10 Things Kids Love About Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico

If the kids are blissfully happy on a luxury family vacation, won’t you be too? I’ve been traveling to Riviera Nayarit–a 200-mile stretch of coastline in the Mexican state of Nayarit–for the better part of the last two decades. My parents had a house there, just a few minutes away from Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico.

We were hosted by the resort in February and though I knew the entire family would love it, I was floored by how much my 6-year-old did. In case you’re visiting Punta Mita with kids, here are her 10 favorite things about the luxury resort.

1. The Suite’s Plunge Pool

A splurge over the still-gorgeous Casita Rooms, the One-Bedroom Suite has a 537 sq. foot terrace complete with hammock, lounge chairs, dining area and private plunge pool. Our pool was heated to a comfortable temperature and lit up at night for an after-dinner swim. It was extremely difficult, at times, to yank her out of this pool. How can you blame her with views of the ocean and birds chasing each other on the lawn?

A large bathroom, walk-in closet and plenty of storage completed the master suite while the separate living room had its own full bathroom, bar area, pull-out sofa and luxury furnishings. It felt like a home versus a hotel room.

2. Lazy River

Right behind those lounge chairs is a full bar with giant ICEE machines. My daughter enjoyed her very first cherry ICEE so much that she saved the cup and brought it home as a souvenir. She floated around the lazy river in inner tubes and on pool noodles. It’s shaded in spots, providing a nice break from the sunshine. Around and around we went.

(I realize that this post is about Punta Mita with kids, but I loved floating around in an inner tube while sipping a margarita.)

3. Kid-Friendly Amenities

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From welcome candy upon arrival to a stuffed animal and beach bucket waiting in our room (seen behind our margarita glasses) to the green bath bomb I attempted to hunt down after our return, she was spoiled by Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico. And, her name spelled out in bath letter sponges was a huge hit.

The resort also presaged her lack of toothbrush and toothpaste–both were waiting for her in the bathroom.

4. Delicious Food

Sure, there’s a kids menu but she wound up sharing locally-sourced seafood and Mexican entrees with me. The grilled vegetable side order and Punta Mita club sandwich were favorites, as was the breakfast buffet at Ketsi featuring fresh smoothies, eggs, pastries, meats and cheeses that pair nicely with an ocean view.

We both love a good buffet.

5. The Main Pool

From some angles, this pool looks like it blends into the ocean. She helped herself to pool noodles and floats, ordered smoothies, and exited for the occasional re-application of hotel-provided sunscreen. The large round jacuzzi nearby provided an opportunity to meet other parents traveling with children. We heard that in the high season, amphibious servers will be on hand to take orders and deliver drinks into the pool! An adults-only pool is near the spa.

6. Beach Toys And Day Beds

Free for guests to use, snagging a day bed on the family-friendly Las Cuevas beach adds posh comfort to your family holiday. We rotated from tidepools to ocean to sandcastle building to Smashball with some drinks and snacks mixed in. Beach toys for use are courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico.

7. The Luxury Resort’s Gelato Cart

Though a variety of fabulous desserts are on offer throughout the luxury resort, the gelato cart was a nightly hit. We were able to encourage good behavior by promising these visits.

8. Wildlife On View Everywhere

A pair of geckos took residence on our front porch while the above “chicken birds” as one of the staff members called them, were common sights. Bird-watching in Punta Mita is a big deal because just a few minutes from the coast is rainforest, where a number of rare and unusual birds live.

Our visit coincided with the annual winter humpback whale migration–the white whale spouts were visible from our patio. World-class snorkeling and scuba is available for kids who can swim well or meet age requirements.

9. Kids For All Seasons

Check the activity schedule when you arrive to make sure that the kids are at Kids For All Seasons during activities of interest. The kids can feed the resident iguana, build sandcastles, create eco-friendly crafts and more in this huge play space or around the resort while you tend to important needs like a signature Punta Mita massage at the spa.

10. Scheduled Resort Activities

How cool is it that kids can take cooking classes too? (Classes normally take place outside, not in the hotel kitchen.) Or, perhaps they’d like to join you on the beach as chefs select catch of the day from local fisherman. There is a lot to do at this luxury resort.

How To Get To Punta Mita, Mexico

Alaska Airlines offers reasonably-priced, direct flights to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) from San Diego (SAN) and back. Flying time is an easy 2.5 hours. Plan for some time to clear customs as on our last trip, it took nearly an hour. On other occasions, I’ve breezed through in no time so I’m assuming it’s hit or miss. The airport is nice with plenty of dining options available.

From PVR,  it’s an easy 45-minute drive on a paved highway to Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico. The scenery is breathtaking in spots.

VIP transportation:  Arrange VIP transportation in advance through Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Mexico. Someone will greet you after exiting customs and escort you to a vehicle. We rode in a comfortable Suburban with chilled towels and water on offer.

Rental cars: Driving in this part of Mexico isn’t difficult and we used to do it all the time. If you’d like to explore seaside towns near Punta Mita, consider renting a car. The roads to Punta Mita are paved with places to get gas and snacks along the way. The drive passes through Bucerias and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, both oceanfront towns with good local restaurants. Research in advance of stopping, however. Directions to the resort and a map are here.

Taxis: If you forget to reserve VIP transportation, plenty of taxis are available at the airport. Check this TripAdvisor thread for detailed Puerto Vallarta taxi information. I have taken taxis from the airport to my parents’ house but don’t remember the details as I wasn’t the one organizing the transfer.

Car seats are not required in livery when visiting Punta Mita with kids but bringing along a booster seat is easy.

Final Thoughts

Be sure to check the resort’s activities guide and Kids For All Seasons schedule upon arrival to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Should you forget to pack drugstore essentials, most will be available at the Boutiques. Gorgeous clothes, swimwear, hats and more will make a fine souvenir. At Nawau boutique, bottles of good, reasonably-priced Mexican (and other) wines and snacks are available for purchase.

I feel compelled to mention that I have never worried about safety here, though we don’t stray from familiar or tourist spots. It’s just a gorgeous part of the world.

Can’t wait to return! For more information on Punta Mita and the surrounding areas, see my 10 Reasons to Visit Punta Mita article in Four Seasons Magazine.

Tip: Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita is one of the hotels I can book for you with agent-exclusive amenities that will enhance and add value to your stay. Please send me your dates and I’ll tell you what’s on offer.