Punta Mita things to do: surf a gentle wave at El Anclote, boat out to the Marietas Islands in 15 minutes, watch humpback whales between December and March, eat pescado zarandeado on the sand and, if your budget allows, play the most photographed golf hole in Mexico. All of that fits on the peninsula that closes Banderas Bay to the north, about 45 km (28 miles) from Puerto Vallarta airport.
This guide explains the difference between the town (Punta de Mita) and the private resort community (Punta Mita), covers its beaches, tours and golf, how to get there, where to stay on any budget and what a day here costs in 2026.
Quick facts
- Where it is: at the northern tip of Banderas Bay, 45 km from Puerto Vallarta airport (50–70 min).
- Don't miss: beginner surf at El Anclote, a 15–20 min boat ride to the Marietas Islands and whales from December to March.
- Punta de Mita vs. Punta Mita: the town is public; Punta Mita is the private resort and golf development.
- Without a car: Compostela or ATM bus in front of the airport, approx. $60–70 MXN and 1 h 20 min to El Anclote.
- Budget: from approx. $1,200–1,800 MXN per person per day, excluding lodging.
Punta de Mita and Punta Mita are not the same place
It is worth clearing this up first, because it confuses almost everyone:
- Punta de Mita is the town, officially Corral del Risco / Emiliano Zapata, in the municipality of Bahía de Banderas. Its waterfront is El Anclote beach, with restaurants, surf schools, the boat pier and small hotels. It is a fishing village that lives from tourism and is open to everyone.
- Punta Mita (no “de”) is the gated 1,500-acre resort community at the tip of the peninsula. Inside are the Four Seasons (opened 1999), the St. Regis (2008), luxury residences and two Jack Nicklaus golf courses. You get past the gate only as a hotel guest, with a restaurant reservation or with a tee time.
The two worlds sit less than two kilometers apart, and as a visitor you can enjoy almost everything without passing the gate.
Beaches in Punta de Mita
El Anclote
The town beach: light sand, water sheltered inside the bay, palapa restaurants and the pier where boats leave for the Marietas. The El Anclote wave breaks long, slow and over sand and rock, which makes it one of the best in Nayarit for learning to surf. Local schools give 1.5 to 2-hour lessons for approx. $900 to $1,300 MXN (50 to 70 USD) in 2026, board and rashguard included; board rental alone runs approx. $300 to $400 MXN per day.
La Lancha
The most consistent wave in Banderas Bay, 4 km from town toward La Cruz. There is no road access: you park at the Pemex gas station on the highway, cross the road and walk 10 minutes down a jungle trail to the beach. There are no restaurants or shade, so bring water. It works on almost any swell, with several peaks for all levels.
Litibú
On the north side of the peninsula, fronting the development of the same name and the Iberostar hotel. A long, open beach with medium surf and very few people. Access was restricted for years; since 2024 authorities have required regulated pedestrian and vehicle entry, though there are no services on the sand.
Careyeros and Punta Negra
Two adjoining coves between Litibú and Punta Mita, with golden sand, clear water and gentle waves: the best for swimming and snorkeling from shore. Careyeros is reached by a dirt road with limited paid parking. No restrooms, no restaurants; bring everything.
| Beach | Best for | Services | Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Anclote | Beginner surf, eating, tours | Restaurants, loungers, surf schools | Straight from town |
| La Lancha | Surf at all levels, snorkeling | None | 10-min trail from the Pemex |
| Litibú | Long walks, solitude | None on the sand | Car or taxi, regulated entry |
| Careyeros / Punta Negra | Swimming, snorkeling, families | None | Dirt road, paid parking |
Marietas Islands: the must-do tour
The Islas Marietas are a national park just 15 to 20 minutes by boat from El Anclote; leaving from here instead of Nuevo Vallarta or Puerto Vallarta saves you more than an hour on the water. It is famous for Playa Escondida (the “Hidden Beach”), a beach inside a collapsed crater, and for its blue-footed booby colonies. Rules in force in 2026:
- The park closes Monday and Tuesday for maintenance; it opens Wednesday through Sunday from 8:00 am.
