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Punta de Mita
Introduction
The northern limit of the Banderas Bay culminates in a magnificent peninsula unlike any other on the Riviera Nayarit on the Pacific Coast. A distinction should be made about the name: in the area known as Punta de Mita, which is also the name of the town there, the Punta Mita private residential community (Club Punta Mita) and a luxury hotel resort were built; just so you don’t confuse them.
Punta Mita peninsula is bounded by almost 9 miles of Pacific Ocean beaches on its three sides and includes Litibu Bay.
Punta de Mita details
- Punta de Mita is 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport that serves the Bay Area and Punta Mita Resort
- Punta Mita is 30 miles (80 minutes) from downtown PV
- Longitude 20°46’31”N and Latitude 105°31’37”W
- Average temperatures: Summer: 85°F (29°C) / Winter: 75°F (24°C)
- 30 ft. over sea level
More information
- Ocean water temperatures: Summer: 86°F (30°C) / Winter: 75°F (24°C)
- A preferred starting point to visit Las Marietas Islands that’s located 4 miles (6 km) SW, a 15-minute water taxi ride away
- Two Signature Golf course options in Punta Mita Nayarit Mexico
- On the peninsula, there’s a hilltop archaeological site named Careyeros Hill that’s been dated to approx. 800 AD
El Anclote Beach, Punta de Mita, Nayarit, Mexico
How to get to Punta de Mita
The town of Punta de Mita is 25 miles (40 kilometers) from PV’s International Airport. Punta de Mita is approx. 30 miles (1 hour and 10 minutes) from downtown Puerto Vallarta.
If you come from Nuevo Vallarta or Puerto Vallarta, you will first see Punta de Mita — the seaside town itself.
What to do in Punta de Mita
La Lancha Beach
La Lancha Beach is still very natural and undisturbed, you won’t encounter many tourists there despite it being a 10-minute hike from the road. Before getting there you’ll have to walk along a well-worn path through the jungle. Not too difficult, but you have to be in shape and if it is the rainy season be prepared for mud, water wading and bugs, so bring your repellent. It’s a great place for people learning to surf and all skill levels. Also a great beach and waves for body surfing.
El Anclote Beach
The town itself is a quiet one, with El Anclote beach and Corral del Risco beach as other main attractions.
Access to the peninsula’s beaches is open to the public walking along the edge of El Anclote beach.
You can also enjoy eating at one of the restaurants within the real estate development, this is fine, as long as you make a reservation at least 48 hours in advance.
After enjoying the white sand beaches at El Anclote Beach, we suggest you stop by the Café des Artistes restaurant. There you will savor the artistic cuisine of Gerardo Sandoval, one of the best chefs of Riviera Nayarit.
El Anclote Beach, Punta de Mita
Sportfishing
At Punta de Mita you can also take advantage of the abundance of sailfish, marlin and dorado on this part of the coast and spend a day sportfishing out in the open sea. If you don’t catch anything, don’t worry, the beach itself has resorts and restaurants with cool thatch-roofed palapas on the sand that serve deliciously fresh seafood.
Punta Mita
Punta Mita Peninsula
A short drive on the highway takes you to Punta Mita, one of the more luxurious residential and tourist developments in all of Mexico.
Extending over 700 hectares (2.7 sq. mi.), this development is a private peninsula surrounded by white sand beaches, Pacific waves and exuberant tropical vegetation that shelters exotic birds.
Currently, Punta Mita has two Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses designed by the legendary Jack Nicklaus; and two Five Diamond resorts: the St. Regis Punta Mita hotel resort and the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.
Punta Mita Beach
In constant evolution, the master plans include two more hotels of the same category, as well as hundreds of houses, villas and condominiums.
Just as you’d expect on this idyllic peninsula, there are beach hotels, restaurants, beach clubs, gyms, spas (like the Remède Spa), bars and even cultural centers offering – for example – cooking and art appreciation courses.
You can also enjoy eating at one of the restaurants within the real estate development, this is fine, as long as you make a reservation at least 48 hours in advance.
The town
Punta de Mita main square, Nayarit
The town itself is very rustic and makes brings to mind smaller towns in the Banderas Bay area or the Los Cabos península too, like Barriles or similar small villages in Mexico. Rustic dirt streets, half-finished countryside homes mixed with more luxurious homes and bungalows.
There is also a small plaza in town, well kept, with the seemingly standard Emiliano Zapata sculpture (you’ll find him in all small towns of the area, don’t know why… ;-)) and enjoyed by the locals – see photo above.
Punta Mita Golf Course
Jack Nicklaus, the golf legend, designed two spectacular and iconic golf courses at Punta Mita. They offer extraordinary sea vistas and world-class play.
