Rancho 9 - About Punta Mita
About 45 minutes by car from Puerto Vallarta's Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR), Punta de Mita, or Punta Mita for short, is one of the most coveted destinations in all of Mexico. From the air you'll notice the shoreline is carved like the comb on a roosterfish—hard wisps of rock and sand separating one secluded beach after another, waiting to be explored.
The time zone is GMT-5hr, the same as Chicago in the USA. Mexico observes daylight savings time. Air service to Puerto Vallarta is plentiful, with provisions for private jets as well as frequent commercial traffic. Air travel takes about three hours from Los Angeles or eight hours from New York, depending upon connections. If you have your own private jet, you can make arrangements with Aerotron (MMPV) for hangar space or ramp space. They have both F.B.O. and charter services.
Local transportation from the airport is available, but as a guest of Rancho 9, be sure to contact our concierge for personalized pickup and travel assistance.
Punta Mita enjoys abundant sunshine. The latitude is the same as Hawaii and, like Hawaii, the climate is warm and tempered by the ocean. Temperatures in January run 26C (78F) during the day, cooling nicely to 18 C (65 degrees F) at night. July is typically 30C (90F) in the daytime, 25C (75F) at night. The rainy season is August and September, with frequent downpours in the afternoon. Punta Mita is somewhat sheltered from the most severe weather—a benefit provided by the Sierra Madre mountains and Cabo Corrientes.
If you step off the plane after a flight from the northern latitudes, you may be surprised by the bright sunshine and humidity of Puerto Vallarta. But don't worry; you'll get used to being warm for a change. Regarding travel safety, the white-gloved police in Puerto Vallarta are ubiquitous, and once you reach the Ranchos enclave in Punta Mita, you'll notice private security guards patrolling the access gates and the beaches both day and night.
Jacks, Anyone?
"Probably Hole 3B at Punta Mita", Jack Nicklaus replied to the question "What is the best golf hole you ever designed?"
"The #1 golf course in the World" voted by readers of Conde Nast Traveler. Both quotes refer to the Jack Nicklaus signature courses at Punta Mita. As a guest at Rancho 9, these very exclusive golf properties are accessible to you. Hole 3B on the Pacifico Course is called "The Tail of the Whale", after its shape. It's a true island. At high tide, you ride an amphibious golf cart to access the green—no foot mashies here, unless you're wearing flippers. Bring your "A" game for this hole, as it calls for a crisp 190-yard carry over the Pacific Ocean. If you're on your last sleeve of balls, you might want to opt for the less daunting hole 3A, a bailout hole Jack designed for those who don't want to see their Pro-V's take a bath. Pacifico is designed to be enjoyable for expert and beginner alike. While Pacifico is a gorgeous course with ample fairways hugging the ocean, a tougher test of your golfing prowess is the exquisite, newly-opened Bahia Course. But bring a fresh pencil because the gnarly rippled fairways and undulating greens on this seriously adult course could cost you ten full strokes more than Pacifico.
Either way, there's a memorable golf experience waiting just minutes from the front door of Rancho 9.
OMG! Manta!
Carrying you cell phone underwater to text your SCUBA buddy isn't recommended, but you may be tempted to do it when you see a giant manta ray. Such encounters are not unusual here; visibility frequently runs more than 100 feet, and the subsurface paradise of the Marietas Islands national underwater park is just a 15 minute boat ride away from Punta Mita. The coves and caves of these special islands are a treat when seen from the surface, but spectacular when viewed under water. Local PADI instructors can guide you if you're experienced, or get you certified if you're not. Either way, Punta Mita is a colorful playground for anyone seeking underwater adventure.
If you're into spearfishing, world record big game fish frequent the waters off Punta Mita, and local expeditions cater to free diving spear fishermen.
Not into SCUBA or spears? How about snorkeling? The marine sanctuary is off limits to both commercial and sport fishing, making for a truly delightful swim. Snorkeling is like an underwater treasure hunt when you try to check off every fish on the dive card. You might watch an octopus camouflage itself against the coral, or spot a sea turtle lumbering through the surf. When you exit the water, you'll find the surface can be a treat to the eye as well—the Marietas Islands are home to the rare blue-footed booby. Bring your waterproof camera, binoculars, sunglasses, hat and some reef-friendly sunscreen and a towel too, if you don't want to dry off by simply basking in the warm Mexican sun.
