Marieta Island is located in Mexico at the mouth of Banderas Bay. It is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Its main attraction is Playa de Amor (Love Beach) or Hidden Beach of Love. This ideal spot for couples seeking seclusion and romance features a crystal-clear natural pool formed in a cave. We will tell you how this beautiful place came to be, how to get there, and what activities await you.
Interesting Facts about the Hidden Beach in Mexico
For a long time, the archipelago was uninhabited. Numerous populations of Sula Leucogaster penguins and about a hundred species of aquatic and underwater birds nested here, but humans had not yet discovered the islands’ incredible greenery. Because of this, in the early 20th century, the Mexican government decided to conduct military tests on the archipelago. Although the war had not yet started, they were already honing the art of controlled bombings here.
Imagine pristine islands with blooming vegetation and sparkling waters being disrupted by bombs dropped one after another from airplanes. As a result, large craters appeared on the once wild and beautiful island, indicative of such crude human interference with nature.
Surprisingly, these barbaric methods of destruction helped create one of the most beautiful and romantic places on the planet – Love Beach or Hidden Beach. The famous explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau played a crucial role in preserving this unique place, noting the many unique species of birds and marine life that call the Marieta Islands home.
Why It’s Called Love Beach
When we hear about the Hidden Beach of Love, a beautiful legend of how it got such a romantic name comes to mind. For instance, a Mexican drug lord might not have shared his only beautiful daughter with a blue-eyed foreigner, leading the couple to hide on this beach. From this moment, their love story began. However, in reality, Playa de Amor owes its name to social media.
When time and again, loving travelers posted photos of this magical beach on popular social networks, sharing its beauty, it inevitably gained a reputation as a place where love arises and strengthens.
How to Get to the Hidden Beach of Love in Mexico
To get here, you won’t need to escape from Mexican bandits who have taken over the islands, but the adventure will be equally exciting, though safer and more romantic. First, tourists need to get to Puerto Vallarta. Flights from Russia are operated by airlines such as Iberia, Aeroflot, AirFrance, KLM, United, Lufthansa, and AmericanAirlines. Be prepared for two stopovers. To reach the beach itself, you will need to rent a boat that will take you under an arch formed by cave walls. It’s absolutely safe but incredibly beautiful: an exotic beach slowly appears, hidden by cave walls from the rest of the world. The journey takes about 45 minutes. The cost depends on your bargaining skills, but generally, it’s $100 for an adult and $50 for a child. Yes, it’s not cheap, but it’s worth every penny.
You can also book a tour in a local travel agency in advance. Such tours usually include a boat ride along the island, snorkeling, and free time on the beach. Additionally, you can buy a Whale Watching quest if you want to see whales.
Who You Might Meet Here
Birds and marine life inhabit the island. Those who enjoy not only relaxing on the sand but also observing the island’s true life will be pleasantly surprised. The reef near the island is considered the most inhabited by marine creatures. White, orange, dark blue – these are not flowers (which can also be found on the Marieta Islands) but fish living in the surrounding waters. Over 100 species of marine life enjoy life near this magical place. Those who prefer looking up will be able to admire the numerous sea birds nesting on the islands.
Activities
As you know, the average Mexican temperature is +40 degrees Celsius. Sunbathers can lie on the sand near the water, with the bright sun giving your skin a desired tan in minutes, while the warm ocean waves are ready to embrace you anytime for a refreshing dip. Those who protect themselves from the sun can enjoy the shade provided by the cave walls of the beach. Swimmers will be delighted to discover the ocean water, heated to a comfortable temperature by the sun.
The Opportunity to Feel Secluded
Despite gaining more fame each year, not everyone heads to the Hidden Beach for a vacation. Some are deterred by the long journey required to admire this beauty, while others postpone the trip indefinitely. Therefore, Love Beach truly becomes a perfect place for lovers. Surrounded by the natural rocky walls of the cave, they can deeply feel their closeness, and the stunning views of this place will add long-awaited romance to any relationship.
It’s no secret that life consists of moments that take your breath away. Inhaling the truly fresh ocean air, trying to hold the light velvet sand in your hands, and looking up – where the sun slowly sets behind the cave’s rocky walls – you will experience the feeling you’ve long awaited. Returning to your hometown after visiting this extraordinary place, you can genuinely say that you’ve been to paradise.
