Once peace returned to the islands, so did the remarkable flora and fauna! But in the 1960s, scientist Jacques Cousteau began protesting the destruction of the islands’ ecosystem, and eventually, in 2005 the islands were christened Parque Nacional Islas Marietas. That’s why many of the fascinating caves and rock formations on the archipelago are likely man-made. The Marieta Islands had no human residents, which made them an ideal location for bomb testing in the first half of the 20th century. More likely than not, the opening that lets the sun stream onto the Hidden Beach was created long ago by artillery tests. Once upon a time, this section of Islas Marietas National Park would have been totally enclosed - invisible from both sea and air - but don’t make the mistake of assuming that this wonder of the world is a natural one. Picture a cave, open to the sky, in which a white sand beach meets the brilliant blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. That’s why the best way to experience it is to see it for yourself. Why? The Hidden Beach is so beautiful and so magical that many people, upon seeing photographs, assume it can’t possibly be real. But the Marieta Islands’ Hidden Beach is the feature that inspires tens of thousands of tourists from around the world to make the trek. In the winter months, humpback whales can be seen cavorting near the shores. The archipelago itself is a natural wonder that was formed by volcanic activity and is now home to many different types of coral and reef fish, sea turtles, dolphins, manta rays, and eels. This unique scenario is part of the state of Nayarit, right in the coastal strip called Riviera Nayarit.
Playa del Amor, the “beach of love” more typically called the Hidden Beach, is a secluded sandy cavern on one of the islands that make up Marietas Islands National Park, located on the north end of Bahía de Banderas, an hour northwest of Puerto Vallarta and only fifteen minutes from Punta Mita, Nayarit. You’ve probably seen a photo of this stunning, must-see destination even if you don’t recognize the name.