Few places in the world do world-class service and aesthetic bliss as they do in Punta Mita. Nestled within a 1,500-acre private peninsula situated in the Riviera Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita is the type of place where heavenly dreams of idyllic tropical getaways turn to reality. The gated, ultra-luxurious locale is home to multimillion-dollar villas, 15 residential communities with a variety of real estate ownership options, two Jack Nicklaus Signature golf courses, a tennis center with ten courts, and two top shelf luxury hotel brands: St. Regis Punta Mita Resort and Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.
Even during peak seasons, the area is so tranquil and intimate that one can hear the soft melodies of indigenous birds blend with the relaxing echoes of crashing ocean waves. It’s stunning views and private estates have enticed celebrities, tastemakers, and high-profile tech executives alike, including the Kardashian clan, luxe lifestyle-guru Gwyneth Paltrow, and Microsoft billionaire Bill Gates who, in 2014, invested in 48 acres of beachfront property along with the Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita. The sanctuary-inspired community is a natural destination to unplug and rejuvenate. Over the years, it’s won multiple accolades to boot. This year, both Four Seasons Resort and St. Regis Resort are nominated for Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2018.
With its combination of accessibility, privacy, and uncompromised splendor, it’s easy to see why the peninsula is quickly becoming a utopia for lavish luxury. Real estate sales are booming, and Its recent influx of high-end clients is an endorsement of the region’s growing potential. Below, six reasons why it’s time to jump on the Punta Mita bandwagon.
Unrivaled Geography
With its close proximity to ten major airports in the U.S. and Mexico – Punta Mita is the ideal destination for a quick getaway. About 25 miles north of the Puerto Vallarta International Airport, it only takes a reasonable 45-minute drive through long picturesque stretches to reach the resort town’s main entrance. For the ultimate convenience, those with their own jet or chartered planes can take advantage of the community’s private terminal.
Surrounded on three sides by dazzling aquamarine waters, Punta Mita has long been distinguished by the beauty of its pristine beaches and unpolluted waters. The community’s north facing coastline rests along the Litibu Bay. The Kupuri and Iyari estates rest along this serene and secluded area and offer spectacular developments, a private beach club, and striking ocean views. On the west facing coastline is an enclave of private villas and resorts that hug the Pacific Coast. Here, the swimmable beaches offer a bevy of aquatic adventures to choose from: surfing, scuba diving, windsurfing, paddle-boarding, among a host of others. On the eastern side of the peninsula, some of the peninsula’s most remarkable residences flaunt unencumbered views of the Banderas Bay.
Punta Mita’s breezy, balmy climate is a year-round draw. Because it shares the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, gentle sea breezes keep the temperature comfortable during the dry, warm winters and through the hot, semi-humid summers. Hurricanes are rare in this stretch of Pacific Coast, and even during the wet season (June – September), rain typically occurs in the evening and clears up by morning. With an average of 345 days of sunshine per year, Punta Mita boasts one of the most pleasant climates in the world.
A Master-Planned Getaway by DINE
Developed by DINE, one of Mexico’s premier real estate and resort developers, Punta Mita was designed as a complete getaway and has evolved into a perennial pick to relax and unwind for the world’s most affluent individuals. What makes the master planned community stand out is its unique geographical location. Once a quiet fishing village and surf retreat, water surrounds the town on three sides, which naturally creates a sense of peace and privacy. To further enhance the feeling of exclusivity, DINE integrated various security measures to ensure the privacy and safety of its prestigious residents.
The area’s lush tropical flora and soft, white sand beaches also makes for the perfect backdrop of natural beauty that’s inspired some of the region’s most talented architects and designers to create elegant environments using natural materials that complement the land. There’s the rustic chic Casa Koko oceanfront villa designed by Juan Collignon and Manolo Mestre, the elegant Casa de Olas villa and gorgeous Four Seasons Resort conceived by Diego Villasenor, and the sophisticated Porta Fortuna Ocean Residences envisioned by architect Genaro Nieto Ituarte and interior designer Uribe Krayer. Each standout design pays homage to the peninsula’s breathtaking landscape and uniquely epitomizes barefoot luxury.
New Club Amenities
From private seaside dining and stylish gathering places to scenic cycling paths and numerous ocean sports, Club Punta Mita abounds in amenities that focus on building meaningful connections and enhancing quality of life. Club Punta Mita offers two membership categories: resident and premier. While resident members are welcome at the famed Pacifico golf course, ranked by Gold Digest as one of the top 100 Greatest Golf Courses, tennis center, and residents’ beach club, premier members have exclusive access to the best clubs and community facilities Punta Mita has to offer.
At the Kupuri Beach Club, premier members along with their guests can socialize and bask in the Kitibu Bay scenery. The Kupuri Beach Club pays tribute to the Huichol belief of “kupuri,” the idea that nature and the inner spirit are forever intertwined as a life-force. The club offers a dedicated concierge to guide members through state-of-the-art spa services and recreational activities at Punta Mita Ocean Sports Program. Just last month, the club hosted the first Punta Mita Carnaval, a new yearly tradition that celebrates the colors, culture, and history of Mexico with a golf cart parade, a masquerade ball, and a family-friendly beach bash.
