Hapao Rice Terraces
Hapao Rice Terraces
4.6
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.6
153 reviews
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Compass43204130746
8 contributions
Apr 2024 • Solo
You can go by yourself.
Jeepney from Banaue to Hunguduan, one a day in the afternoon, 60p.
Get off at Hapao.
Go down the road with the Bojah (hot spring) sign.
Go past the back of the elementary school and head towards the church (marked by a cross) along the river.
There are two inns about 100m from the church.
The hot spring is at the exit of the valley upstream of the river.
Cross the bridge and from the rest area, go up the rice field footpath and the side path of the canal.
There are two paths, so you can go up and down separately.
Because it is along the canal, the ups and downs are gentle, but sandals are not allowed. There is no shade, so a straw hat is recommended. It is better to bring water as well.
The hot spring is 70p. There is a changing room. Bring your swimsuit.
There is no restaurant, so you have to ask the inn.
On the way back, there is only one jeepney to Banaue, after 6am.
It is very quiet at night.
I guarantee that you can relax and enjoy the rice terraces.
If you don't have the language skills or negotiation skills, you should go on an expensive guided tour. If you go by yourself, it will cost less than 1000 pesos (including transportation, accommodation, and meals).
Jeepney from Banaue to Hunguduan, one a day in the afternoon, 60p.
Get off at Hapao.
Go down the road with the Bojah (hot spring) sign.
Go past the back of the elementary school and head towards the church (marked by a cross) along the river.
There are two inns about 100m from the church.
The hot spring is at the exit of the valley upstream of the river.
Cross the bridge and from the rest area, go up the rice field footpath and the side path of the canal.
There are two paths, so you can go up and down separately.
Because it is along the canal, the ups and downs are gentle, but sandals are not allowed. There is no shade, so a straw hat is recommended. It is better to bring water as well.
The hot spring is 70p. There is a changing room. Bring your swimsuit.
There is no restaurant, so you have to ask the inn.
On the way back, there is only one jeepney to Banaue, after 6am.
It is very quiet at night.
I guarantee that you can relax and enjoy the rice terraces.
If you don't have the language skills or negotiation skills, you should go on an expensive guided tour. If you go by yourself, it will cost less than 1000 pesos (including transportation, accommodation, and meals).
Written April 21, 2024
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.
Giulia
Marotta, Italy1,617 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
We did a 3 day/2 night tour of this area. The first day after the bus trip we came here and reached the spa with a not too long walk. Our guide here was Joy, and she was really super super nice. In my opinion the terraces are less beautiful than those of Batad or those that can be seen around Cambulo, but thanks to Joy's explanations, to the children who played among the rice fields and to a local couple with whom we spoke for a while, they were the most interesting on a human level.
Written April 26, 2024
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.
RachelMS1227
Quezon City, Philippines18 contributions
Jan 2020
Having experienced hike in Batad Rice Terraces, this one of Hapao is an easy one.
It was a 40-45 minute walk to the hot spring. The view to the river that lead to the hot spring is all worth the walk. The pool with hot spring is rather small. So if you want to enjoy it with some privacy, go there early. We got there before 10AM and we were the first guests.
After a long walk in the rice terraces, we had better time in the cold spring! We enjoyed the cold water and the cascading water from the mountain.
It was a 40-45 minute walk to the hot spring. The view to the river that lead to the hot spring is all worth the walk. The pool with hot spring is rather small. So if you want to enjoy it with some privacy, go there early. We got there before 10AM and we were the first guests.
After a long walk in the rice terraces, we had better time in the cold spring! We enjoyed the cold water and the cascading water from the mountain.
Written January 26, 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.
China
21 contributions
Feb 2020
1000 time better than Banaue, with amazing walks, and hot springs. you can come by yourself from Banaue with jeepney leaving hourly in the afternoon and sleep over in hapao at giovanni's place (listed in trip advisor). jeepney goes back daily to banaue 7.30 am
Written February 23, 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.
