TO DO
THE TRIP
SOUTHERN SOJOURN The historic coastal town of Puerto Vallarta thrives as a culinary epicenter, while the resort destinations of Punta de Mita just north are a beach- and golf-lover’s haven. BY SA M A N T H A B R O O K S
Maxwell Puerto Vallarta
Conrad Spa
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epart Los Angeles, and in just three hours, you’ve landed in Puerto Vallarta. Its location on the Bay of Banderas, in the center of Mexico’s west coast, within the state of Jalisco, puts it south of Cabo, granting it warmer climes compared to Baja’s sometimes chilly Decembers. Stay in town and explore the city’s old cobblestone roads, sandy beaches, and vibrant culinary scene—there’s so much more than the all-inclusives that dominated the landscape in prior decades. Or head north and in just 45 minutes you’re in the ever-growing newer resort region of Riviera Nayarit, which includes the 1,500-acre gated golf community of Punta Mita, with its St. Regis, Four Seasons, 18 residential communities, two golf courses, and members-only facilities. When you need a break from the sand and sun, throw on your flip-flops and head to the vibrant town of Sayulita, which has developed in the last decade as a haven for both shopping and surf. There’s no shortage of things to do and see. Here are a handful of the latest and greatest:
Conrad Punta De Mita
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita Ever since opening in 1999, this 52-acre property with 240 keys has been winning over guests time and again, partly because of its warm and friendly staff who have awarded it one of Fortune’s 100 best companies to work for 22 years in a row. A vast tequila library, vibrant adults-only pool, vast array of kids’ programs (sea turtle release, lazy river, snorkeling, and more) have been around since the beginning. The property continues to evolve and expand with a new room category featuring two-bedroom bunk bed family casitas; the first phase of a five-year golf restoration, with improvements to all 19 Pacifico Golf Course greens, bunkers, and surrounds; and a property-wide renovation of all guest rooms, pools, and restaurants. From $1,200; fourseasons.com
El Surf Club You don’t actually have to surf to dine here, but the toes-in-sand setting just in front of the waves does make it conducive, and it’s
MAXWELL PUERTO VALLARTA: PACO JUAREZ; CONRAD PUNTA MITA: VICTOR ELIAS
Susurros del Corazón, Auberge Resorts Collection
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