The speed of light is indeed considered to be a fundamental speed limit in our universe according to our current understanding of physics. It is a fundamental property of spacetime that sets a maximum speed at which information, including light, can travel.
However, the fact that the speed of light limits our ability to explore the universe does not necessarily imply that the universe was "made" in a way to prevent our exploration. The speed of light is a fundamental aspect of the universe's structure, and it has shaped the laws of physics as we know them. It is a natural consequence of the geometry of spacetime and the interactions between matter and energy.
It's important to keep in mind that our ability to explore the universe is limited by various factors, including the vast distances between celestial objects and the finite age of the universe. The observable universe is limited by the distance light has had time to travel since the Big Bang, around 13.8 billion years ago. Beyond a certain distance, light has not had enough time to reach us, and therefore we cannot directly observe those regions.
While our ability to explore the universe may be limited, it doesn't necessarily imply any purposeful design or intention to prevent our exploration. It is simply a consequence of the natural laws and conditions that govern our universe. However, humans have made remarkable progress in understanding and exploring the universe through various means, such as telescopes, space probes, and other scientific instruments. Our knowledge of the cosmos continues to expand, even with the limitations imposed by the speed of light.