Recharging in Punta Mita, Nayarit Mexico; A Serene Escape from Winter

The Low-Pitched Notes of Punta Mita

The low-pitched basso notes echoed across the infinity pool, startling the somnolent guests from their torpor and into half-hearted action. Dressed in colorful guayabera shirts and sombreros, four gentlemen stood atop the second-floor balcony, enthusiastically blowing into their conch shells. The rich, strong sound noting the end of the warm, sun-kissed hours, their trumpeting announced the beginnings of another striking sunset as it began its slow descent into the blue Pacific.

We headed to the beach to watch the sinking sun. Each one of the sunsets at Punta Mita had begun thus far and each and every one had been a visual delight.

We had escaped the chilly confines of the Midwest for the far more appealing and sunny Mexican state of Nayarit where Punta Mita is located.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Snuggled within a 1,500-acre peninsula situated in the Riviera Nayarit area, just 26 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita is the type of idyllic tropical escape that fires everyone’s imagination. The Four Seasons Resort, our home-away-from-home for six nights, embraces those imaginations by creating a tranquil reality. Encompassing nearly 50 acres of the peninsula, the resort’s 177 spacious guest rooms and suites open up to private terraces or balconies with views of the gleaming white beaches and the Pacific Ocean or the surrounding luxuriant gardens.

Punta Mita is nestled between the majestic Sierra Madre mountain range and nine miles of white sand beach facing the turquoise waters of the Pacific. It’s a 45-minute to an hour drive from the teeming bustle of the Puerto Vallarta airport, but the luxurious, gated compound might as well be a world away.

As we entered the vast marbled lobby on our arrival, the warm salty breeze rushed through the open-air archways, caressing our faces, forcing our gaze toward swaying palms and the glittering sea beyond the terrace. Tearing our eyes from the inviting beaches, a refreshing citrusy cocktail spiked with tequila was placed in our hands as smiling faces greeted us with “Bienvenido”. Quite a reception for travel-weary visitors.

After checking in, an enthusiastic bellman escorted us to an awaiting golf cart and whisked us to our room past fragrant gardens and immaculately groomed grounds. Upon opening the door to our suite, we gazed around the rooms in awe.

The incredible marble-floored, Mahogany-trimmed two-room suite was more spacious than our first apartment. It included a sitting area equipped with a wet bar, an espresso maker, and garnished with fresh fruit restocked every day. A king-size bedroom, walk-in closet, two baths, and a covered patio equipped with a hammock and plunge pool surrounded by gardens completed the regal digs.

As tempting as it was to never leave the room, there was a wondrous escape to explore.

Read More: What You Can See and Do on an All-Inclusive Vacation in Puerto Vallarta

The Inviting Beaches of Punta Mita

The resort is home to two extensive white-sand beaches. On more than one occasion, we shared the nearly empty, broad Las Cuevas beach with just a handful of sun-loving souls. As we lounged, reading our books, soaking up the much-needed sun and relishing the expansive Pacific Ocean, our thoughts were occasionally interrupted by a smiling host offering complimentary cool offerings such as frozen pineapple on a stick or ginger-cinnamon flavored iced tea.

The azure waters of the Pacific were inviting; however, I soon discovered that they are to be entered with a hint of trepidation. Just off the sloping sands of the beach, there was a fairly significant drop-off. As I struggled into swim mode, the rolling waves worked against me, providing a cardio workout that I had not planned for. After a few more strained strokes, I decided that the waters were best viewed from our palm-leaf thatched palapa with a cool cerveza in hand.

If pools are more your style, and that seemed to be the case for most, there were three available. The family-oriented Lazy River, a circular, meandering pool perfect for slow tubing. The Tamai Pool provided a quiet, luxurious refuge for adults. The most popular seemed to be the large Nuna infinity pool which hovers over the ocean and appeared to be “the” communal gathering point for many.

Travel Guide to Mexico

Enjoying the Bounty of the Pacific

Our lunches were casual affairs spent at the Bahia, a beachfront grill and bar with an open, airy design located on Las Cuevas beach. The menu takes advantage of the easy access to local fishermen and their daily catch. Each day, we watched as a sun-faded panga beached itself on our sandy shores. The chef would leave his kitchen and begin his verbal dance with the anglers as he looked over the catch of Red Snapper, Amberjack, and Mahi Mahi.

Later, as we munched on the catch-of-the-day prepared on the open-air grill, Aldeberto, our host & bartender, would wax poetic on the pleasures of the fresh catch, tequila, ocean breezes, and the good life.

