When you visit Banaue, Batad is a must-see. While I visited many villages and rice terraces in the area... Batad is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the main reason I made the trip to the area. No roads in or out. A village and rice terrace built and nestled right in between the mountains. Once arriving, it's immediate that the place is magic. Like others on this page, I hesitate to write about it but just getting there is an adventure in itself. I don't think tourists will flood the place ever just because of how remote it is. Most people settle with Banaue and go on their way. The first thing you have to do is hire a ride from Banaue about 45 minutes away. Once you're dropped off, you then have to hike another 45ish minutes into the village. I stayed for a few days and the community definitely knew a foreigner was staying. I was quite surprised on my way out... the community was so welcoming and genuinely surprised that I stayed a few days. A few people stopped to ask where I was headed(kind of like they welcomed me to stay longer). Many tourists come in, eat, hike to the waterfall and around the terrace, and then leave. I got the impression that not many people stick around. Sticking around was definitely on my agenda. I'd definitely recommend finding one of the Inns and staying for a few days(there are numerous). The place is amazing but one reason to stay is if you plan on hiking around the terraces and to the waterfalls. The steepness of the steps and I don't hesitate when I say this... WILL KILL YOUR KNEES. I managed but they were shakey more than a few times so watch yourself if you have bad knees. Unlike Hapao, Batad doesn't have quite as much water. I was there in the Spring so things were green but I definitely want to visit during other times of the year. The green lushness or brown dryness varies from other videos I've watched. When thinking back, I can't get over how peaceful the place was. If you want a place to relax, this is it. Waking up for breakfast, having a freshly cut open coconut, watching the sun hit the terraces, having plenty of fruit trees all around, a waterfall close by to swim near, nighttime celebrations, and watching the community thrive without all the complications of the outside world. Amazing! One other thing to note if you have adventurous tastebuds. These mountains of the Philippines are in the Cordillera region. There is an old chicken dish that is frowned upon by the government but it's specific to the region. It can be found here... it took a while to find; Some locals will pretend like it's gross. Other locals will play dumb but it can be found... just go looking for it. I won't go into the details(just Google it). Definitely give it a try! I think walking out of there, a little piece of the spirit of that place came with me. I'll never forget the people and my trip there and I plan to return one day for sure. read more