice travel. Please share more tipid travels :)

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  4. grabe lang talaga! ikaw na kuya Rommel... lalo ko gusto pumunta ng BATANES! good job!

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    1. Ako nga rin eh, gusto ko na agad bumalik ng Batanes! Hehehe...

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  5. wow.. only hp 1,760.00 for the airfare? anong airline sinakyan nyo? I want to go there too !!!! pwede palang d gaanong magastos ano.

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    1. Yup, pwede pong tipid talaga... Yung airline po, pal express... from Manila na yan... Hintay lang po ng promo fare... :)

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    2. wow ang galing! dapat antay talaga promo ano.. hay.....Batanes!!

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  6. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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    1. Awtz! I accidentally deleted your comment Ma'am Aleli... Pasensiya na po. Salamat po sa pagbisita sa aking blog at pag-aabalang mag-iwan ng komento. Cheers!

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    2. Ms. Aleli's original comment:

      "Nice one! I stumbled your blogsite and this gives me idea more on how will i spend my days in batanes next week! thanks so much!! Yours is cheaper!!! Yey!!!! : ) APir! "

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  7. WOW! Amazing. Is Batanes ideal for first time lone travelers?

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    1. You can actually travel Batanes alone though your budget would be much more larger than what I have presented because you have to pay all things on your own. For example, the tricycle service that you will have in Sabtang island costs 800 and you will have to shoulder it all.

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  8. I do hope that you can provide details where you stayed and who to contact :) Thank you. Nice blog, by the way. It is inspiring especially for students who don't have job yet to provide travel expenses haha

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    1. I will next time sir/ma'am. I just have to update my contacts... :)

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