National park · Mexico
Islas Marietas National ParkParque Nacional Islas Marietas
Go only with a licensed boat and a pre-booked slot: Playa del Amor allows 116 visitors a day, so book days ahead, take the 15-minute crossing from Punta Mita, and accept that tides or swell can cancel the landing.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²)
approximate
Established
1969
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Mexico ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM) or your nearest Mexican consulate; keep proof of your entry (stamp or digital record) until you leave.
- Mexico ↗Security advice differs by state: some governments advise against travel to parts of several states. Check your own government's advice for each region on your route.
- Mexico ↗Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water and ice from reliable places.
- Mexico ↗Foreign visitors to Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Holbox) pay the state VISITAX online at visitax.gob.mx only; lookalike sites add fees.
At a glance
- Country
- Mexico
- Area
- 13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²)
- Land and reef area figures vary by source; the islands themselves are small, with Isla Larga about 1 km long (check).
- Established
- 1969
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Puerto Vallarta
Islas Marietas is a small volcanic archipelago about 8 km off Punta Mita, in Bahía de Banderas. Two main islands, Isla Larga and Isla Redonda, plus reefs, form the national park: a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and a Ramsar wetland. The park was shelled for decades as a military range before becoming a protected area in 1969; one crater now holds the enclosed beach known as Playa del Amor or the hidden beach. After visitor numbers ran far past what the islands could take, the park closed in 2016 and reopened under a permit system. Landing at Playa del Amor is capped at 116 people per day across all operators, so this is a page about booking rules, not about wandering in.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere ReserveIslas Marietas forms part of the Islas del Golfo de California biosphere listing (check the exact boundary).
- Ramsar wetlandListed as a Ramsar wetland site.
Size and age
13 km² (5 sq mi)5 sq mi (13 km²) · national park since 1969
Land and reef area figures vary by source; the islands themselves are small, with Isla Larga about 1 km long (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Puerto Vallarta.
Why go
- A boat ride to a small volcanic archipelago with caves, a blowhole and clear reef water.
- Playa del Amor, the crater beach you reach by swimming through a short rock tunnel.
- Snorkelling and diving over reefs with 15 coral species, tropical fish, turtles and rays.
- Whales and dolphins in the surrounding bay in the cooler months.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprGo
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepAvoid
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanDry, calm; whales in the bay
- FebDry and clear; whales still around
- MarWarm, calm crossings
- AprWarm; wind picks up late in the month
- MayHot; water warm for snorkelling
- JunHumid; afternoon storms possible
- JulRainy season; rough crossings
- AugWettest and storm-prone; landings often cancelled
- SepPeak storm month; boats may not run
- OctRain easing; sea still unsettled
- NovDry season starts; whales arrive
- DecDry, busy, whales giving birth nearby
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humpback and grey whales in the bayDec–Mar · They give birth in this area in the cooler months. | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes |
| DolphinsAll year · Common on the crossing. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sea turtles and manta raysMay–Nov · Seen on reef dives and snorkel stops. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Nesting seabirds, including boobiesJan–Jun · Keep distance from nesting ledges; do not chase birds. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Spiny-tailed iguanas and snakes on the islandsAll year · Look, do not handle. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Punta Mita
Licensed boat from the village jetty; shortest crossing to the islands.
15–25 min
From Puerto Vallarta
Licensed boat from the marina or Los Muertos area, or a road transfer to Punta Mita first.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Bucerías
Road transfer south to Punta Mita, then a licensed boat.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Nayarit coast plan
Where to base yourself on the Riviera Nayarit and how the coast connects.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Isla Larga | The larger island, with the interpretive trail from Playa la Nopalera and seabird nesting areas. | Landing only with a licensed operator; stay on the marked trail. |
| Isla Redonda | The second main island, about 900 m from Isla Larga, with caves and rocky shoreline. | Approach by boat; landing is restricted. |
| Playa del Amor (hidden beach) | The enclosed crater beach reached by swimming through a short rock tunnel. | Capped at 116 visitors per day; swim-in only, with conditions on age, pregnancy and mobility. |
| Surrounding reefs | Coral and rocky reef where snorkellers and divers see fish, turtles and rays. | Boats must use moorings; anchoring on reef is prohibited. |
Sketch map
- 1Punta Mita jetty · Ranger station≈20.771, -105.518Shortest licensed crossing to the islands.Map ↗
- 2Isla Larga · Trail≈20.699, -105.586Interpretive trail from Playa la Nopalera.Map ↗
- 3Isla Redonda · Viewpoint≈20.697, -105.592About 900 m from Isla Larga.Map ↗
- 4Playa del Amor · Beach≈20.700, -105.589Approximate; the crater beach inside Isla Redonda.Map ↗
- 5Puerto Vallarta marina · Town≈20.653, -105.245Longer crossing; many tours start here.Map ↗
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions for orientation only; the islands sit about 8 km off Punta Mita.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry / bracelet (via licensed operator) | MXN 100–200 (≈ US$6–11) | person | 2026 estimate; usually collected by the operator as part of the tour, not at a gate. |
| Licensed boat tour to the islands | MXN 1,200–2,500 (≈ US$65–140) | person | 2026 estimate; depends on departure port, group size and whether snorkel gear and food are included. |
| Playa del Amor landing slot | Free | person | No separate ticket sold to travellers; the operator holds one of the 116 daily slots and it is included in the tour price. |
| Dive trip to the reefs (no landing) | MXN 2,500–4,000 (≈ US$140–250) | person | 2026 estimate; two-tank trips from Puerto Vallarta or Punta Mita. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Licensed operator permit or guide
Playa del Amor landing slot permit or guide
Private boat permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- MX$100–200≈ US$6–11
- MX$1,200–2,500≈ US$65–140
- MX$2,500–4,000≈ US$140–250
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on SEMARNAT — permits and protected area rules before you go.
