With fewer than 16,000 inhabitants believed to be the descendants of brave seafarers from Formosa (now Taiwan), these pristine islands posses a rich Ivatan culture and a peaceful and friendly population. Perhaps due to its remoteness, the pace of life in Batanes is slow. Here there are no modern conveniences—or annoyances. Locals still wear traditional articles of clothing like the vakul, a headpiece made of fibers from the voyavoy palm, which is used to protect the wearer from sun and rain.

The stone houses of Batanes are built to withstand typhoons, with walls and roofs one meter thick, and small and narrow windows. The Ivatan kitchen is built separately around a great stove. It is the most important part of the house, and remains warm and safe during a typhoon. There are different kinds of houses: the panyisanan or farm house, the pangasinyan or “house where salt is made”, and the kamadid or boat house.  

Local cuisine features is simple yet hearty, using fresh ingredients, and especially seafood. Authentic Ivatan cuisine includes exotic dishes like uvod, composed of fish, bananas, and local herbs; yellow ginger rice; and coconut crab.