Where is Punta de Mita?
Punta de Mita sits at the northern tip of the Bay of Banderas, on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit — the stretch of Pacific coast just north of Puerto Vallarta. It is a small peninsula of calm coves and long surf beaches, backed by the jungled foothills of the Sierra Madre. The point itself is home to a gated resort community (the Four Seasons and the St. Regis among them), while the neighboring village of Corral del Risco keeps the easygoing feel of a Mexican fishing town.
It is close enough to reach easily and far enough to feel like a world apart: about forty minutes by car from Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), and twenty-five minutes from the bohemian surf town of Sayulita.
When to visit
The dry season, roughly November through April, is the classic window — warm days, cool evenings, and reliably blue skies. This is peak season, so the best villas and tee times book far ahead.
The summer and early fall (May through October) are greener, warmer, and more humid, with occasional afternoon rain. Crowds thin and rates soften, which makes it a quiet, good-value time to have the coast largely to yourself.
One highlight to plan around: whale season. From roughly December through March, humpback whales migrate into the Bay of Banderas to breed and calve in its warm, sheltered water — often visible breaching offshore, sometimes right from the beach.
Getting here
Fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), which is well served by direct flights from across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. From there it is a straightforward forty-minute drive north to Punta de Mita. Private transfers are easy to arrange in advance — if you are staying with us, our concierge handles airport pickup, grocery provisioning before arrival, and everything in between.
Things to do
Punta de Mita rewards both the active and the unhurried. A few of the essentials:
- Surfing. La Lancha is one of the most beginner-friendly point breaks on the coast; more experienced surfers head to Burros or down to Sayulita.
- The Marietas Islands. A protected national park a short boat ride offshore, known for snorkeling, birdlife (including blue-footed boobies), and the famous hidden beach reached through a sea cave — access is limited to protect the reef, so book a permitted guide.
- Deep-sea fishing. Guided full-day charters run out from the point for sailfish, dorado, marlin, and tuna in some of the richest waters on the Pacific coast.
- Golf. Punta Mita has two Jack Nicklaus Signature courses; the Pacífico course is home to the celebrated “Tail of the Whale,” an optional par-3 played to a green on a natural island in the ocean. Nearby, Vidanta Vallarta hosts the PGA Tour’s Mexico Open — some of the finest golf in the country, all within easy reach.
- Whale watching. In season (December–March), boat tours head out to see the humpbacks up close.
- Beach day clubs. Spend a full day at one of the area’s beach clubs — loungers and umbrellas, food and cocktails brought to the sand, and calm water for swimming.
- On the water. Paddleboarding, kayaking, and long walks on quiet sand.
- Day trips. Sayulita and San Pancho for galleries, cafes, and surf; the Marietas for the day.
Where to eat
The village of Corral del Risco is the local heart — simple palapa restaurants serving the morning’s catch, ceviche, and pescado zarandeado right by the water. Within the resort communities you will find polished dining rooms and beach clubs, and Sayulita, a short drive away, has become a genuine food destination in its own right. If you are staying in a staffed villa, of course, some of the best meals happen at home: a private chef cooking to your table, morning and night.
Where to stay
Punta de Mita offers everything from resort suites to private homes. For families and groups who want space, privacy, and the run of their own oceanfront, a fully staffed private villa is hard to beat — the whole house to yourselves, a chef and concierge on hand, and a stretch of beach you never share.
Casa Tres Reinas is exactly that: a directly oceanfront villa in the gated enclave of Paradise Coves, with five suites, a heated infinity pool, a private cove, and a full staff. You can see our seasonal rates, check availability, or send us your dates — we reply within twenty-four hours.