Park rules
- Licensed boats only
- Only operators holding a SEMARNAT permit may bring visitors to the islands; private boats are prohibited.
- Sunblock
- Most conventional sunscreens are banned in the park; ask your operator which reef-safe products are currently allowed and cover up with a hat and shirt.check
- Single-use bottles and cans
- Throw-away bottles and cans are prohibited; bring a reusable bottle and confirm with your operator whether they supply water.
- Landing limits
- Playa del Amor is capped at 116 visitors per day in total, with a time limit on the beach.
- Anchoring
- Boats must not drop anchors on reef; moorings are used instead.
- Leave no trace
- Anything you bring into the park comes back out with you; there is no food or drink service on the islands.
Where to stay
Near the park
Punta Mita and Sayulita
Closest bases to the short crossing, from resorts to small guesthouses.
Near the park
Puerto Vallarta
The widest choice of hotels and hostels, with longer boat crossings.
Near the park
Bucerías and Nuevo Vallarta
Mid-coast bases with road transfers to Punta Mita.
Safety
Swimming into the tunnel at Playa del Amor medium
Cancelled landings medium
Sun and dehydration medium
Rough seas in the rainy season high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Playa del Amor is not accessible: the swim-in tunnel and the age, pregnancy and mobility conditions exclude many visitors.
- Boat-based sightseeing, the blowhole and Deadman's Cave can be seen without landing or walking.
- The Isla Larga trail is short but uneven volcanic ground; it is not suitable for wheelchairs or limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Book only licensed operators; unlicensed boats are the reason the park had to close in 2016.
- Use reef-safe sun protection or cover up instead of applying conventional sunscreen.
- Do not chase or feed seabirds, and keep away from nesting ledges.
- Take every bottle, wrapper and can back to the mainland.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Islas Marietas?
There is no gate ticket for travellers. A park entry or bracelet fee of roughly MXN 100–200 per person (2026 estimate) is normally collected by your licensed operator, and the Playa del Amor landing slot is included in the tour price rather than sold separately. Expect to pay about MXN 1,200–2,500 per person for the boat tour itself, more for a dive trip.
What are the best hikes in Islas Marietas?
There is only one real walk: the interpretive trail on the northwest end of Isla Larga, starting at Playa la Nopalera. It is about half a kilometre and takes 30–45 minutes, and it is the only place you can see the island landscape on foot. Everything else is seen from the boat or in the water, and landing on the islands is restricted to licensed operators.
When is the best time to visit Islas Marietas?
December to March is the best window: dry, calm crossings, humpbacks and grey whales in the bay, and the most reliable conditions for the Playa del Amor swim-in. July to October is the rainy and storm season, when crossings are rough and landings are often cancelled; September is the month to avoid.
Do I need to book Playa del Amor in advance?
Yes. Landing at the hidden beach is capped at 116 visitors per day across all operators, so slots sell out in high season. Book days ahead, and accept that tides, swell or weather can cancel the landing even with a reservation.
Can I take my own boat to the islands?
No. Sailing to the islands privately was allowed before 2016 and is now prohibited. Only boats with a SEMARNAT permit may approach, and dive boats may use the reefs but cannot land.
Can I stay overnight in the park?
No. There is no accommodation on the islands. Sleep in Punta Mita, Sayulita, Bucerías, Nuevo Vallarta or Puerto Vallarta and visit on a day trip.
Is the hidden beach suitable for everyone?
No. You swim from the boat to a short rock tunnel, so you must be a strong swimmer and independently mobile. Visitors under 12, over 65 and pregnant visitors are not allowed, and time on the beach is limited, usually to about 30 minutes.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go