Angeles City ｜ Adventures In Luzon
Angeles City, located just 87km north of Manila, is a city that have marred reputation. Before visiting I had only heard negative things about the city, mostly about how it’s only one big red light district and that crime is out of control. What I found was quite a bit different.
Getting To Angeles City
The simplest way to get to Angeles City is to just fly into there. Clark International Airport is one of the major gateways into the Philippines, whether you’re staying on Luzon or not. Located just 10km north-west of the center of the city, here, it makes for much less painful entry than Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, mainly because the roads aren’t as crippled by the stifling traffic found in Manila.
Unfortunately, Clark International does suffer from many of the same issues internationals travelers will encounter when flying into Manila. Mainly, the airport isn’t connected by any public transportation. If you don’t have someone coming to pick you up you can either walk or take a taxi, and walking isn’t a great option.
Opt for taking the Blue Taxi from the airport. You can find them as soon as you exit the arrivals terminal. Generally, they will use a meter, and I encourage to be vocal about having it turned on. If you’re head for the city center near Walking Street, the prices range should be from ₱400 to ₱500. When I arrived at 2am, my driver set a price ₱400 before we started, which was fair. I assume he wanted to drive off meter so he could pocket the money for himself.
If you’re coming from somewhere like Manila by bus, you probably will arrive at Dau bus Terminal, here. A taxi should run about ₱200 to get you to a hotel near Walking Street.
Getting Around Angeles City
Getting around the city is generally straightforward, but can get trickier as you get further away from Walking Street. If you’re staying in the center, most everything is walkable. If you’re staying a bit further out, like I was, or are just lazy, there are plenty of jeepneys that run on the main roads. They are super to cheap to ride in, just ₱10, but they do often get stuck in traffic jams, especially near Walking Street. Jeepneys will terminate at the C-Point – Hensonville – Holy Terminal, which means you may need to transfer and pay an additional ₱10.
If you want something quicker, you can always grab a tricycle. Plenty of drivers hand out around Walling Street and you can also usually find them hanging hotels, even hotels far off the main area.
Car or motorbike rental is also an option. You might take one look at the traffic and vanquish the though, but it’s not so bad. Traffic moves at a slow speed, making driving pretty easy. I rented a motor for a few days and had no problems. Just be very aware of how traffic moves and don’t be afraid to use your horn.
If you’re staying near Waling Street, you can check out 2MJ Motorbikes. If you’re further down the road near Red Planet Hotel, try Nice Bike. I’ve rented from both places and they had well maintained bikes, daily rates of ₱400 per day (as of 2024) and asked for a ₱2000 deposit, refunded at the end of the rental.
I have hitch hiked a number around the city and from the airport. I was stopped by airport security when I started walking through the parking lot. I was told I couldn’t just walk out of the airport, but after I pressed them on if I was doing something illegal they let me hitch hike out. In any event, I’ve never waited very long for a ride (even at the airport) and have always found that the people who have picked me up to be incredibly nice. This certainly makes for an adventurous option.
Sightseeing In & Around Angeles City
Angeles City isn’t one of those places that’s bursting with sights to see. It’s reputation as a red light district overshadows the city so intensely because there is so little of note to do in the city. Most everyone that comes here is coming for one reason. It is what it is, but there still a few rewarding sights to see.
You can cover everything worth doing around the city in a day and half.
➣Apung Mamacalulu Shrine (Free; 24h)
The Apung Mamacalulu Shrine (Archdiocesan Shrine of Christ, Our Lord of the Holy Sepulcher) is a very pretty church, built of brick and stone, with a nice leafy garden to collect your thoughts in. If you’re heading down to see the Holy Rosary Parish Church, you might as well make it a half-day trip and walk over to see this lovely church.
They have a special mass on Fridays, so if you’re into that, this would be the day to come here. If you wish to see the church in peace, come another day.
The Apung Mamacalulu Shrine is located about 1km north of the Holy Rosary Parish Church; here.
