I like all the things about Mexico – the tradition, the meals, the individuals. We have visited Tulum, Cancun, Mayakoba, Holobox, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Puerto Aventuras over time. We won’t get sufficient of the nice and cozy hospitality, alluring seashores, and great delicacies the nation provides.
One of many perks of dwelling in San Diego is its proximity to the numerous coastal cities of Mexico. On this memorable journey, we took a two-and-a-half-hour flight from San Diego on Alaska Airways to Puerto Vallarta. We then picked up our automobile rental from Enterprise after which made the straightforward forty-five-minute drive south to Punta de Mita simply in time to observe the solar paint the sky as she retreated for the day.
Beneath is what I take into account an ideal five-night itinerary in Punta de Mita, verified by yours actually. We had a flawless steadiness of leisure and exploration and ate a number of the most delectable meals potential. Be happy to steal my journey plan to start creating your magical reminiscences. Additionally, earlier than I get began listed here are some necessary tricks to information you when touring to Punta de Mita:
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For those who plan on leaving your resort, which you completely ought to, hire a automobile. Driving right here is secure and having a automobile makes all the things simpler.
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All payments have a ten% service cost included, and no further tipping is critical.
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Lots of the eating places beneath are situated in high-security properties so carry ID always.
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Make dinner and tour reservations upfront, issues do e-book up right here.
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The sunsets in Punta de Minta are breathtaking, be certain that to catch them day by day.
The check-in course of on the Conrad Resort, the seashore city’s latest five-star resort, was fast and very welcoming. This luxurious resort boasts each amenity you may ever dream of whereas on trip: tennis courts, pickle ball courts, a health club, a spa, 4 eating places, an adult-only pool and in addition a number of household swimming pools (one with a water slide), day by day yoga on the sand, beachside service… this place is the proper escape.
The rooms are spacious and most notably have expansive balconies with eye-catching views. Extra touches like artisanal welcome chocolate, aromatherapy linen sprays, limitless on-demand bottled water, and handmade crafts laid thoughtfully at turn-down service, all make the room an ideal retreat on the finish of an already wonderful day.
As soon as settled in, we headed to dinner at Codex, the resort’s nice eating restaurant, on a complimentary chauffeured golf membership. This restaurant is extraordinarily well-rated and is acknowledged as one in every of Mexico‘s high two hundred-fifty greatest eating places. Upon coming into, we have been greeted by a employees member who requested our household to unite holding arms as he blessed us through what appeared like an indigenous custom. I discovered this to be a really considerate method to welcome visitors. Though we have been dissatisfied by the chef’s gastronomic makes an attempt, we have been in awe of the gorgeous setup. There are tables on the sand, some even tucked into bushes, all romantically lit by tiki torches. The kitchen hits it on the nail aesthetic-wise- the meals presentation is thoughtfully ready to ship a minimalistic magnificence that’s not possible to miss. Nevertheless, total we ate our solely disappointing meal whereas in Mexico at Codex. Maybe the kitchen was having an “off day”.
professionals: placing setting, polished service, well-made cocktails
cons: parts are small and very overpriced for what’s simply respectable meals
should order: we tasted six gadgets on the menu and the one one I might suggest is the soft-shelled crab
Watching the sunsets whereas vacationing in Punta de Mita needs to be a ritual in your trip planning, they may take your breath away.
Our first full day on the resort was devoted to planting ourselves on the property and stress-free as a lot as potential. I counsel you do the identical when you get right here.
Breakfast at Arbol is the proper method to begin the day. The indoor buffet has an limitless unfold of cheeses, yogurts, breads, pastries, waffle stations, and an array of scorching meals and even an extra outside buffet targeted on Mexican fare with a chilaquiles station, a manned quesadilla station, an eggs-your-way station, fruits galore, and native sweets. All of us left satiated.
After a full meal, we plopped on the grownup pool and stayed there all day. There wasn’t any cause to go away after we have been spoiled with the sound of ambient music enjoying, the crashing of close by waves, a scorching tub, a swim-up bar, and even a ceviche cart that pulled as much as our seats for an on-demand recent snack.
