Looking at Playa del Amor from above, the landscape seems almost unreal. The sandy cove is nestled in a large inland crater, and yet water laps in, making its own secret beach. It's so secret, you’ll have to dive underwater a short distance to get to the entrance.

Nicknamed Lover’s Beach, Playa del Amor has a romantic atmosphere thanks to its seclusion, soft white sand, and warm turquoise water. It’s a place you’ll want to lay back in the arms of a loved one while watching the clouds float across the sky. Visitors to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, are bombarded with excursion opportunities, but chartering a boat to this offshore dreamscape is well worth the cost.

Have you ever seen horses truly roam free? On Assateague Island, 2 bands of wild horses wander about, grazing on the tall marsh grasses or galloping along the sand. Viewing the majestic creatures is typically what draws people to the barrier island of Assateague.

While the horses are worth seeing, there is so much more to do on Assateague. The saltwater fishing and crabbing are top-notch. There’s a reason you see crabs on virtually all Maryland memorabilia, after all. And while swimming on the ocean side of the island is pleasant, kayaking on the bayside offers a serene reprieve from the summer crowds.

Sand Dollar Beach is a hidden gem along the southern coast of Big Sur, California. The narrow, bluff-backed beach is an idyllic place to stop and wet your toes if you’re driving along the coast and feel the need to feel the salt and the surf. Just descend the steep wooden staircase and you’ll forget there is a highway behind you.

You’ll want to get to Sand Dollar Beach early in the day for a chance to find beautiful jade stones washed ashore during low tide. Be sure to read the local regulations on jade collecting first. But don’t forget to look up, too, to admire the scraggly and verdant ridges of the Santa Lucia Mountains.

When walking along Jack’s Bay Beach, you’ll want to watch your step. Not because it’s rocky or ragged, but because the protected beach is also the nesting ground of sea turtles. The turtles love the warm, soft white sand as much as your toes will.

The beach is located on the southeast coast of Eleuthera, a central island in the Bahamas archipelago. It is a prime spot for snorkeling, so be sure to pack your gear. When the tide is low, it’s a short swim to the reef, where you can see an array of colorful tropical fish beneath the glimmering ocean surface.

The beauty of Praia do Sancho is overwhelming. Located on a remote island off the coast of Brazil, this beach is the epitome of paradise. The far-flung locale makes it less crowded than the traditional tropical beach. In fact, Fernando de Noronha limits the number of tourists visiting. Not only is the island an hour away by boat, but once you get there, you’ll have to hike to a narrow tunnel and then make your way down a steep set of stairs to arrive at the beach.

Visit between August and December to avoid the rainy season and see this Brazilian beach at its best.

If you’re vacationing on the small island of Antigua, it’s worth it to spend a day at Half Moon Bay. The beach is named for its crescent shape and is characterized by dazzling white sand and tranquil aquamarine water. Nearby, you’ll find luxury accommodations and a couple of seaside bars.

Other than that, Half Moon Bay beach is pleasantly undeveloped. And while that means you can enjoy the natural beauty in peace, it also means you should plan to provide your own entertainment, towels, and anything else you need for a Caribbean beach day.

Cape San Blas is a secluded beach on the Gulf side of Florida’s panhandle known for its dreamy dune landscape, soft white sand, and sleepy-town vibe. To fully take in the area’s beauty and charm, we recommend walking along the Salinas Park Bayside wooden boardwalk. There you will encounter picturesque views leading to an amenity-rich park with showers, volleyball courts, picnic tables, and fire pits.

You can easily fill a week’s itinerary at Cape San Blas with kayaking, snorkeling, fishing, and biking along the 8+ mile Loggerhead trail. A must-see is the Cape San Blas lighthouse, whose history dates back to the 1840s. From the top, you can see over the treetops to the curves of the coastline.

The Guancaste Province of Costa Rica is a prime destination for tourists. Nosara, on the Nicoya Peninsula, however, is the place to go to avoid the crowds and enjoy a low-key beach vacation. With the deep blue water of the Pacific Ocean churning offshore, it’s one of the best places in the world to go surfing.

Serenity is what most people feel when visiting Nosara. With the chirping sounds of the jungle from one direction and the sound of crashing waves in the other, Nosara Beach is truly a place of peace. It’s no wonder that Nosara is also a top destination for yoga retreats. It’s hard not to feel in harmony with your surroundings at this Costa Rican spot.

The sign at the entrance of Zipolite Beach really says it all: “A Nice Place to Do Nothing.” This beach, located in Oaxaca, Mexico, is all about relaxing. Beachgoers come just to be who they are, especially as Zipolite is a clothing-optional beach.

While lying under a palapa with a cocktail is the true essence of this bohemian beach, there are still plenty of activities you can do. Surfing and yoga classes are easy to find, for example. But don’t be surprised when this sleepy beach flips a switch at night and bands and DJs set up on the sand.

The island of Vieques lies only 8 miles off the shore of mainland Puerto Rico. The 20-mile-long island is known as Puerto Rico’s little sister, or Isla Nena, because of its small size. All told the tiny Caribbean Island has 14 beaches, each with its own character and wondrous reputation.

Take Playa Negrita, for example, with its out-of-this-world volcanic black sand and striking cliff backdrop. Or the bioluminescent bay that divers and snorkelers rave about off Mosquito Pier. If you’re looking for the romance and tranquility of a white-sand beach, look no further than Navio Beach, Puntas Arenas, or Playa La Plata. Vieques is truly a wonderland for beach lovers.