7 Fun Things To Do in Punta Mita, Mexico

Whether you’ll be making Punta Mita your base or visiting there as a day trip from bustling Puerto Vallarta, we’ll show you some of the top things to do in Punta Mita.

You’re in for a treat if you’re visiting Punta Mita, a quiet resort town in the Nayarit province sitting on a peninsula along Mexico’s Pacific coast.

Punta Mita is a stunning town nestled on 1,500 private acres, making it a tourist paradise.

Looking for more awesome places to visit in Mexico? Check out all of our articles, or start with these posts:

Things To Do In Punta Mita

1. Explore the Marina & Beaches

If you only do one activity while in Punta Mita, visiting the marina and beaches is a must. Doing so is a great option if you’re only visiting for the day, as Playa Punta Mita is a free public beach beside the marina.

Since Playa Punta Mita can get packed with people and is close to where the boats come and go, consider taking a trip further down the coast to sprawl your beach towel on Playa Careyeros or Playa El Anclote.

Alternatively, if you’re visiting for the day, you can arrange a day pass at hotels like the Four Seasons. That way, you can have private beach access.

When you’re at the marina, make sure to walk out to the lighthouse. It won’t take long to get there, but it’s a classic Punta Mita viewpoint.

2. Visit the Marieta Islands

Visiting the Marieta Islands is an excellent day trip from Punta Mita. These two islands are famous for their crater-like formations, with circular holes in the earth that hover over the beach and ocean.

It’s crucial to plan your trip to the Marieta Islands, given that these are UNESCO-protected islands. In fact, there are only just over 100 tickets available per day.

An advantage of visiting the Marieta Islands from Punta Mita Nayarit versus other parts of the Nayarit state is that they’re closer to Punta Mita. So, you might be able to snag a cheaper tour, and you’ll encounter less boat traffic on your way there.

You can embark on a trip to the Marieta Islands from the marina or by setting up a tour through your hotel.

3. Go Surfing

One of the most popular things to do in Punta Mita for the adrenaline junkie is to surf. However, it’s best not to pull out your surfboard around the marina. Instead, make a beeline to Playa La Lancha.

Playa La Lancha offers the best breaks in all of Banderas Bay. But here’s the catch: You’ll need to hike through a trail along a jungle reserve for 7-10 minutes. We recommend parking at WildMex off highway 200 and starting the hike from there.

The good news is that WildMex is a surf school. So, you can rent a board there or sign up for lessons, and Playa La Lancha offers excellent waves for surfing year-round. These waves are generally well-suited for beginners, but many intermediate and advanced surfers enjoy going there to hone their skills.

If you’re itching to try out some other waves, taking a day trip to nearby Sayulita or San Pancho are excellent options as well.

4. Hop Into Some Shops

Calling all shopaholics! You won’t encounter massive malls in Punta Mita (you’ll need to head to Puerto Vallarta for those). However, adorable boutique shops abound in downtown Punta Mita.

Avenida las Redes is the famous shopping area in Punta Mita. There, you’ll find high-end boutique clothing and home goods stores. When you want to give your feet a rest, you’ll encounter many cute coffee shops and eateries.

Best of all, this is a quiet area, so you won’t have to deal with loads of people pushing and shoving their way to snag the shirt you were eyeing.

As a word of caution, Punta de Mita can average highs close to 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer, and there’s little shade on Avenida las Redes. So, since you’ll need to head outside between each shop you visit, it’s often best to do your shopping in the late afternoon or evening.

5. Take a Hike

If taking a hike to the highest mountain in Punta de Mita, Mexico, entices you, make sure to fit room into your itinerary to head up Cerro del Mono. This mountain, which translates to “Monkey Mountain,” is a four-hour hike and offers unparalleled views of the Punta Mita peninsula, plus the chance to catch a glimpse of some of Mexico’s beatiful wildlife.

things to do in punta mita bird watch — The *tortola* or turtle dove is a common sight in Punta Mita

You’re welcome to embark on this hike alone or sign up for a tour. Should you go at it on your own, you’ll need to drive to nearby Higuera Blanca, where you’ll encounter the start of the hike at Mi Chapparito Rancho.

So, the burning question—can you actually see monkeys at Monkey Mountain?

Sadly, no. However, you’ll get to see Sayulita, Banderas Bay, Higuera Blanca, and more, all from a single viewpoint at the top. You should have an average fitness level for this hike but be prepared for a few challenging spots.

6. Whale Watching

If you’re in Punta Mita from December to March, signing up for a whale-watching tour is a must. During this time of year, thousands of humpback whales visit the area, as Banderas Bay is one of their mating grounds.

things to do in punta mita whale watching — Humpback whale off the coast of Punta Mita

There’ll be no shortage of whale-watching tour options in Punta Mita during this time of year. However, if you’re staying at a hotel with an ocean view room, you might not even need to sign up for one since you might be able to spot one right from the comfort of your balcony.

These massive creatures come as close as 200 meters away from the beach, so spotting them is a breeze.

The Marieta Islands are another fantastic place to see whales. If you’re already planning on taking a tour there, you might have the opportunity to spot them during your boat ride.

7. Try Your Hand at Golf

You likely don’t need to tell the die-hard golfer that Punta Mita is a golf lover’s paradise, given that famous golfer Jack Nicklaus designed two golf courses there. And as you probably gathered now, you’ll need to sink a pretty penny into golfing at them, even for Mexico’s standards.

Nevertheless, whether you’re a regular golfer or want to give it a shot for the first time, below are the six golf courses that you can swing at in Punta Mita:

Golf Club House Punta Mita
Four Seasons Golf Course
Litibu Golf Course
Los Veneros
St. Regis Resort

If you happen to stay so long in Punta Mita that you exhaust these options, you can always drive south to Puerto Vallarta to try out golf courses like Vista Vallarta and Marina Vallarta Golf Club.

Is Punta Mita Worth Visiting?

So, is punta Mita worth visiting? Yes, Punta Mita is a fantastic destination if you’re looking for a secluded vacation on Mexico’s Pacific coast.

You can expect to spend more money on accommodation and food in this area than in other parts of the Nayarit state. But, it’s worth it! And some of the hotels are incredible, like the stunning, top rated 5-star resort – the Four Seasons Hotel (pictured below).

Final Thoughts – Things To Do In Punta Mita

There is no shortage of things to do in Punta Mita! This idyllic destination has something for everyone, from lounging on the beach to catching waves, and hiking beautiful trails.

This Mexican resort town is well worth the trip and you’ll have an unforgettable vacation filled with adventure.

While there are many things to do in Punta Mita to keep you busy, you can always take a day trip to nearby Puerto Vallarta or Sayulita if you want to see some other sights around Nayarit.

7 Fun Things To Do in Punta Mita, Mexico