You’re dreaming of a destination wedding, a place where you can let go of it all, forget the stress of a traditional big wedding, and say your vows in a gorgeous, intimate setting.
Maybe you’ve already considered a few places, but why not Punta Mita, Mexico? It sits on a small peninsula on Banderas Bay and still is a quaint fisherman’s village not commercialized like some other popular Mexican beach resorts. It’s known for its luxury Villas (Bill Gates even has vacation home here) upscale restaurants and beaches. You usually get around with a golf cart and the security is pretty tight making it ultra safe.
I personally scout out locations that have a strong sense of place, and are infused with beauty, art and culture along with great food. Hence, a location that incorporates all the senses making it perfect for a romantic getaway or an intimate destination wedding. And Punta Mita has all the above.
It’s just a short plane ride from anywhere in the American Southwest- from Texas to California, 192 miles of pristine, white sandy beaches, breathtaking sunsets and great weather year-round, with a wide selection of luxurious resorts and magnificent private villas.
Because your wedding is one of the most important days of your life. I’d like to share my personal list of what to do and where to go to Punta Mita.
The perfect backdrop for your Punta Mita elopement
Having a civil wedding or a religious ceremony in Mexico is relatively easy or you can keep it super simple and have a civil ceremony back home, then a symbolic ceremony in Mexico.
The sunsets are unbelievable, so why not get married on the beach? You can have flowers, tiki torches — the works. Or say your vows on the terrace of a beautiful villa overlooking the Pacific Ocean. You can even rent a yacht and get married as you sail into the sunset.
In Punta Mita, there are a variety of options for venues for your elopement.
Travel and Leisure magazine nominated both the Punta Mita Four Seasons and St. Regis hotels for their World’s Best awards in 2018. They have lovely cottages and Villas for rent on their property as well.
Other options are to rent a Villa where you host your guests, hold your ceremony along with your reception. Time permitting you can also stay longer for your honeymoon.There are some amazing Villas available that also offer additional help such as local chefs. Below are three villas to give start looking into but again there are many others to rent.
Punta Mita Villas for your elopement and honeymoon
After the Ceremony
Many restaurants will serve dinner on the beach, for just the two of you, or your party of friends and family. Maybe you’ll dine by candlelight, of a bonfire.
The quaint town of Punta Mita offers a selection of excellent restaurants and beach clubs, where can dine al fresco, or inside and the food is incredible. Imagine the best guacamole you’ve ever tasted, fresh lobster, sushi, grilled fish, tacos.
Here’s a list of some of my favorite restaurants in Punta Mita:
- Si Senor
- The Blue Shrimp
- Sufi Punta Mita
Fun activities and ideas to do in Punta Mita
- The surfing is extraordinary because the land juts into the ocean Punt Mita has some of the most impressive waves in the world.
- Take a boat to the Marietta islands a national preserve, where you can snorkel the reefs, bird watch, explore the trails. And from November to February you can whale watch! The humpbacks make an annual journey from Alaska to birth their young in the warm waters of Mexico.
- For the sports lover, there’s fishing, horseback riding, paragliding, windsurfing, sailing, scuba diving, — every imaginable water sport. Not to mention, spectacular golf courses.
- Nature lovers will spot sea turtles, sea lions, dolphins and sea birds of every kind.
- Pay a visit to the nearby town of Sayulita, a picturesque surfing village, backed by the Sierra Madre mountains.
Culture and Art
Punta Mita is home to art galleries displaying the extraordinary work of the native Huichol. And Punta Mita has many charming shops.
Thinking of eloping?
My new book, The Elopement Experience, is a complete guide to designing an intimate, magical wedding.