- Playa Escondida allows a maximum of 116 people per day in groups of 15, with a 30-minute stay; slots sell out days ahead in high season. You swim about 120 meters through a tunnel wearing a life vest and helmet, at low tide.
- Everyone pays a CONANP conservation wristband of approx. $180 to $220 MXN per person, on top of the tour.
- Snorkeling is allowed only in authorized zones of the park; it is prohibited in front of Playa Escondida.
Shared-boat tours from El Anclote cost approx. $1,200 to $1,800 MXN (65 to 100 USD) per person with snorkeling and without Playa Escondida, and from approx. $2,500 MXN with beach access. A private boat for 6 to 8 people starts at approx. $6,000 MXN for three hours. Read more in our guide to the Marietas Islands and on the official CONANP site.
Whales, snorkeling and sport fishing
Humpback whales: the official watching season in Banderas Bay runs from December 8, 2025 to March 23, 2026 (SEMARNAT publishes the dates every October). Punta de Mita is the best departure point on the bay because the whales gather near the Marietas; keep in mind there is a 1.5 km radius around the archipelago where watching is not allowed. Three-hour tours cost approx. $1,000 to $1,500 MXN per person. More in our guide to humpback whale watching in Nayarit.
Snorkeling: beyond the Marietas, the reefs at La Lancha and Careyeros work on calm days; visibility is best from November to May. More spots in where to swim among fish and coral reefs in Riviera Nayarit.
Sport fishing: pangas and yachts leave the El Anclote pier for mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, sailfish and marlin; the best season is October through January. A panga for 4 costs approx. $4,000 to $6,000 MXN for a half day in 2026.
Golf in Punta Mita
Punta Mita Golf Club has two Jack Nicklaus Signature courses: Pacífico (1999, par 72, 7,014 yards, eight oceanside holes) and Bahía (2009, par 72, with views over the bay and the Marietas). The star is Pacífico’s hole 3B, the “Tail of the Whale”: an optional 199-yard par 3 whose green sits on a natural rock island in the Pacific. It is playable only at low tide, when an amphibious cart can cross a stone causeway.
The courses are private: you play as a guest of the Four Seasons, the St. Regis or a villa inside the development. Guest green fees run around $300 to $400 USD (approx. $5,500 to $7,500 MXN) in 2026 for 18 holes with cart. The nearest public alternative is the Greg Norman course at Litibú; every course in the state is covered in Nayarit’s nine golf courses.
Where to eat: the beach restaurants of El Anclote
El Anclote’s main street is a row of restaurants with tables on the sand. The specialty is seafood straight off the boats: pescado zarandeado (Nayarit’s signature dish, a whole fish butterflied and grilled over mangrove coals), aguachile, ceviche and garlic shrimp. In 2026 a seafood lunch with a drink costs approx. $350 to $600 MXN (19 to 32 USD) per person; at the view restaurants with chef-driven menus, $800 to $1,500 MXN. More regional dishes in our guide to the cuisine of Nayarit.
How to get to Punta de Mita
From Puerto Vallarta airport (PVR) it is 45 km and 50 to 70 minutes via Highway 200 and then the Cruz de Huanacaxtle–Punta de Mita road.
- Bus: across from the airport, catch the Compostela or ATM bus toward La Cruz de Huanacaxtle / Punta de Mita. Buses leave every 20 minutes and the one marked “Punta de Mita” drops you at El Anclote; it costs approx. $60 to $70 MXN and takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. If your bus ends in La Cruz, transfer there to the one heading up to Punta de Mita (28 minutes, approx. $25 MXN).
- Taxi or private transfer: from the airport approx. $1,400 to $2,200 MXN (75 to 120 USD) in 2026. From Sayulita, approx. $500 to $700 MXN for the 30-minute ride.
