The Marietas Islands sit at the mouth of Banderas Bay, off Punta de Mita, and form a protected national park. Their most famous spot is Playa del Amor — the Hidden Beach — a patch of sand inside a crater, open to the sky, that you can only reach through the water.
The official rules
When Playa del Amor reopened in 2016 after a closure to let it recover, SEMARNAT, Mexico's environment ministry, set the rules that still define access:
- No more than 116 visitors a day.
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Groups of up to 15, with 30 minutes from leaving the boat to get in and out.
- Helmet and life jacket are mandatory; fins, masks and snorkels aren't allowed on the swim in.
- Low tide only, through a single lane marked with buoys, supervised by park staff.
- No diving in front of the beach.
Operators in 2026 still describe the same 116-person daily cap. They also report an age range of 10 to 65 for entering the beach (some say 12), and that the park itself is closed on Mondays.
Hidden Beach tour vs. islands cruise
- Hidden Beach tours include a permitted entry slot to Playa del Amor. Because of the daily cap, they're the ones that sell out.
- Islands cruises and snorkel tours circle the islands, snorkel and watch seabirds, but don't enter the Hidden Beach.
If the Hidden Beach is the point of your trip, make sure the tour description says so explicitly.
Marietas Islands & Hidden Beach★ 4.8 · 1,033 reviews · from $120 USD · 7 h
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Where tours leave from
- Marina Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta — longer boat rides, often full-day trips with food on board. Easiest if you're staying in Puerto Vallarta.
- Punta de Mita — the islands are much closer. Handy if you're staying in Punta de Mita or Sayulita.
What to bring
- Sun-protective clothing. The park rules require eco-friendly sunscreen applied well before you get in the water, and some guides ask for none at all — a rash guard and hat are simpler.
- A secure, waterproof phone case if you want photos — you'll be swimming.
- Motion-sickness tablets, taken before you board, if open water bothers you.
- Cash for tips, and a towel for the boat.
Treat the Hidden Beach like what it is: a fragile place with a strict guest list. Book the right tour, follow the guide, and it's one of the bay's best days.