Though peeling ourselves away from the pool was no straightforward job, it was time for lunch at Mesquite. Consuming right here was effectively definitely worth the effort of coming into the vertical world once more. Each chunk was sensational- the components have been of the utmost high quality and the seasoning in every dish was merely excellent.
professionals: seaside eating with a implausible menu, dishes completely ready
should order: tuna tostada, chips and guacamole, lobster roll, and the wagyu marvel bowl (grilled and sliced wagyu, carrots, black bean cream, queso ranchero)
After a meal like this, a stroll alongside the coast was so as. Strolling with our ft within the water introduced thrilling adventures like recognizing a close-by estuary with a nesting crocodile and a neighborhood worker warning observers to remain away (yikes!). There have been additionally unmonitored jewellery stands and artifical huts, all amidst the picturesque backdrop of the mountains and sea. Not like most resort cities, this stretch of sand is usually untouched and undeveloped.
After a luxuriously lazy day, and a bit of late-afternoon nap, we acquired ourselves collectively for a powerful dinner at Carolina, the one AAA 5 Diamond Award eating expertise in Punta de Mita, situated in the St. Regis Resort Punta de Mita. The restaurant supplies a Mexican culinary journey through a four-course, six-course, and ten-course tasting menu; we opted for the six-course expertise, which proved to be one of the crucial unforgettable meals. Every plate arrived with meticulous consideration to element in its presentation, artworks delivered all through the meal. Nevertheless, it was the ensuing flavors created by the mixture of the freshest parts, distinctive Mexican seasonings, and the incorporation of components from each sea and land, together with a steadiness of each uncooked and masterfully grilled dishes, that make Carolina worthy of a spot on everybody’s bucket listing.
professionals: a six-course meal was well-paced and accomplished in simply two hours, the kitchen is versatile with a desk deciding on totally different tasting menus, persistently excellent dishes
should order: the six-course tasting menu brilliantly highlighted the chef’s vary of expertise: ceviche kampachi over fried seaweed, beef jerky filled with avocado mousse, plantain croquette with oaxacan cheese on high of a chili sauce and cheese emulsion, lobster tartar with yuzu and fermented conch, grilled lubina, dried age rib eye with date relish and caramelized onion, and a chilate impressed dessert with cacao, rice and uncooked sugar
After all, be certain that to tuck the solar to sleep…
At this time was spent with explorations and adventures. I extremely suggest taking a full day to discover the close by coastal cities of Sayulita and San Pancho, each are only a fast drive from Punta de Mita.
Start your day with an informal breakfast at Casa Paraiso Restaurante Bar in Sayulita. This open-aired roof-top restaurant is a part of a well-kept hostel. The meals is recent, cheap, and comes with fresh-squeezed orange juice and a espresso or espresso drink of your selection.
After breakfast, head to Rancho Mi Chaparrita for an unbelievable horseback driving tour via a lush jungle that results in a spectacular secluded seashore. No driving expertise is required, though reservations are so be certain that to e-book upfront. This tour is a spotlight of our journey. I will always remember the scene earlier than me when the jungle immediately opened up onto the ocean. This expertise is as near paradise that you will ever get.
Following our magical horseback trip alongside the coast we parked our automobile and walked the colourful streets of Sayulita. You will simply be aware why so many expats have made this metropolis their house. There are limitless eating places, bars, and outlets all lining closely trafficked slim roads. The vibe on this hidden gem is laid again though you may discover some high-end, luxurious retail outlets dispersed all through. The seashore was packed with individuals – curiously most of them have been locals. You possibly can simply spend three nights right here however strolling the streets for a day provides you with a style of this charming surf city.
