Things to do in Punta de Mita: A complete guide

Pacaso script in charcoal.
Pacaso’s Editorial Team
July 17, 2026
A tranquil Punta Mita beach scene with small boats lining the shore, calm blue waters, and leafy branches overhead, perfectly evoking the serene allure and authentic surf culture of Mexico's top wave destinations.
Key takeaways
Punta de Mita is a laid-back beach town on Mexico's Pacific coast, next to the private 1,500-acre Punta Mita resort peninsula, known for surfing, the Marietas Islands, championship golf and a walkable town center. There are things to do in Punta de Mita for couples, families and solo travelers alike, including several free things to do in Punta de Mita that do not require a beach club membership or boat tour. Many visitors who fall for the area start looking at Punta de Mita villas and resorts for a longer term base. Pacaso co-ownership offers a way to own a Punta de Mita vacation home without taking on full time upkeep or costs.

What is Punta de Mita known for?

Punta de Mita sits at the northern tip of Banderas Bay, about 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta and its international airport. The peninsula is known for warm, consistent weather, a long stretch of surf breaks, and a mix of low key fishing village charm alongside high end resorts like the St. Regis and Four Seasons Punta Mita. Average temperatures run from the mid 70s to mid 80s year round, which makes nearly any month a reasonable time for a Punta de Mita vacation.
Unlike busier parts of the Riviera Nayarit, Punta de Mita has kept a smaller scale feel. Most of the things to do in Punta de Mita center on the water: surfing, boat trips, golf along the coastline, and easy beach days that do not require driving far from wherever you are staying.

What are the best beaches in Punta de Mita?

El Anclote is the most accessible beach in town, with calm water that suits beginner surfers and families, plus a row of casual seafood restaurants right on the sand. It is also the launch point for most boat trips heading out to the Marietas Islands.
  • El Anclote: Calm, walkable beach in the heart of town, ideal for a relaxed afternoon or a first surf lesson.
  • Marietas Islands: A protected national park reachable by boat from El Anclote, home to the Playa del Amor (hidden beach), a circular stretch of sand exposed through a collapsed cave roof.
  • Careyeros and Litibu: Quieter beaches south of the peninsula that work well for a slower day away from the boat traffic.
Visiting the Marietas Islands and hidden beach typically requires booking a licensed tour operator, since access is limited to protect the surrounding reef and bird colonies. Mornings tend to have calmer water and smaller crowds.

What are the best things to do in Punta de Mita for couples?

For things to do in Punta de Mita for couples, start with a sunset dinner at one of the beach clubs along El Anclote, which overlooks the water from a dramatic rock formation. A half day boat trip to the Marietas Islands also makes for a memorable outing, combining snorkeling with the hidden beach.Between December and March, whale watching tours add another option: humpback whales migrate through Banderas Bay during these months, and several local operators run small group tours that pair well with a quiet lunch back on shore. Couples looking for a slower pace can also book a round at one of the peninsula's golf courses, many of which welcome non-members for a fee.

What are the best things to do in Punta de Mita with kids?

El Anclote's calm, shallow water makes it the easiest beach in the area for younger kids, and several surf schools in town offer beginner lessons that work well for families. The protected swim area also means parents can relax while kids practice standing up on a board.For things to do in Punta de Mita with kids beyond the beach, look at:
  • Stand up paddleboard rentals: Widely available along El Anclote, with calm conditions most mornings.
  • Family-friendly boat tours: Shorter Marietas Islands trips with snorkeling stops suit kids old enough to swim comfortably.
  • Town plaza evenings: The small square in town fills with food stalls and live music on weekends, an easy, low cost outing for the whole family.

Are there free things to do in Punta de Mita?

Several of the best free things to do in Punta de Mita simply involve time on the sand or in town. Walking El Anclote beach, watching the sunset from the point at the end of the beach, and browsing the open air shops and food stalls in the town plaza all cost nothing beyond what you choose to spend on food or souvenirs.Surfers can also paddle out at public access points without booking a lesson, and several of the area's beach clubs allow visitors to walk through public stretches of sand even if the lounge areas themselves are reserved for guests or members.

Where can you golf in Punta de Mita?

Golf is one of the defining things to do in Punta de Mita, with two well known courses anchoring the peninsula. The Pacifico course at the Four Seasons Punta Mita is a Jack Nicklaus design known for its signature island green, the ‘Tail of the Whale’, a natural island hole reachable only at low tide, and the Bahia course at the same resort adds a second 18 holes along the coastline.The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort sits nearby and offers easy access to both courses for guests and outside players, along with its own beach club and spa. Tee times during peak winter months book up quickly, so reserving a few weeks ahead is worth it if golf is the main reason for your trip.

