Punta Mita is a beautiful resort town in Nayarit, Mexico about 1 hour from Puerto Vallarta. This town is known for its beautiful beaches, great surfing and stunning 5 star resorts – don’t worry, there’s budget hotels too. Punta Mita is a small town, but it packs a big punch. There is a lot to do, and it makes the perfect place for a weekend getaway. Ready to discover all of the best things in Punta Mita? Keep reading for 10 fun and unique things to do in Punta Mita, Mexico!
Although PM has become famous for its resorts, this little town retains much of its local charm. All of the activities in this post can be done outside of a resort or hotel. Let’s get right into the best of Punta Mita, and all the fun things to do!
Things to know when visiting Punta Mita
- Unless you’re in a major resort, your hotel or AirBnb will likely be in the town of Corral del Risco, the downtown area.
- The downtown area is walkable, but many people rent golf carts.
- Corral del Risco is an extremely small town. There are a couple main streets, but it is not a city.
- During the off season the town is very quiet and many restaurants are closed.
- Credit cards are readily accepted at most restaurants/shops – but bring cash for street vendors and activities.
Punta Mita Travel Reels
Check out my Instagram reels from PM and be sure to follow along, @twosistersabroad!
Things to do in Punta Mita
1: Go Surfing at Punta Mita Beach
If you’re visiting Nayarit then you’ve most likely heard that the area boasts amazing surfing. The surfing in the area is suitable for beginners or advanced surfers.
While on a map it looks like you enter the beach on Avenida El Anclote, one of the main streets, it’s actually best to enter right in front of the Quinta del Sol Hotel. You’ll see stairs that lead down to the public beach.
You can either bring your own surfboard or take a lesson. Some of the surf schools in town include Mita Adventures, Tranquilo Surf and Stinky’s Surf.
You can also book private or group surf lessons on Viator or AirBnb:
2: Check out Playa La Lancha
This beach is, or perhaps was, a hidden gem. It is known for its surfing and for being more secluded than the main beach in PM.
The only drawback is that this beach is not in the downtown area and, therefore, requires a car to reach. The entrance is right off the road and then just a quick walk to the beach. If you have a car, make sure to make a stop here!
3: Relax on the Beach
Okay, so maybe this one is obvious, but the beaches in Punta Mita are a great place to tan, relax, swim and read.
You can bring your own umbrella and chairs, or, if you’re visiting the main beach in town you can rent these items already set up. If you’re accessing the beach by Quinta del Sol Hotel, you should find a bunch of chairs and umbrellas for rent. You can rent a table and some chairs for the whole day for around $15 – which is a good deal in a town that is known for being pricey.
4: Shop Around at the Boutiques
On Avenida el Anclote and Avenida las Redes you’ll find a variety of cute boutiques selling souvenirs, beach clothing and little trinkets. These stores are adorable, but they are definitely on the expensive side.
They’re fun to browse, but be aware that you’ll likely be paying New York City prices.
5: Check out the Cafes + Restaurants
There are tons of great restaurants in Punta Mita! You’ll find everything from delicious local cuisine at small food stands, to fancy restaurants in resorts. There is a wide variety of choices and definitely something for everyone!
A few of my favorite restaurants include:
- El Cafecito de Mita
- Great for breakfast and coffee. They have delicious smoothies.
- Boca Deli
- A great spot to grab breakfast, coffee or lunch.
- La Cabaña
- Low-key spot on Avenida el Anclote. Beach views and great food.
- El Sueño de Mita
- Colorful restaurant off of the main streets.
- Casa del Pintor
- A pretty restaurant featuring colorful tile work with a large menu and delicious food.
- Tacos & Papas
- A low-key, casual spot for good, inexpensive food.
Note: if you visit during the low season, it is very likely that some restaurants will be closed/taking vacation.
6: Hike Cerro del Mono
Cerro del Mono (Monkey Mountain) is a well known hike that offers amazing views. This hike is around 4 miles total and is considered moderately difficult.
While it is possible to go on this hike alone, it’s recommended to get a guide. This is because the trail is not always clearly marked. Guided hikes are usually around 4 hours.
While there are currently no guided hikes listed on Viator, AirBnb Experiences or Get Your Guide, ask at your hotel or AirBnb and they will almost certainly have a guide available, or provide you with the contact information for one.
When I stayed at ONDA Surf Hotel, they sent me a WhatsApp message before I checked with information about the Monkey Mountain hike. The price was $25 per person, which seemed reasonable.
Note: Cerro del Mono is near PM but not directly in the town itself. Therefore, you’ll need to drive/arrange for transportation to Higuera Blanca (10 minutes) to start the hike.
7: Go Snorkeling at Las Islas Marietas
Las Islas Marietas (The Marieta Islands) are small, uninhabited islands off the coast of Punta Mita. The islands are a national park, and the number of tourists allowed to visit per day is limited in order to protect the islands’ plant and wildlife.
