Punta Mita
A luxury 1,500-acre peninsula on the tip of Banderas Bay. The Four Seasons, the St. Regis, two Jack Nicklaus golf courses, five beach clubs, and nine miles of white-sand Pacific coastline — 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta.
Punta Mita is a 1,500-acre private peninsula on the northern tip of Banderas Bay, about 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta. It's home to the Four Seasons, the St. Regis, two Jack Nicklaus signature golf courses, five beach clubs, and over nine miles of white-sand Pacific coastline. If Puerto Vallarta is the walkable city vacation and Sayulita is the bohemian surf town, Punta Mita is the luxury escape — quiet, gated, and built for travelers who want world-class amenities in a natural setting.
For guests staying at Verity Rentals' beachfront condo in Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita makes an excellent day trip — drive up for a beach club lunch, play a round of golf, and be back at your private beach by sunset.
Beaches
Punta Mita's peninsula is surrounded by coastline, and each beach has a different character:
El Anclote — the public beach in the village of Punta de Mita (outside the resort gates). Calm, shallow water protected by a rock jetty — great for kids. Lined with beachfront restaurants serving fresh ceviche and grilled fish. This is where most surf lessons launch from.
Playa La Lancha — a jungle-backed beach accessible via a short trail from the highway or through the resort's El Surf beach club. Consistent, beginner-friendly surf break. Less crowded than El Anclote and more beautiful — white sand, clear water, palm canopy.
Playa Careyeros — a protected cove with calm, turquoise water. Accessible from the Punta Mita resort or by boat. One of the most photogenic beaches on the entire Nayarit coast.
Playa Destiladeras — a long, wide beach south of the peninsula. Open to the public, less developed, and popular with locals. Strong waves — more of a walk-and-watch beach than a swimming beach.
Top Things to Do
Marietas Islands boat tour. The Marietas are a protected national marine park off the coast, famous for the Hidden Beach — a secluded strip of sand inside a collapsed volcanic crater accessible only by swimming through a short water tunnel. Boat tours depart from El Anclote or the resort marina. The government limits daily visitors, so book in advance. Whale watching is included December through March.
Golf. The two Jack Nicklaus signature courses — Pacifico and Bahia — are among the best in Latin America. Pacifico's optional 19th hole, the "Tail of the Whale," is a 199-yard par-three where you tee off over the Pacific Ocean onto a natural island green. It's one of the most photographed holes in the world.
Surfing at La Lancha. Consistent, friendly waves on a beautiful beach. WildMex and other surf schools operate right at the beach with board rentals starting around $5/hour and group lessons at $50–90.
Beach clubs. Punta Mita has five beach clubs within the resort gates — Pacifico, El Surf, Kupuri, Bahia, and the St. Regis club. Each has its own personality, from the chill surf-shack vibe of El Surf to the sunset institution that is Pacifico. Some require a resort or membership affiliation; others are accessible to villa renters.
Whale watching (December–March). Humpback whales migrate to Banderas Bay every winter. Private boat tours from Punta Mita put you closer to the pods than most PV-based tours, with fewer boats in the water.
Explore the village. The town of Punta de Mita (outside the resort gates) has a public beach, a small marina, a growing restaurant scene, and boutique shops selling Huichol textiles and local art. It's a 5-minute drive from the resort entrance.
Who Is Punta Mita Best For?
Luxury travelers — Four Seasons, St. Regis, and private villa rentals set the tone.
Golfers — two world-class Nicklaus courses with ocean views.
Couples on special occasions — honeymoons, anniversaries, milestone birthdays.
Families — calm beach at El Anclote, kid-friendly beach clubs, resort pools.
Day-trippers from PV — 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta, a completely different pace.
Getting to Punta Mita
From PVR Airport: 45–50 minutes by car or hotel transfer.
From Puerto Vallarta / Zona Romántica: About 45 minutes by car.
From Sayulita: 20 minutes south along the coast.
From Verity Rentals' beachfront condo in Los Arcos: About 50 minutes — an easy day trip up the coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you visit Punta Mita without staying at the resort? Yes. The village of Punta de Mita and its public beach (El Anclote) are outside the resort gates and open to everyone. Some beach clubs within the resort offer day passes or are accessible to villa renters. Boat tours to the Marietas Islands depart from the public marina.
Is Punta Mita worth it as a day trip from Puerto Vallarta? Yes — especially if you want a golf round, a beach club lunch, or a Marietas Islands tour. The 45-minute drive is easy, and the energy is completely different from PV. Guests at Verity's beachfront condo in Puerto Vallarta make this trip regularly.
How does Punta Mita compare to Sayulita? Opposite ends of the spectrum. Sayulita is bohemian, colorful, and casual — a surf town with a backpacker-to-boutique range. Punta Mita is gated, manicured, and luxury-first. Both are worth experiencing; many travelers visit both on the same trip.
Explore more of the coast with our Puerto Vallarta neighborhood guide, the surf town of Sayulita, or browse all Verity Rentals properties.
Other Neighborhoods
