Mexico: Las Alamandas and Punta Mita

Punta Mita 

We had the most amazing time. We stayed a few days in Las Alamandas, which is 2 hours outside of Puerto Vallarta and we stayed at St. Regis Punta Mita. Both were wonderful in different ways.

Las Alamandas is very private. You usually won’t see anybody while you’re there except for staff. It’s 7 villas total on the property and it’s unlikely their all occupied at once. We got even more lucky and ended up having the whole property to ourselves for the 5 days we we’re there. The property and grounds are absolutely stunning. I went to Las Alamandas for the first time 9 years ago and remember thinking paradise and 9 years later nothing has changed. Its still perfect and one of the most beautiful properties I have ever been too. The staff is excellent as well. Very attentive and will make miracles happen if you ask. We requested something different from the menu every night and they made it happen way past expectations. Anything you need considered it handled. Please know if you are planning to travel to Las Alamandas there are no near by towns and no real day trips except for golf like an hour away. Once your there, your there. So settle in and enjoy complete solitude. 🙂

St. Regis Punta Mita was also wonderful. It was not as secluded and private as Las Alamandas, but we actually appreciated that after 5 days of total retreat. There was a small village near by with plenty of cute beach shacks and restaurants. The resort was also a lot bigger, maybe more like 80-100 rooms (don’t quote me), but plenty of people at the pool and restaurants. I believe they had 4 different spots you could eat/ drink. A couple of pool bars. A locally caught fish/seafood lunch spot, a breakfast spot and one fine dining restaurant. All the food was amazing, but not local fare. Don’t expect to see tacos on the menu, more like grilled octopus and lobster ravioli. The grounds were kept wonderful, very resort like. Private walk up casitas, with outside patios, outdoor showers and butlers.

 Loved our stay!

While in Mexico we went on a couple of day trips. First to Puerto Vallarta Zoo and another with Punta Mita Expeditions. At the Zoo you can pet tigers and leopards as you can see above. It’s incredible and a very surreal experience. I loved it, however I feel the need to say there is a bit of sadness seeing these amazing creatures in captivity and away from their Mom so young. The conditions are not what you would see in an American Zoo. You’re in Mexico and if you have ever been to Mexico or another 2nd world country you know and have seen the poverty. So many people are living in huts with dirt floors, dont expect to see first class living conditions for animals even Tigers. I struggled with this for a while, but came to peace with it once we left and we drove by someones house that had no doors or windows. Honestly, it is what its going to be. I just hope the money you pay ($100 US per person) goes to help better the zoo and support the animals. Overall, I would do it again. 

The second thing we did was take a boat and snorkel in Punta Mita. Highly recommend this! The guide took us to an amazing private island in the pictures above. The water is crystal clear, tons of beautiful fish and pretty calm. In order to get to the island you do need to swim though a cave, which honestly I was a little scared about. Tides change fast, and it’s dark so if your not a huge ocean person could be a little nerve racking. But I sware once your in, it’s s worth it. It was so amazing and beautiful. 

Thank you to both properties for the wonderful stay! Links and details below

First Hotel: Las Alamandas

I also included an article recently done by Net a Porter on Las Alamandas Here 

Second Hotel: St. Regis Punta Mita

Company for snorkeling: Punta Mita Expeditions 

Please feel free to email me if you have any questions!!

Xx Nik