ABBEY: It was a Father’s Day celebration, so we prepared a relaxing and “filling” day with our Dad. As the name of the establishment suggests, our bodies were well-rested at Sabbath Spa and Wellness Hub. We soaked in the warmth of their hot tub and sauna. I just wished the tub had cold water to complement the heat of the sauna. The shower had low water pressure, though, so it took longer to rinse off and get ready for the massage. I think I fell asleep during the session and woke up feeling rejuvenated. We capped off our spa experience with manicure and pedicure sessions. Clean bodies and tidy nails!
Next stop was lunch at Las Mujeres Cafe in Palacio Real de Sto. Niño. The colonial-style structure gives off Spanish-era vibes and also serves as a hotel. We indulged in pork, liempo, and longganisa-silog while enjoying hot drinks. We also shared stories about our spa experience over our comforting Filipino meal.
Before heading home, we stopped by Little Devils Pizza and bought two boxes of their rectangular pizzas: Bacon Craze and Creamy Spinach. They had generous toppings, and one slice was simply not enough. You'll want more! That's exactly what happened to me during dinner. Whether piping hot or enjoyed the next day, the pizza still tasted good.
It's surprising to discover a hidden paradise in Meycauayan! Kariktan ng Meycauayan, which spans more than two hectares, opened in December 2024. True to its name, kariktan, meaning beauty, the place is a sight to behold.
Away from the noise of the urban community, you can hear birds chirping and cicadas singing. The park features a mini zoo, aviary, lake, amphitheater, greenhouse, and picnic area. Fruit trees such as sampaloc, chesa, caimito, and mango can also be found around the grounds. What amazed me most were the different species of bamboo surrounding the park, which also serve as natural hedges. With all the greenery and nature around us, you could say, “Walang pagdududang nasa Meycauayan ka nga!” Who would have thought that this little green escape could be found right here in the city?
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| 4-Stop Bulacan Itinerary: Spa, Heritage Cafe, Pizza & Free Ecopark |
WILL: The Reality Check: Is Bulacan Too Big for a Day Trip?
Let’s be real—Bulacan is massive. It’s roughly 4 times the size of Singapore, and public transport between towns isn't fully interconnected yet with a seamless commuter train network. If you're trying to hit multiple towns in one day without a private vehicle, it can get tricky.
We got lucky: Abbey’s dad (Papa Ros, still driving like a pro at 72) had the car ready. On Father's Day, we decided to pack our itinerary and head up to Malolos and Meycauayan to see what's new.
The Damage & Budget Breakdown (Per Person)
- Sabbath Spa Suite & Massage: ₱2,000- Las Mujeres Cafe Lunch: ₱563
- Little Devils Pizza (Takeout): ₱150
- Kariktan Ecopark Entry: FREE
Total Estimated Budget: ~₱2,713 / person (excluding gas and tolls)
1. Sabbath Spa & Wellness Hub (Malolos Branch)
We booked a Private Wellness Suite to try out contrast therapy—the combination of a hot sauna, hot tub, and cold shower/plunge. Having experienced this in Ireland and seeing how popular it's becoming in Singapore, finding a private setup right here in Malolos caught our attention immediately.The price point for a private suite with a sauna, tub, and massage combo is an absolute steal. Everything started great, but we did hit a few bumps:
— The Cons: The water pressure in our suite’s shower was unusually weak, and there was an annoying sewer/pudding smell near the water closet and tub area. When we reported it, the staff investigated right away and handled it professionally by allowing us to use the common area massage tables for our body treatment instead.
— The Plus Side: For our manicure and pedicure, their designated lounge area was super relaxing and clean.
Insider Tip: Go before 12:00 PM (lunch time). There are fewer people walking around the hallways, giving you a much quieter, more private environment.
2. Las Mujeres Cafe & Restaurant (Palacio Real de Sto. Niño)
When you think of Malolos, Bulacan, you immediately picture history, heritage old houses, and Barasoain Church. We wanted that old-world feel, so we checked out Las Mujeres Cafe inside the historic Palacio Real de Sto. Niño property. We tried their viral Puto Bumbong Latte alongside their Beef Tapa (₱360).The Puto Bumbong Latte is genuinely unique—definitely one of the most interesting local drink creations we’ve tasted in the Philippines. While the Beef Tapa was just standard comfort food, you are primarily paying for the breathtaking colonial architecture and high-tier Instagram backdrops.
Insider Tip: Walk-ins are fully permitted! You don't need a hotel room booking just to walk around the courtyard and admire the building design.
3. Little Devils Pizza (Malolos)
If Angel’s Pizza has an arch-rival in the local scene, Little Devils Pizza is stepping right up. We dropped by on our way home to grab two large boxes for a late-night movie dinner.Honestly? It's surprisingly good and goes head-to-head with major commercial pizza chains. The crust is soft, the sauce leans on the sweeter side (which kids and local palates will love), and the portions are huge for just ₱450 a box.
Insider Tip: Do not rely blindly on Google Maps pins along MacArthur Highway. Just search for Vista Mall Malolos—you'll spot the bright yellow signage of Little Devils Pizza directly across the street.
4. Kariktan ng Meycauayan Ecopark
After spending time living abroad, Abbey and I were longing for a clean open space where you can walk or jog without dodging oncoming traffic. Papa Ros granted our wish and drove us 3 kilometers from his house to the newly opened Kariktan ng Meycauayan Ecopark.
We were genuinely astonished! It is an incredible local government project showcasing different species of bamboo. Aside from the dedicated jogging and walking paths, the park features a mini-zoo, a children's playground, free zipline features, and private picnic cabanas/tables. It is easily one of the best spots in South Bulacan for families and couples. Hmm.. this is a great spot pre-nup shoot.
Insider Tip: Admission is completely free. Head over around 8:00 AM to enjoy cool morning temperatures before the midday sun gets too intense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is a car necessary for a Bulacan day trip?A: Yes, traveling between Malolos and Meycauayan via public transport involves multiple transfers. Having a private vehicle or a dedicated driver makes multi-stop itineraries much smoother.
Q: Are these locations senior-friendly?
A: Yes! Places like Kariktan Ecopark and Las Mujeres Cafe feature flat, accessible walking paths that are comfortable for elderly family members.
What's Your Take?
Have you visited any of these spots in Bulacan yet? What's your go-to weekend food trip or date spot? Drop a comment below! 👇
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Sabbath Spa & Wellness Hub (Malolos Branch)
(H) 11AM to 1AM
(A) L 3330-B Governor Padilla Road, Satisima Trinidad, Malolos Bulacan
(T) 0917 199 7772
Las Mujeres Cafe & Restaurant
(F) https://www.facebook.com/palaciorealdsn
(H) 11AM to 10PM
(A) 804 F.T. Reyes, Kamestisuhan St., Sto. Niño 3000 Malolos, Philippines
(T) 919 099 7325
Little Devils Pizza (Malolos)
(F) https://www.facebook.com/palutskyenterprises/
(H) 9AM to 10PM
(A) Across The Cabanas Mc Arthur Highway, Longos 3000 Malolos, Philippines
(T) 0917 720 5806
Kariktan ng Meycauayan Ecopark
(A) MRF Compound, Brgy. Pajo, Meycauayan, Bulacan
(T) 8:00am-11:00am/1:00pm-4:00pm
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