A great thing about living in Texas is that Riviera Nayarit, Mexico, is only a two hour flight away. Conrad Punta de Mita is one of the most luxurious, relaxing, and stunning properties at your fingertips – and you didn’t even know it!

From Austin, hop onto a connecting flight to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and in an hour and a half you’ll land at Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport. From there, take an Uber or taxi to your summer escape destination- Conrad Punta de Mita. 

As soon as you step foot in the beautiful spacious open air lobby, smell the salt in the air, and dip your toes in the beaches’ white soft sand, you’ll know you’ve landed in paradise. The name itself (Punta de Mita) comes from the Aztec word “mictlan,” which means “gateway to paradise.”

Nestled among the pristine cliffs of the coastal Pacific is an unspoiled sanctuary situated where the jungle meets the sea. Here is where you will experience relaxation, seclusion, and all things paradise. 

Luxury Oceanfront Views

The resort is surrounded by sparkling turquoise blue waters (something I’ve never experienced before being in Texas), so it’s a must to stay Beachfront. With 265 guest rooms and 25 suites, we suggest staying in the Beachfront Signature Suite King Bed, an idyllic spacious suite that offers a large balcony with unforgettable oceanfront and jungle views. Did I mention you get your very own private plunge pool? Chow down on some breakfast or sip on some drinks while taking a dip. I loved listening to the ocean waves crash against the shore from my room.

Pool Play

The luxurious property has four pools. One is an adult-only pool with a swim up bar. (Enjoy an iced cold mojito while getting your tan on!) Another is a kids pool located far away from the adults section. (There’s a fun slide the kids will love). I loved the infinity pool with top-notch oceanfront views. And of course, there’s the Spa pool you can take advantage of when you choose your treatment. 

Connect and Reflect at The Conrad Spa

Speaking of which, there is absolutely no point in staying at this fabulous resort if you don’t experience one of their best assets – the Conrad Spa. 

Inspired by indigenous and pre-Hispanic traditions, discover meaningful therapies and treatments that evoke internal reflection, balance, self-discovery, and ultimate relaxation. Conrad Spa is the essence of embracing the beauty and tranquility of nature to naturally nurture your body and soul. This jungle spa is a refuge of connection and reflection. 

The treatments range from transportive spiritual journeys to deeply relaxing massages, bodywork, and facials. Choose an outdoor setting for your spa experience where draped massage tables are surrounded by a dome thatched room to allow comfortable temperatures, privacy, and the feeling of being amid nature. Take a dip in the secluded spa pool to cool off from the heat or after your steam in the Temazcal lodge. (You can still take advantage of the pool should you choose an indoor treatment).

I had one of the Huichol-inspired treatments, the Deep Tissue Massage for 90 minutes, aimed at relieving sore muscles, tension, the stress of daily life, and combining deep work with mobilizations and trigger points therapy. I’m not joking when I say this was one of the best massages I’ve ever gotten. I was drifting in and out of sleep from feeling so relaxed and relieved. I seriously did not want it to end. The 90 minutes wasn’t enough!

Delightful Dining

Conrad Punta de Mita offers seven unique restaurants and bars as well as private and in-room dining. You’ll go on a culinary journey filled with authentic, bold, and incredible flavors of Mexico. 

Codex

Their signature restaurant Codex is located directly on the beach, interweaving rich history with warmth and hospitality. Enjoy flavor profiles of the area woven through each course, and regional Mexican culinary traditions reflected in each plate.

Start with the Maíz de lluvia, which is rain corn with avocado and tomatillo sauce, aged cotija cheese, and handmade tortillas that come in a coconut-like container. The corn truffle garlic and epazote butter really elevated the appetizer. (The smoked Pacific oysters would also be a great choice). From the land, try the Barbacoa de Cordero de Ixtlan. Lamb barbacoa at its finest with chickpea puree. Seafood lovers will enjoy the Jaiba de Concha Suave, soft shell crab with ancho chili and black garlic. For dessert, I indulged in the Cacao y Pasilla (chocolate mousse) that was super rich and flavorsome. 

Mezquite 

Mezquite is known for grilling the most mouth-watering steak, seafood, and chicken, basically your reimagined Mexican and American favorites. Every dish is prepared over open coals with the freshest local ingredients. Enjoy the rotating seasonal menu under Mezquite’s open-air setting with oceanfront views and a star-studded sky. (Open for all-day dining and breakfast through dinner). I loved the tender steak topped with garlic butter. Be sure to order some garlic parmesan fries with that. My table companions loved the Lobster Empanada with chorizo. Keep it classic with the Catch of the Day Fillet. 

Arbol

One of my favorite experiences was devouring Arbol’s heavenly breakfast buffet on an open-air terrace. Enjoy a lavish breakfast buffet including a selection of breads and pastries, Mexican favorites like Chilaquiles, and made-to-order tortillas with a quesadilla station. The absolute best mini tacos I could ask for! (I still think about how delicious they were). Other lighter options include beautifully plated fresh fruit as well as acaí and matcha bowls. For dinner you must start with the fresh guacamole that really puts any other guacs to shame. Other dinner faves include the flavorful Braised Short Rib, Lobster Tamal, and Dried Beef Tlayuda, or keep it light with the Tortilla Soup. 

Agave Studio

When it comes to getting your drink on, I suggest checking out the on-property Agave Studio. The Agave Studio houses more than 200 bottles of agave spirits including Mexical, Raicilla, Tequila, Sotol, and more. Three unique experiences are offered uniquely to Conrad Punta de Mita. The Agave Tasting allows you to discover the history, regions and flavor profiles of these unique spirits through the teachings of agave experts. With the Agave Dinner Pairing, you can pair the spirits with small bites or book a 5-course dinner with pairings. Take it a step further and Make your Own Mezcal by concocting your personal blend of the many flavor profiles from the Agave Studio spirits library. 

Conrad Cocktails 

You can also of course enjoy creative cocktails from Mezquite as well as the lounge at Codex, perfect for enjoying live music before dinner. Tuki is a haven for inspired cocktails, craft beers and curated wines in Conrad’s laid-back modern lobby. For your days in the sun, relax with a colorful cocktail in hand at Paleta poolside bar, or basque in your private poolside cabana and grab a seat at Aura, the swim-up bar at the adults-only infinity pool. 

On and Off Property Activities 

The resort offers all types of water activities, such as kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, and snorkeling. Get your golf on with an 18-hole par 72 Greg Norman designed course just steps from the resort. Go horseback riding through jungle trails to the beach, or go on a bike ride taking in all the views. Take a tour up Monkey Mountain with tour guides leading the way. December through March, you can even do some whale watching straight from the hotel! How cool is that? Take a day trip to Sayulita, a small village with cute shops and restaurants, known for its beaches with strong surf. (Sayulita is filled with young people who love to party all the time!)

Conrad de Mita may be the new kid on the block, but when you experience top-notch luxury accommodations, cultural culinary offerings, and unforgettable memories, you’ll certainly understand why they’re known as the Gateway to Paradise. 

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Cover Photo from Conrad Punta de Mita

Leean Vargas is the Highlight Reel newsletter editor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good food, and discovering new hangout spots in her beloved city, Austin, Texas.