What To Do


Both inside and outside the gates of Punta Mita, there's a choice of recreation to suit every taste. If golf is your game, Punta Mita offers a world-renowned Jack Nicklaus Signature course, with an additional one currently under construction (slated to open in mid 2008). If your preference is to be around the water, on top of it, or under it, an adventure awaits. If you'd rather explore jungle trails or mountain peaks by foot, horseback or jeep, you can. If the history of Punta Mita and the peoples who have inhabited the peninsula over the centuries are of interest, you can learn about them. The choices are many, the variety is appealing, for both the body and the mind.
	Golf
	Sport Fishing
	Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
	Sailing
	Surfing
	Whale Watching
	Sea Kayaking
	Area Attractions & Tours
	Coming soon within Punta Mita... - Yacht Pier - Equestrian Center



	Just a short walk from Las Palmas is the Punta Mita Golf Club with its 7,014-yard Jack Nicklaus Signature course, driving range, putting green, Pro shop and equipment rental. The course, in view of the Las Palmas residences, features eight holes bordering the Pacific Ocean, ocean views from every hole, as well as one truly unique hole — a 194-yard par-3, called the “Tail of the Whale,” challenging golfers to negotiate a natural island green in the Pacific. After you’ve finished our first Jack Nicklaus Signature course, play through to a second, opening in mid 2008.


	The waters off Punta Mita, where the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Cortez converge, is a favorite area of sport fishing enthusiasts. While there are hundreds of varieties of fish that roam these waters, Blue, Striped and Black Marlin, Dorado, Amberjack, Sailfish and Wahoo are among those prized by the men and women who've battled these creatures of the deep. Whether your preference is for a more relaxing afternoon in Banderas Bay, or heading out into the Pacific for bigger game, the action awaits. Fully-outfitted sportfishing boats are available for partial or full days, manned by expert seamen who believe in fishing where the fish are. Las Palmas' Residential Concierge can assist with details and reservations.


	Just off the coast of Punta Mita lies the Marietas Island Marine Reserve, one of Mexico's most notable dive sites, as well as the La Corbeteña underwater canyon. Deep dives are popular in these areas, where seasonally you can view giant mantas, or hear the tonal songs of visiting humpback whales. Nearby in Banderas Bay is Los Arcos, one of Puerto Vallarta's most popular dive spots, with its array of colorful tropical fish and corals. If your choice is to combine excellent diving with an extraordinary beach, Las Caletas, located on the south shore of the Bay, will be a favorite spot. Experience one, and you'll want to experience them all. Las Palmas' Residential Concierge can assist with details and arrangements.


	Day trips by sailboat offer views of humpback whales (in season), dolphins, sea turtles and rays, while sunset cruises showcase crimson skies and the lights of Puerto Vallarta shimmering in the distance. From the deck of a luxury sailboat, there's time to reflect upon the grandeur of the sea, the shoreline winding along the bay, the towering Sierra Madres set against blue skies and puffy clouds. Las Palmas' Residential Concierge can assist with details and reservations.


	Surfing is beginning to rival golf as a preferred activity of Punta Mita residents. What's making surfing so popular is that the waves are constant year-round, the area is never crowded, and there are a variety of spots to choose from on the Punta Mita peninsula, including long, friendly breaks and more challenging reef breaks with faster waves. Whether you're a rank beginner or an accomplished surfer, Punta Mita's variety of options and natural beauty will captivate you. Surf lessons are also available. Las Palmas' Residential Concierge can assist with additional information.


	From December to April, Punta Mita is the perfect venue for whale watching, as their annual migratory patterns bring these magnificent mammals within eyesight, just offshore. Humpback whales, reaching lengths of 50 to 55', frequent this part of the bay, often breaching the water then splashing down, performing their own magical "sea ballet." Many approach a boat for "friendly" encounters. They will circle the boat, rub up against it, spyhop within several feet of the boat, roll on their side and extend a pectoral flipper that's nearly a third of their body length. At times, they will tilt their head with an eye open, appearing to look up at the boat and the people on board. This phenomenon has been increasing each year, most likely because these Humpbacks have never known whaling, and are becoming curious about the creatures who come to watch them. If you're lucky enough to engage in a friendly encounter with these giant mammals, listen closely and you'll also hear them sing their songs of the deep. For whale watching trips departing from the village adjacent to Punta Mita, or for additional information, contact Las Palmas' Residential Concierge.


	Discover the sea life and the area's natural wonders paddling a kayak in and around Punta Mita. After your explorations, ride the waves back to the beach. Kayaks are available for use at the Punta Mita Residents' Beach Club.



	A short distance from Punta Mita, you can experience the exhilaration of a bottlenose dolphin towing you through the water by its dorsal fin. Or pushing you, on command, turning you into a small skiff with a wake in your path. This once-in-a-lifetime adventure starts with a presentation and orientation that introduces you to the dolphins’ habitat and “way of thinking.” Then suit up, jump in the pool, and the fun begins.


	Visit a private eco-reserve in the heart of the tropical Sierra Madre Mountains. You’ll travel on a series of zip lines from platform to platform, traversing high above the floor of the rainforest, observing flowers of all kinds, tropical birds and reptiles.


	Take a trip into the Mexican outback of the Sierra Madres. Traveling in specially-designed Mercedes Benz SUVs, you’ll venture through mountain streams and rugged terrain, “discovering” forgotten villages, awestruck by life as it has been for centuries, and the rainforest’s phenomenal flora and fauna. Next stop on your “safari” is a visit to a secluded coastline, relaxation, and a magnificent lunch.


	Since the time of the Conquistadors some 400 years ago, charros (cowboys) have been riding this region’s hillsides, valleys, beaches and rainforests. Horse enthusiasts can now enjoy a day of exploring the natural landscape while learning, from bilingual tour guides, of the area’s diverse history.


	This is a cultural encounter few have experienced — a visit to the home of the Huichol Indians. Still living much like they did in Pre-Columbian times, this tribe is one of the few in the world that has not lost their cultural identity to Western influences. With a history that dates back more than 2,000 years, the Huichols are a fascinating study well worth discovering.