- Rental car: the most convenient option if you want La Lancha, Litibú and Careyeros in one day. Take Highway 200 north, turn off at the La Cruz de Huanacaxtle junction and follow the road 16 km to town.
More routes and tips on our how to get to Nayarit page.
Where to stay: from hostel to ultra luxury
| Type | Where | Per night (2026, approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Hostels and budget rooms | Punta de Mita town, 2-5 blocks from the beach | $600 to $1,200 MXN / 32 to 65 USD |
| Small hotels and bungalows | El Anclote, ocean view | $1,800 to $4,000 MXN / 100 to 220 USD |
| Boutique hotels and condos | Litibú, Careyeros, the hills above town | $4,000 to $9,000 MXN / 220 to 490 USD |
| All-inclusive resorts | Litibú | From $6,000 MXN / 330 USD per person |
| Ultra luxury | Four Seasons, St. Regis and villas inside Punta Mita | From $25,000 MXN / 1,350 USD |
For tours and surfing, stay in town; for golf and rest, the resort community. Find options in the Visita Nayarit hotel and restaurant directory.
Best time to visit and a sample budget
November to April is the dry season, 24 to 30 °C (75 to 86 °F), with clearer water and whales in the bay; it is also peak pricing, and Marietas slots sell out. May and June are hot and quiet, with good rates. July to October brings afternoon rain, bigger seas and better waves for experienced surfers; it is turtle release season on the nearby beaches.
Daily budget per person in 2026, lodging not included:
- Budget: bus, tacos and one seafood meal, a group surf lesson. Approx. $1,200 to $1,800 MXN (65 to 100 USD).
- Mid-range: taxi, shared Marietas tour, two beach-restaurant meals. Approx. $2,800 to $4,000 MXN (150 to 220 USD).
- High-end: private boat, resort dinner, green fee. From $10,000 MXN (540 USD).
To plan the rest of your trip, see what to do in the Riviera Nayarit.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Punta de Mita and Punta Mita?
Punta de Mita is the public town, with El Anclote beach and its restaurants. Punta Mita is the gated resort community with the Four Seasons, the St. Regis and the golf courses; you enter only with a reservation.
How long is the Marietas Islands tour from Punta de Mita?
The boat ride is 15 to 20 minutes from El Anclote and the full tour lasts 3 to 4 hours. The park closes Monday and Tuesday, and Playa Escondida is capped at 116 visitors per day.
Can beginners learn to surf in Punta de Mita?
Yes. The El Anclote wave is long, gentle and breaks over sand, ideal for first-timers. A 1.5 to 2-hour lesson costs approx. $900 to $1,300 MXN in 2026.
When can you see whales in Punta de Mita?
The official season runs December 8 to March 23, with the most sightings in January and February. Tours leave from the El Anclote pier and last about 3 hours.
Can I play golf in Punta Mita without staying there?
The Pacífico and Bahía courses are private and reserved for guests of the Four Seasons, the St. Regis and the development’s villas. The nearest public alternative is the Litibú course.
Area map
- 1Punta de Mita (El Anclote) Corral del Risco village; boat departures and beginner surf.20.77287, -105.51793 · Open in Google Maps
- 2La Lancha Beach Surf beach between Punta de Mita and Litibú.20.76259, -105.49185 · Open in Google Maps
- 3Careyeros Beach Beach on the north shore of Punta de Mita.20.78389, -105.50677 · Open in Google Maps
- 4Litibú Beach Wide beach in Higuera Blanca, facing the sunset.20.79991, -105.48782 · Open in Google Maps
- 5Hidden Beach (Isla Redonda, Islas Marietas) National park; authorized tours only.20.7013, -105.5682 · Open in Google Maps
- 6Punta Mita Golf Club Pacífico and Bahía courses by Jack Nicklaus.20.76898, -105.53059 · Open in Google Maps
