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Top 10 Amazing Facts about Racuh a Payaman

鈥淚t looks like the Marlboro Country.鈥� This is how one mesmerized tourist described the stunning landscape of Racuh a Payaman.

Racuh A Payaman is a beautiful pasture land located on the island of Batan in Batanes, Philippines. It is a popular tourist destination where cattle, horses, water buffalos, local communities, and foreign visitors walk and interact freely.

Popularly known as Marlboro by international visitors, Racuh A Payaman is one the most beautiful places on the planet Earth.

Here are the top amazing facts about Racuh A Payaman

1. Racuh a Payaman is a Communal Pasture Land

Apart from being one of the best tourist destinations in the Philippines, Racuh a Payaman is a protected area reserved for the conservation of local breeds of cattle.

The larger part of this area is occupied by the Cattle Raisers Association of Communal Pastureland No. 1, the oldest and most intact group in Batanes.

 management of the Communal Pasture Land Parcel 1 ensures equitable access and distribution of the benefits derived from the grazing lands.

2. Enjoy a 360-degree view from the Tayid Light House

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Although not operational as of today, Tayid light house pulls a great number of tourists. It is popular because unlike other lighthouses in the area, it has a hexagonal tower deck.

Tayid lighthouse is located on top of the hill and it offers a 360-degree clear view of Mt. Iraya, the West Philippine Sea, and the town of Mahatao. It was built in 2002 to guide fishing boats coming in from the Pacific Ocean.

The tower can be best viewed from Diura Fishing Village and the main viewing point of Marlboro Country.

3. Dine at Marconines Canteen

After exploring and enjoying stunning views of Rakuh a Payaman, Marconines canteen is the place of choice for the lunch break.

Marconines is a canteen at Rakuh a Payaman that offers a variety of local and international cuisine right in the middle of wild and windy pasturelands.

This great experience of enjoying your sumptuous meal while still enjoying panoramic stunning views of  Rakuh a Payaman is simply amazing.

Sample their local dishes like uvud, vunes, and lu帽is. There is also plenty of sea foods like local lobsters and Batanes mahi-mahi

4. Explore the Rolling Hills

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All of Rakuh a Payaman tours itinerary must include the Vayang Rolling Hills. The hills allow an unobstructed view of the majestic Mt. Iraya, and all other significant islands like Batan, Sabtang, and Itbayat all at once.

most of the land in the area consists of farmland and pasture lands. From the hill, the view of cattle grazing and a glimpse of the West Philippine Sea is breathtaking.

5. Hike Mount Iraya

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A visit to Rakuh a Payaman would be complete without hiking Mt Iraya, One of the greatest tourist attractions in Batanes. This active volcano offers an adventure for hikers and a significant landmark for Ivatans.

Mount Iraya, is a dormant stratovolcano on Batan Island and the highest point in the province of Batanes, Philippines. It is a heavily forested stratovolcano, with an elevation of 1,009 meters.

The trail is narrow and covered in trees and vines. It also gets muddy and slippery during the rainy season, which can pose a challenge to inexperienced hikers.

The mountain is a sacred feature for the Ivatan people, and it is the northernmost active volcano in the Philippines. The last time it erupted was more than 600 years ago.

6. Discover the House of Dakay

House of Dakay is one historical site worth visiting. It is the oldest surviving house in the town of San Jose de Ivana on Batan Island. This traditional structure is a heritage treasure of Batanes.

The stone structure which was built in 1877, and was designed to withstand strong winds on the island located along the typhoon belt.

7. Visit the Basco Right House

When talking about lighthouses in the Philippines, Batanes is always on the list. The 66-ft tower Basco Lighthouse provides an unobstructed 360-degree view of Mt. Iraya, Basco town proper, Basco port, and the West Philippine Sea.

Basco Lighthouse was the previous location of American telegraph facilities linking Batanes to the central government. It was destroyed at the beginning of World War II by Japanese Imperial Army bombings.

Basco Lighthouse was the site of the American period telegraph facilities that connected Batanes with the central government.

The lighthouse was destroyed by the Japanese during World War II and Some of the buildings that survived have been converted into Bunker鈥檚 Caf茅.

Make sure to join some Basco Lighthouse tours during your trip to Batanes. The observation deck is ideal for viewing the whole of Batan Island.

8. Worship at the Mount Carmel Church

Mt. Carmel Chapel, also known as Tukon Church, was first established on May 3, 2008, at Sitio Tukon, Batanes. It adopted the design of a traditional Ivatan house made of stone walls, making it the only chapel embodying such design.

The Chapel perfectly sits on top of a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the West Philippine Sea. 

9. Sunbathe at Morong Beach

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Batanes鈥� unspoiled beauty is most evident in its beautiful beaches. From powdery white sand to scattered boulders rounded by time and waves, Batanes has a variety of beaches one can swim and enjoy the Batanes sun.

 Located on Sabtang Island, Morong Beach is one of the more popular beaches in the province, thanks to the large rock formation called Nakabuang Arch.

This natural formation is the most photographed spot in all of Batanes and has become the icon of Sabtang Island and Batanes as a whole.

 10. How to get to Racuh a Payaman

The beautiful island of Racuh a Payaman is located on the island of Batan in Batanes. 

From Manila, you can book a flight bound for Basco directly.  you can also take a bus going to Laoag, and then take a plane going to Basco from there.

Racuh a Payaman is accessible at any time in the year and you can rent a tricycle or hire a tourist van.