Olongapo
Olongapo is a city in Zambales, known for the Subic Bay Freeport.
Get in
[edit]By bus
[edit]From Manila, ride the red, white and yellow Victory Liner buses.The trip will go through the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) and Subic–Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx). The trip from Manila takes 3-4 hours and it will cost you ₱220-250 one way. The company also has 11 buses from Baguio via Angeles 3AM-11PM, and hourly buses from 4AM-10PM to/from Balanga in Bataan.
By car
[edit]Car rentals from Manila are also available. International car rental chains like Hertz, Avis and Europcar are some of the options.
Get around
[edit]
By jeepney
[edit]Jeepneys are the primary mode of mass transportation in Olongapo. Unlike in most cities in the Philippines, jeepneys in Olongapo are color-coded according to route and the government is very strict in implementing this routing scheme. Jeepney operators must display the body number, the plate number and the decal number at the side panels to eliminate unregistered jeepneys. Drivers here are required to wear uniforms. Here are the colors and the designated routes used for this scheme:
- Red: From Magsaysay avenue going through Mabayuan and Gordon Heights
- Green: From Mabayuan (Mercurio Street) to the New Public Market
- Yellow: With red roof: Pepsi Route, from Magsaysay drive going through Rizal Avenue, then Filtration street.
- Yellow: Sta. Rita route, from Magsaysay drive going through Rizal Avenue, then Baranggay Sta. Rita.
- White/beige: Gordon Heights to Balic Balic
- Orange: Gordon Heights to Pag-asa Market
- Brown: Cabalan to New Public Market
- Blue: Olongapo to Barrio Barretto Subic town, Castillejos and other towns of Zambales. runs 24 hours a day from Olongapo to Barrio barrette ₱8.
The fare is about ₱8 for the first 5 km and an additional fee for every additional kilometer. Fares are conspicuously displayed inside the jeepney.
By tricycle
[edit]This is basically a motorcycle connected to a modified cart that can carry up to 3 persons. Similar to taxis, this is an option if you prefer private trips and for trips that is beyond the jeepney routes. The fee usually is ₱8 per person per route but the driver may charge higher fees depending on the distance and if you are carrying heavy objects (e.g. luggages).
By taxi
[edit]You can hire a taxi from the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The taxis have fixed rates depending on the distance of your destinations. Fares are displayed and you may negotiate with the driver if you wish to hire the taxi for 24 hours and for multiple trips.
By car
[edit]The streets of Olongapo are well marked, so it's easy to navigate the city. Some street signs have Korean and Chinese translations due to the influx of Korean and Chinese investors in the area. Traffic rules in Olongapo is very strict and traffic officers are always on the lookout for violators. Remember to always make a full stop at any intersection that does not have a stop light.
See
[edit]- 1 Ulo ng Apo Monument, Rizal Avenue. A monument of a head of a chieftain in the middle of a roundabout in Rizal Avenue. According to local folklore, the area was once ruled by a benevolent chieftain who was known as "Apo" who was beheaded by rival tribes. The monument features the namesake of Olongapo (particularly from the phrase "Ulo ng Apo" or Apo's head).
- 2 Marikit Park, East Tapinac. A park beside the SM City Olongapo Central. At its entrance is a concrete mural/relief dedicated to Filipino workers, and a model of a RA-5 Vigilante aircraft. The park also has a children's playground.
- 3 The Dove Monument, Jose Abad Santos Avenue, New Cabalan. Open 24 hours. Historical landmark. Free.
Do
[edit]- Scuba diving, Midway Baloy Long Beach, Barrio Barretto, ☏ +63 919 6471234.
- 1 Inflatable Island, Olongapo-Bugallon Rd, Kalaklan, ☏ +63 917 835 2665. 08ː00-18ː00 daily. An beachside amusement park dealing with just about every floaty imaginable (unicorns, castles, dragons, etc).
- 2 Subic Fun Land, Km 133, Baloy Long Beach Road (located in The Cliff Seagrapes Royale Subic). 8AM–6PM. ₱₱.
Buy
[edit]- 1 SM City Olongapo Downtown, Magsaysay Drive cor Gordon Avenue, Asinan (by Bus: Saulog Transit (Terminal is beside the mall) , By Olongapo City Color-coded jeepneys: Yellow, Red and Orange, By Olongapo City color coded tricycles, (Orange), by Freeport Taxi or by Private Vehicle (Parking Space available on the upper mall floors)), ☏ +63 47 223 2078. 9AM-10PM. Formerly known as 'Olongapo City Mall', the SM City Olongapo is a mid-sized flagship shopping mall by SM Supermalls in Olongapo.
- 2 SM City Olongapo Central, Rizal Avenue, East Tapinac. 10AM-9PM. Shopping mall.
- 3 Olongapo Public Market, Rizal Avenue, East Bajac Bajac. 8AM–8PM. The city public market sells souvenirs including native crafts, as well as local food products such as "kakanin".
