Punta Mita, Mexico
I cannot tell you how excited I was a year ago to get an invitation to our friends wedding in Mexico! During the heat of COVID, Gil and I both found it so exciting to have something like this to look forward to after we could travel again. After having our own destination wedding during COVID (we got married in Key West in September!), we are both huge proponents of having your friends travel to somewhere special to you and were thrilled that Allie and Rawley chose Punta Mita, Mexico. Plus, what better excuse to plan an amazing trip than celebrating your friends?!
About Punta Mita
Located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, Punta Mita is a small fishing village that has become a popular destination for travelers seeking a luxurious escape. In this blog post, I will share my personal experiences and insights on what makes Punta Mita so special.
One of the things that sets Punta Mita apart from other destinations is its street food scene. From fresh ceviche to mouthwatering tacos, the local vendors offer an authentic taste of Mexico that is hard to find elsewhere. In addition to the delicious food, Punta Mita is also home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world. Whether you’re looking to relax on the sand or try your hand at surfing, there is something for everyone here.
If you’re planning a trip to Mexico, Punta Mita should definitely be on your list of places to visit. In this blog post, I will provide a comprehensive travel guide that includes everything from where to stay to what to see and do. So sit back, relax, and let me take you on a journey to one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.
When you think of Mexico, you most likely think of Cabo, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or even Tulum. I had never heard of Punta Mita, Mexico before receiving the invitation to this wedding and most people I talked to before hadn’t either! Allie (the bride) and her family have traveled to Punta Mita for years, hence why she chose it for their wedding, and now I totally see why. It was absolutely stunning. The mountainous terrain was something I did not expect by the ocean. Think California coast, but on another level. To get to Punta Mita, we flew into the Puerto Vallarta airport and had arranged transportation for about 6 of us to get to our hotel. The driver greeted us with Coronas as soon as we found him!
Location and Geography of Punta Mita
Punta Mita, Mexico, is located on the Pacific Coast, in the state of Nayarit. It is situated on a peninsula that extends into the Pacific Ocean, and is bordered by Banderas Bay to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the west. The area is known for its stunning white sand beaches, crystal clear waters, and breathtaking sunsets.
The region is also home to a number of Mayan ruins, which offer a glimpse into the ancient civilization that once thrived in the area. The Riviera Maya, which is located on the Caribbean Coast, is also nearby, and is known for its stunning beaches and rich cultural heritage.
Despite its remote location, Punta Mita is easily accessible by public transportation, with regular bus and taxi services available from nearby towns and cities. The area is also home to a number of luxury resorts and hotels, which offer a range of amenities and activities for visitors to enjoy.
Overall, Punta Mita is a breathtakingly beautiful destination that offers something for everyone, from sun worshippers to history buffs. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing beach vacation or an adventure-filled trip exploring the local culture and history, Punta Mita is the perfect place to escape and unwind.
Where We Stayed in Punta Mita
The wedding took place at the W Punta de Mita hotel. You are probably familiar with the W Hotels, since they have them in almost every major US city, as I was, but I was pleasantly surprised with the unique-ness of the resort. It was nice and comfortable, but totally had the authentic Mexico vibe which was amazing. Upon arriving to the front of the resort in a golf cart and greeted with fresh margaritas, I was completely taken away by the lobby! I mean, these photos speak for themselves.
Another amazing resort is the Regis Punta Mita Resort. Many of our friends have either vacationed or honeymooned there and said nothing but amazing things.
I know a lot of people get nervous traveling out of the country right now with all of the COVID testing and possibility of having to quarantine (rightfully so) but no one on our trip had any issues at all. We had to test negative to come back to the US but did not have to have a test going to Mexico. As soon as we got to the resort, we went ahead and scheduled our COVID tests for the morning of our departure day, which I would definitely recommend. Luckily, the W Punta de Mita had COVID tests available, but the slots filled up fast and just trust me, you wouldn’t want to rely on getting your negative test at the airport trying to make your flight and come home. The Puerto Vallarta airport was pretty chaotic arriving with really long lines that no one knew what we were even in line for. The only other impact of COVID on our trip was having to keep up with (what seemed like) a million extra papers to get in/out of the country, so my advice would be to bring a folder for your passport and all the important documents you will receive.
Punta Mita Restaurants
I’m such a foodie and love trying the best local food when I travel! I have no idea how I went through my life being so picky, but ever since I studied abroad in Argentina, I thoroughly enjoy tasting all the authentic food in different cultures.
Although my favorite food while in Punta Mita was the street tacos in Sayulita (more on that later), we ate at some AMAZING restaurants I would highly recommend.
