Olongapo Hotels
Outstanding Olongapo
According to local legend, Olongapo got its name from the hysterical cries of a boy who found a tribesman’s head spiked on top of a bamboo pole. This cosmopolitan Philippines city is now considerably less barbaric, but rich tradition still lies within the throbbing metropolis and picturesque Subic Bay surrounds. ... Read more »
Beastly behaviour is now predominantly confined to the small-but-awesome Cubi Point Zoo, a place that houses everything from monkeys and boars to butterflies and turtles. More amicable is Friendship Park, a long and narrow expanse of green that sees locals and tourists coexisting peacefully. Lastly, don’t pass up a visit to the Royal Subic Duty Free Mall. There are epic bargains to be found – and if you’re going to get your claws out anywhere, this is the place to do it!
OLONGAPO’S TOP 10
10. World Peace Memorial This monument welcomes you into Olongapo, and was erected to honour those who fought in the Battle of Zig Zag Pass during WWII. |
5. Grotto of our Lady of Pardon This isn’t a grand church by any means, but it’s very special to the locals. |
9. Gordon Memorial Park This picture-perfect park is also the burial place for the ‘Father of Olongapo City’, Mayor James Gordon. |
4. US Naval Base This old US Navy support base now houses one of the most important pieces of national history, the Spanish Gate. |
8. Subic Extreme Adventure Park Abseil down a cliff and get some extreme white-water action! |
3. Olongapo City Museum A quick way to explore the city’s history and learn about its traditions. |
7. Bat Kingdom Look out for the teeny-tiny native bamboo bat amongst the thousands of other bats going about their daily business. |
2. Hill 394 At 394 metres (1,292 feet) high (hence the name), this is a popular spot for views and romancing. |
6. Subic Bay Lighthouse Set your camera to ‘panoramic’ and climb to the top of this lighthouse for awesome city views. |
1. Magsaysay Drive and Rizal Avenue These iconic CBD strips are home to all the best places to eat and drink your money away. |
OLONGAPO EVENTS
January’s Santo Nino Festival is an important two-day event held in honour of the Holy Child. It features more than 200 pieces of Jesus portraiture.
Holy Week is celebrated in March/April with Senakulo, a festival marked by parades, religious plays and a re-enactment of Jesus’ life and death.
If juice isn’t running down your chin, you’re not doing the Dinamulag Mango Festival properly. It’s held every April to celebrate/promote Zambales’ mango industry.
In September, the city partakes in the nationwide Tourism Week. Celebrating all things Filipino, this fiesta is packed with traditional performances, parades, firework displays and a mountain of native food.
The Ulo ng Apo Festival in October is probably the city’s biggest event. If you don’t recognise the Filo celebs, you’ll appreciate the street parties and free-flowing booze.
WHEN TO GO
- June to October is Olongapo’s wet season, bringing storms and lots of rain.
- For warmth and sunshine, head to Olongapo between March and May.
- May’s humidity can, however, be a rough ride – and temperatures often get close to 37.5ºC (100ºF).
GETTING AROUND
- Victory Liner buses are fast and well priced, but have limited stops. For travelling around the city centre, though, they are a good option.
- Jeepneys aren’t the fastest of vehicles but they are a fun and cheap way to get around.
- The traffic in Olongapo is rough, so don’t bother hiring a car.
HotelClub Blog
« HideSubic Holiday Villas Olongapo
3.5 Stars$83
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George Dewey Convention Center Complex Kalayaan Heights Subic Bay Freeport Zone Olongapo 2200
Being an ideal place in the city of Olongapo, the Subic Holiday Villas Olongapo offers high standards of comfort, plea... More hotel details
