Suppose you are traveling to the Philippines and want to experience the country a little differently, away from the many natural beauties. In that case, you cannot avoid making a detour to Angeles City, just under a hundred kilometers north of Metro Manila Luzon, the main island of the Philippines. Insiders call the city “Angeles” or “AC.” If you don’t have your car and if the taxi ride is too expensive, which usually costs around 2,500 pesos, the best way to get to Angeles City from Metro Manila is by bus. Air-conditioned buses run from the bus terminals in the Pasay City and Cubao districts. Victory Liner and Philtranco are the best-known bus companies that travel several times a day to Angeles City to the Dau bus terminal and Clark Airport. The modern buses are comfortably equipped and have entertainment systems, Wi-Fi internet, and toilets. The North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) trip takes a few hours and costs between 150 and 300 pesos, depending on the type of bus you choose. In this article, we are going to discuss all the things you need to know before traveling to Angeles City. Cathay Pacific airline is one of the best airlines you can choose to travel with to Angeles city.
Tourists come here for the nightlife.
Angeles City is not a place that typical tourists visit. There are neither beaches nor beautiful landscapes or exciting sights. Apart from the few recreational opportunities built within the Clark Special Economic Zone on the site of the former US airbase and excursions to Mount Pinatubo, about 20 kilometers away, there is nothing that could interest a typical tourist. Instead, there is the Balibago district with well over 100 bars and clubs and numerous hotels and restaurants that have settled in the area around the center of nightlife. It’s the bars and clubs that open their doors after dark, attracting male visitors from Western countries and Korea and Japan.
Which areas are interesting for tourists?
Anyone who has ever been to Pattaya knows the many open-air bars that determine the nightlife. You hardly find this type of bar in Angeles at all. The indoor bars dominate here with so-called door girls in front of the door, who often loudly encourage passers-by to visit. Inside, pretty waitresses and dancers await the guests.
Field Avenue: Most go-go bars can be found along Fields Avenue. In the lower part in particular, which is closed off to through traffic in the evening and is reserved exclusively for pedestrians, you will find one bar next to the other. This part of Fields Avenue is also called “Streets.”
Perimeter: There are also numerous bars on Don Juico Perimeter Road, known as the Perimeter, and at the beginning of the many small side streets, they are no longer so closely packed. Especially in the upper area of the perimeter bars can only be found sporadically. If you are traveling alone, it is better to avoid this area late at night.
A Santos Street: A side street off Fields Avenue with numerous bars, but nowhere near as many as Fields Avenue itself.
SM Mall: A modern shopping center within sight of Fields Avenue with a department store and electronics shops, and many other shops and restaurants. One of the SM malls you can find in all major cities in the Philippines. Besides the Marquee Mall, which is located further out on the town’s outskirts, the SM Mall is the only place that offers a bit of a change from the rather monotonous happenings around Fields Avenue during the day.
Getting around Angeles City
It would be best if you only walked around Fields Avenue after dark. If you want to go anywhere else, be it to Perimeter Road or the hotel, if it is not near Fields Avenue, you should always use one available public transport for safety reasons. The main modes of transportation in Angeles are:
Tricycles: Tricycles, also called “Trike” for short, can be found everywhere in the Philippines, including Angeles. These are motorcycles that are equipped with a sidecar and can usually accommodate up to three passengers. However, it is not uncommon to see tricycles hopelessly overcrowded with passengers even sitting on the roof. To avoid unpleasant surprises, the fare should always be negotiated before starting the journey.
Jeepneys: Jeepneys are probably the most popular form of public transportation in the Philippines. These have initially been jeeps that had their wheelbase lengthened and a new body fitted. There are two rows of seats that offer space for 8 to 10 people in the rear part, often more. The fare usually starts at 8 pesos. To get out, press the bell provided for this purpose. Due to the confinement that prevails in the jeepneys, you should beware of your valuables from pickpockets.
Bus: A well-developed long-distance bus network is available for cross-country trips. The bus terminal is in Dau, about two kilometers from Fields Avenue. If you want to get there, it’s best to take a trike.
Vans: Various hotels, such as the Clarkton Hotel, located in the Perimeter’s upper area a good two kilometers from Fields Avenue, operate their shuttle service from dusk until late at night. Guests are brought free of charge in the hotel’s vans to the tourist information office on Fields Avenue and later back to the hotel from there.
Rental cars or motorcycles: If you are familiar with the road traffic conditions in the Philippines, you can rent a car or a motorcycle. The advantage is that you are completely flexible and can go anywhere you want to go. If you don’t want to drive yourself, you can also rent a car with a chauffeur.
Taxis: As with Tricycles, there are plenty of taxis in Angeles that continuously roam the Fields Avenue area. If you value it, you can get your cell phone number from a charming driver and call him whenever you need a taxi.
As already mentioned above, you should always take a trike late at night for safety reasons and never try to reach dark and deserted areas on foot, especially if you are traveling alone. The trip by trike usually costs around 100 pesos. Depending on where you want to go, it can be a little more. The small amount of the equivalent of approximately two euros in no way outweighs the safety risk one takes when walking on lonely streets.
Security
While many reports of the ubiquitous crime scene in Angeles City are often grossly exaggerated, safety concerns are legitimate. It is important to remember that in a city of 300,000 people, there is always a certain level of crime. This is particularly evident in the area of petty crime and occasional offenses. As long as you are within the regions around Fields Avenue, there is little to worry about. There are always enough people around, and the nearest police station is very close. The many beggars and pushy salespeople who can get on your nerves are a constant nuisance. However, if you ignore it and move on, you will quickly find peace again.
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