➣Holy Rosary Parish Church (Free; 24h)
Located a fair distance from Walking Street, the Holy Rosary Parish Church (also known as Santo Rosario Church or the “Pisambang Maragul” [Big Church]) is Angeles City most important church. For most casual visitors, a half hour is plenty of time to explore the stone cathedral. As with most churches in the Philippines, few treasure remain in the church to see.
The Holy Rosary Parish Church is located here, which is over 4km south of Walking Street. It’s easy enough to catch a jeepney heading south of Manila North Road, which is the main avenue at the end of Walking Street. Jeepneys heading to the church area will say ‘Holy Rosary’ on the front.
Beyond seeing the Holy Rosary, there are a few other sights in the area that should check out if you’re making the effort to get down here, like Apung Mamacalulu, Museo Ning Angeles, and Pamintuan Mansion. You can find information them below.
➣Kamikaze East Airfield
The Kamikaze East Airfield is a cool place for anyone who’s a history buff. The problem is that getting there can be difficult because …
➣Mater Carmeli Monastery
The Mater Carmeli Monastery is a pleasant little church that’s well off the beaten path. What makes it is a worthwhile stop is the…
➣Monasterio de Tarlac
The Monasterio de Tarlac makes for a great road trip getaway from Angeles. The church houses a relic believed to be a fragment of the true…
➣Museo Ning Angeles
The Museo Ning Angeles located in front of the Holy Rosary Parish Church is a tiny museum showcasing the history of Angeles and the former …
➣Pamintuan Mansion
The Pamintuan Mansion is the beautifully preserved ancestral home of the Pamintuan family. Is it worth taking the time to explore this …
➣San Fernando
If you’ve got your own wheels, a fun ride to take is down to the city of San Fernando. It’s just a 90 minute leisurely drive south of Angeles City. Going on motorbike is a lot more fun than in a car, which will probably get you snagged in traffic. There isn’t a lot to see down there, but it’s more about the journey than the destination. There is a pretty cool sculpture called Monumento Fernandino around a traffic circle (here) that is a highlight to a trip down here. There are also a few minor churches you can drop in on, but nothing compared to the ones in Tarlac.
Eating, Drinking, & Sleeping
Food
No one comes to Angeles City for the food, which is disappointing because there are some great hidden gems that will reward the traveler who’s ready to explore. You will find convenience stores all over the city. If you need to do more significant shopping, JJ Supermart is the place to head. They are actually opened 24 hours, surprisingly.
25 Seeds is billed as Angeles City’s trendy place to eat traditional Filipino food in a formal setting. Is it worth the effort to eat here or …
➣A’Hua Dimsum (Mother’s Dimsum House)
A’Hua Dimsum (Mother’s Dimsum House) is probably hands down the best Chinese restaurant in the Angeles City area. It’s not…
The Bea Anne Eatery is down to basics local eatery specifically for the working Filipino. It’s got no frills, but if you want to try real…
Islas is the new sister restaurant of Pineapple Coast and much like its sister, this is an upscale dinning establishment. The food is…
McCafé, opened 24 hours and almost in the center of town, feels like a ubiquitous part of AC, but does it make the grade with their coffee?
The K Café is a coffee shop located close to the Holy Rosary Parish Church. If you’re in the area, should you make the effort to visit …
Milano’s Bakery & Pastry is an Italian bakery located a short distance from the city center. Is it worth making the effort to go there for …
Patches Thai Restaurant (also called Patcharawan’s) in Angeles City is a Thai food restaurant. Surprise! Is it worth making the trip to …
Pineapple Coast in Angeles City is a Mexican restaurant/bar located just outside the main tourist area. Is the food worth a trip out there or…
Rasoi Indian Restaurant is another one of those restaurants outside the tourist center; so is it worth making the effort to go there for …
Royal Indian Curry House, located a short walk south of the center, is nice find for anyone who’s gotten tired of the subpar food on…
T-Backs Sports Bar & Grill is a place I’d a lot of good things about. Did it live up to the hype or is another overinflated expat hangout?
