The urbanized city of Olongapo is situated near Subic Bay in the Philippine province of Zambales and mainly draws domestic tourists from Manila who are provided with jungle activities, water sports and a wide variety of nightlife.
The city is renowned for its inventive methods of urban management, cleanliness and addressing crime during the 1980s, which have been copied nationwide by local governments and have earned Olongapo national and international awards. The area has become a new tourist destination after the Subic Navy base was transformed into an economic zone with an emphasis on recreational activities and a great range of accommodations.
Among the few attractions in the city are the modern Olongapo City Museum and the Subic Bay Lighthouse, the latter providing a panoramic view of the Subic Bay Freeport area, while the nearby Ocean Adventure Park features large marine animals, especially killer whales and dolphins. The main draws, however, are the region’s beaches, offering all kinds of water activities, particularly scuba diving in the ‘Pearl of the Orient’, as Subic Bay is called by the tourist office.
Getting There & Away
Subic International Airport and the air facility in Angeles City are opening up the area to international visitors. There are several daily bus trips from Manila to Olongapo, with the traveling time ranging from 2 hours, 30 minutes to 4 hours depending on the traffic flow.
Things to Do
Olongapo Attractions
- Scuba diving
-
Olongapo has diverse diving sites to discover.
- City Museum
-
Displaying artifacts referring to olongapo’s development.
- Subic Bay Lighthouse
-
Offering a panoramic view.
- Ocean Adventure Park
-
Featuring large marine creatures.