Fundacion Pacita in Basco, Batanes: A Boutique Hotel Embracing Art, Nature, and Culture
Sitting on top of a hill overlooking the lush greeneries of Batanes is Fundacion Pacita, an Ivatan-inspired hotel made of stones. It is named after the internationally-renowned artist, Pacita Abad.
Also read: Batanes 4-Day Itinerary: Experiencing Heaven’s Beloved Island
A statue of Pacita Abad can be seen at the grounds
Fundacion Pacita embraces art and nature, providing guests a picturesque view of not just the natural landscape of Batanes but also the historical culture and heritage of the Ivatans.
Also read: North Batan Island, Batanes: The Center of Local Livelihood and Breathtaking Landscapes
a picturesque view of the natural landscape of Batanes
It has a total of 12 rooms, seven of which are situated on top of the hill while the other four are in the main lodge.
Named after moon phases and wind directions, each room exudes a traditional Ivatan vibe with Narra wood floorings and furnishings, as well as displayed artworks made by local artists of Batanes.
the traditional Ivatan vibe with Narra wood floorings and displayed artworks made by local artists of Batanes at the main living room
Ideal for solo or traveling pair is Itaw (Off-season rate: Php 9,360; Peak season rate: Php 12, 870), a deluxe room named after the southwest monsoon that brings heavy rainfall in the wet season.
Itaw (Off-season rate: Php 9,360; Peak season rate: Php 12, 870) / IMAGE Fundacion Pacita
It has one queen-sized bed and a balcony facing the Pacific Ocean.
The balcony of the Itaw room overlooking the Pacific Ocean / IMAGE Fundacion Pacita
All rooms are equipped with air-conditioning and private toilet and bath. However, there is no TV and WiFi access, even a stable signal or data connection, for guests to fully appreciate the serenity of the place.
Additionally, Fundacion Pacita offers airport transfers and free shuttle services between Fundacion Pacita and Basco town.
Also read: Batanes Travel Guide: Preparing for Your Trip This 2019
Cafe du Tukon
Cafe du Tukon is the in-house restaurant of Fundacion Pacita serving the freshest farm-to-table Ivatan dishes.
Most ingredients are locally sourced and organically raised by neighboring farmers, while some products are freshly gathered from Fundacion Pacita’s backyard.
Cafe du Tukon has a vibrant and charming atmosphere
If you’re the type who loves to explore new flavors especially with pizzas, their Luñis Pizza (Php 575) is a must-try!
It is the cafe’s signature pizza made with luñis, a traditional Ivatan dish of pork, cooked with rock salt over firewood. Its taste resembles the all-time Filipino favorite, adobo.
Luñis Pizza (Php 575)
The pizza is crunchy, considering that it’s thin-crust, and topped with their homemade tomato sauce. It also has feta cheese, homegrown arugula, and finished off with a balsamic syrup giving it a little sweet aftertaste.
For desserts, you should give their Calamansi Pie (Php 230) a try. As much as you fear it to be too sour, Cafe du Tukon’s version is the perfect balance of sweet and sour with a smooth finish perfect to end a hearty meal.
Calamansi Pie (Php 230)
If one slice is not enough for you and you’d like to take some home, make sure to let the staff know a day or two before you depart so they can prepare you a freshly baked one.
Also read: 6 Must-Try Restaurants in Batanes
Galerie du Tulaan
If you think the view, the accommodation, and the food are enough to persuade you to book a stay in Fundacion Pacita, well, what if we tell you that there’s a hidden gallery just below the cafe waiting to be discovered?
Galerie du Tulaan is located underground Cafe du Tukon
Tulaan refers to the stream below the gallery that flows to provide water to the neighboring farmers before it finally flows out into a big body of water in the area.
This is also what Galerie du Tulaan aims to be: a stream that helps artists to extend their works to the country until they become well-known to the world. Galerie du Tulaan opened last January 10, 2018, and is now a valued gallery showcasing Ivatan artworks and artists.
Also read: 6 Souvenirs to Buy in Batanes
Disconnect to the world and experience a breath-taking stay at Fundacion Pacita with art gallery and farm-to-table goodness cafe guaranteed to make your stay even more memorable.
How to get here
- By car: From Basco Airport, take the Contra Costa Rd., and turn left at La Fuente St., follow the road until you find the road sign leading to Fundacion Pacita.
- By public transportation: The easiest way to go to Fundacion Pacita is through a tricycle ride. You may call the Basco Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (BATODA) at 0929-703-8404 and just ask them to take you to Fundacion Pacita. The minimum rate for a tricycle ride is Php 60. For checked-in guests of Fundacion, they offer airport transfers and free shuttle services between Fundacion Pacita and Basco town.
General Information
Address: Brgy. Chanarian, Tukon Basco, Batanes
Contact: 0939-9016353 (Smart) | 0917-8559364 (Globe)
Check-in: 11 a.m. Check-out: 9 a.m.
Website: fundacionpacita.ph
E-mail Address: inquiries@fundacionpacita.ph | fundacionpacita50@gmail.com
Facebook: Fundacion Pacita
This first appeared in Philippine Primer’s Japanese and English Magazine August 2019 issue.