What is the town of Punta de Mita like for shopping and dining?

The town of Punta de Mita is small and walkable, centered around a plaza a few blocks from El Anclote beach. Shopping in Punta de Mita leans toward independent boutiques selling beachwear, jewelry and local crafts rather than large retail chains, and weekend evenings often bring a small market with handmade goods.Punta de Mita restaurants range from casual palapa style spots serving fresh ceviche and grilled fish along the beach to higher end options inside the resorts. A few worth building a day around:
  • Beachfront seafood stalls along El Anclote: Fresh catch, simple preparations and ocean front seating at lower prices than the resort restaurants.
  • Tail of the Whale: A breakfast and lunch spot known for its dramatic clifftop setting that’s worth visiting in the morning or midday for the views.
  • Resort dining at the St. Regis and Four Seasons: Worth a reservation for a special night out, even if you are not staying on property.

How does Pacaso make a Punta de Mita vacation home possible?

After a few visits, many travelers start comparing the cost of repeat hotel stays to owning a place of their own. Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a fully managed luxury home through a property-specific LLC, giving them a true real estate asset without the full cost of sole ownership. That makes Punta de Mita villas and other Punta de Mita resorts feel less like a once a year splurge and more like a home base you can return to throughout the year.Every Pacaso home comes fully furnished and Design-certified, with a dedicated Home Manager handling cleaning, maintenance and turnover between stays. Roughly 90% of Pacaso's portfolio is eligible for Global Swap, which lets owners trade unused time at their Punta de Mita home for stays at other Pacaso destinations, from Paris to Cabo to Aspen, without buying an additional share. That flexibility sets co-ownership apart from a typical vacation club membership, where you pay for access but never build equity in a specific home.If you are weighing whether to buy in Mexico altogether, our guide to buying property in Mexico in 10 easy steps walks through the legal requirements, including the fideicomiso process for coastal property. And if Los Cabos is also on your radar, the best time to visit Cabo breaks down how the two Mexico markets compare season by season.Ready to picture mornings on El Anclote and evenings at the plaza as a regular part of your year? Explore Pacaso’s current Punta de Mita listings and see what a share in this peninsula could look like for your family.

Things to do in Punta de Mita FAQs

01: What is Punta de Mita known for?

Punta de Mita is known for its surf breaks, the Marietas Islands and hidden beach, championship golf at the Four Seasons and St. Regis resorts, and a small, walkable town center with casual seafood restaurants right on the beach.

02: Is Punta de Mita worth visiting?

Yes. Punta de Mita combines a relaxed, low rise village feel with resort level amenities, consistent warm weather and easy access to Puerto Vallarta, making it worth visiting for surfers, golfers, families and couples alike.

03: What is the best time to visit Punta de Mita?

The dry season from November through April brings the most reliable weather and is also the best window for whale watching, which peaks between December and March. The rainy season from June through October sees fewer crowds and lower rates, with afternoon showers that usually clear quickly.

04: How far is Punta de Mita from Puerto Vallarta?

Punta de Mita is roughly 45 minutes by car from Puerto Vallarta and its international airport, depending on traffic through the Riviera Nayarit corridor.

05: What are the best free things to do in Punta de Mita?

Walking El Anclote beach, watching the sunset near Tail of the Whale, and browsing the shops and food stalls in the town plaza are all free or low cost ways to spend a day in Punta de Mita.

06: Are there things to do in Punta de Mita with kids?

Yes. El Anclote's calm, shallow water is well suited to families, and several surf schools offer beginner lessons for kids. Shorter boat tours to the Marietas Islands with snorkeling stops are another family friendly option.

07: What is the best way to see the Marietas Islands?

Most visitors book a licensed boat tour departing from El Anclote beach. Access to the Playa del Amor hidden beach is limited to protect the surrounding reef, so tours typically need to be reserved in advance, especially during peak season.

08: How does Pacaso work for buyers interested in a Punta de Mita vacation home?

Pacaso allows buyers to purchase a share (1/8 to 1/2) of a fully managed Punta de Mita home through a property-specific LLC. Each home comes fully furnished, with a dedicated Home Manager handling upkeep and access to the Global Swap network for stays at other Pacaso destinations.

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