Depending on the length of your stay in Punta Mita, you might consider a day trip to one of the surrounding towns or areas. The Riviera Nayarit is packed with adventurous, cultural and culinary experiences for you and your family. Whether you are itching for a day of retail therapy, artistic inspiration, wild jungle thrills or something to tickle your taste buds, there are so many fantastic options for day trips around the Punta Mita peninsula.
Puerto Vallarta
Most visitors arrive in the city of Puerto Vallarta, and quickly shuttle themselves north to the Punta Mita peninsula. However, the city of Puerto Vallarta is a real gem, and makes a fantastic day trip from Punta Mita for arts & culture, shopping & great dining options. All of the action tends to centre around the Malecon – Puerto Vallarta’s waterfront boardwalk.
Arts & Culture:
The Malecon features a stunning array of outdoor art, including 15 sculptures by some of Mexico’s most famous artists. Head to the Cuale Cultural Center for lively music and art, including music, voice, painting, sculpture, theatre and photography classes that are open to the public.The Los Mangos Library also offers dance, scenic arts, music, reading and language workshops. The Xiutla Ballet (which originated in Puerto Vallarta) puts on free performances every Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Lazaro Cardenas Plaza by Olas Altas, and on Sundays at 8 p.m. at “Los Arcos” on the Malecon.
Shopping:
If you are in need of a little retail therapy, the shopping opportunities in Puerto Vallarta offer something for everyone. Cruise along the Malecon for silver, opals and turquoise jewelry as well as local art crafted right in front of you. Wander over to the Municipal Market on thee Cuale where numerous outdoor stalls offer all types of mementos. Viejo Vallarta (old Vallarta) features several art galleries where you can discover the perfect work of art or painting for your home. Enjoy the Malls with their clothing stores, international chain restaurants and movie theaters. If you prefer articles hand made by the community, visit the Farmers’ Market at Plaza Lazaro Cardenas on Saturdays, where you can also taste an incredible variety of homemade dishes and food by the beach.
Food & Wine:
Known as the Gourmet beach city of Mexico, Punta Mita offers a thriving international food scene that caters to every type of taste and budget. “Wine Fest” is held annually during the month of March, as well as the two week long “Restaurant Week” in May where the best restaurants of the area offer incredible three course meals at affordable prices. Each year in November the “Gourmet Festival” brings an international line up of chefs to prepare delicacies to satisfy the most sophisticated palate. Click here for the full details on dining in Puerto Vallarta.
Outdoor Adventures for Thrill-Seekers
If you’ve had enough lazy beach time, and are ready for a day of adventure, there are countless options for day trips around Punta Mita. Take an island adventure to the stunning Marietas Islands, a National Park famous for snorkeling amongst the manta rays, turtles and countless species of fish, as well as it’s coral reefs. Swim with the dolphins or a spend a day on a boat frolicking with humpback whales in the Bay of Banderas. If you prefer to get away from the water and head inland, you can take an off road ATV or Jeep tour, or whizz through the jungle canopy on a zip lining adventure. Punta Mita Adventures offers full service adventure tours both on land, and at sea.
Huichol Village Tour
The Huichol people are descendants of the Aztecs, and live in remote communities in the Sierra Madre mountains above Punta Mita. Best known for their intricate artwork, the Huichol people are a deeply spiritual community who have maintained their unique, pre Columbian culture for centuries, despite the volatile nature of their surroundings. Their signature creations include elaborate, hand made yarn paintings and intricate beadwork designs, both utilizing psychedelic color schemes. A day trip to the Huichol village is a world class cultural and artistic experience that you and your family will never forget. After visiting the Huichol, you can return with some authentic and meaningful souvenirs for friends and family by buying directly from the source!
Surf Town Safari: Sayulita & San Pancho
Sayulita is a small, hippie-chic coastal town located under 30 minutes drive from Punta Mita. It is a well known surf destination with its gorgeous beaches and waves perfect for surfing and stand up paddle boarding. Local and international surfing events, including the annual Sayulita Surf Classic, take place here every year. The narrow streets are lined with colorful clothing boutiques and cafes, and a laid back local vibe that is quite different to it’s upmarket Punta Mita neighbor. Just up the road a little further is another, even smaller surf town called San Pancho. This very small, and very beautiful seaside village, often referred to as “mini Sayulita” has a beautiful beach and some quaint shops. Sayulita and San Pancho also host weekly farmer’s markets, offering fresh, local produce that focuses on sustainability and ecological production. There are also cooking demonstrations and live music!
Tequila
The world famous pueblo of Tequila is about three hours drive inland from Punta Mita. Join Punta Mita Adventures for an exclusive tour that takes you to the birthplace of Mexico’s national spirit. You will visit Mundo Cuervo, the home of Cuervo tequila, walk through the endless agave fields with an expert jimador, and learn the techniques of agave care. Visit La Rajena distillery and Reserva de la Famila cellar to see how the tequila is made and to enjoy a tasting. Admire the stunning architecture of the Maestro Tequilero hacienda and beautiful garden of Los Limoneros. This tour includes comfortable transportation to Tequila in an air-conditioned vehicle. Let our team at Exceptional Stays craft the ultimate itinerary for your upcoming holiday. We manage a premium selection of villas, with each residence offering unmatched levels of luxury, service and amenities. Our concierge team is on hand to assist you with every detail of your stay including excursions, meals, airport transfers and more. Start planning your Punta Mita vacation today by calling our team on 888-473-8456.
