to visit Angeles, Pampanga

tigercop2020 · #1 (**permalink**) 16th June 2012, 09:55 PM

Greetings to all in the Philippines. I am getting ready to vacation again in the Philippines this coming September 2012. I plan to go to Angeles City in Pampanga a day after i arrive in Manila. I plan to do the trip on a weekends and perhaps go back to Manila Monday.
This is going to be my first visit to Angeles City with my girl friend,and since we are in a limited budget, can any body in this forum please advise me about some few things before i fly to Manila? like.....what public transportation should we take to Angeles city, what budget hotel you may recommend us?, which place in Pampanga, ( tourist spots), we should see on a quick visit?, should we ride a taxi to the hotel or ask for the hotel shuttle transportation to pick us up? what safe restaurant and little night life can you recommend? What is the customary tipping amount for a service ?
Any more you can advise us to make it a wonderful visit to Angeles.....we will appreciate it so much. Please let us know soonest?
Mabuhay all !!

seram · #2 (**permalink**) 16th June 2012, 11:45 PM

When I stay in Malate or Ermita I take a metered taxi to the Five Star Bus Terminal in Pasay. 15 mins.

I then take an aircon bus to Dau bus terminal pampanga. This takes around 2 hours.

Then a trike ride from Dau to my hotel. about 5 mins.

Taxi from Hotel to Bus Terminal.... 50 peso
Bus from Terminal to Dau.......... 128 peso
Trike from Dau to hotel............. 70 peso..

Even if those fares are now higher then I quoted then you will still pay under 300 peso a head. The swagman Bus or Southern Cross bus from Ermita charge you 600 peso a head and will drop you at your hotel door in Angeles. Door to door so you have no worries about changing from buses to trikes.

Depending on where you stay in Manila there is also the Victory Liner and Rabbit bus companies but if you take any of these buses just be careful because they will go to down town Angeles which is a good distince from Angeles. Dau is the terminal you need to go to.

You will note that my price I quote for the trike in Angeles is dearer then the taxi fare. This is because you will pay inflated trike prices. A fare in the province of 30 peso will cost you 70 to 100 in Angeles. BE PREPARED FOR THAT.

As far as tourist spots then be prepared to see inside many bars. A beer will cost you 90 to 100 peso. There is nothing to see in Angeles except for girls, girls and more girls. Daytime is dead unless you go to the mall and see a movie. The town will come alive around 6.00pm.

I hope your girl is not the jealous type.

Cheap hotels are many. Scroll to the bottom of the first link and see a list of budget hotels. 750 to 1200 peso a night.

Angeles City Hotels and Accommodations

Where to stay in Balibago, Angeles City

Anyhow..Goodluck and enjoy the bars of Angeles....Be careful cos there are many card scammers and pickpockets. regards

Gene and Viol · #3 (**permalink**) 17th June 2012, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seram

When I stay in Malate or Ermita I take a metered taxi to the Five Star Bus Terminal in Pasay. 15 mins.

I then take an aircon bus to Dau bus terminal pampanga. This takes around 2 hours.

Then a trike ride from Dau to my hotel. about 5 mins.

Taxi from Hotel to Bus Terminal.... 50 peso
Bus from Terminal to Dau.......... 128 peso
Trike from Dau to hotel............. 70 peso..

Even if those fares are now higher then I quoted then you will still pay under 300 peso a head. The swagman Bus or Southern Cross bus from Ermita charge you 600 peso a head and will drop you at your hotel door in Angeles. Door to door so you have no worries about changing from buses to trikes.

Depending on where you stay in Manila there is also the Victory Liner and Rabbit bus companies but if you take any of these buses just be careful because they will go to down town Angeles which is a good distince from Angeles. Dau is the terminal you need to go to.

You will note that my price I quote for the trike in Angeles is dearer then the taxi fare. This is because you will pay inflated trike prices. A fare in the province of 30 peso will cost you 70 to 100 in Angeles. BE PREPARED FOR THAT.

As far as tourist spots then be prepared to see inside many bars. A beer will cost you 90 to 100 peso. There is nothing to see in Angeles except for girls, girls and more girls. Daytime is dead unless you go to the mall and see a movie. The town will come alive around 6.00pm.

I hope your girl is not the jealous type.

Cheap hotels are many. Scroll to the bottom of the first link and see a list of budget hotels. 750 to 1200 peso a night.

Angeles City Hotels and Accommodations

Where to stay in Balibago, Angeles City

Anyhow..Goodluck and enjoy the bars of Angeles....Be careful cos there are many card scammers and pickpockets. regards

Agree, public transport is good and not expensive. The advantage too in taking the Southern Cross or Swagman Fly D' Bus is if you don't know your way around the Philippines, these two bus services take the danger and guess work out of the going.
Also, be sure to have your travel agent get flight info for you directly into Angeles (Clark) rather than flying into Manila first. Flying into Clark puts you 10 minutes away from Fields Ave in Angeles and the bars and hotels. In Angeles for a hotel I would suggest the Hotel Hanna. Fly D' Bus will take you to their front door and fare from Manila is P600 (aprox $12us dollars). Website for Hotel Hana is: Mabuhay! Welcome to Hotel-Hana!
This hotel is a just off the street with the bars/girl and is much safer than others. Nice room and good food. Also close to the American VFW post where there is also a good restaurant and great food. Even tacos and apple pie! The VFW Post website is at: VFW Post 2485

Let us know you ya make out.