By the way, you don't have to go on an expedition to have a great time in the water. Our quiet beach is just down the staircase.
"Wave. Wave."
Surfing. It's one of the main reasons people come to Punta Mita. And right outside the back door of Rancho 9 are some of the best waves any beginner to advanced surfer could want. The prime surfing here is from April through November, but there are beach breaks and point breaks all along the Bay of Banderas, and you only have to go 20 minutes north to Sayulita, where the northern swell can extend the season throughout the winter. Surf shops abound, or just rent a board and pick up a lesson on the beach behind Rancho 9, and give surfing a try.
"I don't know what it is, but it's BIG!"
The conflicting currents off Punta Mita create a delightful upwelling of baitfish, and that attracts the big guys—marlin, sailfish, dorado (mahi-mahi), jacks, tuna, roosterfish, wahoo and more. Sport fishing is a passion here, and local captains are experienced at hooking you into a blood-pumping tug of war with a worthy adversary. Charters are available from super-pangas to large offshore boats, and there are captains who also cater to fly fishermen.
Spout off if you see one!
If you're from Alaska, you'll appreciate the fact that the humpback whales have followed you down here. They use the local waters for calving, before moving back to the krill-rich waters of the north. You can take part in one of the many whale watching charters that go out from December through April. Whales can frequently be seen from shore.
Tequila is a Town
You may want to go into training for this one. Take a modern bus to the Eastern Sierra Madre through colorful plantations of papaya, tobacco and pineapple, and head for the town of Tequila. There you can tour the agave fields and the tequila distillery. Enjoy an excellent lunch and the heady experience of Tequila tasting. Salud!
"Now THAT was different."
Punta Mita is not just about sand, surf and wonderful dining; there are more exotic things to do as well. Try watching a polo match, seeing the local bullfights at the La Paloma Plaza de Toros in Puerto Vallarta, going up in a hot air balloon or taking an airplane tourof the countryside. There are also tours featuring dolphin and sea lion encounters. Punta Mita is truly a destination with variety.
"I know good art when I feel it."
One well-kept secret is that Puerto Vallarta is home to many excellent artists. First, take note of the art displayed by Marco Aldaco when he designed Rancho 9; he wanted the entire property to be an uplifting experience. Next, think about incorporating some of this philosophy for your own home when you visit the artist row in Puerto Vallarta. You will appreciate indigenous art in the form of ceramics, wood carving, sculpture, painting, glasswork and jewelry. As for paintings, Puerto Vallarta has some of the finest art galleries in Mexico, where Mexican artists exhibit their interpretations in styles varying from the traditional art of the Huichol Indians to post-modernism and magical realism exhibited by contemporary practitioners of fine art.
Spanish Dictionary
Desayuno: The smell of fresh coffee, local fruits, fresh organic eggs, pancakes and whatever else your private gourmet chef has arranged to gently awaken you and put you in a good mood for the day.
Piña colada, por favor: Drifting into your favorite book while lounging by the infinity pool, butler on call, as you survey the ocean and slow your heartbeat to match the rhythm of the surf, this is the only Spanish phrase you'll ever need to know. Of course, you don't really need to know it, as the butler speaks perfect English.
Buena bola: What your caddy is likely to say after your tee shot at the Pacifico Golf Course. It's a phrase you're less likely to hear at the Bahia course, and much more pleasant than the one he is likely to shout whenever you hit a nasty slice out of bounds: Banana.(Pronounced BAH-NAH-NAH! )
Buena ola: Not to be confused with buena bola. It literally translates to "good wave" and it's surfer talk for um, well, good wave.
Ceta! Spanish for whale. From December through April, you may hear this word a lot.
Siesta: What you'll need after SCUBA diving, exploring, snorkeling, whale watching, golfing, horseback riding, eating, zip-line riding, ATV driving, swimming with dolphins and sea lions, sightseeing, shopping, rock climbing, kayaking, sunbathing, drinking, hiking, surfing, sailing, fishing, tennis and taking the tequila tour.
Buenos dias! It certainly is.