Las Islas Marietas are especially well known as a snorkeling destination, as well as for having beautiful beaches!
To book a tour to Las Islas Marietas, simply walk along Avenida el Anclote and you’ll see a variety of tourism centers offering tours. If you prefer to book in advance on Viator/Trip Advisor, check out the below options, keeping in mind that most of these tours start in the town of Sayulita, about 30 minutes away by car.
Tours to Las Islas Marietas (most start in Sayulita):
- Private Marietas Islands Tour (from Punta Mita)
- Snorkel at the Marietas Island
- Marietas Islands Excursion for Certified Divers
8: Take a Day Trip to Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita or San Pancho
While Punta Mita certainly makes for the perfect vacation destination, there are also other beautiful nearby cities that are worth exploring.
Three of the most popular include Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita and San Pancho. Each is easily accessible with a rental car or Uber.
Puerto Vallarta: 1-1.5 hours by car
Sayulita: 30 minutes by car
San Pancho: 35 minutes by car
9: Take a Tour with a Local
While Punta Mita is a small town, there is certainly a wide selection of things to do. You can take a variety of tours, ranging from surfing, to finishing, to biking!
Tours:
10: Go Whale Watching (Seasonal)
Did you know that during whale season in Punta Mita you can see whales from shore?! It’s true, they come close to shore and you can sometimes even see them without getting on a boat.
Whale season occurs from November-March, with peak season being January and February.
Although you can often see whales from shore, a whale watching tour allows you to see them up close and really appreciate their beauty (and size!)
Whale watching tours:
Where to Stay in Punta Mita?
Punta Mita is known for its gorgeous 5 star resorts with beautiful beaches. If you’re looking for a luxury stay, then you will find a wide selection of incredible resorts.
Resorts in Punta Mita
That being said, although Punta Mita is known for its luxurious resort properties, it’s also home to mid-range and budget hotels, making it the perfect spot for travelers on any budget. These less-expensive properties are not usually beach front, but nothing is very far from the beach!
Hotels in Punta Mita
- ONDA Surf Hotel ($)
- Check out my hotel tour on Instagram!
- Hotel el Coral ($)
- Hotel La Quinta del Sol – Private Beach Area ($$)
- Hotel Basalto ($$$)
FAQ: Punta Mita Travel
What airport do you fly into for Punta Mita?
- To get to Punta Mita, fly into Puerto Vallarta and take an Uber or rent a car. It’s a 20 mile drive and will take about an hour.
How much is a taxi to Punta Mita?
- In the Puerto Vallarta area, Ubers are almost always cheaper than taxis. From downtown PV or the airport, an Uber to Punta Mita is around $20-$25USD. The drive is about 1.5 hours.
Can you surf in Punta Mita?
- Yes! Punta Mita offers some of the best surfing in the Puerto Vallarta area.
What is better Puerto Vallarta or Punta Mita?
They are completely different. Puerto Vallarta is a city and Punta Mita is a very small town. Puerto Vallarta is great for having lots of things to do and great nightlife. Punta Mita, on the other hand, is a very low key small town. It’s fantastic for relaxing on the beach and surfing.
Is the beach swimmable in Punta Mita?
Absolutely!
Punta Mita makes a great place to escape to for a long weekend (or even a week!). With the beautiful beaches, great outdoor activities and tasty food, you’re sure to enjoy your trip to this small beach town.
Be sure to also check out my packing guide for Mexico! It comes with free printable packing lists.
Lastly, I appreciate you sharing this post on social media!
Pin Me!
♡Kate
Note: This post includes affiliate links. Read our disclosure here.
Looks like the perfect spot for a weekend getaway- so beautiful!
Wow, that’s a amazing that you can see whales from the shore in Punta Mita!
This looks like my type of place – the beach, cafes and boutique shops! Yep, my kinda place.
I live on the West Coast so I would love to visit Punta Mita and Puerto Vallarta one day! The airfare is SO expensive right now though!
This sounds so ideal! I’ve never been to Mexico but am hoping to change that this winter! This is definitely inspiring me to book that plane ticket
love that so many activities involve water! Beautiful spot!
I love places with character like Punta Mita. I’ve never been to Mexico but it looks like a lovely place!
Punta de Mita Adventures welcomes you back again to Punta de Mita! We loved your suggestions and assessment of our little fishing village. It was great to hear you talk about the charming and personal family run local places not just the big luxury resorts. Gracias! Your friend at Punta de Mita Adventures, Marisol Guzmán Ángel the owner of PuntaDeMitaAdventures.com right up the stairs from the beach! You are always welcome here again with us on your next visit to Punta de Mita!
Thank you so much, Marisol! Your comment means so much to us. We had the best time in Punta Mita and can’t wait to come back again soon.