Gene

PS. Since you are traveling with your girlfriend, Angeles might be better left alone. A better place would or could be Subic Bay or even Baguio City

...

tigercop2020 · #4 (**permalink**) 21st June 2012, 04:51 AM

Hello again expat friends in Pinas. I just want to express my personal thanks to Seram and others for giving me all my needed information before going to Angeles City, Pampanga Philippines, because with out it......I can assure you that I will be mighty lost and confused !

So thank you again soooo much for this help.
Bye the way Seram, you mentioned about Subic Bay? That maybe good to see and stay for the weekends with my GF ? Could you again please, give me information about the same infos you said with Amgeles City? I am sorry if I bother you so much? well, I am a novice anyway.

Question: comparing Baguio and Angeles City to spend a weekend, which place would anyone recommend for us to go for enjoyment with limited budget like me?
or other places in Luzon also ? More thanks to you all !!

tinaM · #5 (**permalink**) 25th June 2012, 11:13 AM

From a (once) Phil resident point of view, I agree with seram.. nothing really to see in Angeles City since it is inland. Although there is a golf course and a casino with water park (Fontana). In Subic however, there is the bay and the beach to enjoy.Inside Subic Freeport Zone, there is the bay with a (relatively) active nightlife with live bands and a wholesome crowd

check out the website of these hotels if it goes in your budget-
Camayan Beach Resort
Lighthouse Marina Resort
White Rock Beach resort

Baguio is a plateau so, no beaches there, the temperature is cooler and you'll be able to experience the mountain "culture" of the Philippines. Nightlife along Session Road is active.

So a more basic question is.. would you enjoy the beach (Subic Bay), smalll town"city"life (Angeles City) or mountain retreat (Baguio CIty)?

jon1 · #6 (**permalink**) 25th June 2012, 11:27 AM

Subic also has the Marine Adventure park (next to Camayan Beach Resort), the Zoobic park (tigers and crocs and such), the Treetop adventure (ziplining thru the rainforest canopy), and there is also a stable at El Kabayo (on the way out towards Zoobic before Cubi Point). So plenty of touristy things to do along with just relaxing oceanside and having a few while enjoying some live music...

In Subic, there is few public transportation. So if you don't have a vehicle you will end up using SBMA Taxis which can be expensive.

tigercop2020 · #7 (**permalink**) 25th June 2012, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tinaM

From a (once) Phil resident point of view, I agree with seram.. nothing really to see in Angeles City since it is inland. Although there is a golf course and a casino with water park (Fontana). In Subic however, there is the bay and the beach to enjoy.Inside Subic Freeport Zone, there is the bay with a (relatively) active nightlife with live bands and a wholesome crowd

check out the website of these hotels if it goes in your budget-
Camayan Beach Resort
Lighthouse Marina Resort
White Rock Beach resort

Baguio is a plateau so, no beaches there, the temperature is cooler and you'll be able to experience the mountain "culture" of the Philippines. Nightlife along Session Road is active.

So a more basic question is.. would you enjoy the beach (Subic Bay), smalll town"city"life (Angeles City) or mountain retreat (Baguio CIty)?

To TinaM, I want to thank you for the information you said for me, The choices are.....I love the beach and local community, but I also like the cool climate! hahahahah,gosh, which one should I pick? for a limited schedules? What are the Hotel web site by the way in Baguio? and what attractions should we see?
By the way, I been to London, England and stayed in Colchester for awhile too, where are you in London?
I appreciate your effort to help, "Mabuhay ka". (THANKS MATE, YOU ALRIGHT? )

tigercop2020 · #8 (**permalink**) 25th June 2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jon1

Subic also has the Marine Adventure park (next to Camayan Beach Resort), the Zoobic park (tigers and crocs and such), the Treetop adventure (ziplining thru the rainforest canopy), and there is also a stable at El Kabayo (on the way out towards Zoobic before Cubi Point). So plenty of touristy things to do along with just relaxing oceanside and having a few while enjoying some live music...

In Subic, there is few public transportation. So if you don't have a vehicle you will end up using SBMA Taxis which can be expensive.

Hi Jon1, thank you soo much for your input regarding my questions for our trip to the Philippines.
Your information about the Subic Bay are very attractive, however, the commuting with taxis all the time turns me off, you are correct, it would be very expensive and beside, I rather commute with the public trans. to mingle with locals too, so, because of the taxi issue, i think I will pass this time, but other suggestions for alternative weekends destinations in Luzon are much welcome! Please do so any one here in the Expat web.
I thank you all friends to your utmost effort to assist any one. "Mabuhay Kayo".

Gene and Viol · #9 (**permalink**) 25th June 2012, 10:28 PM

Tiger,

There is also a public bus on Subic Base proper. It runs about every 20 to 25 minutes in an endless circle. I think there are two or thee seperate lines that run different routes. Fare is very low - like under 50 cents U.S. money.
Outside the base are yellow jeepneys that go all over for even less than the bus that is on base. Don't miss Subic it is a great place. Photo Below

Gene

tigercop2020 · #10 (**permalink**) 26th June 2012, 05:51 PM

Thanks also for this response about Subic Bay Gene and viole, the public transportation you attached here looks good too.
I guess we may try it in Subic Bay also? Please, I needed information about what budget hotel we should stay, places to go for attractions and resto.?
Also, public transportation to take from Manila or the Metros going to Subic Bay?
How many hours travel on the bus,Do I have to call ahead of time for hotel and bus reservations?
Approximate fare or fee? bus from Manila and budget hotels in Subic? Thanks in advance again.