Tarlac City is the provincial capital of Tarlac. While it is the economic and educational center of Tarlac, it is a rather small provincial city, with little in the way of sights, and is more of a stopover for long-distance buses.

Understand

Used to be a part of a larger municipality of Porac in Pampanga during the Spanish times, Tarlac City's residents are mostly Kapampangan speakers, but ethnically, a mix of Kapampangan, Ilocano, and Tagalog.

Get in

The city's nearest airport is Clark International Airport in Angeles, but it takes time to transfer to a bus to Tarlac City.

By bus

Most buses to Ilocos Region stop at Tarlac City, except some services (usually Baguio-bound buses) which bypass the city via the new Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway.

• Victory Liner, Zamora Street, buses between Manila and Dagupan or Alaminos and vice versa regularly stop at Tarlac City. Northbound services stop at a sheltered bus station behind the Motorway diner restaurant, while southbound buses stop at the Siesta Travel Break bus station, shared with other bus operators.
• 1 Tarlac Public Transportation Terminal, Tarlac-Pangasinan Road. Open 24 hours. (updated Sep 2023)

By car

The Subic-Clark-Tarlac and Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union expressways (or SCTEX and TPLEX, respectively) serves the city through one exit found at both expressways' termini at barangay Balingcanaway. The northbound exit from SCTEX is undergoing reconstruction due to the ongoing Central Luzon Link Expressway interchange.

See

• 1 Hacienda Luisita, Luisita Access Road. 11AM-9PM. A 6,435 hectares (15,900 acres) sugarcane plantation that is the center of landmark decisions on land reform in the Philippines. Straddling the boundaries of the nearby municipalities of La Paz and Concepcion, It used to be a Spanish-owned tobacco plantation until it was turned over to the Filipino-Chinese Cojuangco family (the family of Corazon "Cory" Aquino). An operational azucarera (sugar factory) inside the hacienda, the Central Azucarera de Tarlac is declared a National Historical Landmark. At the entrance to the estate is a preserved steam locomotive used to haul cars of sugarcane into the factories. (updated Apr 2020)
• 2 Aquino Center and Museum, Luisita Access Road. 8AM–5PM. Aquino Center and Museum is yes Museum dedicated to Ninoy and Cory. They have memorabilia, photos, historic items, murals , books and mementos of the Aquinos. The place is well kept and clean. (updated Apr 2020)
• 3 Tarlac Cathedral (San Sebastian Cathedral), Tanedo Street. A Neo-Gothic style Catholic church, rebuilt from one destroyed during World War II. It was built in the late 17th century by the Augustinians, while the present buildings date from late 1940s onwards. (updated Apr 2020)
• 4 Tarlac Diversion Dam (Tibagan), Sitio Mabagliw. Open 24 hours. (updated Sep 2023)
• 5 Diwa Ng Tarlac Museum, Romulo Boulevard. 11AM–6PM. Great experience to see some magnificent art pieces. (updated Sep 2023)
• 6 Maria Cristina Park, Romulo Boulevard. Open 24 hours. Free. (updated Sep 2023)
• 7 Tarlac City Plazuela, Rizal Street. Open 24 hours. The work they made in the plaza was exquisite. If you're in Tarlac City, try to stop by as admission is free and you'll be glad you did, especially the kids. Free. (updated Sep 2023)

Do

• 1 Kart City, MacArthur Highway (a few meters from the Victory Liner station and SM City Tarlac). 10AM-1:30AM. Two outdoor karting tracks, with an attached eatery and bar. (updated Apr 2020)
• 2 Luisita Golf and Country Club. Designed by renowned architect Robert Trent Jones Sr., this 18-hole championship course has been renovated so you can enjoy it in any weather, all year round. There are water areas all around coupled with great landscaping which is breathtaking. It's quite an easy course although wind is sometimes a factor. It is listed in Golf Magazine's Top 100 Golf Courses in the World. There are no crowds, no waiting, and best of all very private. The golf course is open to registered guests of Central Park Hotel. (updated Apr 2020)
• 3 Eucalyptus Bike Park, South G. David Boulevard Extension (located in Tarlac State University). 7AM–7PM. Best bike park to practice for trail riding. (updated Sep 2023)

Buy

• 1 SM City Tarlac, MacArthur Highway. 10AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023)
• 2 My MetroTown Mall, MacArthur Highway. 8AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023)
• 3 Robinsons Easymart-Market City Mall Tarlac, Ground Floor Building B, Market City Mall, Aquino Boulevard, cor Ancheta St, Mabini,. 7AM–9PM. (updated Sep 2023)
• 4 The Market City Mall, Juan Luna Street. 9AM–7PM. (updated Sep 2023)
• 5 CityWalk Mall, Zamora Street. 10AM–8PM. (updated Sep 2023)

