On the coast of the western Mexico state of Nayarit, the Pacific Ocean meets the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains. The lush, sand-cushioned shoreline, dependably blue skies, and warm weather offer an ideal—and idyllic—winter pause. Perfect for swimming, surfing, humpback whale watching, and multihued sunsets, the lush and hilly peninsula of Punta de Mita (also called Punta Mita) is home to a slew of luxury resorts, private real estate, and white sand beaches. Its close proximity to many other coastal spots on the Riviera Nayarit means there’s plenty to explore.
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Getting to Punta Mita
Wherever you plan to base yourself on the Riviera Nayarit, fly into the Puerto Vallarta International Airport in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Spend an hour or two—and perhaps a meal—in Puerto Vallarta, then take the scenic route north. A 45-minute drive takes you to Punta Mita; from there, the beach and surf town of Sayulita is about 20 minutes away, and a can’t-miss beachfront sunset at the nearby beach town of San Francisco—better known as San Pancho—lies 15 minutes further north.
What to do
For both the best weather and prime winter surf conditions, plan your trip to land sometime between November and April. (Summers can be rainy and extremely humid; hurricane season stretches from June to November.) Should you want to plan your time on the Riviera Nayarit around whale-watching season—the turquoise waters of the Bahía de Banderas, the largest bay in Mexico, have long been a breeding ground for humpback whales—narrow that timeframe to late December through early March.
With consistently warm temperatures, crystalline water and sunny skies, the powdered sand beaches that fringe the coastline are a main attraction. Many of the resorts have access to their own private and very beautiful beaches. Surfers have long been drawn to the Riviera, though there’s plenty else to occupy your coastal time from sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, paddle boarding, kitesurfing, and, of course, relaxing on the shore. Join local surfers at La Lancha, a public beach reachable by a short jungle hike or boat ride and one of the best spots in Punta Mita for a consistent break. If you’re looking for conditions better suited to beginner surfers, Playa Punta Mita tends towards smaller waves and shallow water and Playa Careyeros is ideal for swimming. Or head up the coast to Sayulita’s Playa Los Muertos or San Pancho’s Playa San Pancho. Also, in San Pancho opt for a day pass at the Tierra Tropical Beach Club.
Plan in advance to take an official tour to the nearby Islas Marietas, an archipelago made up of two islands and two islets and a UNESCO World Heritage site and Biosphere Reserve. Home to a wealth of biodiversity from native sea bird species and fish to sea turtles, manta rays, and dolphins, the national park is closed Sundays and Mondays and there are a limited number of daily visitors, so plan accordingly. If you can, ensure your tour includes a visit to Playa Escondida (Hidden Beach) also called Playa del Amor. The striking, golden sand beach is located within a crater that can be reached only by swimming at low tide. Or stay on dry land and hike to the peak of Monkey Mountain for views of the entire bay, keeping your eyes especially peeled if hiking during whale watching season.
