PUNTA MITA | ST. REGIS PUNTA MITA | Christian Bendek's Blog

I had the opportunity to join the VII Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic last month through the St Regis Punta Mita, in the Pacific coast of Mexico.

I have a soft spot for Mexico, specifically their cuisine, which is possibly my favorite. So when I received the invitation to this event I wanted to cry of happiness. This year I have been channeling my inner Arnold Palmer, by golfing not once, not twice, but three times this year. Also in attendance Lorena Ochoa, a top-ranked female golfer in the world, who I had the privilege to meet during my trip!

Punta Mita is an ultra-luxurious resort and residential area located on a private peninsula 45 min far from Puerto Vallarta, surrounded by white sand beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Punta Mita is a golfer’s paradise, you can enjoy of two Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Courses and several beach clubs and the gorgeous St. Regis Resort Punta Mita. This place has become Mexico’s most coveted hideaway.

I was treated regally since day one with the best food from chefs around the world during different events that took place every day. From vegan chef Leslie Durso to local head Chef Jesús Durón from The St. Regis, the variety of dishes with Mexican flavor was a temptation I couldn’t resist. I forgot about the diet and enjoyed every single station.

What to do in Punta Mita besides eating and golfing?

• Visit the little town of San Francisco and see how this town has become a pioneer in the recycling business. Visit their center and make sure to donate to the beautiful cause. You can enjoy fresh coconut water by the beach and sunbath among surfers. It’s a very laid back town and extremely colorful.

• Visit La Patrona. It’s a marvelous new place to experience a polo match and eat. La Patrona has two polo fields and three meadows. This place offers classes in a variety of equestrian disciplines, such as riding, classical dressage.

• Go on an ocean adventure around Punta Mita in a catamaran with Punta Mita Expedition. You’ll get to experience the Riviera Nayarit from far and fall in love with it. I chilled on the boat, took some amazing pictures, had a few drinks and jumped in the water and then sunbathed on a pizza float. LIFE. IS. HARD.

• Have a massage at Remede Spa. I asked for a sports massage and the masseuse assigned delivered. One of the best massages I have ever received, she put the right pressure and readjusted my entire back.

• Visit Islas Marietas, this is a real adventure, I strongly recommend this experience if you like to feel the adrenaline rushing through your body. The islands are a small group of uninhabited islands a few miles off the North coast of the Banderas Bay. My favorite part was getting to the hidden beach. You can get to this underground beach swimming through a short tunnel carved by the sea from the ocean side and into the crater, where you’ll be able to land on this incredible beach. It’s scary and exciting at the same time.

As always, I prefer to tell the story via images, see below and fall in love with Punta Mita and The St. Regis Punta Mita.