Where to Stay in Hungduan, Ifugao

• Lodgings in Hapao Rice Terraces
• Lodgings in Poblacion of Hungduan, Ifugao

I was planning to stay in the 100 Pesos/person/night lodging in the Poblacion of Hungduan, Ifugao but when I communicated with the Tourism Operations Officer of Hungduan, Wena Sicat, she told me that I could stay in Giovanni’s Place which was located in the middle of Hapao Rice Terraces for 300 Pesos a night per person.

The last time I was in Hungduan, we viewed the Hapao Rice Terraces and personally I love it more compared with the ones I see on the viewpoint of Banaue Rice Terraces! So when I heard that I could stay in a lodge in the middle of it, there was no other choice but to say yes! And for 3 nights I stayed there enjoying the Rice Terraces, the cold river on the side, the culture and the fresh air.

Below are the available accommodations where you can stay in Hungduan, Ifugao.

Lodgings in Hapao Rice Terraces

The lodgings that I have researched in Hapao are all in the middle of the rice terraces so walking down on the rice terraces is a must. If you want to stay here, tell the driver of the jeepney or tricycle to drop you at Balenga Residences.

From there you can ask locals for directions on how you can traverse through the rice terraces and arrive at the logings.

Think waking up in the middle of the rice terraces. Sweet experience!

Giovanni’s Inn

If you’re more of a laid back person, Giovanni’s Inn is for you as they have rooms with private CR and they also have a restaurant which serves generous amounts of food.

Rates

300 Pesos/pax/night	Standard Rooms	Private CR
500 Pesos/pax/night	Native Hut	Common CR

Food

Dinner and Lunch is 150 Pesos/serving – Rice, Meat and Vegetables

Breakfast is 100 Pesos/serving – Hotdogs, Egg and Rice

Contact Information: 0917-554-4008

Notes

• This place is beside the Hapao River, you can swim on the cold waters if you want to.
• Order early for your food as they will be buying ingredients before they cook it for you.
• They have a chlorineless swimming pool where you can swim. The water is warmer than the weather so swimming is fun.
• When you’re staying here you can use the cottages for free. I used it very much as that is where I was charging my phones and at the same time writing.
• There’s a sari-sari store here.

Pictures

 

Base Camp

If you are more of a rugged adventurous type then this lodging is for you.

When I asked what the name of the lodge was the owner did not have a name for it. I placed “no name” on my notebook when he suddenly told me that it was popularly called by his son as Base Camp. So that’s what I’m putting here.

Rates

200 Pesos/pax/night

Native Hut

Common CR

The rates here are not really standardized, so it’s better if you talk directly to the owner.

Contact Information: 0919-500-1028 Elvis Dumawol

Notes

• This place is more like a dormitory type but on a native house. You’ll be mixed up with other travellers inside the native houses.
• They do not serve food here but you can cook using firewood when you bring your ingredients.
• It’s beside the Hapao River so you can swim there.
• I seriously want to try staying here!
• I loved the lounge. It was almost all made of wood and when the owner opened the window you can feel the cool breeze from the outside. Very conducive for talking with anyone.

Pictures

Notes on Hapao Rice Terraces Lodging

• Both lodgings are located about 70 meters apart.
• The Bogyah Hot Spring is just 30 minutes walk from here through the rice terraces.
• If you don’t find the thing you want on the sari-sari store in Giovanni’s Place, you can go up again to the road which is just 10 minutes away. There’s a sari-sari store there that has more supplies.
• Since the lodgings are in the middle of the terraces, you will be passing by steep steps to get there and go out.

Author’s Note

My experience in the lodging right inside the rice terraces was a blast. But I am worried that if more lodgings would sprung up, the beauty of the Hapao Rice Terraces will degrade and the experience will not be as enchanting as I have experienced it.

I wish they would open homestay programs so that no structures would be built inside the terraces and it would still keep it’s charm at the same time provide land to plant rice and also provide additional income for the locals.

In the end it’s not the lodgings that gives beauty to the place, it’s the rice terraces.

 

Lodgings in the Poblacion of Hungduan, Ifugao

Happy Homes Lodge

If you’re not into dormitory type of lodging and want to have a room of your own then this is the place for you.

Rates

150 Pesos/person/night

Food

• 60-70 Pesos/meal with rice
• 60-100 Pesos/cooking if you want to cook your own food. The price will depend on what you are cooking.

Contact Information

Mobile No.: 0926-280-3213, 0915-252-3965
E-mail: [email protected]

Notes

• They have a sari-sari store inside the lodging. You’ll see the picture below.
• They only have a common CR.
• It’s near the municipal hall of Hungduan and also near the Hungduan Weaving Center and the Heritage Village.

Pictures

 

Municipal Lodge

This is where we stayed when I volunteered to take pictures for the Philippine Skyrunning Association during the Hungduan Climbathon last year. There were a lot of us back then that we occupied all the beds and also requested for extra mattresses. It was really fun!

I was planning to stay here as this is the cheapest lodging in Hungduan. But when I think about it, I am by myself in a big room with lots of beds alone sleeping at night… Somehow my mind imagine things! I therefore conclude that this lodging is good for big groups and if you’re doing solo hope that there is a big group there so you can meet new friends and together you imagine weird things at night.

Rates

100 Pesos/person/night

Food

• 75 Pesos – Breakfast without drinks
• 20 Pesos – Coffee
• 120 Pesos – Lunch/Dinner

Order in advance so they can prepare the food.

Contact Information

0917-507-8988 Elma Langbayan

Notes

• Sometimes it becomes really cold at night and guests request for extra blankets. They offer extra blankets for the price of 20 Pesos/blanket for the whole duration of your stay.
• Since it’s a dormitory type there are only public bathrooms.
• There are lockers here where you can secure your valuables.
• There’s a different room for male and female.
• There’s a sari-sari store nearby where you can buy some basic stuff.
• The Heritage Village and the Hungduan Weaving Center is just walking distance but you have to go up a steep road to get there.

Pictures

---

 

Let’s make an effort to preserve Hungduan, Ifugao as enchanting as I have experienced it.

• Keep your trash and throw it on proper disposal bins.
• Respect the locals.
• Keep the noise low as not to disturb locals and other travellers.
• Be mindful of others.
• Do not vandalize.
• And most of all, be contented with the simple life they have. What happens in the city should stay in the city.
• To trip organizers, whether personal or professional, you are responsible to educate the people you are with about responsible travelling and encourage them to practice it before going to any destination.

Let us not change Hungduan, let it change us.

This post is part of my 12 for 2012 Travel Project that aims to create travel guides to help travellers go around the Philippines.

Follow my Hungduan, Ifugao series

• 10 Things to do in Hungduan, Ifugao (overview)
• Hungduan, Ifugao Budget and Itinerary (helpful)
• How much did I spend on my trip to Hungduan, Ifugao
• How to get to Hungduan, Ifugao (helpful)
• Where to stay in Hungduan, Ifugao (helpful)
• Hungduan Rice Terraces
• Bogyah Hot Spings
• Hapao Rice Terraces
• Balentimol Falls
• Native House in Sitio Awa