Punta Mita - beachfront village in Nayarit, Mexico

Punta Mita is a beachfront village on the north end of Banderas Bay in the state of Nayarit, about 40 km northwest of Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco. The beach around the Four Seasons and St. Regis resorts is private. Around the village Corral del Risco the beaches are public.

Understand

Punta Mita is surrounded on three sides by of Pacific Ocean beaches and coves including Litibu Bay.

The village is kept comfortable year round by gentle sea breezes, with average summer temperatures around 85 °F (29 °C), and 75 °F (24 °C) during winter months.

It has two marked seasons: a dry season from November through May, and a wet season from June through October, during this season hurricanes may threaten the village. UV radiation levels are high all year round, ranging from 7 in January and December, to 11+ between April and September. From mid-May to mid-November the heat and humidity can be uncomfortable in Punta Mita. The most comfortable weather in Punta Mita generally occurs from late December to the end of March.

Time zone

Perhaps uniquely in the world, Punta Mita has various businesses operating on two different time zones, due to its proximity to the state line (where you cross the river before Nuevo Vallarta) between two of Mexico's time zones: Zona Centro towards East, and Zona Pacífico towards West:

• Jalisco Time = Puerto Vallarta time = Central Time
• Nayarit time = Mountain Time

Most touristy places between Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita operate on Central Time. In Punta Mita, the restaurants on El Anclote beach are on Central time. However, non-touristy businesses (small stores) are on Mountain time. If in doubt, ask if it's "Tiempo de Jalisco" or "Tiempo de Nayarit?".

Get in

A fairly simple way of getting to Punta Mita is to fly in to nearby Puerto Vallarta and rent a car. The drive to Punta Mita takes about an hour. If staying at one of the condos, food can be purchased at some of the large supermarkets along the highway.

There are frequent direct buses from the airport to Punta Mita for M$36 (Nov 2021). Just go to the highway and cross the pedestrian bridge.

Get around

See

Do

The Islas Marietas National Park is a 15-minute boat ride from Punta Mita.

Buy

Eat

At the main bus stop in the village Corral del Risco at the Oxxo is tasty street food, 20.7742139°, -105.5207617°. Offered are food variations with corn. It's open daily from 17-21:00. There is another food stall serving tacos, quesadillas and more.

Drink

Sleep

• Punto Mita Suites & Hostel, 20.7739396°, -105.5141813°. Modern and economically friendly. As of Nov 2021 it's not on booking.com or Hostelworld. You can book it on their website or Airbnb. Dorms are for M$300 (Nov 2021)
• Punta Mita Villas. A lovely 3-bedroom villa.
• Hotel La Quinta Del Sol, Calle Hidalgo 162, +52-329-291-5315. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 13:00. This boutique beach hotel with ocean views of Banderas Bay has seven studio-style rooms with kitchens and patio balconies.
• The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, Lote H-4, Carretera Federal 200, km 19.5, 20.7679501°, -105.5400179°, +52-329-291-5800. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. 2019-11-24
• Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico.

Connect

Go next

Hostels and private rooms are available in:

• Bucerias – 25 km in the east. A small coastal village with a long uninterrupted white sand beach
• Sayulita – 17 km in the north-east. You can do hiking into the jungle. The water at the beach is shallow.
• San Francisco (Mexico) – 25 km in the north-east. At a beach, surrounded by a jungle and notable for its floral diversity.
• Tepic – 150 km in the north-east. It's the capital of Nayarit
• Guadalajara – 310 km in the east. You can take an intercity bus, go by carpooling or take a non-stop flight. From there further to San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende or Querétaro
• Mazatlán – It is recommended to take a flight into and out of the city.