All that strolling made us hungry for lunch, and Kahlo was a beautiful selection. It is no shock that this Mexican restaurant is so well-reviewed. Simply trying on the photos of our meal right here makes me crave one other go to The components are so recent, and the mixture of the high-quality elements of every dish results in ecstatic flavors.
professionals: there are designated servers who take simply your drink orders – cocktails are taken very critically and the kitchen makes one of many spiciest scorching sauces that I’ve ever tasted
should order: the tuna tostadas blended with sriracha sauce and peanuts are otherworldly
In any case that scrumptious meals, one other stroll was so as. This time, we drove to San Pancho (aka San Francisco) to take in the native tradition. San Pancho is a moderately small city but this tropical nugget of a metropolis is filled with shade and appeal. As of now, it stays neglected by many vacationers however I’ve little doubt it can quickly be a preferred vacation spot website.
All that solar and meals caught up with me and I indulged in a nap earlier than dinner (this can be a trip in spite of everything!). Earlier than leaving the resort property for our final meal of the day, we paid homage to the solar. The sunsets in Punta de Mita are breathtaking.
Dinner at Dos Catrinas at The 4 Seasons proved one other wonderful selection. The restaurant is an open-aired, trendy spot in an expansive, fashionable setting. The meals and drinks are spot on. The kitchen offers Mexican delicacies a bit of aptitude with distinctive touches like a do-it-yourself BBQ sauce on grilled corn.
professionals: situated on a beautiful property, a churros stand awaits in entrance of the restaurant for a candy post-dinner deal with, a bustling ambiance
should order: the signature beef talyuda dish, so good
We began our day with one other pleasant breakfast on the resort, altering the atmosphere a bit with a pleasant desk within the foyer. One of many issues I particularly love in regards to the Conrad Punta de Mita is all of the nooks you may disguise in.
The grownup pool was crowded in the present day so we splurged on a cabana which spoiled us with essentially the most secluded, decadent day in privateness with nobody round to evaluate our power horizontal positioning. Along with your cabana rental, you may get a complimentary mild, wholesome snack, and a cooler filled with water, juices, and sodas. However what makes the cabanas at The Conrad particularly worthy is their well-shaded seclusion. I might have spent the night time right here.
As my readers know, I like to eat, and meals is the one factor that can get me off my poolside lounge chair. We love the meals at Mezquite and opted for an additional lunch right here having fun with the ocean view with our ft within the sand. The spotlight of in the present day’s meal was the San Pancho sandwich with grilled fish, guajillo chile-lime mayo, and coleslaw.
After lunch, we strolled again to the pool. Consuming, stress-free, consuming, stress-free… my means of shamelessly perfecting laziness. Oh how a lot I wanted this getaway.
My day by day late afternoon naps have been most likely essentially the most permissive reward to myself in a protracted whereas together with watching the solar shut out the day each night. These have been obligatory treats I gave myself, including to my final trip tempo.
The meals in Punta de Mita is kind of excellent, and each time we thought we discovered our favourite restaurant, the subsequent was even higher. Hector’s Kitchen is ready in one of the crucial enticing settings you may come throughout. Seating is beneath a romantically dimmed palapa that includes wooden and water parts all through the decor. The temper created right here is elegant and tropical and the meals is implausible.
professionals: should you’ve had sufficient Mexican delicacies, the culinary group creatively prepares dishes from many areas
cons: arduous to search out, it’s really behind the Kupuri Seashore Membership; additionally the property is closely secured so give your self an additional couple of minutes to get via safety
should order: the roasted beet salad was so beautiful that we ordered a second serving to (hummus, blended greens, quinoa, caramelized sunflower seeds, grain mustard French dressing, edamame, and feta cheese); the truffled candy potato tortellini over a broccoli puree with madeira discount and caramelized pecans; braised shortribs with mushroom risotto and port sauce
Though I totally loved my day by day dose of chilaquiles every morning, on day 5 I made a decision to stay to recent juice, yogurt, cheese, and a custom-made omelet on the omelet station to start out my time without work proper and lightweight. All this consuming has lastly caught up with me!