The Coffee Lab is an upscale cafe/restaurant located just far enough away from Walking Street to keep the riffraff out. The coffee is…
Drinking & Entertainment
There’s no shortage of places to drink in AC. Nighttime entertainment is what this city does.
Barbarino’s Pub & Restaurant is a really friendly little pub with a super chill vibe. It’s definitely gear towards the local expats that…
➣CPI Call Shop & Craft Beer Cafe
CPI Call Shop & Craft Beer Cafe is a super chill place to get a drink. It’s low-key, simple, and packed with some choice craft beers. Also…
GAZUA Beer Garage, overlooking Angeles City’s Walking Street, is a welcoming and jovial bar with a lot of characters coming and going …
Marcus Massage, located in a residential section of Angeles, was a great find and I wish more people knew about. The prices are very…
The New Moon Bar, located in the Diamond subdivision, is an interesting little place. What stands out the most in this bar is…
Walking Street, the entertainment hub and main red light district of Angeles City. Is a fun place to hang out and drink or is it past its …
Yeoung Yeoung Massage looks like a typical rub-n-tug massage joint in Angeles City’s red light district, but you would be dead wrong. It’s …
Sleep
There are plenty of places to lay your head after a night of partying, though prices are greatly out of step with the quality of what you get, unfortunately. I’ve only been to the city a couple of times and these are the places I’ve stayed. While I have a strong disdain for Airbnb rentals, this is one of those places where the hassle is worth is it because you get a much better deal for your money.
I’ve had incredibly bad luck in Angeles City when it’s came to choosing a place to stay. This finally changed when I landed at one of…
➣Red Planet Angeles City Hotel
The Red Planet Angeles City hotel is a budget hotel which is located a fair distance from Walking Street. Is it a good place to stay if …
➣SureStay Plus by Best Western
The SureStay Plus is a mid-range hotel that should really be a budget location, but it’s close to Walking Street. Is it a good place to …
How Long To Stay in Angeles City
There really isn’t much to do in the city. A fair number of people come to the city as sex tourists, so that is what the city caters to. You can see most everything worth seeing in a single day, easily. If you want to get out to a natural sight, like Mt Pinatubo, plan on adding a day or two. If you’re just coming to drink and meet girls, I think most people will find themselves bored after a few days. At the end of the day, Angeles City is the proverbial one horse town.
Scams, Dangers, & Annoyances
Angles City is a colorful place, to put it mildly, but it’s bark might worse than it’s bite though. The city has a bad reputation and I have no doubt that in the past it was a much rougher place. Maybe Covid took some of the fight out the scammer, but things in the city felt pretty safe. Near Walking Street there a strong police presence.
That said, you should remain vigilant. There is bevy of unsavory individuals harassing passerbys with offers of Viagra and Cialis pills. If nothing else, they are extremely annoying. It’s best not to answer them or even look at them. Just plow ahead at full steam.
I did quite a bit walking around outside the main tourist area and hitchhiking around, even at night. As with other places in the Philippines, it is extremely important to remain vigilant about traffic. Angles City is in dire need of more sidewalks and better sidewalks.
There is one major scam all travelers should be aware of:
➣The BIGGEST Scam in the Philippines
The BIGGEST Scam in the Philippines is something most travelers can run into at any bar in the country. It’s easy to avoid if …
There is also one major danger you’ll find throughout the country:
➣Broken Pedestrian Infrastructure
In many developing countries pedestrian infrastructure is sorely lacking. So, what’s the best way to stay safe and …
If you plan on just the bus, you should check out:
➣Fake Bus Staff
Fake bus staff scamming tourists at a bus station can be a serious issue in many counties. Let’s see how this scam works and how it can …
➣Buses in the Philippines; Tips & Tricks
Buses in the Philippines aren’t the most glamours way to get around, so you need to follow these tips to make your trip as comfortable as …
Need more information about the Philippines?
Mill over our full write up on Manila HERE.
Check out our full write up on Cebu HERE.
Look at our full write up on Laoag HERE.
View our full write up on Vigan HERE.
Peruse our tips on Palawan HERE.
Noddle over our notes on Negros HERE.
