8 Things to do in Punta Mita, Nayarit: Mexico’s Luxury Coastline
Punta Mita is a large peninsula in Nayarit, Mexico, which marks the northern part of Banderas Bay overlooking the Pacific Ocean with the Sierra Madre mountains behind.
This small, yet charming fishing village boasts pristine beaches and beautiful sunsets that will make you fall in love.
Punta Mita is home to many luxury resorts, golf courses, and long white sandy beaches perfect for relaxing and enjoying a vacation under the Mexican sun.
During your trip here, you will see glimpses of the local culture and cuisine and have plenty of sunny days to relax.
As the name of this article suggests, Punta Mita is the most exclusive part of Banderas Bay, hosting acclaimed resorts like the Four Seasons and the most delicious restaurants in the area.
How to get to Punta Mita, Nayarit
By air: The closest airport to Punta Mita is Puerto Vallarta International Airport, with many direct flights to the United States and Canada. From there you can take a cab, bus, or Uber to Punta Mita.
Bus: Local buses to Punta Mita depart from Puerto Vallarta outside Walmart/Sam’s Club. You can also take the bus across the pedestrian bridge outside the airport.
It takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to Punta Mita and the trip costs around 50 pesos.
You can also get to Punta Mita by bus from Sayulita and San Pancho. From Sayulita, it is only 12 km south to Punta Mita.
It is very easy to get to Punta Mita from anywhere in PV or the Surroundings. There are no excuses not to visit.
8 Best things to do in Punta Mita, Nayarit
Again, this wonderful fishing village is located on a private peninsula in the beautiful Riviera Nayarit.
Punta Mita is a 1,500-acre luxury resort and residential community surrounded by white sand beaches, Pacific Ocean views, and lush tropical flora and fauna.
There is plenty to do here. From whale watching and snorkeling around the Marietas to golf and surfing or just relaxing on the beach, you can do something different and go to a different beach club every day.
1. Stroll around the town of Punta Mita
One of the best ways to get to know the town is to just stroll around.
There are many cute boutiques, stores, cafes, and nooks and crannies to see and admire.
Start by strolling down Avenida las Redes, where you’ll find the best boutiques and some great cafes.
From there, you can follow the waterfront road to the marina to cool off in the sea breeze, and see the boats and local fishermen, as well as the small lighthouse.
Right next to the marina, you will find the town’s main public beach, Playa Punta Mita, where you can relax and have a drink on the beach.
You may want to read: Top 10 Bucerias Nayarit Experiences You Can’t Miss
You can also opt for surfing lessons in this area. Behind the main beach, there are many streets full of local activities, delicious restaurants, and even a market on Saturdays on Emiliano Zapata Street.
2. Relax on the beach
The Beach! Of course. Around town, you will find a few quiet beaches where you can relax in the afternoon and unwind.
In the heart of town lies Playa Punta Mita, and further away Playa Careyeros and the beaches of El Anclote are also worth a visit.
On the beach, you can rent a lounger and relax under the shade of an umbrella or just spread out your beach towel on the sand to recharge vitamin D.
Punta Mita’s public beach may not be the best in Riviera Nayarit, but it has extremely white and fine sand similar to what you can see in Tulum or Playa del Carmen.
3. Surf at Playa La Lancha
Further south along the coast towards Puerto Vallarta, you will find the beautiful little beach of Playa La Lancha, one of the best surfing spots in the area.
Many locals go surfing, which is the most popular water sport in the area, but word is spreading that this is one of the best beaches to catch good waves.
To get there, you’ll want to park right next to the WildMex surf school, where you can rent a board or even get a lesson and then walk from the road through the jungle to the beach.
If you’re an intermediate or more advanced surfer, this is one of the best waves in the area, as the main beach in town, Playa Punta Mita, tends to have much smaller waves, shallow water, and good low tide conditions, perfect for beginners.
4. Shopping at Avenida las Redes
Avenida las Redes is Punta Mita’s “Main Street,” the best for shopping and strolling.
Here you will find several charming boutiques selling mainly household goods and clothing, some of which are very exclusive and worth a visit.
Along Avenida las Redes, you will also find many different cafes to get your caffeine fix while you shop.
5. Tour the Marietas Islands
It won’t be long before someone offers you a tour of the nearby Marietas Islands. This is one of the best things to do in the entire Banderas Bay.
It is a small archipelago formed by two islands and two islets declared a National Ecological Reserve, home to several endangered birds such as the blue-footed booby, which is only found in the Sea of Cortez and the Galapagos Islands.
You may want to read: Hidden Beach in the Marietas Islands, Riviera Nayarit
If you are interested in taking this tour to visit the Unesco-protected islands, then taking a tour from Punta Mita is a much better idea than going from Puerto Vallarta.