After breakfast, we met our guides at Riviera Mita Excursions for a personal boat tour of The Marieta Islands, a gaggle of uninhabited islands with a lot surrounding wildlife they’re referred to as “the Galapagos of Mexico”. We noticed wild dolphins, blue-footed booby birds, brown-footed booby birds, and tons of brightly coloured fish whereas snorkeling. Highlights of the tour have been a go to to a shocking anonymous island encircled by aqua waters adopted by a swim to the well-known Hidden Seashore. This seashore is well-protected with coastal guards on website making certain that no a couple of hundred sixteen guests can attend every day. Accessing Hidden Seashore requires you to swim roughly 2 hundred ft into the hidden gem. Think about a seashore in the midst of a cave with an enormous opening evident on the solar and sky – this can be a excellent instance of nature’s unequalled artworks. Observe that the islands are solely accessible Wednesdays – Sundays so plan accordingly.
After a three-hour spectacular tour, you may certainly get hungry so head over just some ft away out of your tour assembly website to La Pescadora for a stunning lunch with gorgeous views. Our waiter served us with contagious enthusiasm, expressing pleasure in pouring a beneficiant portion of tequila into my margarita in entrance of me. We loved our complete expertise right here very a lot.
professionals: ocean views, implausible service, recent meals, and the perfect chips we have had in Mexico
should order: the guacamole which is made table-side, the chips and salsa, and the hamburger which was rated superior to american-made ones by my boys!
I used to be trying ahead to exploring the city of Punta de Mita after lunch. Nevertheless, we discovered the small, important strip on Avenida el Anclote unimpressive. I do not even have any photos to share with you – that is how uninspired I used to be by this neighborhood. After your journey to the Marieta Islands and lunch at La Pescadora I counsel returning to your resort to get pleasure from the remainder of your day.
Alas, I loved one final nap understanding it might be my final one till our subsequent trip. I gave myself an additional thirty minutes of snooze time as a result of I might.
Dinner at Venazu within the W Resort was a fantastic option to wrap up our journey over a brilliant tasty meal. Of all of the properties we checked out, this one caught our eye essentially the most. The property’s dramatic, fashionable aesthetics and compelling decor made us fantasize a couple of return go to quickly. The night time we dined at Venazu a buffet dinner was provided. I usually don’t get pleasure from buffets, particularly for dinner, however this one is noteworthy. Every little thing is made on the spot- fish grilled proper earlier than your eyes- and the assortment of Mexican meals was grande.
professionals: spectacular setting, well-curated buffet with no strains
cons: there are two “venazus” within the space, our gps took us to the mistaken one so be certain that to enter “w resort” in your navigation to get to the correct location; resort provides a ten% surcharge along with the service cost, to “cowl again of the home”- that is greater than the states cost!
should order: all the things was implausible however do not miss the brioche bread topped with frijoles, a bizarrely unbelievable mixture; the do-it-yourself horchata
A five-night streak of watching the sundown does wonders for the soul…
I skipped breakfast in the present day to maximise our final day on trip. I opted for a yoga class on the seashore as an alternative, adopted by a poolside studying of my pal’s inspirational e-book, loaded with helpful recommendations on the way to make extra time in your day to give attention to the issues and other people you actually need to think about and the way to remove the duties that bathroom you down. Then I labored on this weblog publish as I basked within the solar. I am pleased with myself for savoring every second earlier than heading house.
And… one final meal in Mexico to shut out an epic getaway. This time we tried Paleta, Conrad’s poolside eating choice. We loved nibbling on nachos and I savored every chunk of my Senor Poke Bowl loaded with rice, cucumbers, tuna, oranges, and a aspect of sesame oil to high it off.
Reserving lodges via an AMEX platinum card all the time comes with perks – like a 4:00 pm try permitting you to take full benefit of your final day on the resort.
All good issues should come to an finish, and sadly it was time to say goodbye. Mexico, as soon as once more, you handled us very effectively. What a visit! Adios for now, however we’ll be again actual quickly!