The new Sufi Ocean Club located in the Porta Fortuna residences is also exceptional. Overlooking the Punta Mita Pier and the Banderas Bay, the club features a magnificent saltwater pool, a stately reception hall, wooden poolside cabanas, and seaside dining at the Sufito Cevicheria Bar.
Luxury at its Finest
There’s no shortage of luxury brands in this secluded paradise. Among Punta Mita’s numerous five-star offerings, the St. Regis Resort is a paragon of contemporary luxury and extraordinary hospitality. Since its grand opening in 2008, the 120-room property has become a stunning and friendly oasis that captures the best of the local culture while delivering unsurpassed service. The casita-style rooms are designed in a mélange of Mediterranean and Mexican motifs and feature private terraces, expansive marble bathrooms, soaker tubs, and spacious balconies. In true bespoke service, each suite is assigned a personal butler – a signature St. Regis offering – who is virtually available 24/7.
One of the hallmarks of the St. Regis experience is the ceremonial champagne sabering. To celebrate the transition from day into night, guests gather together every Friday at sunset to delight in a century-old ritual. Another highlight is the hotel’s Remède Spa, which was recently deemed the ‘Best Luxury Wellness Spa’ in North America by the World Luxury Spa Awards. The spa specializes in floatation therapy as well as a slew of customized treatments using ingredients native to the area like the Puebla Hot Stone massage and the Ocean Pearl Body Experience which uses crushed pearls to exfoliate skin. Take advantage of the spa’s rejuvenating water circuit for the ultimate euphoric experience.
Perhaps the most popular attraction is the Punta Mita’s acclaimed golf courses. Designed by legendary Jack Nicklaus, the two Signature championship par-72 courses are a golf lover’s paradise. The Bahia course offers five par-threes, eight par-fours, and five par-fives with fairways meandering through the St. Regis Resort, El Encanto, Porta Fortuna, and La Punta Estates. The famed Pacifico course features eight ocean view holes and the notorious “Tail of the Whale,” the world’s only natural island golf green. This optional par-three, 194-yard hole requires golfers to play their first shot from an onshore tee box to an island green located on a natural rock formation. At low tide, players can walk across a submerged stone path to the atoll. During migration season, the course offers decent vantage points for whale watching. It is widely considered one of the world’s best golf course and is open exclusively to Club Punta Mita members and resort guests.
Local Culture
Native Huichol Indians believed Punta Mita to be a retreat for spiritual renewal. The name itself originates from the Aztec word “mictlan,” which translates to “gateway to paradise.” Situated high in the Sierra Madre Mountains just west of Punta Mita, the Huichol Indians are a centuries-old tribe and the last remaining links to pre-Columbian times. Local culture is a prized asset at Punta Mita, and even though roughly 20,000 Huichol people remain in the region today, their artwork, history, and philosophy are celebrated throughout the community.
Both the St. Regis and Four Seasons resorts host rotating art exhibits by contemporary and traditional Mexican and Latin American artists throughout the year. The María Bonita in downtown Punta Mita carries an eclectic selection of Mexican folk art, handcrafted decorations, beaded jewelry, and colorful textiles. For the days spent outside the gates of Punta Mita, explore the numerous art galleries and artisan shops strewn across Puerto Vallarta’s El Centro neighborhood and Sayulita. The Galeria Tanana in Sayulita is one of the most lauded marketplaces specializing in Huichol crafts, and every piece in the gallery is certified authentic and fair-trade.
A True Sense of Community
When travel is at its best, real life-long connections are made. While artful leisure and indulgent pampering are cornerstones of the Punta Mita experience, Club Punta Mita strives to foster an active community setting that brings members and visitors together in fun and natural environments. Whether it’s a pop-up Latino concert, a fishing tournament, taco Tuesday, there are always ample opportunities for excitement and camaraderie between friends, family, and guests. Sundays during winter season, members can congregate for Nine Whine & Dine and enjoy a nine-hole, four-ball scramble on either of the Jack Nicklaus courses followed by a community dinner. On Saturday evenings, head to the Kupuri Beach Club for Churrasco Night to let loose with live music, traditional Argentine asado, and bottomless margaritas.
A favorite in Punta Mita, the annual American Express Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic is a prestigious, high caliber celebration built around the best of local cuisine, tequila and mezcal, and golf. This year, from November 29 to December 2, the industry’s most prominent chefs, mixologists, and sommeliers will come together for a weekend of culinary excellence. At the same time, the event will highlight Punta Mita’s duo of world class Jack Nicklaus golf courses with legendary athletes including Lorena Ochoa, Craig Stadler, and Jorge Campos. Whether you’re a foodie, a golf enthusiast, or a visitor looking to socialize, the weekend long event is the perfect setting to socialize and connect.
