TARLAC TRAVEL GUIDE | Itinerary + Map
Friday, October 21, 2022
The province of Tarlac in Central Luzon is really not known for tourism. In fact, some people even dub it, jokingly, as the toilet stop of Luzon—the area being frequented only by motorist needing to relieve themselves on their way to another province. But my visit to Tarlac opened my eyes to its many tourist spots and food places unknown to most travelers in the country. Tarlac has a lot of tourism potential—it has historical places, museums, adventure parks, religious destinations, hiking and biking trails, waterfalls, and gastronomic places. With this travel guide, allow me to help you to get lost in Tarlac.
| TARLAC TRAVEL GUIDE BLOG WHAT’S INSIDE? • Understand Tarlac • How To Get To Tarlac • How To Get Around Tarlac • Speak Tarlac • Organized Tours In Tarlac • Where To Stay In Tarlac • Where To Eat In Tarlac • What To See And Do In Tarlac • Festivals In Tarlac • What To Buy In Tarlac • Tarlac Tourist Spots Map • Tarlac Sample Itinerary • Extend Your Tarlac Trip |
UNDERSTAND TARLAC
The landlocked province of Tarlac is located on the northernmost part of the Central Luzon Region. Its west is bordered by the province of Zambales, south by Pampanga, east by Nueva Ecija, and north by Pangasinan—which is already a part of the Ilocos Region.
It is composed of seventeen towns and one city—Anao, Bamban, Camiling, Capas, Concepcion, Gerona, La Paz, Mayantoc, Moncada, Paniqui, Pura, Ramos, San Clemente, San Jose, San Manuel, Santa Ignacia, Victoria, and its capital—Tarlac City. As such, Tarlac City is the most convenient base of operation when touring the province.
Tarlac, like most places in the Philippines, experiences summer months during March to June, and rainy months during July to October. November to February are dry months, with nice cool temperature.
Being located in the central plains of Luzon, the province is 75% flat, although it does have mountains in the towns of Capas, San Clemente, Mayantoc, and Camiling. Portions of Mount Pinatubo are also located in the towns of Bamban and Capas—the latter being the usual jump off for trekking the famed volcano.
►BOOK A MANILA TO MOUNT PINATUBO TOUR ONLINE
HOW TO GET TO TARLAC
Tarlac province is located in the region of Central Luzon. It is a mere two to three hours ride by bus from Metro Manila. Numerous buses with terminals in Cubao, Quezon City (Victory Liner, Five Star, Baliwag Transit, Genesis, JAC Liner), and Manila (Philippine Rabbit, Viron, Genesis) pass by the province through the NLEX. Fare for an aircon bus is usually pegged at an average of ₱250.00, depending on what town you’re gonna get off. As of this writing, there are no operational airports in the city, the nearest one being Clark in Pampanga.
► BOOK A TARLAC BUS & PRIVATE TRANSFER ONLINE
HOW TO GET AROUND TARLAC
The main mode of transportation to get around in most towns in Tarlac is the tricycle. The minimum fare varies for each municipality. To move from town to town, there are jeepneys, e-jeeps, and mini-buses. Note that for San Jose, public transport are few and far between since most residents use their own private transportation.
SPEAK TARLAC
Kapampangan and Ilocano are the common dialect in Tarlac. Although most, if not all, Tarlaquenos speak and understand Filipino and English.
Note the translations are in Kapampangan first and Ilocano second.
Thank You – Salamat pu / Agyamanak
Good Morning – Mayap ayabak / Naimbag a bigat
Good Evening – Mayap a bengi pu / Naimbag a rabii
How Much? – Magkanu ya ini? / Manu?
Where Is… – Nokarin ya ing... / Ayan-na…
ORGANIZED TOURS IN TARLAC
There are a few local tour operators that you can tap if you don’t want to do a DIY Tarlac tour. I actually recommend joining a local tour especially if you don’t have a car, since most of the tourist spots in Tarlac are a bit far from each other. Here are a couple of recommended ones:
Markyance Travel & Tours Contact Number: (0917) 516-5656
Excursionista Travel & Tours Contact Number: (0918) 611-1115
WHERE TO STAY IN TARLAC
Tarlac isn’t really a tourism hub, so guesthouses, inns, and hotels are not that numerous compared to other places. Although the concentration of lodgings are located in the center of the province, Tarlac City, one can still find a few lodging houses and resorts on the province’s outlying towns.
LA MAJA RICA HOTEL 
Address: McArthur Highway cor. Ligtasan St. Tarlac City
Contact Number: +63 (45) 982-2314 | +63 (918) 427-9228
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.4835052, 120.5929224 
MICROTEL LUISITA TARLAC
Address: Hacienda Luisita San Miguel, Tarlac City
Contact Number: +63 (45) 985-1770
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.4366163, 120.5998113 
WESTWOOD FARM RESORT
Address: Tarlac City, Tarlac
Contact Number: (0917) 544-5200.
