Malangaan Cave and Spring, San Rafael, Bulacan

Note: We realized that the routes of the jeep is different from the ones the buses are taking. So if you’ll commute, TAKE THE BUS instead so you don’t have to transfer from one jeep to another. Drop off at the terminal station.

Once you arrive at the area, you’ll see a lot of tricycle there. DO NOT TAKE THEM. We got fooled the second time. We asked directions going to Barangay Pulo and the tricycle driver offered us a ride for Php 300. We declined. He then told us that he’ll just drop us off at the jeep terminal for Php 10/head (we know that there’s a terminal, we just don’t where it’s located) and we agreed. To our surprise, the terminal was just two streets away! So if you’ll go to Malangaan, just WALK TOWARDS Iglesia Ni Cristo (it’s beside the San Agustin Church and Glorietta Plaza) and you’ll instantly see the terminal. Fare is Php 27.

En Route to Paradise

Drop off at Sitio Tukod and ride a tricycle. Since it’s far and there’s no tricycle going back to the barangay, you have two options: to have the tricycle wait for you at the spring or just have them returned at an agreed time. We chose the latter. Fare is around Php 150-200 per way but you can haggle.

The road to Malangaan was soooo amazing! It was just beautiful. The rice fields are so neat and it would even remind you of the Banaue Rice Terraces, just a smaller version. You’ll pass through another barangay as well as a river so I suggest wearing sandals instead of shoes. And don’t miss the chance of traveling topload style!

Note: There’s no fee going to the place and guide is not required although the locals will ask you if you want one. Our driver told us not to hire one since it’s just an easy route and it really was although I think we missed a couple of good spots. It’s up to you whether to hire one or not. Most of the guides are kids and there’s no fixed rate so if you have spare money, I suggest hiring one.

Summer Spring

The spring is so beautiful. It’s clear, blue and green. This is where the route to the cave starts.

Spelunking

Chasing Sunset

We left the place around 4:30pm and luckily, we caught the sunset among the fields!

Disappointments and Surprises

Okay. I’ll be honest here. Was the cave beautiful? I’d say it’s disappointing. The photos on some blogs caught our attention but seeing it on our own was a different story. Perhaps our expectations were really high. Well, it’s really photogenic I must say however, it’s a sad sight. Graffiti and Vandals everywhere! So will I come back? It’s a maybe. The destination is not that amazing but the road going the cave fills it up. The view going to Malangaan is something you want to see again and again.

Now here’s the surprising part. We were chatting with our driver while on our way and we were surprised that there’s a faster route going to the place. She (yes, our driver is a girl!) even laughed at us because we spent a hundred as well as four hours worth of travel time when in fact we were this close to San Rafael (I knew it!). She then offered to take us to the terminal station in Norzagaray for Php 500 including the fare to and from the cave which is around Php 350. From the terminal, we rode a jeep going to SM Fairview for just Php 45. Travel time is around 1 1/2 hour only. Imagine the amount of time and money we could have saved if we only knew this.

Rundown

I won’t provide any itinerary on this guide since it’s really complicated. We took different routes so I’ll just post down the different ways on how to go to San Rafael, Bulacan.

Via NLEX (BUS)

1. Take Bus going to Baliuag. Tell the driver to drop you off at San Agustin Church. (I’m not sure which route the bus is going to take but just tell the driver, I’m pretty sure they know the place.)
2. Walk towards INC going to the terminal station.
3. Ride a jeep and drop off at Barangay Pulo Tricycle Station. Just tell the driver you’re going to Malangaan or Sitio Tukod.
4. Ride a tricycle going to Malangaan.

If you’re from the Fairview area, this is the fastest and cheapest route. Just a reminder that we didn’t take this route since we rented the tricycle and this guide is based on what our driver told us.

1. Ride a jeep going to SM Fairview.
2. Ride a jeep going to Norzagaray, Bulacan. Drop off at the Terminal Station.
3. Ride a bus (Agila) and tell the driver to drop you off at the route going to Barangay Pulo, San Rafael.
4. Ride a jeep and drop off at Barangay Pulo Tricycle Station. Just tell the driver you’re going to Malangaan or Sitio Tukod.
5. Ride a tricycle going to Malangaan.

Note: If you’re gonna travel by car, according to other blogs there’s a parking fee of Php 10. Also, the road to the cave is a bit tough and muddy.

Safest budget is around Php 200-300 per head depending on which route you’ll take.

Thank you guys for reading! I hope you got it and may you enjoy your trip to Malangaan Cave and Spring. Can’t wait to explore more of Bulacan. I already have places on my list. If you have suggestions, feel free to comment them down.

Shoutout to my travel buddies SJ (@sjcasasola) and to Nadelle (@nadellexoxo) who conquered her first adventure. Till the next one!