Northern Luzon - The Rough Guide to the Philippines - page 177

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE BANAUE

By bus Buses from Manila and Baguio drop passengers off
outside the municipal tourist centre, but depart from their
respective terminals. Ohayami buses serve Baguio (daily
5pm; 7-8hr) and Manila (2 daily; 8-9hr).
By jeepney Jeepneys coming from Bontoc stop at the
market, heading back to Bontoc daily at 9.30am (1hr

40min; P150). Regular jeepneys connect Banaue with the
provincial capital, Lagawe (every 30min; 1hr; P37).
By van Vans from Bontoc and Baguio drop passengers off
at the market.
Destinations Baguio (hourly 9.30am-5.30pm; 6hr; P360);
Bontoc (hourly 8am-3pm; 1hr 30min; P150).

INFORMATION
Environmental fee All visitors must register and pay the
environmental fee (P20) at the municipal tourist centre.
Tourist information The municipal tourist centre is
on the western end of the main drag, where the buses
stop (daily until 8pm; T 0917 552 2501, E elahd_ban
@yahoo.com).

Tours You can hire an accredited guide to explore the
surrounding area; rates vary depending on where you go -
ask at the municipal tourist centre for a list of destinations
with fixed rates. Guesthouses can enquire about motorbike
rental or call local guide Elvis who rents out his own bike
(P1500/day; T 0935 292 2982).

3

ACCOMMODATION
Banaue's accommodation is generally simple but clean and friendly, and many places have restaurants attached. Finding
somewhere without a reservation is not a problem, except at Christmas and Easter.

Banaue Hotel Ilogui Tam-an T 0908 400 7596,
E [e-mail]. This vast rambling
hotel with outmoded furniture and decor hasn't moved
on much since opening in the 70s. Rooms are comfortable
and spacious nonetheless, and there are deluxe options
(P3000) and suites (P7000) with nice views. Plus a
pleasant swimming pool and a b ar with pool table. Wi-fi
in the lobby at P150/day. P2300
Banaue View Inn Poblacion T 0916 694 4511,
E [e-mail]. The tiled rooms
here - with shared or private bathroom - are clean, a little
boxy but with more character than in some of the other
lodges, and there are great views from the shared veranda
- or from your private balcon y if you choose one of the
more expensive rooms. P1000
Ilob Village Inn Bocos T 0906 230 5090,
E [e-mail]. East of town, this place
offers the chance to stay in one of five native huts
(P800). The oldest, dating back more than a century,
is covered in carabao skulls, butchered during the
binogwah ritual, when the Ifugao bring out the
skeletons of their forefathers in order to pay respects.
The private rooms in the concre te block at the back
are spartan and uninspiring. P400
★

verdant grounds. Call Elvis ( T 0935 292 2982) for a free
pick-up from Banaue. P1900
People's Lodge and Restaurant Poblacion T 0919
532 5605. This lodge offers simple rooms, some of
which share cold showers and toilets, and more
expensive, slightly more spacious rooms with private
bath and colourful Ifugao blankets. There's a terrace with
pleasant views a nd a little lounge area with rustic
wooden benches. P400
★

Sanafe Lodge Banaue Trade Centre, Poblacion
T 0939 939 0128, W sanafelodge.com. A great option,
with clean rooms with wooden decor; some are more
spacious than others so take a look at a few before
choosing. The deluxe room (P1600) is worth every peso -
clean, spacious and with excellent views over the rice
terraces. The place also has one of Banaue's better
restaurants, where you can enj oy spe ctacular scenery from
the breakfast table. Free wi-fi. P800
Spring Village Inn Poblacion T 0916 927 9623. Run by
an affable woman, this pleasant guesthouse with a tiled
wooden interior offers clean, comfortable rooms set on two
floors, all with private bath and hot shower. The owner's
collection of beautiful l Chinese vases is on display in the
entrance hall. P1500
Uyami's Greenview Lodge Poblacion T 0917 591
0981, W ugreenview.wordpress.com. A popular place
with a comfortable restaurant offering wi-fi and views
over the surrounding terraces. All rooms have wooden
floorboards, dressing table and hanging rail and a couple
have views over the terraces; the cheaper rooms downstairs
are spartan, with common bat hroom s and cold showers
(hot water is an additional P50). P500

Native Village Inn Uhaj, 9km west of Banaue
T 0916 405 6743, W nativevillage-inn.com. On the
road to Hapao, this wonderful place has stunning rice
terrace views - there are two lookout points where
guests are encouraged to take their breakfast, and
where you can easily while away a few hours just
soaking in the scenery. The food is another highlight,
including fresh homebaked bread. Accommodation is
in seven comfortable native huts dotted around the