Marlboro Hills (Rakuh a Payaman)

Marlboro Hills — officially Rakuh a Payaman — is the postcard image of Batanes. Rolling green hills extend toward the ocean, with cattle grazing freely, a single white lighthouse on the horizon, and 200-meter cliffs dropping straight into the Pacific.

The name "Marlboro Country" was coined by visiting American tourists in the 1980s who saw the resemblance to the Marlboro cigarette ads. The Filipino name Rakuh a Payaman means "great pastureland" in Ivatan.

Visitors typically arrive by van or motorbike (about 30 minutes from Basco). Walking the hills takes 1-2 hours — paths are unmarked but the open landscape makes navigation easy. There are no fences; you walk among the cows and horses freely. Locals expect respectful behavior — don't chase animals, don't litter.

Photographers come at sunrise (when fog lifts off the hills) and at golden hour before sunset. Midday light flattens the landscape; early or late is essential for good photos.