Marlboro Hills
Marlboro Hills
5

Tours and Tickets

Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
92 reviews
Excellent
75
Very good
16
Average
1
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Terrible
0

Czar Emmanuel
Manila, Philippines6,246 contributions
Jul 2022 • Friends
Locally named as "Racuh a Payaman", people started calling this place "Marlboro Country" probably inspired by the popular 1968 advertisement of the cigarette brand portraying a landscape similar to that of Batanes. The site is actually a vast pasture land owned by the local government. People are free to have their cattle graze in the area for free. They simply have to ask the government's permit for it. Today, not only cattle raisers frequent the place, but also tourists because of its beauty and the amazing scenery it offers. Just brace yourselves to face strong winds when you visit it and be sure to keep the gate closed. :D
Written 5 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lorenzo T
4 contributions
Nov 2019
My November 2019 visit to the archipelagic province of Batanes in the Philippines’ northernmost tip further deepened the beautiful impressions etched during my first visit to the country’s top end wonder nearly two decades ago. Such mental imprints included the Batanes house, the Arius tree, the vakul and kanayi headgears, yuvuk and other local baskets, the local garlic, the exhilarating drive along the coastal road that zips through the postcard-perfect rolling ‘Marlboro hills’ with the breathtaking green grass-topped grazing lands where horses, cows and goats freely roam on one side of the road and the endless blue waters of the Philippine Sea on the other, and the hardy and genteel Ivatans. Let me offer some snippets about each of these.

The Batanes house fascinates me no end as it definitely is an admirable architectural and structural feat courtesy of the Ivatan people. It has proven to withstand the test of time, the harshness of the elements especially the strong typhoons that frequent the place. Its twin attributes of simplicity and durability coupled by its thoughtful use of local materials and indigenous house construction techniques, were capitalized to build multi-functional and highly durable dwelling spaces quite unique to this laidback vacation haven.

The sturdy Arius tree, referred to locally as the Batanes pine, is endemic to the province and dots most of the local landscapes. Its branches thickly dotted in all directions with flat baby-finger-like leaves of varying shades of green and forming a pattern resembling bottle cleaners is definitely an interesting natural beauty to behold.

The vakul (for women) and kanayi (for men) headgears, as well as the yuvuc (a farm-produce harvesting basket) and other basketworks, are a product of the functional ingenuity and creativity of the people of Batanes.

The local garlic, though smaller than imported garlic, is definitely richer in flavor giving extra savory taste to the Ivatan dishes I sampled at the HiroJoy Cuisine exquisitely prepared by no less than its owner Ms. Lidia Roberto.

The quick drive along the awesome grazing hills make you feel transported for a moment to a spectacular place outside the Philippines where the hills come to life and the time gets warped.

The infinite sea simply leaves you breathless as you face head on its boundless majesty with its serene waves gifting you with an unexplainable calmness of spirit and soul.

The hardworking, honest and long-suffering Ivatans are in themselves a wonder. I would always have a soft-spot in my heart for these people as I continue to cherish their native brand of hospitality and friendship.

By Lorenzo F. Templonuevo
Written 28 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kenan
Manila, Philippines128 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
This place is really called Rakuh a Payaman and some foreigners just don't know it so they called it for a cigarette maker (but the Ivatans don't call it that).
This is the spot where you can watch most of the northern part of Batan Island, the majestic Iraya mountain, the Pacific Ocean to the side and West Philippine sea to your left. Just marvelous.
There are no public transportation to this place so the options are to find a tour package, bicycle, motorcycle, or rent a van/tricycle.
Written 11 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kenan Ivatan
5 contributions
Mar 2019 • Family
Probably the only place in the Philippines where you can see both the great Pacific Ocean and the West Philippine Sea all in one place.
Written 8 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

maila_ani
Philippines276 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
It’s an easy walk from the road. Very picturesque. Great place to take photos. When we were there, we saw someone proposing to his girlfriend. Very romantic place to do so. Our tour guide said that weddings can also be held there. It was very windy but also sunny. Because of the cool breeze we weren’t aware that we were already getting sunburnt. Best to wear sunblock if you’re going to stay long under the sun.
Written 5 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

eLL
Baguio, Philippines48 contributions
May 2019
Mavid Batanes...

Batanes is the New Zealand of the Philippines which is I'm not sure since I haven't visited New Zealand yet (soon I hope so :D). Is going to Batanes expensive? Yes, but it is worth the price.

We book our 4D&3N Batanes Tour at AAL5 Travels and Tours (including airfare, accommodation, and others). We book a travel tour package for hassle free since we are not fond of DIY. (DIY is fun if you want to challenge yourself)

Marlboro Hills has breathtaking view. You can see both mountain/ocean view in one and the relaxing/refreshing cold wind that will touch your skin. If you are a Nature Lover, this is the best place for you. You can do panorama shot, jump shot (be cautious), sitting and lying around on the grass. :)

There's a lot of places that you can visit in Batanes!! I assure you that you will never regret going to Batanes!!! So book a flight, pack your things and go!!!!

PS. Don't forgot your sunblock just in case!! hehehe
Written 12 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vacationer79670
San Pedro, Philippines167 contributions
Mar 2019 • Friends
When you visit batanes, you should include this in your bucketlist... The hills, the cattles and the surrounding is very relaxing... Nature in its finest...
Written 20 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

EndlessTravels
Greater Melbourne, Australia35,428 contributions
Mar 2019
Probably my favourite attraction that I visited on my tour. Easy to get to as you don’t really have to walk uphill from road. Loved the cows as well
Written 20 March 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

leyzlie
Luzon, Philippines16 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
Breathtaking view of green hills with crystal blue waters.. You can even hear the wind whistle for some time.. Such a very good place to relax by just sitting or even lying down on the grass.. just feel the breeze.. You can even capture a good panorama shot and jump shot with caution. ;) Brings back good memories..
Written 28 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lianikeon
Tracy, CA54 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
It was a spectacular view from the hilltop - specially with my brother & our tour guide (Ate Remy - the best)! You can't believed that there's such beauty in the Philippines - can rivaled one in Europe (Scotland)!
Written 6 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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