Bulacan is super near my place and for some reason, I never thought it was this beautiful not until this month. When someone says Bulacan, the first thing that comes to mind are rice fields or palayan and the Grotto Vista resort. But thanks to our spontaneous soul, we discovered this place in San Rafael. Here’s a complete travel and budget guide to Malangaan Cave and Spring.
Accidental Invitation
It all started with our plan to go to Hulugan Falls in Laguna (I’ll post the complete guide on my next post). Since SJ won’t be able to join us due to family commitments, she just invited us to check out Bakas River, Bitbit River, Angat and Ipo Dam in Bulacan. Unfortunately, after hours of researching, we failed on finding a travel guide to the said places and that’s when I saw Malangaan Cave and Spring so I said, hey, why not go here instead?. And so we ended up going there.
Getting Lost
I apologize in advance if this guide can be quite confusing (trust me, a lot of things happened that day which makes the whole trip confusing). According to blogs online, the best way to Malangaan Cave and Spring is through Baliuag via NLEX. And since we’re just one ride away from NLEX, we decided to take that route thinking that it’s the fastest way. To our suprise, it took us 4 HOURS and around Php 150+ just to get to Sitio Tukod. It was our first time going to the place and we got lost. Here’s a rundown of our trip:
1. Droped off at NLEX toll gate. Rode a jeep going to Baliuag.
2. The barker told us it’ll pass through Baliuag but we got fooled. Instead, they dropped us at Meycauayan where we have to ride another jeep going to Baliuag.
3. Rode another jeep and dropped off at the end of the expressway (Guiguinto) where we have to go up the bridge and ride another jeep bound to Baliuag terminal station.
2. The barker told us it’ll pass through Baliuag but we got fooled. Instead, they dropped us at Meycauayan where we have to ride another jeep going to Baliuag.
3. Rode another jeep and dropped off at the end of the expressway (Guiguinto) where we have to go up the bridge and ride another jeep bound to Baliuag terminal station.
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.
River crossing!
Summer Spring
The spring is so beautiful. It’s clear, blue and green. This is where the route to the cave starts.
Spelunking
Cap from Neff
Hemlock Pants from Wrangler
Shoes from Dr. Martens
Denim Bag from Wrangler
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We saw a Tilapia trapped in the river
The cave leads to a quarrying area.
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.
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.
Via NLEX (JEEP)
1. Ride jeep going to Baliuag. (If you can’t find any jeep, ride a jeep going to Meycauayan instead).
2. Ride jeep going to the Expressway. Just tell the driver to drop you off at the bridge going to Baliuag.
3. Go up the bridge going to Puregold Guiguinto.
4. Ride jeep going to Baliuag. Drop off at the terminal Station.
5. Walk towards INC going to the terminal station.
6. Ride a jeep and drop off at Barangay Pulo Tricycle Station. Just tell the driver you’re going to Malangaan or Sitio Tukod.
7. Ride a tricycle going to Malangaan.
2. Ride jeep going to the Expressway. Just tell the driver to drop you off at the bridge going to Baliuag.
3. Go up the bridge going to Puregold Guiguinto.
4. Ride jeep going to Baliuag. Drop off at the terminal Station.
5. Walk towards INC going to the terminal station.
6. Ride a jeep and drop off at Barangay Pulo Tricycle Station. Just tell the driver you’re going to Malangaan or Sitio Tukod.
7. Ride a tricycle going to Malangaan.
Via Angat Dam
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.
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.
Budget
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!
Life is too short to live without adventure.
Cheers~!
– Justin –
Great photos. 🙂
Nevertheless you went and conquered the cave! 🙂
http://carissainez.com
Thank you Ian! 🙂
Yes! It was an exciting experience. Thank you Carissa 🙂
Keep up posting blogs! i'm always reading blogs before traveling in the certain place..! more power Mr. Justin Vawter! Keep traveling!
i am living here in Bulacan for 12 years.. didn't know anything about this place in san rafael.. would like to visit them soon. thanks for your blog..
What cam po did you use? Nice shots!
hi. Im from Pulo, San Rafael, Bulacan. i just noticed some mistake on the route, if you rode a jeepney to Pulo, just drop off to "kanto ng pulo" (it is where the sign of TUKOD and SAPANG PAHALANG is located. left side of the road near the waiting shade) instead of dropping off to the tricycle station 'coz there are two tricycle stations. 1 going to angat, and 1 going to tukod.
hope this helps other commuters. 🙂
Nice 🙂
Hi have you visited The Greenery Bulacan and San Rafael River Adventure too?
did you guys had a dip in the spring???
or u could use bike going to and from this place. burn some calories!
Hi, thanks for the info. I'm from San Rafael but didn't know this place. Anyway thinking to visit this April but after reading your blog about the caves just curious if its still worth to go? btw, the photos look amazing tho
From Barangay Tukod, can we just walk going to Malangaan cave? approx how many minutes by tricycle?
Super thanks c",)
In Meycauayan, there are already jeepneys plying the Baliuag route. No need to get off at Guiguinto and ride another jeep. You've been fooled by the driver. O_o
Plus if you're riding a jeep from NLEX, consider which tollgate/exit you're coming from. If you dropped off at Meycauayan/Marilao/Bocaue Exit, ride a jeep going to McArthur highway. From there you can already see jeepneys plying the Baliuag route. It's a huge hassle if you're dropped off at Marilao/Bocaue tapos babalik ka pa sa Meycauayan. If Tabang/Sta. Rita Exit naman, lakad lang konti may jeep na going to Baliuag. Hope this helps. 🙂
Hey, thank you so much for all the infos and photos, giving us lot's of inspiration right now 🙂 can I ask which camera you use? 🙂
Hey, great photos 🙂 can I ask which camera you use? 🙂
Sorry I thought the first comment wasn't saved 😀