Marlboro Country (Racuh a Payaman)
About
This is the Batanes postcard! Racuh a Payaman, nicknamed Marlboro Country, is a communal pasture of rolling green hills where cows, carabaos and horses graze above cliffs that drop straight into the Pacific. Tayid Lighthouse stands on a nearby hill, so you get pasture, sea and lighthouse in one frame. Walk the narrow foot trails for different angles and stay on the paths, because the animals are not pets. It's a stop on every South Batan tour, paired with Tayid Lighthouse and the Honesty Coffee Shop in Ivana. Come early morning or late afternoon for soft light, wear shoes with good grip and a windbreaker, and bring water and snacks: there are no food stalls up here.
Dry until sunset (5:25 PM). Good time to go!
- 1–1.5 hrs (part of a half-day South Batan tour)Time to spend
- December to May (dry season); January-February is coolest. Early morning or late afternoon for light. Avoid the August-September typhoon peak.Best time to go
- Free entryEntrance and budget
- Fly Manila to Basco Airport, then take a South Batan tour or hire a tricycle; Basco to the Ivana/Honesty Coffee Shop area is about 30-40 minutes.Getting there
What to do here
- Walk the foot trails to the cliff-edge viewpoints
- Frame Tayid Lighthouse across the pasture
- Shoot the hills in early morning or late-afternoon light
- Pair it with the Honesty Coffee Shop in Ivana
Know before you go
Stay on the foot trails and keep away from cliff edges; winds can be strong.
Give grazing cattle and horses space; they are not pets.
Bring water and snacks; there are no food stalls on the hill.
Roadside parking at the jump-off near the pasture; tour vans and tricycles stop here.
Free entrance. A DIY South Batan tricycle tour is about ₱1,500 for the tricycle.
Come early morning or late afternoon for soft light, wear shoes with good grip and a windbreaker, and bring water and snacks: there are no food stalls up here.
Where it is
Racuh a Payaman, Mahatao, Batanes
By commuteFly Manila to Basco Airport, then take a South Batan tour or hire a tricycle; Basco to the Ivana/Honesty Coffee Shop area is about 30-40 minutes.
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FAQ
Why is it called Marlboro Country?
Foreign tourists gave it the nickname because its rolling, wind-swept hills look like the old Marlboro ads. Its Ivatan name is Racuh a Payaman, a communal pasture.
Is there an entrance fee?
No, entrance is free. You only pay for your tour or tricycle.
Is it part of the South Batan tour?
Yes. It's a standard South Batan stop, usually paired with Tayid Lighthouse and the Honesty Coffee Shop.
Is it safe to get close to the cows and horses?
Keep your distance. The animals graze freely, so stay on the trails and don't feed or touch them.