Tarlac is a province in the Philippines that is located in the Central Luzon region. Tarlac is known as a tourist destination with various unique natural attractions, exciting activities, and rich history. This place is popular with Mount Pinatubo for hikers with the challenging track and beautiful views from crater lake. Also, in Tarlac you can enjoy water rafting and explore numerous historical sites.

In this article, we will share recommendations for tourist spots in Tarlac that you can visit. We will provide information for each place, allowing you to plan your vacation in Tarlac right now.

If you plan to visit Tarlac, there are some of the best places to visit. Below are some of the popular destinations!

1. Tarlac Recreational Park

Location: Sports Complex Drive, San Jose, Tarlac, Philippines
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PMRecommendations for what to do and see: Swimming, camping, fishing, and more.

The first recommendation is Tarlac Recreational Park, one of this province's popular tourist attractions. This tourist spot once hosted the Central Luzon Regional Sports Association in 2009 and several other major sporting events.

This tourist spot has an area of up to 78 hectares. In Tarlac Recreational Park, you can enjoy the park's beauty and do the outdoor activities provided, such as fishing, kayaking, swimming, ATV, and many more.

During your stay, you can consider Microtel by Wyndham Tarlac which can be reached in 35 minutes by car. This hotel is also close to several other tourist attractions, such as Luisita Business Park, Luisita Golf and Country Club, and Aquino Center Museum.

2. Mount Pinatubo

Location: On the tripoint boundary of the Zambales, Tarlac, and Pampanga Philippine provinces
Open hours: 24 hours
Recommendations for what to do and see: hiking, enjoying the beautiful scenery.

Mount Pinatubo is a volcano in the Zambales mountain region in the Philippines. This majestic mountain is a popular destination for tourists, especially those who enjoy hiking. 1991, the mountain erupted, forming a crater lake that now offers stunning views.

You can visit Mount Pinatubo in Tarlac if you have a strong sense of adventure. The hiking trail to the summit is quite challenging, but the scenic views are truly awe-inspiring.

For this vacation, you can stay at Midori Clark Hotel and Casino which provides car rental to make your trip easier while on holiday.

3. Monasterio de Tarlac

Location: Mount Resurrection Eco Park, San Jose, Tarlac, Philippines
Open hours: Every day, from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM
Recommendations for what to do and see: religious tourism, taking photos with statues.

Monasterio de Tarlac is another popular tourist destination in Tarlac. The place you will see is not an old church building but a new one standing since 2001 at San Jose's Eco Tourism Park.

Here, you can see a relic of the cross of Jesus Christ. A giant statue is also standing majestically, usually used as a tourist photo spot. Not only that, this place offers stunning natural scenery because it is set atop Mount Resurrection.

For this trip, you may consider La Maja Rica Hotel which offers an outdoor pool and shopping center shuttle.

4. Aquino Center and Museum

Location: Luisita Access Rd, Tarlac City, 2300 Tarlac, Philippines
Open hours: Every day, from 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Recommendations for what to do and see: Historical tourism, joining workshops and lectures.

The Aquino Center and Museum is a place of honor for Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr., who had a big influence on Philippine history. This place presents objects and photographs displayed in interactive exhibitions. Visitors can see the life and legacy of the Aquino family and learn about it.

The museum has a library of books, documents, and others. Also, the museum visitors can participate in educational workshops and lectures that provide an overview of the role of the Aquino family.

Near to the Aquino Center and Museum, there is accommodation that you can choose, which is Luisita Central Park Hotel, which is only 497 meters from the tourist attraction.

5. Capas National Shrine

Location: Capas Shrine Museum, New Clark City, Capas, Philippines.
Open hours: Every day, from 06:00 AM to 05:00 PM
Recommendations for what to do and see: historical tourism.

The Capas National Shrine is a place that can be visited for historical tourism. This place holds the story of Filipino and American soldiers who sacrificed during the Bataan Death March in World War II. Visitors can pay their respects to fallen soldiers and reflect on their sacrifices.

For accommodation, Casareal Hotel by Cocotel is located only a few minutes from the city center, making it easy to reach various tourist attractions, such as Luisita Business Park and the Ninoy Aquino Monument.

6. Tarlac Cathedral, Saint Sebastian Cathedral

Location: FHQQ+28R, F. Tañedo St, Tarlac City, 2300 Tarlac, Philippines.
Open hours: Monday to Friday, from 06:00 AM to 05:00 PM | Saturday, from 04:00 to 06:030 PM | Sunday, from 05:00 AM to 07:00 PM

Recommendations for what to do and see: historical and religious tourism.

Tarlac Cathedral, also known as Saint Sebastian Cathedral, has fantastic architecture. Many visitors have praised the design of this building because it looks beautiful with its towering tower, glass windows, and majestic statues. This cathedral not only serves as a place of worship but also holds historical significance dating back to the early 19th century.

1.68 km from Tarlac Cathedral there is the Sogo Tarlac Hotel which you can choose as accommodation. The hotel is close to public transportation stops making it easy for tourists to visit attractions in Tarlac, including, Luisita Business Park and Luisita Golf and Country Club.

7. Museo de Tarlac

Location: FHJP+GV6, Romulo Blvd, Tarlac City, 2300 Tarlac, Philippines
Open hours: Every day, from 08:30 AM to 05:00 PM
Recommendations for what to do and see: historical tourism.

Last but not least, you can visit the Museo de Tarlac, a museum that presents the history, art, and heritage of Tarlac province. In the museum, you can see a glimpse of the past of this region in the Philippines.

As for accommodation, RedDoorz Plus @ Starhomes Olivianville is a recommendation for staying in the area. This hotel makes it easy to visit various attractions in Tarlac, such as MUSEO and Luisita Business Park.

Before deciding to vacation in Tarlac, here are some important things you need to know, especially if it's your first time visiting.

Most of the activities in Tarlac are outdoor activities, so it is best not to come in the rainy season. You can come to Tarlac during the dry season, in March to June.

To visit Tarlac, you can take a bus from Manila to Tarlac. This journey can take 2.5 - 3 hours. To continue your journey, you can rent a car and visit San Jose or other tourist destinations in Tarlac.

Tarlac has many tourist attractions that Filipinos and tourists worldwide can visit. Apart from beautiful views, Tarlac presents the history of the Filipino struggle. You can make this province a tourist destination with family and friends while on holiday. To make your holiday easier, use the Traveloka application.

This application lets you plan your vacation right now, starting from booking a hotel in Tarlac according to your needs and budget, buying tickets to several tourist attractions in Tarlac, and many more.