LAKI BEACH: Your New Getaway in Bataan (DIY Travel Guide)

Last summer, I planned to travel to Laki Beach in Mariveles, Bataan.

I remember how Eloi and I talked and prepared about going to this beach, but unfortunately, we received information that the beach was suddenly closed to travelers. Apparently, Laki beach is privately owned, and the caretakers just advised the tourists there to leave the place. This was like in April 2017.

I even read some blog posts of my fellow travel bloggers who experienced the ordeal. They shared, that it should have been an awesome summer getaway but without any warning, there were advised to vacate the place immediately. They were actually given a deadline of 4 PM. How about that? I felt bad for my fellow travelers because you have to understand that Laki beach is located in a secluded cove surrounded by mountains and forest, so the only way to go there is through the motorboat.

Approaching Laki Beach

Fast forward to December 2017, we learned that Laki beach is open again for visitors and the situation has stabilized. Laki beach is only open between Friday to Sunday with an increased rate for entrance fees (details below). Most of the time, renting a motorboat going to Laki beach is packaged with Five Fingers Cove island hopping, which we availed. This is called Five Fingers Cove because when you check out Google Maps and you zoom out, the series of coves look like five fingers!

You either have the option to travel to Mariveles then rent a boat going to Laki beach and the Five Fingers island hopping (Travel Guide below), or you may avail the services of travel agencies and tour operators in Manila offering the Laki Beach plus Five Fingers adventure.

Approaching Laki Beach

Look at that!

The heat was like summer. After hours of touring the Five fingers coves of Mariveles, our last stop was Laki Beach.

Honestly, in a way, I’ve read some social media posts about Laki beach that it’s unspoiled and beautiful but I didn’t take that seriously. But wow, I was surprised by what I’ve witnessed the moment we arrived.

The white sand beach glistening from afar with all those coconut trees swaying, as if welcoming us with so much vigor.

When we finally stepped on those sands, I couldn’t help but pause for a while and just look at the beauty that surrounded me. I didn’t expect all that!

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Dramarama sa hapon hahaha!

We’ve found a sweet spot under those coconut trees to just rest for a while and eat lunch. We decided to eat first so we’ll have enough energy when we explore the beach.

It is important for you to know that there is no eatery, carinderia nor restaurants there. You really have to buy food while you’re at the town proper of Mariveles. If you plan to stay there overnight, better buy more food and of course, enough clean water!

It was the first week of December when we were there but the heat of the sun was unforgiving, but that didn’t stop Eloi and me to explore the beach. That’s one thing that Eloi and I clicked on, we just love exploring the beach and staying under the sun. Getting darker skin is not an issue for us. We bank on experience, and we didn’t care about getting nognog or what. Hahaha!

It’s not every day that you experience a lovely beach so when given a chance, you have to grab it, and maximize the experience rather than just staying from the shade of the cottage and just swim in the afternoon, with all your rash guard, malong and worst, some even bring umbrellas. Come on!

Trust me, it’s okay to get under the sun and enjoy. We did that in Calaguas, Jomalig Island, Burias, Cabongaoan beach and Maniwaya Island. And guess what, the darker skin was worth it!

So aside from swimming, you know that we love the beach, it’s the picture taking! We walked the stretch of the shore and took a lot of photos. Then, after that the trees at the back were another dramatic setting for a photoshoot.

Eloi and I just did what we love the most at the beach. We just sat there, looking at the beauty in front of us, thankful for everything.

Ayayay Pag-ibig. 🙂

……

Laki Beach DIY Budget Itinerary Expenses

How to go to Laki Beach, Mariveles, Bataan

For DIY from Manila, all you have to do is ride a bus going to Mariveles. Bus companies that have daily trips to Mariveles are Bataan Transit and Genesis. They have terminals in Cubao and Pasay. The fare is only 280 pesos. The student fare is Php 205.

Once you reach the Mariveles town proper, where the bus terminal is located, ask around and ride a tricycle going to Barangay Balon. Tell the tricycle driver that your drop-off point in Porto. The landmark is a small basketball court, and just a few steps is the beach area where you could rent a boat going to Laki Beach. Tricycle fare is about 75 pesos for a maximum of 5 passengers.

Expect that operators and boat owners will approach you and offer their service, but if you already have a contact, just tell them and you’ll be assisted.

