As the national government ramps up its support for the Philippines' tourism recovery in the "new normal," leisure travel is now allowed but is limited to select destinations and with restrictions. For fully vaccinated people, taking a trip has become more convenient, especially if you are traveling to the North. The LGUs no longer require tourists to submit RT PCR test results to enter their borders.
If you are itching to travel this weekend or this upcoming holiday season, let me share the smoothest & fastest way to reach your favorite north destination. Aside from that, I'll share the best stopovers where to fuel up, park and dine in or have a quick toilet break along NLEX-SCTEX. Make sure to bookmark this blog or save it on your phone's notepad, so it's easy to find the information when needed.
Petron Lakeshore
Km 71 North Luzon Expressway, Mexico Pampanga
The Petron Lakeshore is one of the biggest stopovers along the North Luzon Expressway. This massive one-stop facility boasts an assortment of shops, restaurants and tourist facilities. It's the right place to eat, refresh, withdraw cash and take a toilet break.
Lolaima is one of the local restaurants that you should visit. It offers delectable Filipino dishes and the food is served on a banana leaf. Starbucks is also another option if you want to sip a hot coffee or a refreshing drink. This modern-style cafe features a spacious dining area with nice lighting and clean layouts. If you are still avoiding dining rooms, there's a McDonald's drive-thru, a convenient and contactless way to order the delicious food you love.
Pasalubong shops, furniture stores, convenience stores and atm machines are also available.
Christmas is fast approaching and Lakeshore Pampanga recently opened the Christmas Village. Enjoy the presence of Christmas with its giant Christmas decorations, colorful lanterns, Trees adorned with lights and kiosks that sell festive food items, including bibingka and puto bumbong. The best time to visit Christmas village is at night.
PTT Station
Subic-Clark–Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx)
PTT SCTEX is the biggest PTT service station in the country, along the northbound lane of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway in Concepcion, Tarlac. This station is known for having the cleanest air-conditioned toilet called Restroom 2. It is designed as environment and customer-friendly. It's spacious, smells good, and is very clean.
Aside from PTT Restroom 20, this stopover also features cafes and restaurants. You must visit Cafe Amazon if you want to drink freshly brewed coffee or a blended drink. There's also 7-eleven, the country's leading convenience store that sells essentials you need while traveling.
Sea Oil Station Mall
CityMall Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX)
Next time you take the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX), you may stop at the SEAOIL-City Mall SCTEX. It is the perfect pit stop for travelers traveling from North Luzon destinations.
The two-hectare SEAOIL-City Mall SCTEX mega station features a wide selection of dining and shopping outlets. It houses fast-food chains such as Jollibee, Army Navy, Mang Inasal, Potato Corner, Highlands Coffee, and Shakey's, as well as shops like Teresa's Pasalubong Center, furniture store, and 7-Eleven convenience store.
Essential car services, atm machines, and pasalubong shops are also available.
Caltex Mega Station
Km. 62 North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), San Fernando City, Pampanga
Caltex Mega Station is one of the stopovers you should visit if you want to shop and dine. Dining options include Jollibee, Army Navy, Kenny Rogers, Cafe France, KFC, Tokyo Tokyo, and many more! For the shopping destination, visit Nike Factory Store, Fashion Rack Designer Outlets, and Premium Outlets. For discounted branded items, we recommend Premium Outlets. From shoes, slippers, and sports and fitness clothing to bags, Premium Outlets offers the best discounts and deals.
Essential car services, atm machines, a pasalubong shop, and a smoking area are also available.
Shell of Asia
E1, North Luzon Expressway (NLEx), Guiguinto Guiguinto, Bulacan
Aside from several dining options, Shell of Asia has become one of the travelers' favorite stopovers because it has many shopping choices. You can find Adidas, Fusion Outlet, Giordano, Puma, and many premium stores here. It also has a Select convenience store that provides safer shopping options and Starbucks that serves hot and cold beverages. Remember to visit Lauro's store. It sells your all-time favorite pasalubongs.
Essential car services, atm machines, a pasalubong shop and a smoking area are also available.
Drive & Dine
Km 17 North Luzon Expressway, Valenzuela City
Located on the southbound of the North Luzon Expressway, in between Meycauayan and Valenzuela exits, Drive & Dine is a prime 15,500-square meter area featuring a wide variety of food establishments and shopping outlets. It's a great destination along an expressway where you can drive and dine.
One of the must-visit stores in Drive & Dine is Nike Store. The giant Nike Factory Store in Manila features a wide selection of iconic footwear, apparel, and accessories.
Levis, Oregon, and Casion Watch are some of the biggest premium outlet stores that you should check out if you are looking for discounted branded items.
If you are looking for places to eat before returning home, Drive & Dine is the place to be. There's Café France, Empanada Nation, Chachago, JTs Manukan, McDonald's, Kenny Rogers, Starbucks, and many more!
Drive & Dine is one of the places that have gender-equal comfort rooms. There are two gender-neutral comfort rooms in the area. Each of them is airconditioned, clean and fragrant.
Essential car services, atm machines, a pasalubong shop and a smoking area are also available.
Some of these NLEX-SCTEX stopovers were included on NLEX Lakbay Norte 2021's itinerary. The tour is an NLEX Corporation initiative that aims to promote safe and fun travel by highlighting destinations in the North. As tourism starts to recover, NLEX Lakbay Norte hopes to help the industry spark that wanderlust dream and once again satisfy the travel itch.
Would be nice to have indicate if the place is northbound or southbound.
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