Central Luzon

The central plains of Luzon north of Manila, with Mount Pinatubo, Clark and Baler's surf among the highlights.

Central Luzon lies north of Manila and is known as the "rice granary" of the Philippines. It includes the provinces of Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija and Aurora. The Mount Pinatubo crater lake is a popular trekking destination; Pampanga is famed for its food; the Dambana ng Kagitingan shrine on Mount Samat in Bataan commemorates the WWII Battle of Bataan; Zambales has coastal beaches and small islands, and Baler in Aurora is a surfing hotspot. Clark International Airport is an important gateway, and the region can also be reached from Manila by road. The dry season runs roughly from November to May.

Destinations

• Baler
• Subic Bay
• Clark & Angeles City
• Manila

Itineraries

• Philippines Island Highlights Loop – Starting from Manila, this two-week first-timer's route connects Coron, El Nido, Bohol, and South Cebu.
• Northern Luzon: Terraces, Mountain Towns and Colonial Old Towns – An overnight bus to Banaue, then the Batad terraces, Sagada and Baguio, ending in Vigan on a Luzon loop.