Why Haven't You Heard of Punta Mita?
Exclusive community in Mexico is undiscovered…so far
By Heather Whipps

Punta Mita, from the Aztec for "Gateway to Paradise", occupies a spear-shaped promontory of land on Mexico's Pacific coast, about 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. It is a gated community made up of a few nouveau-resorts (forget crammed hallways and suspect buffet fare) and a handful of private luxury villa neighborhoods. Those are the stats; read on for why you really ought to get to Punta Mita in 2007.


True Mexico
Everything about Punta Mita oozes authentic Mexico, starting with the environment. This has been called one of the country's last untouched oases, with the most postcard-perfect white beaches and bluest water along this stretch of the Pacific. This also isn't a slice of land that's been expropriated and jazzed up as another faceless luxury resort. The staff throughout Punta Mita's resorts and villas offers genuine, Old World Mexican hospitality. While the villas and surroundings are gorgeous, it's Punta Mita's services that keep people coming back.

"You're not going to want to leave the resort once you're in there," said Stephanie Farr, Villa Network specialist for Mexico, "and you never really have to."

Surf & Turf
Where else in the world can you finish your golf game on an island green in the Pacific? Only in Punta Mita, home of a Jack Nicklaus-designed championship with the sole natural island 18th hole on the planet. This course, operated by the Four Seasons but open to play for other Punta Mita guests, in 2006 was ranked #1 in the world by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. The activities don't stop there. Punta Mita has become somewhat famous as a surfing destination, especially among corporate travelers who use the challenging sport as a team-building experience. Snorkeling, kayaking, tennis and jungle tours round out the list.

The spa at Punta Mita includes tequila and sage oil rub-downs on its menu of treatments based on the culture of the local Huichol Indians.

The Villas
Most of the homes here were conceived by Mexican designers, who were consigned to use local materials and connect the villas with their surrounding as much as possible without sacrificing luxury and modern conveniences. Tile, fabrics and woodwork were brought in from around Mexico and floor stones inlaid in unique patterns in each home. The result? Punta Mita is as exclusive as its gets, but it's a warm and simple opulence as opposed to golf-leaf stuffiness. Kick off your shoes wherever you like and go to dinner in your bathing suit.

A few of our most eye-popping villas in Punta Mita :

Casa Las Palmas West
4 bedroom beachfront villa
Swim through the house.





Villa Caterina
Almost 8,000 sq. ft and 4 bedrooms
Two-storey living area with views of the ocean





Las Palmas 13
3 suite plus media room
Indoor/outdoor living at its best

Day Trippin' If you do ever get the urge to venture beyond Punta Mita's gates – a rare occurrence, we assure you – you've got a bunch of options to choose from. Puerto Vallarta's fun, of course, but for a (much) slower pace we'd recommend Yelapa, a small island you reach by water taxi. How much slower? This island of 300 residents just got electricity.

For more information on these or other luxury villas in Mexico, please contact us:

Call 1-877-953-7400 or E-mail