It was late February when I drove in the traffic and rain of the San Francisco Bay Area towards my escape, err, flight to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There is something awesome that happens when you look from the airplane and you see yourself flying over the border of a country. It is almost as if an adventure begins and the excitement truly captivated me.
I was hired by a couple form San Francisco, CA to photograph their destination wedding in Punta de Mita, Mexico
and I’m glad that they had me there for a few extra days as I was able to explore the city and really capture the essence of this sleepy fishing town in the Riviera Nayarit.
From a “non-conformist tourist” perspective, Punta de Mita is a great escape from the highly commercialized tourist destinations in Mexico. By the end of your stay, you’ll feel more like a local than a gringo. There are several excellent surf breaks in the vicinity and Sayulita (famous for it’s surfing) is just up the road. The fishing, I’ve heard, is awesome and boats/gear can be chartered for a reasonable rate. The restaurants on the beachfront are typical of Mexico, some good and some awesome. I highly recommend the Blue Water Grill (try the seared ahi and mahi mahi plate) and Margaritas (mango margaritas and lobster/shrimp combo).
There are quite a few condos for rent on the beach, a few luxury penthouses and several upscale hotels. The Hotel des Artistes was a personal favorite and the views from the rooms here are spectacular. There is also a St. Regis and a Four Seasons up the beach for the luxury minded.
My personal recommendations for your stay would be such: stroll down the beach towards PV (southeast) and check out the beautiful beachfront homes and coral formations. Take a morning to go to Villa Ananda Ayurveda Spa for a relaxing massage or yoga, this place is truly amazing. Make sure and spend some time walking through the “heart” of the town. The people are friendly, the children love having their photo taken and you’ll walk away with a better feeling than the average tourist who avoids such places.
Be warned, this sleepy surf town will steal your heart. You will truly find a place to relax and enjoy yourself when you travel to Punta de Mita. Here are some photographs from a roll that I had forgotten about. This is the real Punta de Mita, Mexico. Enjoy.