The Pacifico Golf Course has seven holes directly toward the Pacific Ocean or playing along Banderas Bay’s edge. They offer spacious fairways and greens, and the only natural island golf green – called “Tail of the Whale” – in the world. This unique championship course is highly praised by golfers and golf magazines, and in 2006 and 2008 inspired readers of Condé Nast Traveler magazine to choose the Four Seasons Hotel Punta Mita as the world’s number one golf resort.
The Bahia Golf Course is Nicklaus’ second championship course in Punta Mita. It has five ocean-view holes, with undulating fairways and greens flanked by deep green bunkers, that Jack Nicklaus says “add a little spice”, to the mix.
Both golf courses have tee times exclusively reserved for members and guests of Punta Mita Resort and other residents of Punta Mita, it is very convenient to play there.
Litibú Golf Course
The Litibú Golf Course in Mexico opened on March 7, 2010, very close to Punta Mita, one of the most unique areas of the Nayarit Riviera. It was designed by Greg Norman, you will find a challenging course where 7 of them are “linked” holes and 8 other holes are surrounded by pristine jungle. The last 3 holes in the course extend along the Pacific Ocean, offering spectacular views of Punta Mita and the western coastline of Mexico. There are also specialty shops, snack bars, practice tees, driving ranges, and golf cart, clubs and other golf equipment for rent.
Golf Course Design: Greg Norman
Holes: 18
Par: 72
Yards: 7,022
Grass: Paspalum Seadwarf
Bunkers: 130
Phone: (329) 29 84091
The Marietas Islands
Here you can hire boats to visit the nearby Marietas Islands (15-minute boat ride) at the Punta de Mita quay. The islands are a Mexican national park and sanctuary for birds and marine animals that includes the now world-famous “hidden beach” inside what looks like a crater and which can only be accessed swimming through a cave carved out by the sea.
Casa Aramara
One of the most famous villas in the area, south of Punta de Mita and not within the Punta Mita development is Casa Aramara, a private villa and luxury travel option for public figures and celebrities such as Ashton Kutcher, Courtney Cox, Demi Moore, Eva Longoria, Farrah Fawcett, Jennifer Aniston, John Mayer, Kendall Jenner, Kim Kardashian, Orlando Bloom, Quincy Jones, Selena Gomez, Sheryl Crow, Vince Vaughn, among others.
Hotels in the area
Punta de Mita Location Map
FAQ
- What is the safest part of Puerto Vallarta to stay in?
The Marina and the Romantic Zone are considered some of the safest areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta. Both areas are popular among tourists and offer a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. The Marina is known for its upscale atmosphere, luxury resorts, and high-end shops and restaurants. It has a very secure, controlled environment with 24/7 security personnel. The Romantic Zone offers a more authentic Mexican experience with cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and a vibrant mix of galleries, cafes, and bars. As a central tourist area, it also has a strong police presence and is considered very safe.
- Where do locals go in Puerto Vallarta?
Locals in Puerto Vallarta enjoy spending time at the city’s beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and lively local markets. Popular beach spots include Playa de Oro, Playa Las Animas, and Playa Camarones for their soft sand and calm waters. Many locals visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens to enjoy the lush vegetation and hiking trails. They also frequent authentic local food venues like Birrieria las 3 Regiones taco stand, cafes like Cafecito Vallarta, and neighborhood bars like La Cerveceria Union. The downtown Lazaro Cardenas market is a favorite for produce, spices, crafts.
- Is Downtown Puerto Vallarta nice?
Yes, downtown Puerto Vallarta is an exceptionally nice and popular area, celebrated for its vibrant mix of historic Mexican charm and a lively beach town atmosphere. It features a picturesque historic center with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the iconic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The downtown seamlessly blends into the scenic Malecón, a beautiful oceanfront boardwalk lined with fascinating sculptures, shops, and restaurants, making it perfect for strolling and enjoying the stunning ocean views.
The area offers an excellent variety of dining, from upscale restaurants to authentic street food, along with fantastic shopping in boutiques and art galleries. Adjacent to the main center is the popular Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone), known for its trendy vibe and energetic nightlife. The entire downtown is considered safe and is very walkable, allowing visitors to easily explore its captivating blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty on foot.
Tip: For an unforgettable experience, head down to the Malecón or any beachfront spot about 30 minutes before the scheduled sundown to watch the spectacular sunset over the bay.
- What is considered old town in Puerto Vallarta?
Old Town, also known as the Romantic Zone or Zona Romántica, is considered the historic heart of Puerto Vallarta. It is characterized by its picturesque cobblestone streets, classic whitewashed buildings, red-tiled roofs, and a lively mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay, Old Town has a traditional Mexican village charm with its colonial architecture and slower pace compared to the rest of Puerto Vallarta. Its romantic ambience comes from the area’s natural beauty, outdoor cafes, and charming boutique hotels. Old Town offers visitors a taste of an authentic Mexican neighborhood.
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