//
Municipality in Iloilo, Philippines
Photo: Cid Jacobo, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Batad is a village of Ifugao province in the Cordillera Administrative Region of the island of Luzon in the Philippines.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
These amazing irrigated rice paddies were carved into the mountains over 2,000 years ago. The village is nestled among perhaps the finest examples of them in the region. Anywhere in or above the village provides phenomenal views. Also, you may walk along them if you like.
There are several viewpoints on the opposite side when coming from the Saddle. The first few are easy to reach, except for the strenuous hike up lots of concrete steps. For the brave, there is another viewpoint on the highest point; you should not be afraid of hights and sure-footed if you attempt to go there. The valley view is wonderful.
A beautiful 70-meter falls about a 30-minute walk from the village. It's a great place to go for a swim. To go there without a guide, when arriving from the Saddle head on the opposite side of the rice terraces amphitheater (through the rice terraces or down to the village and up to the promontory). From here go down again with the only path with stairs to the other side.
Patpat is a small sub-village of Batad. While this sitio itself does not have too many attractions, the two-hour hike going there passes through some amazing sights. You first cross a river with a hanging bridge, then hike up rice terraces which lead into a small forest with numerous little waterfalls and springs. Upon reaching the ridge of the mountain, relax in a waiting shed which gives you both a full-frontal view of the Batad Rice Terraces and the sweet potato plantations of Patpat. There is one store in the village, and the elderly owner speaks perfect American colonial-period English. She only sells snacks and canned sardines, but you can ask her to cook the sardines and some rice for you. She might even give you some boiled sweet potatoes for free! Beside her store is a male basketweaver who might have some native backpacks for sale. There is also a tiny elementary school with tiny tots who will chorus a cheerful English greeting to visitors.
Do get a guide in Batad Village, because you can get lost in the uphill climb. The fee is ₱400-500.
Sweet potato is planted in the swidden farms around Batad. So, before going on any mountain hike, an energy-boosting snack of fried sweet potato fries is a must! You can also order a few pieces of boiled sweet potato to take with you. Available at any of the restaurants in Batad.
Offers simple but filling meals many of which are featuring locally grown rice. They also have bright but basic rooms upstairs for ₱250 per person.
You can pitch a tent at any of the covered viewpoints overlooking the rice terraces. Basically you can set up your tent anywhere for free, so if you do not want to be as isolated, you can also stay next to the church (main village) or on the grounds of the elementary school (upper village.)
Ramon is an excellent source of help and information about the local history and culture. He will show you traditional artifacts, host bonfires at night, and prepare you freshly ground, freshly roasted organic coffee made from beans grown right in his garden.
Clean rooms, spotless shared bathroom, ran by friendly family. It's also possible to sleep in a traditional hut.
Beside the Foreigner's Inn at the main village there is a small hut with an elderly woman weaving traditional clothing with a backstrap loom. Her items cost ₱400-500 each.
Also in the main village of Babluy is Juan Buy-a, the village blacksmith. He usually makes items for actual use (not lousy souvenirs), and you may chance upon him finishing a lovely blade with carved handle and scabbard. With some good haggling and a bottle of gin (which you should always carry around in Batad), you may get it at a great price!
Since no road leads to Batad, there are no motorized vehicles to be found anywhere in the village. This means, of course, that one must get around on foot.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Cauayan City · Regional · CYZ
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Batad and Philippines.
Travel tipsFull 2026 list of visa-free countries for Philippine passport holders. Check ASEAN entry rules, stay limits, and Bureau of Immigration clearance tips.
6 min read
InspirationExplore the best islands to visit in the Philippines, including Palawan limestone lagoons, Boracay white sands, Bohol hills, and Cebu waterfalls.
6 min read
ItinerariesLearn the real difference between Palawan and Boracay with our breakdown of sand quality, boat tours, nightlife, travel transit, and vacation costs.
7 min read
Travel tipsReal-world 7-day Philippines travel budget covering hotel prices, domestic flights, island hopping tours, tricycle fares, and food costs.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.