The Best of Punta Mita: Your Go-To Guide for Hotels, Restaurants & Activities

My Hotel Roundup:

The One & Only Mandarina (currently ranked the No. 1 hotel in all of North America), Susurros del Corazon, Auberge Collection and the new ultra luxury tented camp of Four Seasons Naviva are all part of this area’s expansion. The OG hotels, St Regis and Four Seasons, have also undergone multi-million dollar facelifts, and there are a bunch of new ultra-luxe hotels on the horizon including Rosewood Mandarina, Mondrian, Pendry, Belmond, among others. So if Punta Mita isn’t on your beach vacay radar, it seriously needs to be!

1. Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Celebrating its 24th anniversary this year, this is the real OG of the Punta Mita hotels. It is truly iconic and a prime example of the brand’s superior service, attention to detail, and going above and beyond for its guests. It’s located in the exclusive Punta Mita gated development along with other private residences and the world-renowned golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus. What stands out to me at this resort, as well as the obvious first-class design and service you would expect from any Four Seasons resort, is the wide range of family-friendly activities on offer, making it such an ideal resort for families. The lazy river with a newly opened bar for adults (so that you can watch your kids floating along with a margarita in hand), PLUS two private stretches of white sandy beach (one with water sports and surfing classes, and another for more peace and quiet). Many of the rooms have also received recent updates with small plunge pools on the terraces. Oh, and the main bar, Dos Catrinas, has one of the most impressive mezcal and tequila selections you will ever see.

Hannah Breckner

2. The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort

Another one of the original hotels in the area, the St. Regis is located in the same private and exclusive gated development as the Four Seasons. The resort has just finished (or almost finished) a $45 million dollar renovation project with updates to all of its areas and facilities, so everything is looking fresh and pristine. Think palm trees, meandering paths, grassy lawns, and lush landscaping… exactly what you envision when you think of a luxury beachfront resort. Like the Four Seasons, there is a variety of pools and beach areas for all ages. What I love about the St. Regis is its jaw-dropping entrance and lobby when you arrive with breathtaking views of the ocean and cascading swimming pools down to the ocean. The famous Mita Mary restaurant will soon become your favorite spot for fish tacos and laid-back vibes with your toes in the sand. And Carolina restaurant is the only AAA Five Diamond Award dining experience in Punta de Mita.

Hannah Breckner

3. Susurros Del Corazon, Auberge Resorts Collection

One of the newest resorts in the area, this is a more intimate option with 59 stunning rooms and suites. The thing that stands out about this hotel is the design. OMG, it is seriously beautiful. The sand color, earthy textures, natural wood tones, cacti wherever you turn, locally crafted art and products in the rooms… this hotel has a true sense of place and you will feel totally immersed in your tropical surroundings. I adore that instead of a traditional lobby when you arrive, you are invited over to a gigantic wood-slab table covered with eclectic Mexican art and ceramics designed to make you feel like you are being welcomed into someone's living room. La Boquita (more details in my Things to Do section) is a boho-chic beach bar that is my favorite place in Punta Mita to have a sundowner overlooking one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the region. What stands out about this resort is the intimate relaxed service where everyone knows your name and your assigned ‘cuate’ (buddy in Spanish) will help you with everything you need from arranging local craft coffee to your room in the morning to scheduling activities like whale watching expeditions and surf lessons. There is a big emphasis on wellness and immersive, cultural experiences at the hotel - it really is somewhere that you will be pampered and looked after in the best possible way.

Hannah Breckner

4. Conrad Punta de Mita

Another newcomer to the area, the Conrad (top-tier brand of the Hilton group) is another great luxury option with a more affordable price point if your budget won’t quite stretch to the three mentioned above. It is equally stunning with a pristine stretch of beach, a beautiful beachfront restaurant for dinner, a fun relaxed vibe, and one of the best breakfast buffets I have ever tried! The rooms are spacious, modern, and fun. My favorite things about this resort are the choice of different pool areas. The swim-up bar is a great place to get drinks and make friends, whereas the infinity pool is more serene and tranquil if you are looking for some peace and quiet. And there is also a family pool with water slides, conveniently located next to the poolside restaurant. Codex, the hotel’s signature restaurant, is a really special immersive and unique experience steeped in the heritage and diversity of Mexico.

5. W Punta de Mita

If you have any idea about the W hotels, you will know that the brand is very fun and vibey with an eclectic design. If you want to have a good time with a DJ by the pool, a fun food truck on the beach and quirky room design, this is the place. Although it is family-friendly, I would say it’s probably more suited to couples and groups of friends. The Asian restaurant is top-notch and there is a brand new restaurant opening soon. The price point is also more affordable than some of the others in the area. It is a very 'instagrammable' hotel with its famous bright blue and green mosaic “Camino Huichol” walkway, stretching over 450 feet. Some of the rooms have recently undergone total renovation and look amazing!

Hannah Breckner

6. Naviva, a Four Seasons Resort

An expansion of the existing Four Seasons resort, Naviva is a brand new all-inclusive adults-only luxury tented camp set on 48 acres of forest with 15 safari-style suites. If you are looking for a seriously unique experience that offers peace, serenity, and privacy, and one that takes luxury and service to the next level, this is the place. Your customized stay includes everything from transformational healing and wellness journeys, mezcal tastings, cooking classes, and amazing foodie experiences. Naviva encourages guests to take things at their own pace, no reservations are needed for any of the activities, and guests can drop into the open-air restaurant whenever they please. Coming in at the highest price point in Punta Mita, this is a definitely a bucket list property that you will never want to leave.

