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Voykit pocket guide · Philippines
Arayat
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Arayat for Mount Arayat hike and town sights; stay overnight only if you want a quiet resort.
Arayat is a small agrarian town in Pampanga centred on Mount Arayat, a 1,026 m dormant volcano with forest trails and a few colonial sites. The town is reachable by road from Manila in about 2 h, and local transport is tricycles. One day covers the main attractions; a night at a resort adds a relaxed stay.
- Country
- Philippines
- Best months
- Dec–May
- Avoid
- Jun–Oct (rain, landslides)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- PHP
- Money
- Philippine pesos (₱) in small notes for jeepneys, market stalls, tips and taxis; malls and hotels take cards.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₱500–800 excl. bed · Mid ₱800–1,200 excl. bed · High ₱1,200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Globe and Smart sell SIMs at airports; SIM registration with passport is required by law.
- Emergency
- Police / Fire / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C · 220 V · 60 Hz · US flat pins common; check your devices for 220 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% if no service charge.; Grab / taxi: Round up.; Boat crew: ₱100–200 per tour.; Massage: ₱50–100.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; refill stations cheap.
- Toilets
- Called 'CR' (comfort room); bring tissue; many lack toilet seats.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a local café | ₱50–80 |
| Street snack (kakanin) | ₱30–60 |
| Bottle of water (500 ml) | ₱20–35 |
| Tricycle ride (short distance) | ₱20–40 |
| Entry to Mount Arayat National Park | ₱50–100 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CRK · Clark International Airport
- About 45 min by bus or jeepney via JASA
Typical fares
- Manila → Arayat (NLEX tolls + jeepney)
- about ₱1,200 total, 2 h (check)
- Tricycle town ride
- ≈₱30–40 per short trip
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Tricycles are the main local transport; hire one for barangay trips. Jeepneys connect Arayat to San Fernando and Magalang.
See and do
Known for
- Mount Arayat
- Santa Catalina Parish Church
- Medina Ancestral House
- Bale Batu stone house
- Pau Falls
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Mount Arayat hike | Tricycle from town centre to trailhead, 10 min; hike 2–3 h round‑trip | ≈1 h total |
| Pau Falls | Tricycle 15 min south of town | ≈30 min |
Sleep
- Palm Cabanas Resort
- Resort on Magalang‑Arayat Road, good for a night after hiking
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Paumanhinpa‑u‑man‑hin |
| Thank you | Salamatsa‑la‑mat |
| How much? | Magkano?mag‑ka‑no |
| Where is the bathroom? | Nasaan ang banyo?na‑sa‑an ang ba‑nyo |
| I would like water | Gusto ko ng tubiggus‑to ko nang tu‑big |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Smile, handshake; 'po' to elders; avoid: Loud confrontation
- Beckoning: Palm down, wave; avoid: Palm up (used for animals)
- Invitations: Accept food offered or decline politely; avoid: Refusing bluntly
- Time: Expect 'Filipino time' socially; avoid: Lateness for flights and boats
- Churches: Covered clothes; avoid: Loud tours during Mass
Scams and watch-outs
- Road to Mount Arayat can be closed after landslides; check local advisories.
- Facilities in the park are basic; bring water and sturdy shoes.
Arayat is low‑risk; main concerns are road conditions after rain and staying hydrated on hikes.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Arayat yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Mount Arayat
- Santa Catalina Parish Church
- Medina Ancestral House
- Bale Batu stone house
- Pau Falls
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Pampanga Provincial Tourism Office: pampanga.gov.ph/
- Wikivoyage: Arayat, revision 5339540 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5339540
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Arayat
Paki dalhin ito
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Fire / Ambulance911
US Embassy in Manila; consulate in Angeles (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/arayat). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.