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 can get the pasture, the sea and the lighthouse in one frame. Walk the narrow foot trails for different angles, bring a windbreaker, and stay on the paths because the animals are not pets. It is a stop on every South Batan tour, so pair it with Tayid Lighthouse and the Honesty Coffee Shop in Ivana. Come early morning or late afternoon for soft light and fewer tripods, and wear shoes with good grip for the grassy slopes. There are no food stalls up here, so bring water and snacks.
- 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 August–September typhoon peak.Best time to go
- Free entryEntrance and budget
- Fly Manila to Basco Airport.Getting there
Why it’s gala-worthy
- Good for nature escape, photo walk, casual date, barkada hangout and family trip
- 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 can get the pasture, the sea and the lighthouse in one frame.
Know before you go
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.
Walk the narrow foot trails for different angles, bring a windbreaker, and stay on the paths because the animals are not pets.
Come early morning or late afternoon for soft light and fewer tripods, and wear shoes with good grip for the grassy slopes.
There are no food stalls up here, so bring water and snacks.
Where it is
Racuh a Payaman, Imnajbu, Uyugan, Batanes (Mahatao-Uyugan border)
By commuteFly Manila to Basco Airport. From Basco, take a South Batan tour or hire a tricycle; Basco to the Ivana/Honesty Coffee Shop area is about 30–40 minutes by tricycle.
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FAQ
Bakit Marlboro Country ang tawag?
Foreign tourists gave it that nickname because its rolling, wind-swept contours look like the old Marlboro ads. Its Ivatan name is Racuh a Payaman, a communal pasture.
May entrance fee ba?
Wala, free ang entrance. You only pay for your tour or tricycle.
Kasama ba ito sa South Batan tour?
Yes. It is a standard South Batan stop, usually paired with Tayid Lighthouse and the Honesty Coffee Shop.
Safe ba lumapit sa mga baka at kabayo?
Keep your distance. The animals graze freely, so stay on the trails and do not feed or touch them.