On Thursday night, we took a cab from our resort to town and ended up eating at a restaurant called Tuna Blanca. I got the Grilled Beef Medallions pictured below on the right and it did not disappoint. Friday night, Gil and I had a little date at the bar of a restaurant called Si Senor, also in town. We enjoyed some tacos, tamales, and of course the best margaritas!
Saturday was the wedding, so we had a delicious Mexican meal at the reception, but I have to mention the other restaurants recommended by Allie and Rawley because I would love to try them all if we had had more time!
Note: All of these restaurants are located on the strip in the town of Punta Mita (so have to leave your resort) but the strip is along the ocean so each of these restaurants have the most gorgeous oceanview! I would have loved to stroll down the strip before/after dinner and get drinks and some of these different places enjoying the view 🙂
(You can see the ocean view I’m talking about in my YouTube video here)
What to Do in Punta Mita
The first full day we had in Punta Mita, Gil and all the guys went to play golf at this course so I went with my friend Claire and some girls on a catamaran they rented for the afternoon. Oh my gosh. SO MUCH FUN! We had the whole boat to ourselves with a full bar, fresh ceviche served for lunch, and a DJ on board. I’m convinced the staff on that boat have the chillest jobs in the entire world. We rode out and stopped in a certain place in the ocean, where we took out paddle boards, kayaks, and jumped off the top deck of the boat. Although the golf course by the ocean looked pretty sweet, I’m convinced the guys missed the best part of the trip! In my next life, you can catch me being the lunch serving lady working on a catamaran in Mexico.
One free afternoon we had, we took a car from the resort to Sayulita, an adorable little town in Mexico nearby. It is the cutest surf town on the beach full of local artists and street vendors. My recommendations – definitely buy a mango on a stick from a cart on the beach (SO yummy) and for the best food you’ll eat in Mexico, find a guy making tacos literally on the street. I have no words for how good they were but Gil and I are still talking about those tacos today haha. If we had more time there, I was dying to take a surf lesson! That has been on this Mississippi girl’s bucket list for awhile and this place would’ve been perfect. Next time!!
Best Time To Visit Punta Mita
Although this I did not travel to Punta Mita during this window, the most recommended time to visit is between November and April. During these months, the weather is dry, sunny, and perfect for outdoor activities such as surfing, snorkeling, and hiking. I was there in the beginning of June and let me tell you…it was HOT!
It’s important to note that Punta Mita is located in the Pacific Ocean, which means it’s susceptible to hurricane season from June to November. While it’s rare for Punta Mita to be directly hit by a hurricane, you may want to avoid visiting during this time to ensure your safety and avoid any potential disruptions to your travel plans.
Another event to keep in mind is the Day of the Dead, which takes place on November 1st and 2nd. While this is a fascinating and culturally significant holiday, it can also be a busy time in Punta Mita due to an influx of tourists. If you’re interested in experiencing the Day of the Dead festivities, plan accordingly and book your accommodations well in advance.
Overall, I recommend visiting Punta Mita between November and April to enjoy the best weather and avoid any potential disruptions from hurricane season. Keep in mind any cultural events and book your trip accordingly to make the most of your time in this beautiful Mexican beach town.
Punta Mita Wedding or Bachelorette
I have received some questions on whether Punta Mita would be a good destination for a honeymoon or bachelorette trip and my answer is YES! After the wedding, Rawley and Allie spent a few nights at the Four Seasons in Punta Mita and it looked amazing. We also happened to have some friends of ours, Ben and Caroline Jackson, who got married last month and honeymooned at the St. Regis in Punta Mita right after we left! They said nothing but amazing things about that as well. So if you are thinking of planning a honeymoon in Punta Mita, definitely check out the Four Seasons and St. Regis.
As far as a bachelorette trip, I would recommend renting an airbnb by the beach to house all the girls. All of these resorts/hotels are amazing, but for planning a bach trip, I would want to all stay together and have a big house to do things in. I have a friend who rented this airbnb and just go watch her YouTube video and tell me that doesn’t look like an absolute blast!
Outfits I Wore in Punta Mita
Shopping for a tropical vacation like Mexico is always so fun to me! Not many times do you get to wear “resortwear” unless you live in Florida, so ya gotta take advantage when planning a summer trip like this! Click any photo below to shop the item I’m wearing. I’ve also linked the items I brought but didn’t take photos in below!
Scroll through the pictures below to shop the items I took to Mexico!
For more details on Punta Mita and a look at where we stayed, watch my travel vlog below! I would love if you subscribed to my channel to be in the know when new travel vlogs go up.
Overall, I cannot recommend traveling to Punta Mita enough and hope to be back someday. Reach out to me on IG here and shoot me a DM anytime if you are planning a trip there and have any questions. I’d love to help!
Until next time!
xo,
McKenzie
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