Angeles
Travel Guide > Asia > Philippines > Angeles
Introduction
Angeles City, in the province of Pampanga in Central Luzon in the Philippines, was once the site of a massive US Airforce Contingent. Following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo, which devastated much of the city, the US withdrew much of the infrastructure and therefore the lifeline of this once thriving metropolis. Now what remains is a shadow of its former glory.
Though Angeles remains an essential waypoint for a trip to the nearby volcano, now all that remains of its former glory are topless bars and restaurants. Cheap accommodation, cheaper food and a never ending supply for cheap drinks are a drawcard for some and a turn off for others. Whilst not as graphic as Patpong in Thailand, this city does have a significant red light area which, in quiet times throughout the year, can be a little dangerous.
A stalwart remaining from the hightimes of US support is the aptly named Margharitaville - information about all the local tours, hotspots, scams and anything else you could possibly want to know is available at the bar. Some of the world's best and cheapest Margharitas are sold here too.
If you are visiting Mt Pinatubo you will pass through Angeles, the length of time you stay will depend on your time frame, budget and interests. There is a lot to see though and if you have the time, it's worth a few days. Meeting some of the local gentlemen businessmen in town though, you may find that that is what they thought 20 years ago, and are still there.
Sights and Activities
Mount Pinatubo
Tours from Angeles are cheap and well worthwhile to visit the volcano. Although it is possible to do a visit independently, the area is still a dangerous place and landslides occur frequently. The tour operators hire experienced guides and take you to places that would be very difficult to find otherwise.
Events and Festivals
Eat
Drink
This is version 4. Last edited at 6:03 on May 15, 08 by GeoBot (+56). 3 articles link to this page.
Except where otherwise noted, content of this article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License