Cathy C
Philippines31 contributions
Apr 2016
After our overnight stay in Batad, we decided to head to Hapao since we finished lunch early in Banaue and our bus leaves in the evening. We took a tricycle because it was cheaper than what our van driver to Batad was offering. You have to try to haggle with the trike driver. A trkie can fit 3 passengers with one at the back of the driver. The trikes can be found along the market area in Banaue, they all know the route and will take you to the tourism office in Hapao to register and to get a guide. They will stop a few times along the route for you to get photos as there are plenty to admire. The route is scenic, although there are portions of the road that a broken and difficult to navigate for the trike especially when it rains (there was a portion we needed to get off and then get back in the trike) but the roads are mostly good cemented road. Our guide met us where the trike stops and the road to the terraces starts. I found the hike to and on the rice terraces much easier than that of Batad. The paths were more even and wider and not as steep as those of Batad, you could hear and see the running water (the irrigation system) as you walk along. Our guide, whose name I forgot was knowledgeable and shared plenty of information with us. She picked some native mint growing along the terraces and it was delicious. When we reached the hot springs it was raining, the spring was crowded with both locals and tourist (maybe because it was a Sunday, there were a lot of children). The spring was pretty small, but it was still nice to dip in it. We probably stayed only for an hour. And since it was seriously raining, we didn't bother drying up for our hike back. It was a cold hike back, but in a different route. When we got back to out trikes our guide led us to were we can wash off and change. Community owned shower (?) but seemed to be in someone's backyard. No payment was required of us, so we just added to our guides tip. When we got back, it was almost dark (there was a also a power outage) in Banaue but still had enough time to catch the bus, but not time for a decent dinner though.
Written April 21, 2016
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.
nessayaw
Sydney, Australia6 contributions
May 2015 • Friends
The place itself is beautiful, serene, and delightful to the senses. I recommend trekking to the hot springs and cooling off in the river.
Just be wary of the tourist information ladies at the muncipal tourist registration spot. They make you pay PhP 100.00/group as registration fee, which is fine. But they also tell you that you need to book an official tour guide for PhP 500.00. We pointed out to them that the municipal ordinance tacked on their wall states that getting a tour guide is "advised", and not required. We didn't want to hire one because we already had a local with us to bring us there.
The ladies still insisted that we should get one because it was required. They warned us that the way was dangerous and if we get into any peril, we shouldn't hold them liable if we don't get a tour guide. At this point, I felt that they were trying to make us fear for our safety and intimidate us as a tactic.
By the way, that's a lie. The trek to Hapao is a short and easy trek compared to the trek to Batad.
Then they said that if we don't get a tour guide, they wouldn't let us enter their rice terraces. So then I asked them what was the point of charging us PhP 100.00 registration fee if they won't let us through.
Again, a lie. The rice terraces are public property and I don't think they have the authority to deny entrance to anybody.
They even confronted our local companion and told him that he was not helping their cause. Then they told him not to show us the way so that we'd get lost.
I get that the ladies are trying to earn a living for Hapao, but they shouldn't prey on poor tourists through deceit and intimidation. That's just bad hospitality and bad business for the Hapao community.
I hope the Hapao local government looks into this, seeing that their public servants must have fooled hundreds of tourists with these tactics.
Just be wary of the tourist information ladies at the muncipal tourist registration spot. They make you pay PhP 100.00/group as registration fee, which is fine. But they also tell you that you need to book an official tour guide for PhP 500.00. We pointed out to them that the municipal ordinance tacked on their wall states that getting a tour guide is "advised", and not required. We didn't want to hire one because we already had a local with us to bring us there.
The ladies still insisted that we should get one because it was required. They warned us that the way was dangerous and if we get into any peril, we shouldn't hold them liable if we don't get a tour guide. At this point, I felt that they were trying to make us fear for our safety and intimidate us as a tactic.
By the way, that's a lie. The trek to Hapao is a short and easy trek compared to the trek to Batad.
Then they said that if we don't get a tour guide, they wouldn't let us enter their rice terraces. So then I asked them what was the point of charging us PhP 100.00 registration fee if they won't let us through.
Again, a lie. The rice terraces are public property and I don't think they have the authority to deny entrance to anybody.
They even confronted our local companion and told him that he was not helping their cause. Then they told him not to show us the way so that we'd get lost.
I get that the ladies are trying to earn a living for Hapao, but they shouldn't prey on poor tourists through deceit and intimidation. That's just bad hospitality and bad business for the Hapao community.