To properly plan your budget and expenses, it is better to plan your trip to Laki beach as a group because boat rental can be expensive if you’re solo or a couple. Boat rental’s cost is Php 2,500 for a day tour and that includes the Five fingers cove island hopping then the last destination is Laki Beach. This is for a maximum of 10 persons. For overnight charge, it’s Php 3,500 also includes cove to cove tours, then the same boatmen will fetch you the next day.

Laki Beach Entrance Fee

There’s an entrance fee to Laki beach since this is privately owned. It’s just weird that it has different entrance fees. When we were there, we paid Php 250 but this is through a tour operator. She was like our bridge to the caretakers. We paid Php 250 and we’re not sure they had a cut for it or what.

But the latest entrance fee info that I got from DIY Philippines, posted by a traveler who recently went there DIY style, it’s Php 300 for a day tour and Php 400 for overnight. Well, I guess it’s just better if you prepare extra cost for the entrance fee because of some external factors that might affect its price. Hahaha!

Laki Beach Itinerary

This is just a suggested itinerary for your Laki Beach Adventure. You can create your own but I suggest that you leave Manila early so you can have more time to enjoy the beach.

Day Tour

2: 00 AM – ETD in Manila
6:00 AM – Arrival in Mariveles
7:00 AM – Breakfast
8:00 AM – Start of Five Fingers Cove tour
1:00 PM – Arrival at Laki Beach
1:15 PM – Lunch
2:00 PM – Beach bumming / Pictures
5:00 PM – ETD Laki Beach
5:45 PM – ETA Mariveles Town Proper
6:00 PM – ETD Mariveles
8:00 PM – Dinner
10:30 PM – ETA Manila

Overnight

2: 00 AM – ETD in Manila
6:00 AM – Arrival in Mariveles
7:00 AM – Breakfast
8:00 AM – Start of Five Fingers Cove tour
1:00 PM – Arrival at Laki Beach
1:15 PM – Lunch
2:00 PM – Beach bumming / Pictures
7:00 PM – Dinner
8:00 PM – Socials
9:00 PM – Lights Out

Day 2

7:00 AM – Wake Up
8:00 AM – Breakfast
9:00 AM – Free time / Swimming
11:00 AM – ETD Laki Beach
12:00 Noon – ETA Mariveles
1:00 PM – Lunch
2:00 PM – ETD Mariveles to Manila
6:00 PM – ETA Manila

Laki Beach Travel Tips

1. Bring your own food and baon. There’s no eatery nor carinderia If you’re going to do an overnight stay at Laki beach, make sure your food is enough. There is a source of freshwater there which is good for cooking but not potable. Bring your own bottled water.
2. No accommodation. So if you want to stay there overnight, bring your own tent.
3. Laki beach is perfect for those who want to disconnect online. No cell phone signal. Is this what you wanted, right?
4. There are cottages there that you can use for free.
5. Please be advised that there is no electricity at Laki beach. So make sure your phones are fully charged or bring your power banks.
6. I saw a small sari-sari store there but expect that the items are not complete so better bring your own travel essentials.
7. No decent comfort rooms. Just you know the usual one that you see on the beach. Don’t expect too much. 🙂
8. Laki beach seems stable now. The last untoward incident of shooing away tourists was last summer of 2017 (April). In case that this might happen again, our fellow travelers recommend Lusong beach/cove as an alternative to Laki beach. The entrance fee at Lusong beach is Php 100. Though it’s not as beautiful as Laki beach, it’s still a good beach getaway option.
9. If you happen to be in Bataan and you just want to have a day tour at Laki beach, you can have the option to stay at nearby hotels and accommodation.

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10. The contact number of people for your boat to Laki beach? Please contact Kuya Tikboy and Ate Melca at 09075946138 / 09971074378. You may contact them before your trip to Laki beach and even get their assistance to book a boat.
11. If you want to go to Laki beach hassle-free, you can get the service of a tour company, check out Vamoslamyerda.
12. There’s no ATM near the beach, bring enough cash.

Be Responsible Travelers

I’ve been receiving messages and comments from readers that Laki Beach is not as pristine and beautiful as before because of thrash by travelers. Please let us all be responsible. Practice LNT! Leave No Trace. Don’t expect that the caretaker of the beach will clean all your trash. Bring your trash back to the mainland or in Manila and dispose of it properly! Laki Beach is a gem, so please let’s work hand in hand to take good care of it.

There you have it. I hope you enjoyed reading my personal stories of our travel to Laki beach and the travel guide! For any questions and clarifications, feel free to contact me. I’d be more than happy to help. Naks!

Laki Beach Map

First Published on December 28, 2017
Updated: may 26, 2018 / Updated for 2020 and 2021

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