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.489662, 120.526249 
URBAN OASIS RESORT
Address: Kaldera St., Culipat, Tarlac City
Contact Number: (0956) 815-5257
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.501250, 120.607808 
V.E.S. FOOD RESORTS & VILLAS
Address: 588 Jimenez St., Sto. Domingo II, Capas
Contact Number: +63 (45) 491-3467 | +63 (917) 8008-816 | +63 (917) 8000-943
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.4893385, 120.5805335 
L SQUARE HOTEL
Address: KM120 McArthur Highway, San Rafael
Contact Number: (045) 491-0714
GPS Coordinates Map:15.458358, 120.5989
WHERE TO EAT IN TARLAC
Tarlac is said to be a true melting pot of Pampango, Ilocano, Pangasinense, and Tagalog people. So I guess it isn’t really that surprising that the province has a lot of good restaurants lining its streets. What surprised me though was the level of choices they have, from street food, to local delicacies, and all the way to fine dining.
DAMPA SA TARLAC
Type: Seafood, Filipino, Paluto
Opening Hours: 10:00AM to 9:00PM, Daily
Address: MacArthur Highway, Brgy. San Rafael, Tarlac City
Contact Number: (045) 491-1601 | (0923) 898-0908
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.215964, 120.577229 
CHAPS DINER AT KART CITY TARLAC
Type: Restaurant; Rice Meals, Pizza
Opening Hours: 2:00PM to 2:00PM, Daily
Address: MacArthur Highway, San Roque, Tarlac City
Contact Number: (045) 491-4053
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.478161, 120.596226 
WIZARD BURGER & SIZZLERS
Type: Burgers, Sizzling Plates, Rice Meals
Opening Hours: 10:00AM to 7:00PM, Daily
Address: Espinosa Street, Tarlac Plazuela, Tarlac City
Contact Number: (0908) 969-9939
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.488109, 120.589683 
MACAPINLAC CAKEHOUSE
Type: Cakes, Pastries, Sweets
Opening Hours: 8:30AM to 6:30PM, Daily
Address: F. Tanedo Street, Tarlac City
Contact Number: (045) 982 0183
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.488947, 120.590017 
PASEO DE HILARIO GRILL & RESTAURANT
Type: Filipino, Rice Meals, Delicacies
Opening Hours: 9:30AM to 10:00PM, Daily
Address: 4 P. Hilario St., Tarlac City
Contact Number: : (045) 982-0703
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.486407, 120.589989 
PRIMADELI RISTORANTE
Type: Restaurant, Rice Meals, Pasta, Italian, Asian
Opening Hours: 11:00AM to 12:00AM, Daily
Address: Southern Bypass Road, Brgy. San Vicente, Tarlac City
Contact Number: (0923) 340-3761, (045) 491-0539
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.474533, 120.5898669 
URDU RESTAURANT & BAKESHOP
Type: Barbecue, Pastries, Rice Meals
Opening Hours: 8:30AM to 5:30PM, Daily
Address: 71 P. Burgos St. Poblacion, Tarlac City
Contact Number: (045) 982-2981, (045) 491-3912
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.483069, 120.595364
WHAT TO SEE & DO IN TARLAC
Before visiting Tarlac, the only tourist spot (if you really can call it that) I know in the province is the iconic Jesus sculpture at the Monasterio de Tarlac. But Tarlac has so much more to offer, especially for nature and adventure lovers (although I have yet to cover their hiking trails and waterfalls). For the culturally inclined, museums, churches, historical sites, and ancestral houses are always available for visits.
