Playa del Amor, Beach cave in Islas Marietas National Park, Mexico.
Playa del Amor is a hidden beach within an underground cavern featuring turquoise water and white sand, located inside the Marieta Islands. The cove opens upward to the sky and is surrounded by rock walls on land, while the sea remains accessible through a natural tunnel passage.
The cove was formed in the early 1900s through Mexican military bombing tests on the Marieta Islands, which unintentionally created this natural formation. The islands were later declared a national park in 2005, ending their military use in favor of environmental protection.
The name "Playa del Amor" reflects the affection visitors feel for this hidden spot, and the cove is now carefully protected to preserve its fragile setting. Being in such a remote location gives the place a special character among travelers and nature enthusiasts.
Visitors must register and join guided tours departing from Puerto Vallarta, as daily entry limits control how many people can be at the beach. Reaching the beach requires swimming ability, as a water tunnel must be traversed before entering the cove.
The beach was originally inaccessible and was only rediscovered by divers exploring underwater tunnels around the islands, who found the hidden opening. This discovery made it one of the most mysterious spots along Mexico's Pacific coast.
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