These Pristinely Wild Mexican Islands Are The Opposite Of Puerta Vallarta

Courtesy Riviera Nayarit

Do you balk at the idea of staying within the bounds of an all-inclusive Puerta Vallarta resort, far removed from the wild Pacific Ocean? Then you need to venture just a couple of miles off the coast to the Marietas Islands. No humans live on this cluster of islands — it’s the complete opposite of Puerta Vallarta’s extremely developed beaches.

The Marieta Islands, or Islas Marietas, are UNESCO-protected biospheres and right now, those who visit can enjoy their underrated aura of exclusivity. Unfortunately, they likely won’t stay that way for long, so here’s what you should know if you’re considering a visit to the Mexican Pacific islands.

Getting There

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In order to access some of the better spots on these remote islands, you’ll have to book adventures through a tour operator. In other places, this might bum you out if you’re an independent soul, but in Mexico, it can be a bonus to have some extra infrastructure on your side. There have been reports of carjackings and kidnappings targeting travelers in touristed regions of Mexico, but with a respected tour group, there’s less chance of being put in an uncomfortable or dangerous situation. (For more information, see the U.S. State Department’s Travel Warning on Mexico.)

The Nature

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Marieta’s claim to fame dates all the way back 20th-century explorer Jacques Cousteau. He fell in love with the area’s flora and fauna, and we think you might, too. There are thousands of species of birds and tropical fish, as well as sea turtles and octopuses.

Hidden Beach

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You may have seen this spot on the ‘gram. It’s pretty spectacular. You can only reach Playa del Amor, or Love Beach, by swimming through a tunnel. But once you’re inside the cavelike structure, you can see the secret window to the sky above the sand. Tragically, it may only be a matter of time until someone builds a ladder down the side of the cliff, so now is the time to explore the magical beach while it’s still fairly untouched.