Punta de Mita Holidays

Posh peninsula

Punta de Mita sits on a foot-shaped peninsula, which dips its toe into Mexico’s Banderas Bay. A good chunk of this Pacific Coast beauty was snapped up by developers in the Seventies to create a fancy, gated community of hotels and homes. And there’s still a decent wedge left for wild beaches and a fishing village.

Surf’s up

If you’re after Punta de Mita Beach, it’s known locally as El Anclote. You can get some surf practice in, thanks to the long, slow waves. Plus, the light sands are buddied up with lounge chairs, thatched bars and taco joints. To the east, this fades into forest, which means secluded tanning’s not out of the question. And the peace and quiet’s cranked up a notch on boat trips to the off-shore, uninhabited Marieta Islands.

Smart siblings

Along with the traditional fishing village, there's a sizeable dose of luxury here, in the form of a couple of plush gated hotels, plus private beaches and two courses designed by golf ledge Jack Nicklaus. And half an hour’s drive up the coast, you've got Sayulita, with its great surf and bright beach shacks.