- 4 Brettos Deli - Olongapo Branch, 430 RH 5 Subic Baraca National Hwy, Olongapo, Zambales. 9AM–7PM. A meat shop. They sell good meats, such as steaks, chicken sausage, and ground beef. as it is one of the few places that has imported US meat.
Eat
[edit]- 1 Pugon Corner Smoke Yard, #31-J Jasmin Street, Barrio Barreto. 11AM–11PM. Barbecue restaurant.
- 2 Tiya Violy's Hongkong Style Fried Noodles, #23 Osmundson Street. 4PM–11PM.
- 3 Himay-himay, #2798 Jose Abad Santos Avenue. 9AM–2AM. Filipino restaurant that serves its food in banana leaves.
- 4 Ma'am Olive's Cafe, #22 Kessing Street. 10AM–10PM. Chickens, pasta, salads, rice, coffee.
- 5 Itameshi, #21-W 2nd Street. 11AM–10PM. Japanese food restaurant.
- 6 Vegetarian Restaurant, #14 Corpuz Street. 11AM–9PM. This place is good for vegetarian people.The food here are so delicious at a cheaper price.
- 7 Sit-n-Bull, #58 RH 5 National Highway. 7AM–11PM. American/Filipino food restaurant.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Bar Barretto, Iloilo Street corner Olongapo-Bugallon Road, Barrio Barreto. 4PM–2AM.
- 2 Hops and Brews Beer Garden, #14 Del Pilar Street. 1PM–1AM.
- 3 Alaska Club, Del Pilar Street. 5PM–2AM.
- 4 Hideaway Sports Bar (Formerly Dive In), #49 National Highway, Bo Barreto, Olongapo, 2200 Zambales. 9AM–9PM. ₱₱.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Johansson's Lodge, 128 National Highway, Barretto, ☏ +63-47-2239293. Check-out: noon. Fan single/double room with own bathroom. has a restaurant. 20% off if you stay a month. ₱500 a night.
- 2 Sanjaha Inn, 64 Gordon Ave, New Asinan. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. ₱1500.
- 3 Asiana Hotel, 48 Gordon Ave, Asinan. The hotel has a touch of Asian architecture and delicacies. ₱1200.
- 4 City View Hotel, Magsaysay Dr, New Asinan, ☏ +63 47 2529978. ₱1800.
- 5 Ocean View Beach Resort, Lower Kalaklan. Check-in: 2OM, check-out: noon. It has 40 renovated rooms and a spacious conference facility. The beach is safe for swimming and water sport activities like aqua bikes, jet skiing, and banana boat all at an affordable price. ₱2500.
- 6 Olongapo Travel Lodge, Magsaysay Drive, Asinan. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 1PM. Olongapo Travel Lodge offers modern rooms in a budget-friendly hotel. ₱1600.
- 7 Palm Tree Resort, 116 National Hwy, Barretto. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Sea view rooms and suites overlooking the mountains. Also has an in house restaurant that serves Filipino and English cuisines. ₱2200.
- 8 Subic Grand Seas Resort, 83 National Hwy, Barrio Barretto, Olongapo City, ☏ +63 47 222-8541. 22 Deluxe rooms, all of which have an air-conditioning, an LCD television with cable connection, and a telephone with NDD and IDD access. Some of its amenities include an infinity and kiddie pools, and a massage service. From ₱2500.
- 9 [dead link] Win Hotel Olongapo, 27 18th St, West Bajac Bajac (At Victory Liner Terminal). Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Rooms are cozy with warm lighting fitted with wooden furniture and modern decor. ₱1600.
- 10 Playa Papagayo Beach Inn and Restaurant, #43 National Highway, Barrio Barreto. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. one of the popular hotel & resort in Olongapo and Subic. ₱₱₱.
- 11 By The Sea Resort Hotel, #5 National Highway. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. Pared-back rooms feature free Wi-Fi and cable TV. Most offer hot water; some have cold-water bathrooms. Upgraded rooms offer bay views and/or minifridges. Suites add sitting areas. Room service is available. There's a casual bar/restaurant offering views of the bay and live music on the weekend. Other amenities include an outdoor pool and covered picnic areas. Activities consist of water sports, volleyball, badminton and table games. Massages are offered. ₱₱₱.
- 12 Central Park Reef Resort, #888 National Highway, Barrio Barretto. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Warmly decorated rooms provide Wi-Fi, TVs and safes, plus minibars. All have balconies, some with bay views. Some rooms sleep up to 6 people. Suites add whirlpool tubs, kitchenettes and/or living areas. Room service is available 24/7. Amenities consist of a diner and a casual rooftop restaurant, as well as outdoor infinity pools. There's also direct beach access and secured parking. ₱₱₱.
Connect
[edit]- 1 Bureau of Immigration Field Office-Olongapo City, #72 Gordon Ave, Olongapo, Zambales. 8AM–5PM.