Make sure it also includes a visit to the beautiful hidden beach. If you are a certified diver, there are also some diving tours in the Marietas Islands.
6. Whale watching in Punta Mita, Nayarit
While whale watching is available throughout Banderas Bay, taking whale-watching boat tours from Punta Mita is also a fantastic thing to do.
The best time to see whales is from December to March.
Punta Mita is much closer to where the whales like to be, unlike Puerto Vallarta, which is much farther away, as they tend not to come that close to the city.
Many tours depart from Punta Mita and you will be offered some while walking through the main streets of town if you are in Punta Mita during whale watching season.
7. Hike to the top of Monkey Mountain (Cerro del Mono)
Just north of Punta Mita is a small mountain or hill called Cerro del Mono.
It is perfect for those who want to add a little hike to the trip or get out of town to explore a little more of the surroundings.
The best time to hike up is at sunset, just be sure to bring a headlamp to light the way back.
If you find yourself in Punta Mita during whale watching season (December-March), keep an eye out for whales.
To get to the trailhead, you will need to drive or take a cab. Cab drivers will know where it is, just mention ‘Cerro del Mono’ and they will take you to the trailhead.
8. Get a beachside massage
If you want to pamper yourself a little without having to commit to a spa, why not simply get a massage on the beach for an hour?
On Punta Mita Beach you’ll find a couple of local spas that have set up massage tables under some shady umbrellas.
For around $40, you can get a full-hour massage on the beach while listening to the sound of the waves crashing nearby.
Semi-pristine beaches near Punta Mita, Nayarit
There are many more beaches around Punta Mita. However, to explore these, it is best if you have a car.
These beaches don’t have infrastructure or services (maybe a few vendors and stalls), so I recommend you bring your supplies to spend a nice day at the beach, especially a good umbrella to protect from the sun.
Destiladeras Beach
The water here is very calm and shallow, perfect for adults and children to swim.
Access is very easy, as it is located on the highway (Highway 200 km7) and can be reached by car, cab, or local bus.
La Lancha Beach
The beautiful turquoise water and the soft white sand are the main attractions of this playa.
Like I said before, this beach is very popular among surfers, since its waves are perfect for beginners to advanced surfers to enjoy a fun session.
Located on Highway 200, kilometer 15. To get to this beach it will be necessary to walk along a dirt road next to an estuary surrounded by beautiful vegetation, the walk will take 5 to 10 minutes.
Careyeros Beach
Careyeros is a long and spacious beach perfect for swimming, its calm waves make it quite safe.
To get there just take Highway 200 towards Punta de Mita and just before you get there turn right at the Higuera Blanca-Sayulita intersection.
Drive for about 1 kilometer (3 minutes) and take the dirt road to the left, until the end of the road and find the public access.
Litibu Beach
This beautiful beach of golden sand is a little hidden and less crowded than the beaches mentioned above.
It makes an excellent option to go with the family since its waves are calm, the beach is wide and the access is very comfortable for those who drive.
To get to the beach, you must take the main access to Higuera Blanca, follow the road to the end, and turn left, you will find a dirt road that will take you to the public access to the beach.
Day trip to Sayulita
About 11 km off the coast you will find one of the best little towns in Nayarit, Sayulita.
Sayulita has a very different vibe than Punta Mita: think less luxury, more surf chic.
The town has a lot of great things to do, amazing restaurants, and boutiques to explore during your trip.
You can start the day with a surf session or surf lesson before relaxing at Playa Los Muertos, Sayulita’s most beautiful beach.
Then head to Playa Carricitos for an incredible sunset. While Sayulita can be visited as part of a day trip from Punta Mita, it is recommended to stay longer.
Day trip to San Pancho
A little north of Sayulita you will find the quiet community town of San Pancho, another excellent choice for a day trip from Punta Mita.
Here you can also surf, visit the local community center, enjoy a great meal at one of the amazing restaurants, and just stroll around town.
You can easily get to Sayulita and San Pancho from Punta Mita by taking the local bus or a local cab. Uber is probably a bit limited in this area.
Punta Mita is known for having one of the most pleasant climates in the world, making it primarily one of the most popular luxury travel destinations with booming real estate developments in the world.
Punta Mita, Nayarit: Final Thoughts
Punta Mita is the perfect destination for those seeking luxury, relaxation, and adventure along Mexico’s stunning Pacific Coast.
From world-class golf courses and pristine beaches to exclusive resorts and immersive cultural experiences, this tropical paradise has something for every traveler.
Soak up the sun on a private beach, dine at renowned oceanfront restaurants, or explore vibrant marine life through snorkeling and diving, Punta Mita offers an unforgettable blend of natural beauty and refined elegance.
Make sure to plan your visit with plenty of time to indulge in all this beautiful coastline has to offer—it’s a place you’ll want to return to again and again.
