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Uyugan is a municipality of Batanes province in the northern Philippines.
Understand
[edit | edit source]Uyugan is in the southeastern part of Batan Island, the main island in the Batanes archipelago. Being the nearest place to Luzon, it became the first place in Batanes to be conquered by the Spanish in the 17th and 18th centuries.
It is home to about 1,000 people (census, 1 July 2024) 
Get in
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The best time to visit is during the dry season between March and June, when the winds and waves are calm. Otherwise, expect frequent cancellations at the last minute.
Uyugan is connected to the rest of Batan Island through a scenic highway system, with jeepneys and tricycles running between the town and the provincial capital Basco.
Get around
[edit | edit source]There are not much cars or heavy vehicles due to high costs, logistical difficulties when it comes to importation, and short distances. Motorcycles and tricycles are more common.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Mutchung Viewpoint, National Road, Kayvaluganan. A cliffside promontory with commanding views into the Pacific Ocean and a large "I Love Uyugan" sign.
- 2 National Museum of the Philippines - Batanes, Itbud, batanes@nationalmuseum.gov.ph. 8AM–5PM. The regional branch of the National Museum of the Philippines system, with exhibits on Batanes' natural history and culture. It is housed in a former radar station used by the US Coast Guard during the Cold War. Free, donation optional.
- 3 Alapad Hills and Rock Formation, Itbud. A section of highway carved through a limestone cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Most tourists take photographs beside a road marker that reads "Blow UR Horn".
- 4 Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Parish Church (Itbud Church), National Road, Itbud. The largest church in Uyugan.
- 5 San Antonino de Florencia Parish Church (Uyugan Church), National Road, Kayuganan. The oldest church in Uyugan, built during the Spanish era in 1871 and housing a venerated image of Saint Antoninus of Florence
Do
[edit | edit source]Buy
[edit | edit source]All transactions are in cash due to the absence of banks and ATMs.
Eat
[edit | edit source]Drink
[edit | edit source]Sleep
[edit | edit source]There are homestays and inns in town.
Stay safe
[edit | edit source]Like in the rest of Batanes, crime is abysmally low, and the residents know each other.
Stay healthy
[edit | edit source]Try not to get into a serious medical emergency, as there is no hospital and you will need to be evacuated to Basco or worse, to mainland Luzon due to a lack of medicines and other resources.
Connect
[edit | edit source]The town's postal code is 3903.
Like in the rest of Batanes, electricity is on a rotational basis, with generators and solar panels being the norm. Cellphone and internet signals are often sketchy, although things are improving with the proliferation of Starlink terminals, while the reception from radio stations in Taiwan can be clearer than the domestic ones.