Eat

• 1 Fortune (Hongkong) Seafood Restaurant, MacArthur Highway (along MacArthur highway across from Jecson Hospital). 10AM–10PM. Authentic Chinese cuisine. Lots of parking space behind the restaurant. (updated Sep 2023)
• 2 Iba Ng Apu, Barangay Matatalaib. 10AM–midnight. Filipino/Korean food open-air restaurant. (updated Sep 2023)
• 3 Razon's by Glenn, F. Tanedo Street. 8AM–6PM. serving palabok, sisig with rice, lumpia, kare-kare, halo-halo. (updated Sep 2023)
• 4 Ching Mai Restaurant, MacArthur Highway. 10AM–7PM. Thai food restaurant. (updated Sep 2023)
• 5 Cindys Bakery-Tarlac City, Cindys Commisary, Romulo Highway. 7AM–6PM. Serving rice meals, cakes, breads, and desserts. (updated Sep 2023)
• 6 Conti’s Bakeshop & Restaurant - TarlacCity, Lot 16-22 Block 22, McArthur Hiway, Brgy, San Sebastian. 8AM–10PM. Superb options of dine-in meals not only for takeout pastries and cakes. Prices speak well with the quality of their food. (updated Sep 2023)
• 7 Tessie's Grills & Roasters Restaurant (TG&R), MacArthur Highway. 10AM–9PM. Eat all you can. They serve many veggie dishes, making them vegetarian-friendly enough. (updated Sep 2023)
• 8 D&C Cuisine, #31 Zamora Street. 10AM–10PM. Filipino food restaurant. A mix of sumptuous and delicious meal offerings. Great place with upscale feel and worth-it value for money. Staffs are warm and welcoming. Place can be busy but still manageable. Highly recommended. (updated Sep 2023)
• 9 Betty's Special Native Cakes, Zamora Street. 7AM–6PM. Food is good and the ambiance is great. Serving time for the food is not that long. They have a wide variety of choices for the menu and you can tell by the taste that they serve fresh ingredients. (updated Sep 2023)
• 10 Anchang's Grill and Resto Bar, Luisita Access Road. (updated Sep 2023)

Drink

• 1 URBANBrew, Terazza Bldg., #30 Romulo Boulevard. 10AM–9PM. Coffee, cold coffee, rice meals, cakes and desserts. (updated Sep 2023)
• 2 Cafe Wagon Tarlac, Getha Road, Barangay San Sebastian, ☏ +63 970 523 6764. 6AM-10PM. (updated Mar 2024)
• 3 Bean On Me Cafe, 3M Square Building Barangay Ligtasan, McArthur Highway, ☏ +63 908 891 1424, beanonmecafe.career@gmail.com. 9AM-10PM. (updated Mar 2024)
• 4 Amcardo Café, V-Plaza bldg., San Sebastian, ☏ +63 966 417 8156, amcardo.contact@gmail.com. 7:30AM-10PM. (updated Mar 2024)
• 5 The Gentle Sparrow Café, Luisita Golf, ☏ +63 9231337919. 6AM-7PM. (updated Mar 2024)
• 6 The Coffee Mom, 30 Perez Avenue San Sebastian Village, ☏ +63 917 816 6393. 8AM-7PM. (updated Mar 2024)
• 7 Starbucks SM City Tarlac, SM City Tarlac, MacArthur Hwy, San Roque, ☏ +63 456060182. 8:30AM-9:30PM. (updated Mar 2024)
• 8 Café Lucho, Conrey Square, Bypass Road, San Vicente, ☏ +63 9175132233. Noon-9PM. (updated Mar 2024)
• 9 Caffe Al Fresco, �Lot 13, Block 5, Fil-Chinese Subdivision, San Roque (behind SM Tarlac), ☏ +63 970 108 8327, caffealfresco21@gmail.com. 8AM-9PM. (updated Mar 2024)
• 10 Gran Coffee Specialty Shop Tarlac City, Getha Road, San Sebastian, ☏ +63 917 861 5068. 7:30AM-8PM. (updated Mar 2024)
• 11 HALO Cafe, LC building, San Roque, ☏ +63 919 924 2678, halocafeph@gmail.com. 7:30AM-8PM. (updated Mar 2024)

Sleep

• 1 Microtel by Wyndham Tarlac, Luisita Estate, ☏ +63 45-985-1770, fax: +63 45-985-1975. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. The only international hotel chain in Tarlac City. 50 rooms equipped with air-conditioning, cable TV, and radio clock. Some of its facilities and services are meeting room, Wi-Fi access in the lobby, and complimentary free-flowing coffee. (updated Sep 2023)
• 2 Luisita Central Park Hotel, Luisita Business Park, Hacienda Luisita, San Miguel, ☏ +63 459851924. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. This hotel is known for its stylish rooms. The hotel is near the Luisita Industrial Park and the Luisita Golf and Country Club. From ₱5,000. (updated Sep 2023)
• 3 RedDoorz Plus @ Starhomes Olivianville, Olivian Ville Sbdivision, San Vicente. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)
• 4 Asiaten Hotel, #18 Don Gregorio Avenue, San Sebastian Village. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: 11AM. ₱3,000. (updated Sep 2023)
• 5 Hotel Sogo - Tarlac, MacArthur Hwy, San Sebastian. (updated Sep 2023)
• 6 La Maja Rica Hotel, Ligtasan Street corner MacArthur Highway. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)
• 7 Sun Garden Hotel, Milagrosa Street, Aquino Subd, Tarlac City, 2300 Tarlac. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)
• 8 Urban Oasis Resort, Purok Rosal Road, Barangay Kaldereta. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)
• 9 173 Bed & Breakfast Resort Hotel (formerly San Isidro Farmhouse), Peter Jay Dungca Street. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)
• 10 Proficio Hotel & Resort, Tibagan Road. Check-in: 2PM, check-out: noon. (updated Sep 2023)

Go next

Routes through Angeles

Baguio ← Urdaneta ← Carmen ← Anao ← Ramos ← Pura ← Victoria ←	N  S	→ Junction ←→ → Angeles
Baguio ← Gerona ←	N  S	→ Capas → Angeles
Camiling ← Santa Ignacia ←	N  S	→ END
END ←	W  E	→ La Paz → Santa Rosa