The empty seaside town of Punta de Mita (Mexico)

Punta de Mita is a couple of hours north of Puerto Vallarta on the Pacific Coast. We travelled there on a crowded, lively local bus filled with school children and got out a couple of stops to early in the middle of nowhere (thanks to Grey’s helpful directions – “We need to get out after ‘the speed bumps’”).  We flagged down the next bus passing through and eventually made it to our destination. We found a place to stay called “Las Palmas”. It was run by a surfie American couple and had big, clean, bright rooms with full kitchens (which we used to make awesome snacks – all of which included avocados!).

On the bus (before everyone else got on)

Making and eating snacks

The first notable thing about Punta is the absolutely beautiful, deserted beach. Yellow sand, clear water, birds diving for fish, and not another person to be seen. The second notable thing is that all along one end of the beach are giant, spanking new and completely empty condos. The third notable thing is that, also at one end of the beach, is a line of really expensive, exclusive, and out-of-place beachfront restaurant and bars, also completely empty. The combination of these three things was slightly bizarre. Every time we had a beer or Sayulita Fish Taco (wow), or a Margarita at the Margarita Bar, we were the only persons in the restaurant. All of the waiters kept saying “Next week is our busy week…” However, I’m not so sure – it seems like the town planners got a bit ahead of themselves – huge condos, exxey restaurants, and not a person in sight!

Spot Grey

Chilling for once

Back from the beach and the main (non-existent) tourist strip, the town of Punta de Mita was a dusty, slow, little Mexican village. Our favourite place to eat was a place called Norma’s, where you would literally sit on Norma’s front porch with the family, dogs, kids etc while Norma whipped up a delicious taco and horcharta (think liquid rice pudding – good for drinking with chilli). Kids and dogs ran around the streets and you could see right into people’s houses. A lot of family life took place on the front porch and it was lovely walking down the streets and see it all happening around you.

I found a puppy!

Grey hired a surf board and went surfing at a reef break called “La Lancha”. The waves were beautiful. About 10 people were out in the surf but all on longboards, so it was pretty tough to get waves. When waves did come, they were a little weak - but all in all a beautiful spot with a secluded cove, craggy points dropping into the ocean, and palm trees … bliss.

Eating the sun