Sabtang Island · Heritage & Culture
Chavayan Heritage Village
A preserved Ivatan village of stone houses and cogon roofs — one of the Philippines' best-kept cultural treasures.
About Chavayan Heritage Village
Chavayan is the smallest and most traditional of Sabtang's villages, a maze of limestone-and-coral homes that have weathered Pacific typhoons for generations. Many families still wear the vakul (women) and kanayi (men) — woven coverings made from voyavoy palm. The village is on UNESCO's tentative World Heritage list.
What makes it special
- Photogenic stone-house lanes
- Live vakul weaving demonstrations
- Tasting of local turmeric tea and uvi (yam) snacks
- Walking distance Santa Rosa de Lima Chapel
Photo gallery
Click any image to view it larger.
Travel tips
- Respect residents — many of these are private homes, not museums.
- Buy a handcrafted vakul to support local weavers.
- Walk softly; the lanes are sacred community ground.
People also ask
Yes — most homes are still inhabited by Ivatan families. Please be respectful and ask before taking close-up photos of residents.
Nearby destinations
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Visit with a guide
Tours that include Chavayan Heritage Village
See the curated Sabtang Island packages our Ivatan-led partners run year-round.
SabtangPopular
Full day (10 hours) · Moderate
Sabtang Island Day Tour
- Sabtang Lighthouse
- Chavayan
- Morong Beach
- Nakabuang Arch
InquireFrom
₱3,200/ person
Multi-islandPopular
4 days · 3 nights · Moderate
Complete Batanes Experience (4D3N)
- All three core islands
- Heritage village immersion
- Sunset lighthouse experience
- Fundacion Pacita afternoon
InquireFrom
₱18,500/ person
Multi-island
5 days · 4 nights · Easy
Romantic Batanes Honeymoon (5D4N)
- Private faluwa charter
- Café du Tukon dinner
- Boutique luxury stay
- Couples photography session
InquireFrom
₱32,000/ person