El Nido has no shortage of amazing beaches, but Maremegmeg Beach is one of the best beaches in El Nido thanks to its proximity to town and gorgeous sunset views. Vanilla Beach is a relatively new addition to this stretch of coast, named after the shopping complex built at the entrance to the beach.
There’s no line in the sand to distinguish between Vanilla Beach and Maremegmeg Beach, but no matter where you choose to lay your towel down you’ll be guaranteed a little slice of paradise.
WHERE IS MAREMEGMEG BEACH
Maremegmeg Beach is around 15 minutes from town, which is what makes it so popular. The most reputable scooter rental in town is Lakwatsero Motorcycles, which you can rent from for ₱500/$10 USD for 24 hours. Follow the map below and head to McDonald’s El Nido and park near there. Then walk through the outdoor mall, known as Vanilla Beach, and down towards the beach.
WHAT TO BRING TO MAREMEGMEG BEACH
Prepare for your trip to Maremegmeg Beach with our must-have travel essentials.
Waterproof backpack & phone case: Earth Pak 35L or 55L Heavy Duty Backpack, IPX8 Waterproof Phone Case Included (click for price)
Quick dry microfiber travel towel: Wise Owl Outfitters Camping Travel Towel (click for price)
Action camera: GoPro HERO9 Black (click for price)
GoPro dome: TELESIN Dome Port Lens for GoPro Hero 9 (click for price)
Drone: DJI Mavic 2 Pro (click for price)
Snorkel, mask & fins: Cressi Adjustable Mask, Fin & Snorkel Set with Carry Bag (click for price)
READ: 9 BEST BEACHES IN EL NIDO
WHAT PART IS VANILLA BEACH
Back in the day (we’re talking like 2015) the entire beach was just known as Las Cabanas Beach, but it’s since been split into 3 different beaches – Vanilla Beach, Maremegmeg Beach and Las Cabanas Beach. Vanilla Beach is actually the name of the estate full of boutique shops and restaurants that you have to walk through to get to the shore.
The pathway through the shops leads directly to this absolute haven by the water. During peak season pre-covid days this entire stretch of beach would be packed at sunset, but we were lucky to share it with very few people on multiple occasions.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT MAREMEGMEG BEACH
Maremegmeg Beach is the spot to spend an afternoon sipping a drink under the palm trees and taking in the golden hour views. The beach itself was powdery soft and the water was flat every time we visited. It’s the perfect place to unwind and relax, or to take a break from the tiring island hopping tours.
Maremegmeg Beach is actually named after this particular tree that hangs horizontally over the sand. Her name is Maremegmeg (duh) and she’s around 100 years old, so the legend has it. There are signs telling people to avoid standing or sitting on her, and to ultimately respect her presence. To see the Maremegmeg Tree for yourself, she’s right out the front of the Maremegmeg Beach Club.
The stretch of sand from Vanilla and Maremegmeg Beach to Las Cabanas Beach at the far point is an easy walk and a nice way to end the day. When the throngs of tourists are around, this place is the ultimate chill spot with good vibes. There is still a hint of this, with happy hours and beach bar tunes, but there’s definitely a lot more space to walk around now. At least, until the tourists return. We recommend you make the most of it now if you can!
LAS CABANAS BEACH
At the very end of the stretch, Maremegmeg Beach turns into Las Cabanas Beach, the official sunset spot. It’s a lot quieter around the corner, and this area will give you the best sunset views.
READ: LAS CABANAS BEACH GUIDE
READ: 9 Best Beaches in El Nido
OTHER EL NIDO BEACHES
Our favourite beach in El Nido, and perhaps our favourite in the Philippines is Nacpan Beach. This enormous beach is just a short drive from town and a must-visit if you’re in El Nido.
READ: NACPAN BEACH GUIDE
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WHERE TO STAY IN EL NIDO
There’s no shortage of accommodation in El Nido, but having all those options can be a little overwhelming when it comes to choosing the best place to stay. We’ve chosen our top four picks for budget, midscale, boutique and luxury hotels in El Nido to make things easier for you.
BUDGET: DEN’GI INN
If you’re planning on being in El Nido for a while and you’re not looking to break the bank, Den’Gi Inn is our top recommendation. We stayed for two weeks and found it was the best value for money. It’s one of the cheapest properties in El Nido, but offers clean rooms, good amenities and is in a prime location in town.
MIDSCALE: FRENDZ HOSTEL
Frendz Hostel has a million dollar view without the million dollar price tag. It’s right in the centre of town but its height offers unbeatable views of the bay. From private to share rooms, it boasts having a bed for every budget, and its social environment makes it a great place to make new friends.
BOUTIQUE: THE BIRDHOUSE
If you’re looking for something a little different, The Birdhouse is that something. It’s a small five tent glamping hotel with unbeatable sunset views. Their tents are decked out with all the finer things in life, including private bathrooms, and their yoga platform is a destination in its own right.
LUXURY: SEDA LIO
For those with a little more cash to throw around we recommend Seda Lio, one of the biggest luxury beach resorts on the mainland. Housed within the Lio Tourism Estate, Seda Lio offers a haven to escape to after a long day of activities and island hopping.
SEARCH ALL HOTELS & RESORTS IN EL NIDO
MORE EL NIDO TRAVEL GUIDES
Las Cabanas Beach, El Nido
Seven Commandos Beach, El Nido
Papaya Beach, El Nido
Big Lagoon, El Nido
Small Lagoon, El Nido
Entalula Island, El Nido
Shimizu Island, El Nido
Nacpan Beach, El Nido
El Nido Travel Requirements (Updated March 2021)