AQUINO CENTER AND MUSEUM
Address: Luisita Industrial Park Road, San Miguel, Tarlac City
Contact Number: +63 (45) 985-0968
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 5:00PM, Daily
Entrance Fee: ₱100.00
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.4344844, 120.6018399 
KART CITY TARLAC
Address: MacArthur Highway, San Roque, Tarlac City
Contact Number: +63 (45) 491-4053
Opening Hours: 3:00PM to 12:00AM Weekdays | 10:00AM to 2:00AM Weekends
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.4778941, 120.593978 
MUSEO DE TARLAC
Address: Romulo Blvd., Tarlac City
Opening Hours: 8:30AM to 5:00PM
Entrance Fee: Free
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.481345, 120.587085 
CAPAS NATIONAL SHRINE
Address: Barangay Cristo Rey, Capas
Contact Number: +63 (936) 307-3105
Opening Hours: 6:00AM to 5:00PM
Entrance Fee: ₱20.00
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.3509744, 120.5460155 
MOUNT PINATUBO TREK
► BOOK A TOUR ONLINE
Address: 4x4 Jump-Off Point at Brgy. Sta. Juliana, Capas
Contact Number: +63 (45) 925-0154, +63 (922) 280-7921
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.326535, 120.426931 
AQUINO ANCESTRAL HOUSE
Address: A. Luna St., cor. Timbol St., Concepcion
Contact Number: +63 (45) 923 1149
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.3242761, 120.657308 
JSJ GOAT FARM
Address: Barangay Caturay, Gerona
Contact Number: +63 (918) 908-0488, +63 (922) 8181-488
Opening Hours: 9:00AM to 4:00PM
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.6313044, 120.5991556 
LA SAGRADA DE FAMILIA CHURCH
Address: Sulipa, Gerona
Contact Number: (0956) 283-5710
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.607267, 120.533615
~ PHOTO FROM WIKICOMMONS 
ANZAP TWIN FALLS
Address: Brgy. Bigbiga, Mayantoc
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.527712, 120.292862
~ PHOTO BY MISC & EXTRAS FROM GOOGLEMAPS 
CAYASAN FALLS
Address: Brgy. Nambalan, Mayantoc
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.535195, 120.294622
~ PHOTO BY JUST FOR FUN FROM GOOGLEMAPS 
KITI CALAO FALLS
Address: Brgy. San Jose, Mayantoc
Entrance Fee: ₱20.00
Guide Fee: From ₱350.00 Good for 5pax
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.597124, 120.318416
~ PHOTO BY PLAYING TOURIST 
CANDING FALLS
Address: Brgy. Maasin, San Clemente
Entrance Fee: ₱20.00 | Guide Fee: From ₱200.00
Opening Hours: 7:00AM to 5:00PM
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.644258, 120.307587
~ PHOTO FROM SANCLEMENTETARLAC.GOV.PH 
MOUNT DAMAS / UBOD FALLS
Jump Off Address: Dueg Resettlement, San Clemente
Entrance Fee: ₱30.00
Guide Fee: ₱1,000.00 - Good For 7pax
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.621198, 120.287256
~ PHOTO FROM SANCLEMENTETARLAC.GOV.PH 
TIMANGGUYOB FALLS
Address: San Clemente
Entrance Fee: ₱20.00
Guide Fee: From ₱100.00
Opening Hours: 7:00AM to 5:00PM
GPS Coordinates Map:
~ PHOTO FROM SANCLEMENTETARLAC.GOV.PH 
BULSA RIVER WHITEWATER KAYAKING
Address: Bulsa River, San Jose – Book via Rapid Stream
Kayaking Fee: ₱2,500
Contact Number: (0921) 582-4789
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.456978, 120.419680
~ PHOTO BY KAYAK PHILIPPINES 
MONASTERIO DE TARLAC
Address: Mt. Resurrection Eco Park, Brgy. Lubigan, San Jose
Contact Number: +63 (45) 493-3002, +63 (916) 250-8414
Opening Hours: 7:00AM to 6:00PM, Daily
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.4364524, 120.4314414 
TARLAC RECREATIONAL PARK
Address: Tarlac Recreational Park & Jose Yap Sports Complex, San Jose
Contact Number: +63 (45) 493-2471, +63 (999) 885-3981
Opening Hours: 9:00AM to 5:00PM, Tuesday to Sunday
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.5010257, 120.500337
FESTIVALS IN TARLAC
INURUBAN AND CHICHARON FESTIVAL
Location: Camiling | Date: Every October 8
BUYBOY FESTIVAL
Location: San Clemente
Date: Every Last Saturday and Sunday of April
MALATARLAK FESTIVAL
Location: Tarlac City
Date: Every January 20
BELENISMO SA TARLAC
Date: Whole December
~ MALATARLAK FESTIVAL PHOTO BY KAREN PATIO
WHAT TO BUY IN TARLAC
You won’t go home empty-handed when visiting Tarlac. The province has more than a few local delicacies that you can bring back home as pasalubong. Most of these are readily available in Tarlac City and one recommended shop is at Centro Pasalubong de Tarlac. They have a good selection of OTOP products from local farmers and cooperatives which range from foodstuff like goat/carabao milk, local chicharon, muscovado sugar, bugnay juice, sweet potato wines, kesong puti, hipon chips, to the usual keychains and ref magnets.
CENTRO PASALUBONG DE TARLAC
Address: McArthur Highway, Brgy. Ligtasan, Tarlac City
Contact Number: (0918) 908-0488
Opening Hours: 8:00AM to 4:30PM, Closed Sundays
GPS Coordinates Map: 15.484608, 120.595679
TARLAC TOURIST SPOTS MAP
TARLAC SAMPLE ITINERARY
The whole Province of Tarlac covers an area of 2,737 square kilometer. That is a huge, and creating an itinerary that would cover all the tourist spots in the province seemed impossible. What I present here instead is a trip itinerary we did during the Tara Quin Tarlac familiarization tour, with Tarlac City as our base. This is entirely doable, provided you have your own transportation with you.
