The Philippines is well known for its out-of-this-world beaches and El Nido is no exception. With tall palm trees, turquoise water, and incredible limestone mountains, the beaches in El Nido are truly unique and beautiful.
A bit south of El Nido City are the incredible Las Cabanas Beach and Marimegmeg Beach. These two beaches are located one after the other. Actually, Las Cabanas Beach was named after the resort with the same name.
-> Find out here which are the most beautiful beaches in El Nido.
I am going to tell you everything you need to know about each of these two beaches. Just make sure to add them to your itinerary when visiting El Nido. You will thank me later!
Things to know before visiting
There are some things you have to take into consideration before visiting any of these two beaches:
- There might be areas where you won’t have phone signal. It is a common problem in El Nido
- The closest ATM is in El Nido City. Bring all the cash you need with you
- For the best views, visit these two beaches during the sunset
- Planning to take an island hopping tour in El Nido? Here is everything you need to know.
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When to visit Las Cabanas Beach and Marimegmeg Beach
I recommend visiting these two beaches a few hours before the sunset. This way, you can enjoy some sun and watch how the sun starts to hide between the limestone mountains.
1. Marimegmeg Beach, El Nido
Also called Vanilla Beach, Marimegmeg Beach is the first beach you will see when coming from the main street. During the day, this beach is quite busy but the views are worth it.
The water is extremely clean and perfect for swimming. You can rent some sunbeds right on the seashore or you can take a seat at one of the local bars. The prices are a bit higher than in the city but drinking a cocktail while admiring the limestone mountains is definitely something you have to experience.
Marimegmeg Beach is slowly becoming one of the most popular beaches in El Nido. If you want to have the beach all to yourself, I recommend going early in the morning, before 10 am.
This beach is also a popular spot for watching the sunset but I recommend going to Las Cabanas Beach for the most magical sunset you’ll ever see. Read below to find out everything about Las Cabanas Beach.
Good to know: As of beginning of 2019, there is an entire complex of restaurants and shops being built on the way to Marimegmeg Beach which is kinda awesome. This means that soon you won’t have to worry about finding food or refreshments near the beach. There will even be a McDonald’s.
2. Las Cabanas Beach, El Nido
Just a few hundred meters away from Marimegmeg Beach is the Las Cabanas Beach. From here, if the tide is low you can take a walk to the Depeldet Island or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try the zip line.
There are plenty of bars and restaurants right on the beach. Beware that the prices are quite high so if you’re traveling on a budget, I recommend bringing your own food and refreshments when visiting Las Cabanas Beach.
If you want to find an awesome beach, hidden from all the tourists, with some of the best views in El Nido, from Las Cabanas Beach walk a few hundred meters towards the Dolarog Beach Resort. You will be rewarded with an incredible view towards the Pinagbuyutan Island and an empty beach.
Watching the sunset at Las Cabanas Beach is one of the must have experiences in El Nido. Bring a towel, something to drink and enjoy the views! The sunsets in the Philippines are simply incredible!
-> These are the best places to watch the sunset from in El Nido!
How to get to Marimegmeg Beach and Las Cabanas Beach
If you also want to visit some other tourist attractions in El Nido such as the Corong Corong Beach or Twin Beach, I recommend renting a motorbike. Almost every hotel or guesthouse rents motorbikes to its guests so it’s best to ask at your accommodation’s reception. The price of renting a motorbike for one day is usually somewhere around 600 pesos.
If you’re not confident about riding a motorbike, I recommend renting a tricycle. There are tricycles all around El Nido and the price from the city should be around 100-150 pesos. The tricycle will leave you in front of the shopping mall and you will have to climb down some stairs to reach Marimegmeg Beach and Las Cabanas Beach.
Where to stay in El Nido
Most of the time, accommodations in El Nido are pretty basic and for a bit of comfort, you’ll have to pay the price. If you’re looking for the best accommodation in El Nido, I’ve got you covered. Here are the best hotels, for every budget:
- Budget – Carandang Inn – close to city center, clean rooms, friendly owners
- Mid Budget – La Colonial – good location, beautiful pool, clean & spacious rooms, friendly staff
- Luxury – Frangipani – modern & clean rooms, beautiful design & view, breakfast included, good location
I hope that you’ve found my guide about two of the most beautiful beaches in El Nido useful. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section below.
May the travel bug bit you!
Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.
She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here.
To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!