My primary motivation for choosing to visit Puerto Vallarta after the World Cup Qualifier was to photograph the Playa del Amor, the “beach of love” more typically called the Hidden Beach, a secluded sandy cavern on one of the islands that make up the Marietas Islands National Park. Unfortunately, I was not able to accomplish that goal and the photo above is not one I took. Had I been less busy when booking travel I would have done more research and learned that (a) access to the islands is not permitted on Mondays and Tuesdays (the two days I was in Puerto Vallarta), and (b) that drones are not permitted over the islands. I had assumed that this was a natural formation but have since learned that the round opening over the sea cave was created when the military was testing new explosives.

With the Marietas off the table, I decided to visit the Los Arcos Islands instead. They also feature many sea caves and birdlife proving to be a pleasant consolation. All in all, my time in Puerto Vallarta has been relaxing but I found myself constantly missing Jeanine who would have really enjoyed the food, music, and art.