If you’re not bringing a car with you, my recommendation is to avail of packaged tours being offered by local tour operators (see Organized Tours section above).
► DAY ONE
Morning arrival in Tarlac City
Check in at Hotel
Breakfast at King Burger
Visit the Aquino Center and Museum
Lunch at the V.E.S. Foods
Visit the Aquino Ancestral House
Visit the Capas National Shrine
Dinner at Dampa sa Tarlac
► DAY TWO
Breakfast at Urdu Restaurant
Visit JSJ Goat Farm
Visit La Sagrada De Familia Church
Visit Monasterio de Tarlac
Picnic Lunch at the Tarlac Recreational Park (bring own packed lunch)
ATV, Kayaking, Swimming, Biking at the Tarlac Recreational Park
Dinner at Primadeli Ristorante
► DAY THREE
Early Hotel Check Out
Breakfast at any nearby Carinderia or Restaurant
Go to Sta. Juliana in Capas for Mt. Pinatubo Trek
Picnic Lunch at Mt. Pinatubo Crater Lake (bring your own packed lunch)
Depart from Tarlac City END OF 3-DAY ITINERARY
EXTEND YOUR TARLAC TRIP
If time is on your hands and you still have days left before going back home, Tarlac is a good basepoint to extend your vacation trip. Here are some of the places you can easily go to.
Baguio Travel Guide
Travel Time: About 3 to 4 hours away by bus
Departure Point: Tarlac City
Suggested Number of Days: 3 to 4 days 
BOLINAO
Bolinao Travel Guide
Travel Time: About 2 hours away by bus
Departure Point: Tarlac City
Suggested Number of Days: 2 to 3 days 
Nueva Ecija Travel Guide
Travel Time: About 2 hours away by bus
Departure Point: Tarlac City
Suggested Number of Days: 1 to 3 days 
Vigan Travel Guide
Travel Time: About 6 hours away by bus and transfers
Departure Point: Tarlac City
Suggested Number of Days: 3 to 4 days
UPDATED AS OF OCTOBER 18, 2022
21 comments
One stop shop ka na talaga :) Galing :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Jombats! Bisita na sa Tarlac! :)
Deletehw mch po budget for 3d/2n at tarlac,f sundan ang itineraru nyo?
ReplyDeleteI heard Echo Park in Tarlac.. but I don't see it here... I want to have a picnic with family there and I am thinking if there is place where we can also order Lechon Baka.....
ReplyDeleteHi Lita, Did you mean Monasterio De Tarlac? Monasterio de Tarlac is located at the Mount Resurrection Eco Park in the barangay of Lubigan.
DeleteHi I am really interested. How can I get there? Exactly. Especially in the crater? Please reply ASAP! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHi Naya, you mean Mount Pinatubo? You may click the link above for a detailed post about how to get there :)
DeletePwede po ba na i-include niyo rin poyung expenses kung okay lang para po may idea po kami kung kaya ng budget. Hehe. Salamat :)
ReplyDeleteHi guys, for the trip budget, I specifically didn't include one as a traveler's budget can wildly differ from person to person, some likes to eat a lot, a few don't; some likes to stay at posh hotels while others opt for the cheapest accommodations.
ReplyDeletehi! bka my idea po kayo how to get to bolinao pangasinan from tarlac? we're planning to go there after our tekking at mt. pinatubo. thanks in advance :)
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delayed response. I think you can catch a bus from the Dau terminal going to Bolinao. Were you able to go?
DeleteHi :) May age limit po ba pag mag-sstay dun?
ReplyDeleteHi there, age limit for which place? :)
DeletePwede po ba solo traveler sa Monasterio de Tarlac? May masasakyan po ba papasok?
ReplyDeleteHi Anon, yes you can commute to Monasterio de Tarlac. There are jeepneys and tricycles that can bring you there.
Deleteanu po yung iba pang pwedeng puntahan malapit sa Capas National Shrine? Salamat :)
ReplyDeleteHi there, as far as I know there's not much else to see around Capas except the National Shrine
DeleteI'm eager to try things i haven't discovered yet. Philippines is so much fun to enjoy. This travel guide and itinerary you post is a big help to me.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome :)
DeleteMay alam po ba kayong sakayan mula alicia isabela to concepcion tarlac?Saka may mairerecommend po ba kayong mga books or anything else para po pag-aralan yung dialect nila?
ReplyDeleteHi there, not really a resident of Tarlac, so medyo hindi ko po kabisado talaga ang mga sakayan dyan. As for their language, same din po. Let's hope may Tarlaqueno na makabasa ng comment nyo.
Delete