Banaue
Southeast Asia · Philippines
Did you know?
- Local inns offer both rice wine and sugarcane wine.
- Traditional Ifugao houses stand on posts with rat guards protecting the raised living space.
- A hot spring near Hungduan is reached by walking across rice terraces.
See also
Overview
Banaue is an Ifugao cultural base in the Cordillera mountains. Terrace walks and nearby villages form the main experience around town.
Languages: English, Filipino
Why go?
Banaue is a small town in the Cordillera mountains of Luzon, Philippines, best known for the 2000-year-old Banaue Rice Terraces, a National Cultural Treasure. It's a base for trekking and exploring Ifugao culture, with a slower pace and budget-friendly options.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get in
Ohayami Trans provides direct trips from Manila (Legarda Station) to Banaue, departing at 9PM and 10PM, with additional trips during holidays. The trip takes 9-10 hours and costs around PHP 430 plus fees. From Baguio, Ohayami has a daily trip at 5:30PM taking about 9 hours for PHP 430 plus fees. Alternatively, take a jeepney to Solano and catch a Manila-bound bus.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Get around
Jeepneys and tricycles are readily available in town. Vans can be hired with driver/guide. Public jeepney runs daily from Banaue to the saddle point (start of trek to Batad) — fare for tourists is PHP 100-150 (locals pay PHP 45). Expect to hike to reach the best viewpoints.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
See
The main attraction is the Banaue Rice Terraces, often called the 'Eighth Wonder of the World', with a main viewdeck open 24 hours. Visit the Banaue Museum (PHP 50, 7AM-4PM) for Ifugao artifacts, the Museum of Cordilleran Sculpture (temporarily closed as of Sep 2023), or Banaue Ethnic Village (PHP 50). A hot spring near Hungduan can be reached via a walk across rice terraces. Expect to pay a PHP 50 environmental fee at the Municipal Tourism Office.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buy
Many kinds of carved wood items are available in town. Note that there are no ATMs in Banaue; the nearest Visa ATM is in Lagawe (1 hour jeepney), and the nearest MasterCard ATM is in Solano. Uyami's Green View Lodge allows cash withdrawals from credit cards with a 10% fee.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Eat & drink
Most guesthouses offer food with similar quality and price. Sanafe Lodge & Restaurant (6AM-9PM) serves Filipino, Asian & Western dishes with set meals starting at PHP 150. Kiben is a local eatery offering good local food. Native rice wine or sugarcane wine is available at all inns and lodges.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Sleep
Budget options abound: Banaue Homestay, Sanafe Lodge (dorm available), Uyami's Green View Lodge (free Wi-Fi, charging fee for outlets), Halfway Lodge, and Bogah Homestay (PHP 1080/night). Banaue Hotel is the priciest but offers cultural shows. Most are within walking distance of the bus stop.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Connect
Internet cafes are available around town, with rates from PHP 20 to PHP 50 per hour. Free Wi-Fi is offered at some lodges like Uyami's Green View Lodge.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Go next
Popular destinations include Batad (stone-walled terraces, 15 km then 40-min hike, jeepney PHP 100-150), Baguio (9 hr bus, PHP 430+), Manila (9 hr bus or jeepney to Solano then bus), and Bontoc/Sagada (hire van from Banaue for day trip). Hapao is a half-day trip from Banaue with more terraces.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Field guide adapted from Wikivoyage contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0. Text has been adapted and organized for this guide. About our sources.
Places to know
A few starting points from the guide. Check current hours and prices before you go.
- sleep
7th Heaven's
Recorded price: Room PHP
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Banaue Homestay
Basic but comfortable rooms view views of Banaue rice terraces. Some rooms with shared bathrooms. Has small restaurant for all meals. Allows for luggage hold before bus leaves. 200 m up the road from Ohayami Bus dropoff/pickup.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Banaue Hotel & Youth Hostel
Set in a rural area with a mountain backdrop, this casual hotel is a kilometer from the Banaue Museum and 3 km from the Banaue Rice Terraces.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Bogah Homestay
Small, but well-managed homestay. Short walk (500m) from downtown via hanging bridge. Staff can organize tours to rice terraces and hot spring.
Recorded price: ₱1080 per night (updated 2022)
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Halfway Lodge and Restaurant
Offers private rooms for 2 with shared bathroom or private bathroom.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Peoples's Lodge
Recorded price: Single PHP
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Randy's Brookside Inn
1 km from center/bus stop. Includes pickup, free breakfast.
Recorded price: PHP
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
- sleep
Sanafe Lodge and Restaurant
Nice balcony at the back with pleasant views. Basic but comfortable rooms, plus a dormitory.
Adapted from Wikivoyage contributors
Before you go
Entry
Upon arrival, pay a PHP 50 environmental fee at the Municipal Tourism Office, which also arranges tours and guides.
Food
Set meals start at around PHP 150 at Sanafe Lodge. Native rice wine is common.
Money
No ATMs in Banaue. Bring enough cash from Manila or Baguio. Nearest Visa ATM in Lagawe (1 hr jeepney), MasterCard in Solano. Credit card cash advance available at Uyami's Green View Lodge with 10% fee.
Transport
Jeepneys and tricycles are the main local transport. Public jeepney to Batad saddle point costs PHP 100-150 for tourists.