Should you have any input on places or photos of interesting areas, we are more than happy to add them here, also in the "downloadable" Zambales Guide Books, that we publish online.
Email them to zambalesguidebook@gmail.com
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Situated just North West of Manila, Zambales is easily accessed by private or public transport, travel time to the Southern most part, which is the South Gateway to Zambales, being Olongapo and the Subic Bay Freeport Zone is around two and a half hours, via the NLEX and SCTEX expressways, Victory Liner bus, services Zambales from its Caloocan, Cubao, Passay and Mandaluyong Depots. From Olongapo, in the South of the Province to the most Northern Municipality, Sta. Cruz, is around another four hours, less if the traffic is good. There is currently a new road under construction which will pass to Botolan, via Capas Tarlac, this when completed, will cut travel times to central and Northern Zambales by at least two, possibly 3 hours. The Subic Bay Freeport Zone has an airport, as does the Provincial Capital Iba, but there are no scheduled flights to either, though they can be used by private charter. Clark International Airport is just one hour from Olongapo and the Subic Bay freeport Zone. |
See the links at the bottom for each Municipality, City or area.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS:
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BEACHES: Zambales is renowned for its clean, unspoiled beaches, Most of which feature silky silver sands that sparkle in the sunlight. The development of Beach Resorts in Zambales commenced in the late 1970's and early 1980's, with Iba, Botolan and San Narciso the earliest areas to commence operation. Other areas have, and still continue to develop to this day. The earliest "official" approval of foreign investment in the Zambales resort industry was in 1987, through the Board of Investments approval for an Australian national to develop a leased beach front area in Iba, which still operates to this day. There are several months of the year that are suitable for surfing Zambales' oldest "Surf School" is located in La Paz, San Narciso. There are now a large number of resorts in most areas, from small to large, many of which also have swimming pools and other facilities, such as offering boating, fishing, surfing and SCUBA diving, the beaches are also very popular for family and company outings during the summer months, with a large number of resorts specializing in outings. There are a number of beaches set within coves, that are only accessible by boat. Resorts in the adjoining areas generally can organize a boat for you to vist these areas. |
ISLANDS: There are five Municipalities that offer Island recreational areas, Sta. Cruz, Candaleria, Masinloc and Palauig, all adjacent in the North and San Antonio, further South, San Antonio. The Pundaquit area in San Antonio also offers some beautiful coves, these are only accessible by boat, which are available in all of the areas, for trips to, or around the Islands. There is also Grande Island situated in the Subic Freeport Zone. Most all the islands have white sand beaches. |
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MOUNTAINS: The Zambales Mountains, run parallel to the coast from North To South. The most famous of these being Mt. Pinatubo, located in Botolan, which brought havoc to the area when it erupted in June 1991 Another very popular mountain for trekking is Mt. Tapalao, also known as High Peak, this is located in Palauig and offers some spectacular rain forest. There is also small mountain range between Subic and San Antonio, one of the trekking areas there, is to the "Three Peaks" which offers magnificent views of the coastline. |
CAVES: There are a number of cave areas within Zambales, the best known of these are the Sagrada Familia Caves located in Sta. Cruz, this is about an hours walk from the nearest area that you can access by vehicle, the walk is easy and very pleasant as the difficult areas have all been made into stairways, you also pass through lush forest and there is a view deck with magnificiant views of the coast and islands nearby. Many of the caves are still unexplored and it is rumored that some lead to underground rivers. There are also a number of other caves in the area going to the old Acohe Mines in Sta Cruz. Aditionally in Candelaria, though most are still largely unexplored. |
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RIVERS: There are a large number of rivers in Zambales, the most major that flow to the sea are, North to South, the Agno River that is the Northern Boundary between Zambales and Pangasinan, Sta. Cruz River in Sta. Cruz, Guaritian, Uacon and San Vicenti Rivers in Candaleria, Lauis and Masinloc Rivers in Masinloc, the Salaza and Pedro Rivers in Palauig, the Bagsit, Agustin and Banganalang Rivers in Iba, the Balili, Bancal, Matanda and Bucao Rivers in Botolan, the Tanguay and Malona Rivers in Cabangan, the Gabor and Santo Tomas Rivers in San Felipe, the Pamatawan, Palayas and Coyacoy Rivers in San Narciso, the Rogostoco and Pundaquit Rivers in San Antonio, Mapanuepe River in San Marcelino, the Cayuao, Nibagon and Calapacuan Rivers in Subic and the Sta. Rita River in Olongapo City. Plus many other creeks and smaller rivers, the large majority of these offer some spectacular scenery and trekking. The Bucao and Santo Tomas Rivers are extremely effected by Lahar (Volcanic ash) with the Bucao river being the gateway to Mt. Pinatubo Tours operated from Botolan. |
LAKES: There are a number of major lakes in Zambales, the most attractive of these being the Crater Lake within Mt. Pinatubo. Uacon Lake in Candelaria is also a popular spot for nature lovers with its large number of native sea birds, it also occasionally hosts Dragon Boat races. Mapanuepe Lake in San Marcelino, this lake was only formed after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo when lahar flows blocked the Mapanuepe River from flowing into the Santo Tomas River, flooding the towns of Anglao and Bajaoen, of which the steeple of the Bajaoen Church can still be seen protruding from the lake. Also Looc Lake is San Marcelino at which the BAFAR have a large research station for fresh water fish species. |
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THEME PARKS: The Botolan Wildlife Farm, located in San Juan Botolan, is an excellent days outing for the family, set in lush gardens it offers a restaurant, a small swimming pool for the kids and accommodations. Other theme parks are located within the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, such as Ocean Adventure with its daily Dolphin and Sea lion shows. Zoobic Safari, which is an excellent outing with a large display of wildlife and tigers, it also offers a night safari. Treetop adventure offers a Zip line experience. The Magual Bird park is located at the JEST camp, you can also do Jungle Survival courses here. |
| SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE: (Comprising portions of both Zambales and Bataan) This is the Gateway to Zambales from the South and is almost the perfect mix and Hotels, Resorts, Recreational facilities, Commercial and Industry working together in harmony. There are a large number of Hotels and Resorts, also theme parks such as Ocean Adventure, Zoobic Safari and at least two water parks. The "boardwalk" area also offers jet ski hire, boating, sailing, SCUBA diving, para-sailing and nightly entertainment and a variety of restaurants, there is also a large sailing community and the Subic Bay Yacht Club. |  |
Note: There are excellent topographical maps of Zambales available from the NAMRIA web site.
There is an Introductry video to Zambales available here.
DIRECTORY: ..(By Municipality / City, North to South)
Sta. Cruz.....Candelaria....Masinloc.. .Palauig. ..Iba ... .Botolan ...Cabangan... .San Felipe .. .San Narciso
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..San Antonio .. ..San Marcelino.. ...Castillejos .....Subic .....Olongapo City ....Subic Bay Freeport Zone
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© Zambales Guide Book 2020. Website by Roger J. Bound.
A project of Zambales Lifesaving Inc. to assist in the promotion of Zambales as a safe tourist destination,
as the Zambales
Provincial Government, some LGU's and a number of resorts are very supportive of our water safety programs.
