The Ultimate Visitors Guide to Punta Mita, Mexico

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Punta Mita, dubbed the “gateway to paradise,” draws visitors year after year who enjoy endless summer days. And why not? Punta Mita offers visitors over 300 days of sunshine, beautiful beaches, world-famous golf courses, and epic surfing.

Punta Mita is a 1,500 ultra-luxurious gated community in Rivera Nayarit, Mexico, about forty minutes north of Puerto Vallarta’s International Airport. Behind the heavily guarded gated community lies the Four Seasons Punta Mita, The St. Regis Punta Mita, highly coveted private residence communities, multiple beach clubs, white sand beaches, and two world-famous Jack Nicklaus exclusive Punta Mita golf courses.

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I don’t like to repeat travel destinations, but Punta Mita is an exception. I have been to Punta Mita three times and anticipate heading back again soon. And I’m not alone. Since Punta Mita is only about a two and half hour flight from Los Angeles, it is an easy luxurious getaway for couples and great for families too. Everything you need is within the gates of Punta Mita.

What is Punta Mita?

Punta Mita is the fabulous 1,500-acre gated community in the city of Punta de Mita. Punta Mita has two phenomenal resorts: the Four Seasons Punta Mita and The St. Regis Punta Mita. Punta Mita also contains more than fifteen different residential communities in a lush tropical environment. Some of these breathtaking homes are available to rent!

Punta Mita is Mexico’s premier resort community and home to two golf courses, five beach clubs (including a surf club), multiple spas, gyms, delicious restaurants, and more! The lush oasis is filled with several different types of trees such as Parotas, Palm Trees, Higuera, and Ceiba. The tropical paradise is home to species such as chachalacas, wild pigs, raccoons, and a variety of birds.

Where is Punta Mita?

Punta Mita is located in Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, on the north side of Bahia de Banderas. Punta Mita is surrounded by nine and a half miles of Pacific Ocean and white sand beaches. It’s no wonder many visitors continually return, and many even buy their own slice of paradise.

What is the difference between Punta Mita and Punta de Mita?

Punta Mita is a community within the City of Punta de Mita. The visitors’ entrance of Punta Mita is just up the street from downtown Punta de Mita where you can find several delicious restaurants, shops, and tour companies. There is even a real estate office in town if you fall in love with Punta Mita and want to purchase your spectacular getaway vacation home.

What Airport Do You Fly Into For Punta Mita?

The best airport to fly into when visiting Punta Mita is Puerta Vallarta International Airport. Puerta Vallarta International Airport is the closest international airport to Punta Mita.

How do I get to Punta Mita?

Getting to Punta Mita is relatively easy. Visitors can fly into Puerta Vallarta International Airport and drive about forty minutes (26 km) north to Punta Mita. Visitors can reach Punta Mita by renting a car, taking a taxi, or arranging for a private transfer.

When is the best time to visit Punta Mita?

The best time to visit Punta Mita is November through January, when the weather is warm and the humidity is low. The rainy season in Punta Mita runs from June through October and can rain on and off throughout the day. But be forewarned, the rainstorms can be intense. On our last visit in September, every night after 8:00 pm, there was a torrential rainstorm complemented by a fantastic lighting show.

Given the potential for rain, resorts are less crowded during the rainy season. Guests might be able to score a deal. I find one of the best times to go to Punta Mita is in September when the guest count is low and the rain tends to be mostly at night. The ocean is warmer in the summer into the rainy season. Overall, the best time to visit Punta Mita is whenever you can make it work for your schedule.

Do I need a car in Punta Mita?

Technically, you do not need a car when you visit Punta Mita, but if you plan to explore within the gates, you will need some form of transportation. Punta Mita is too large to walk around.

A golf cart is the easiest and most fun way of exploring Punta Mita. If you are staying at a house, your rental likely comes with a golf cart. If it doesn’t, I highly recommend renting one.

Couple in a golf cart with a surfboard in punta mita

However, if you plan to spend most of your time at your resort, you do not need a car. It is easy to arrange a car service to pick you up from Puerta Vallarta International Airport and drop you off in Punta Mita. You can arrange transportation yourself or use the concierge service at your resort or your home rental.

If you stay at The St. Regis Punta Mita, your butler can arrange transportation for you within the Punta Mita gated community.

Is it Safe to Visit Punta Mita?

In my experience, Punta Mita has been safe to visit. Punta Mita is a heavily guarded and secure compound with gated communities and resorts within the confines of the gated Punta Mita community. The guards tend to know when you are coming and going. For some, the lack of anonymity can be a bit annoying. However, those looking for a safe and secure luxurious vacation destination in Mexico may appreciate how seriously the guards in Punta Mita take their jobs.

Where should I stay in Punta Mita?

Visitors to Punta Mita have three options when selecting a place to stay in Punta Mita: The St. Regis Punta Mita, the Four Seasons Punta Mita, or a fabulous rental.

