Feb 08 2011

10 Reasons to Visit Punta Mita

Located on the north end of Mexico’s Banderas Bay on the country’s west coast, Punta Mita is the picturesque beachside village and home to Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico. Just 43 kilometers from Puerto Vallarta, the Resort is a high-end playground that offers beautiful beaches, sumptuous dining, a reinvigorating spa and two championship golf courses.

In addition to deep-sea fishing and visiting the nearby historical city of Puerto Vallarta, what else is there to do in Punta Mita? Here are 10 reasons to visit this beautiful beach community on the west coast of Mexico.

Take the Plunge: Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
The waters and coral reef just off Punta Mita are renowned for snorkel and scuba exploration, with frequent sightings of marine turtles, giant manta rays and, in season, the majestic humpback whales. For a close encounter right at the Resort’s beach, look for Litibu, a gentle sea lion that visits with her trainer every Friday morning—guests can even go snorkeling with her.

Cast a Line: Deep-Sea Fishing
Expert guides can take guests out to their own secret spots for deep-sea fishing for marlin, tuna, mahi mahi, dorado and sailfish. Catch something you like? The Resort’s culinary team can prepare it for dinner that night.

Bring the Binoculars: Wildlife Sanctuary
Just offshore are the Marieta Islands, a sanctuary for seabirds, turtles, dolphins, mantas and a rainbow of tropical fish in its surrounding coral reef, all easily reached via yacht.  Whether exploring underwater or on the islands’ rocky terrain, in caves or on isolated beaches, it’s a nature lover’s paradise.

Hit the Beach: Surf to Your Heart’s Content
While many guests arrive at Four Seasons toting golf clubs to play the world’s only natural island green, just as many are now bringing their boards along. Some of the best surf spots, including Punta Mita’s own El Faro beach, are just minutes away. Excursions can also be arranged to find the perfect wave, and lessons are available for beginners and experienced surfers alike.

Find Local Color: Nearby Towns
Reached by boat or car, the little fishing village of Sayulita will take visitors back to the simpler, rural life of the region. Filled with charming shops and cafés, it also boasts a front-row seat for watching surfers catch waves just offshore. For a more lively experience, visit San Pancho (also known as San Francisco), with its narrow, natural cobblestone streets leading to a colorful central plaza with palapa cafés right on the beach.

Experience Some City Excitement: Puerto Vallarta
Long a playground for Hollywood glitterati, nearby Puerto Vallarta has retained its colonial seaside charm, now enhanced by its art galleries, designer and market shopping, exciting culinary scene and vibrant nightlife. Highlights include the landmark Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe with its distinctive crown on the roof, the Malecon promenade and an island at the mouth of Rio Cuale that features boutiques and restaurants, a children’s park, botanical garden and archaeological museum that explores the history of the area.

Get Close to Nature: Swim with Dolphins
Pacific bottlenose dolphins abound in the waters off Punta Mita. To learn more about these intelligent creatures, and to arrange for an unforgettable dolphin swim experience, visit the Dolphin Adventure Center. 

Learn to Fly: Zip Line through the Rain Forest
Far from dry and dusty, the region around Punta Mita boasts dense tropical vegetation, perfect for zip lining among wild orchids, colorful birds and fascinating reptiles.

Explore the Area: All-Terrain Vehicles and More
Go off road in specially designed Mercedes all-terrain vehicles and explore mountain streams and sleepy villages of the Sierra Madres. Or, book a tour to Mismaloya, a hidden cove made famous by the Richard Burton film Night of the Iguana. Today, you can dine on seafood in the original film set, and explore the cafés and vendors on the beach.

Go Back in Time: San Sebastián
Step back in time to San Sebastián, a 17th-century silver and gold mining town in the mountains that had a population of 30,000 in the 18th-century. Today, just 600 people live in this peaceful town with its cobblestone plaza, once-grand buildings, old bandstand and 18th-century church.

Contact a Mexico Specialist today at 800-300-4567 or click HERE.