Embracing the History and Culture of the Region

Those afternoons that we wanted to be awakened from beach-induced somnolence, the Four Seasons cultural concierge, Enrique Alejos, a wondrously enlightened man, provided several diverse and entertaining sessions on local specialties.

In one gathering he dove into all things tequila — brands, categories and what “good” tequila is. He explained the process of manufacturing tequila and the only places that are allowed to produce it. We also learned the surprising way he stores his tequila (hint, next to the ice cubes). He also shared the story behind the worm inside the mezcal bottle. It seems that the worm was nothing more than a marketing ploy.

If something with a little less kick and much sweeter is more to your liking, we also enjoyed his history of xocolatl (chocolate), and how the indigenous people first discovered the cacao and served it. The original concoction was far more bitter than we Americans are used to and with a hint of chili pepper added.

His most celebrated class is one in which he explains the importance of sea turtles to the world’s ecosystems and of the thousands of Olive Ridley sea turtles that nest in Banderas Bay. Afterwards we partook in the release of hatchlings into the ocean. This is an amazingly heartwarming experience and we highly recommend it.

In an effort to prevent slipping into a completely lethargic, decadent lifestyle, we even made use of their expansive gym and spa area which provides a wide array of fitness and wellness options.

Nayarit Tours & Excursions

Discovering Culinary Delights

For dinner, the newly opened Dos Catrinas was a wonderful discovery. The incredible two-story building features spectacular ocean views and an inventive spin on Mexican street food. The main restaurant is located on the first level. However, the second level housed MEZ, a bar that celebrates more than 70 versions of mezcal and agave spirits from all around Mexico. The lounge also offers serene views of the Pacific, where watching another gorgeous sunset with a Margarita in hand provided a great sensory appetizer.

Dinner was a marvelous experience in which we discovered wonderful new delights such as Tlayuda. A pizza-like dish consisting of a large grill-charred tortilla covered with a variety of different ingredients such as a spread of refried beans, lettuce, avocado, meat (we chose shrimp), local cheeses, and salsa. A tequila sunrise in a tall, iced glass was a perfect pairing.

For dessert, we were served with a delightfully decadent treat of chocolate-raspberry lollipops presented in a ceramic, hand-painted Día de Muertos lizard. Our server explained the history of Día de Muertos and how it is not a day of sadness but a celebration of friends and family members who have died, and helping support their spiritual journey.

For a more pan-Asian flare, there is Aramara, meaning “sacred place by the ocean”, which combines contemporary Asian cooking techniques with seafood fresh from the Pacific.

Explore our articles on culinary travel

The Beauty of Mexico’s Pacific Coast

As luxurious as the resort is, it also embraces the natural surroundings. The resort blends into the breathtaking peninsula encircled by its white sandy beaches and the aqua blue waters of the Pacific. Palm trees and luxurious gardens create an escape for both guests and the local inhabitants.

One early morning, I lounged in the plunge pool with a cup of espresso as the sunrise was introduced to us by the loud raucous calls of the native chachalaca, a grayish-brown bird that flew from palm tree to palm tree announcing its presence.

Strolling the grounds, it was not uncommon to see an iguana or three, placidly munching away on the poisonous fruit of the Manzanilla tree without any untoward effects. And the beaches famously provide a nursery for hundreds of sea turtles who lay their eggs deep into the warm, white sands. We, and a dozen others, were lucky enough to witness a hatching, with a couple of dozen newborns scrambling across the beach to the ocean’s waves.

The Charming Village of Sayulita

Seeking a little exploration, the concierge arranged for a shuttle van so that we could visit Sayulita, a funky surf town about a half-hour’s ride from our hotel. We found offbeat galleries featuring Mexican crafts tended by smiling, friendly locals, many with their pet dogs lazing at their sides.

The colorful, narrow cobblestoned alleyways are lined with shops selling anything from clothing, designer pieces, hand-crafted artistry, and a wide assortment of tequila in a spectacular variety of brightly colored containers that were art in themselves.

Amongst the tequila shops and cantinas, we wandered through the open doors of a chapel that beckoned for any and all who might need a respite. Its marble and masonry interior provides a cool respite for body and soul.

On our final evening, we walked the nearly deserted beach, leaving footprint impressions upon the vast reaches of unspoiled, white sand as we watched our final Pacific sunset of the trip. The sun’s warmth had stirred our hibernating bodies and the colorful sunset had reawakened our slumbering minds.

It was an ideal way to finish our escape from winter.

If You Go

Punta Mita, Mexico and the Nayarit Riviera area is reached via the Puerto Vallarta International Airport

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