I hope the Hapao local government looks into this, seeing that their public servants must have fooled hundreds of tourists with these tactics.
Written May 23, 2015
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.
SurreyGirl27
Addlestone, UK1,137 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
Hapao is a short ride from Banaue town with many motor tricycles taking you there for a rreasonable fee. As a set that is not overrun with tourists this makes fo a great afternoon excusion and is fully accessible by foot and open to tourists, with long steep steps to get down to the base and then the walls betwene the terraces are slightly wider than other terraces - but there is a hairy metal aerial bridge to get across - not for the feint hearted and it is a steep concrete climb back up. Thsi site is NOT a tourist trap, no 'indigenous' people in traditional dress touting for photos or tacky souvenir shops but there are the local children who love the attention from the tourists and havign their photo taken as they run along the walls like mountain goats, as a tourist you will need to wear decent sturdy shoes and be careful when wet (which it often is in Banaue)
Written February 26, 2015
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.
tinky_in_arabia
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia94 contributions
Jan 2014 • Friends
Another stunning highlight of our trip to the rice terraces. Note that the Hapao Terraces are separate from Banaue, our rickshaw driver recommended we visit these terraces first (we came here in the morning). Spare about 4 hours for the Hapao Terraces. You can walk through the rice fields, and take a dip at the hot springs. Be sure to have your guide with you because you can get lost, it's a 45 minute walk (one way), and another 45 going back. You can bring some snacks, or some lunch to eat the springs.
Written August 14, 2014
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.
Mandy H
Dalian, China37 contributions
Feb 2016 • Friends
The Hapao Rice Terraces are quite something. It was a little rainy and misty but we decided to head out anyway, and we were not disappointed. We hired a driver and trike for the hour journey. The journey itself is quite something in a trike. Our driver stopped at all the hot spots for some great photo opportunities.
When we got to Hapao we hired a guide to get us to the hot spring and take us around the rice terraces. Great way to support the locals and learn more about the area. This is a great place if you want to get out but not too much hard work like some of the other rice terraces which require hiking.
The walk through the terraces isnt very hard or strenuous, its much easier than the other areas. Great morning or afternoon walk if you looking for something more relaxing.
Remember to always be careful when walking through the rice terraces so that you dont cause any damage.
Take enough water and some snacks with.
When we got to Hapao we hired a guide to get us to the hot spring and take us around the rice terraces. Great way to support the locals and learn more about the area. This is a great place if you want to get out but not too much hard work like some of the other rice terraces which require hiking.
The walk through the terraces isnt very hard or strenuous, its much easier than the other areas. Great morning or afternoon walk if you looking for something more relaxing.
Remember to always be careful when walking through the rice terraces so that you dont cause any damage.
Take enough water and some snacks with.
Written May 23, 2016
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.
James H
Southampton, UK92 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
Great walk through the widest terraces in the region with our guide (Na-asun) who was excellent, explaining history and culture of the area. We arrived around 8.45/9 and were the only tourists around at that time.
After about an hour we arrived at some hot springs where we had a soak in the sulphurous water. The river is right next to the spring so a quick plunge in here to cool off if you fancy it. Make sure you have a local guide as a couple of groups turned up when we were leaving with guides from banaue and were refused entrance.
Recommend trip as terraces are much more impressive and in a better condition than those in Banaue.
After about an hour we arrived at some hot springs where we had a soak in the sulphurous water. The river is right next to the spring so a quick plunge in here to cool off if you fancy it. Make sure you have a local guide as a couple of groups turned up when we were leaving with guides from banaue and were refused entrance.
Recommend trip as terraces are much more impressive and in a better condition than those in Banaue.
Written April 7, 2017
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.
Hi there. Please provide more details regarding this tour. We’re planning on going this June. I want to know if it’s necessary to hire a travel agent or not. Or can you recommend your tour guide? Thank you!
Written February 8, 2019
Hire your transport eg trike from Banaue to take you out to Hapao. You will be taken to the Municipal Office where you register and a Guide is assigned to you. The Guide came on my trike to the starting point of the trek. My trike driver waited till we returned and then drove back to the Municipal Office to drop off my Guide. Then I returned to Banaue.
Written February 9, 2019
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