7. One & Only Mandarina

I saved my favorite to the very end. This is a one-of-a-kind type of property! The resort took 10 years to make as it was built into the surrounding jungle and cliffside with the utmost respect for and protection of the local wildlife, flora, and fauna. Set on a private bay, atop of a cliff, it really is unique and definitely has the WOW factor. All rooms are treehouses or cliff villas built into the cliffside, and the resort has some unique activity options like ziplining, hiking and cycling trails, a polo field with stables and an Argentine grill restaurant fieldside, a farm-to-table popup restaurant among the orchards and not one but two stunning beach clubs. Although it is a pretty romantic place to stay, there is stuff to do for kids of all ages. Adventurous ziplining, cycling and outdoor activities, horseback riding and the most amazing kids club which looks like a giant treehouse. I can’t say enough about how special this resort is! It is remote, about 20 minutes further from the rest of the Punta Mita hotels, set in its own enclave away from everything, but once you are there, I guarantee you will not want to leave and there will be more than enough to keep you busy.

My Top Four Nearby Restaurant Picks (For Venturing Out of the Resort)

Zicatela
This is a seafood restaurant in the small El Anclote area (the town of Punta Mita) just a short ride from most of the hotels. It is set overlooking the beach and has a relaxed but sophisticated boho chic vibe with an amazing innovative menu and great cocktails.

La Rustica
If you are looking for something with atmosphere, this is the ‘cool’ place to be in Punta Mita town. It is well known for its pizzas and other tasty seafood bites and often has a DJ. It has an eclectic funky design under a huge palapa and is definitely a fun place to enjoy a casual dinner out one night.

Hannah Breckner

Barracuda
This is a hidden gem along a dirt track off the main road. Once you get there, it is so worth it. Set directly on a white sandy quiet stretch of beach, with nothing else around, this is a casual restaurant with some of the best seafood in the area and a great vibe. Barracuda has made a name for itself with three branches now in surrounding areas but this one is definitely the best setting!

Hannah Breckner

Achara (Sayulita)
A new addition to the booming restaurant scene in the area and definitely worth the trip to the town of Sayulita if you are craving some deliciously fresh Thai food in a small cozy restaurant in the buzzing surf town. I recommend driving/getting a taxi down there early afternoon, checking out some of the lovely boutiques, watching the surfers and sunset at one of the beach bars and then heading to Achara for an early dinner.

Hannah Breckner

My Top Tips of What To Do in the Area:

A Day Out To Charming San Pancho: Although Sayulita is the popular and colorful boho surfer’s town often cited as a great day out while in the area, I would definitely recommend checking out its quieter, prettier and cleaner little sister that still flies fairly under the radar, San Pancho. A further 15 minutes along the coast, San Pancho is a gorgeous stretch of beach with a lovely main street of boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. It’s what Sayulita used to be 15 years ago! I recommend checking out the luxe Tierra Tropical Beach Club where you get a day pass that includes drinks and food, a beautiful infinity pool overlooking the beach and other facilities.

A Boat Trip to Marieta Islands: The Marieta Islands are small uninhabited islands off the coast of Punta Mita that make for a great boat and snorkeling excursion. They are protected as part of Islas Marietas National Park and home to a number of native wildlife species, as well as the famous Hidden Beach, a secluded sandy cavern on one of the islands. I recommend using a trusted and established tour provider like Vallarta Adventures.

La Cruz Market: Only open on Sundays from November to April, I may be biased but this is my favorite market of all time. Firstly, the setting is idyllic. It’s located in the marina of La Cruz de Huancaxtle, Punta Mita’s neighboring fishing village around 20 minutes' drive away. Surrounded by boats and yachts, and 360-degree ocean views, people flock far and wide to browse the creations of local and expat artisans, artists, and food vendors (many of which are vegan options). It is a fun and lively atmosphere, with live music and places to sit and eat and socialize. If you are there during this time on a Sunday, GO!

Hannah Breckner

Drinks at la Boquita: This was a discovery I made while touring the newly opened Susurros del Corazon hotel, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection and since then, I have been back whenever I can for sunset drinks. It is the beachfront bar at the hotel and the boho-chic earthy and cactus aesthetic is to die for. The white sand stretch of beach with unbelievable sunsets while sipping a mezcal cocktail… all I can say is, you can thank me later. Reservations can be made via Opentable.

Hannah Breckner

Party at an Exclusive Beach Club: Majahuitas Beach Club and Animas Beach Club are two new beach clubs to the south of Puerto Vallarta that are only accessible by boat, making them not only a beautiful place to spend the day dancing, drinking, and eating on white sandy beaches, but also a fun adventure across the bay to get there. Reservations are required and return boat transfers can be arranged.

Combine Punta Mita with a trip to Mexico City or Guadalajara and Tequila. Check out my full 12-day sample itinerary here for more ideas of how to get the most out of your trip to Mexico.

The best time to visit Punta Mita is from November to April when the weather is warm and dry.

This trip report is part of our ongoing series on travel to Punta Mita, Mexico. In need of further inspiration? Check out Hannah Breckner’s guide, The Ultimate First-Timer's Guide to Mexico: Explore Cities, Culture, Beaches, and Cuisine with an Expert Mexico Travel Agent.