The St. Regis Punta Mita

Within the gates of Punta Mita is the beautiful beachfront St. Regis Punta Mita Resort. The St. Regis Punta Mita offers guests a relaxing, luxurious experience where butlers anticipate your every need and want. The resort is in the process of an upgrade which will make it even better!

One of the things I love about The St. Regis Punta Mita is the open-air resort with low-lying buildings, so you never have to get into an elevator or walk a hotel corridor to get to your room. The sprawling well-designed property gives the guests the illusion of being alone at the resort even when the resort is at capacity.

Four Seasons Punta Mita

The Four Seasons Punta Mita is a gorgeous beachfront resort in Punta Mita. The Four Seasons Punta Mita doesn’t skip a beat. The hotel has three pools, multiple restaurants, and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. Guests can relax at different beaches on the property or lay by one of the ocean view pools.

Rent a stunning home in Punta Mita

Punta Mita has over fifteen residential communities spanning the 1,500-acre gated community. Each community has its own guard gate making Punta Mita a safe place to travel. The homes are fabulous, and some even come with their own pool, concierge services, housekeeping, chefs, golf carts, access to world-renowned golf courses, and so much more. Renting a private residence in one of these exclusive communities within Punta Mita are where dreams come true.

During our recent visit to Punta Mita, we stayed at Condo Azul in the TAU Residences. The stunning ocean view three-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom single-floor condo overlooks Banderas Bay and Isla Mariertas. The recently completed Condo Azul within the Tau residences in Punta Mita includes a private infinity pool, a gorgeous chef’s kitchen, and an outdoor deck with ocean and golf course views. We were in love the minute we stepped into Condo Azul.

Through the concierge service, we booked our transportation to/from Puerta Vallarta International Airport, in-home massages, and enjoyed the breakfast and lunch chef services. Condo Azul comes with Premier Membership giving guests access to five beach clubs, two golf courses, multiple spas, tennis courts, both golf courses, and delicious restaurants. You can drive your golf cart to all of these activities in Punta Mita.

Is Punta Mita worth visiting?

Yes! Punta Mita is worth visiting. Punta Mita has incredible tropical weather, beautiful beaches, luxury accommodations, and more than enough to keep visitors busy during their vacation.

What is there to do in Punta Mita?

Punta Mita offers various activities and things to do at the tip of your fingertips! Concierge services at the hotels or offered with many private residence rentals can arrange all of your activities with a phone call. If you need a suggestion of things to do, I created a one-day luxurious and fun itinerary to give you some ideas on how to spend your vacation.

Within the gates of Punta Mita, there are terrific things to do such as:

St. Regis Punta Mita Pool — Image Courtesy of The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort

Remede Spa in Punta Mita — Image Courtesy of The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort

Relaxing on the white sand beaches
Swimming in the calm clear waters
Surfing Punta Mita breaks is one of the most popular things to do in Punta Mita. Nearby surf breaks such as Bahia and La Lancha are known for great waves.
Play a round of golf where you can play the natural hole famously known as the Tail of the Whale hole on the Pacifico Course or test your skills on the Bahia Course
Indulge at one of the many spas
Enjoying a fine dining or casual meal overlooking the gorgeous crystal clear waters,
Snorkeling
Play a game of tennis
Go for a bike ride or jog on the dedicated paths throughout Punta Mita

Near Punta Mita, visitors will also find exciting things to do, such as climbing Monkey Mountain, horseback riding, ATVing, and ziplining.

Can I swim in Punta Mita?

beach at The St. Regis Punta Mita — Image Courtesy of The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort

Yes! There are multiple swimmable beaches in Punta Mita. You can access soft sand beaches at the beach clubs or at your hotel.

What are the best restaurants in Punta Mita?

Dining in Punta Mita is a culinary adventure. The restaurants range from casual restaurants such as Mita Mary’s at The St. Regis, where you dine toes in the sand, to fine dining at Bahia at the Four Seasons Punta Mita. But guests are not limited to resort dining. Several of the beach clubs also offer terrific dining options. One of my favorite beach club restaurants is Sufi. The causal elegance combined with ocean views and fabulous food provides the perfect setting for dinner.

Just outside the gates of Punta Mita, in Punta de Mita, you will find a few highly regarded restaurants, such as Mina and Hector’s Kitchen. Mina, although casual, offers authentic outdoor dining overlooking the ocean with mouthwatering fresh dishes, while Hector’s Kitchen provides an elevated dining experience offering delicious farm-to-table dishes. Both are local favorites.

These are only a few of the best restaurants in and around Punta Mita.

Takeaways

Punta Mita is worth the visit! Consider spending five to seven nights in Punta Mita to take advantage of all the things to do while still giving yourself time to indulge in all Punta Mita has to offer. The best time to visit Punta Mita is during the dry season.

Whether you are an adventurer at heart, traveling with a family, or looking to relax, Punta Mita is an unforgettable luxury travel destination.

If you are looking for other luxury travel ideas, you might like the Maldives or visiting the most romantic hotels in California.