Conrad Punta de Mita Review: A Tropical Oceanfront Retreat in the Heart of Riviera Nayarit

Conrad Punta de Mita is a luxury resort located in the heart of Riviera Nayarit, Mexico. Photo courtesy of Hilton

The moment my husband and I stepped into the open-air lobby overlooking the Pacific Ocean and were handed our welcome drinks, all of our stress instantly melted away. My “out of office” email replies had been turned on and we were officially in vacation mode.

The destination? Conrad Punta de Mita, a luxury beachfront getaway in the heart of Riviera Maya, Mexico. On the resort’s website it says “where the jungle meets the sea,” and that description couldn’t be more accurate.

Look in just about any direction of the resort, and those are the two things you’ll see — lush tropical foliage and the vast ocean. Photos only do it so much justice — It’s quite the sight to see in person.

The Best Spas in Mexico

In Hilton’s 2026 trends report, their President and CEO Chris Nassetta references the whycation — a global movement where travelers are planning trips not just for the destination, but with purpose or some goal in mind.

From recharging to reconnecting with loved ones, there are a variety of reasons for going on a trip, and my husband’s and my shared goal was to relax and reset, as we had both been living in extended states of high stress due to the holidays, end-of-year work deadlines, and my husband’s annual volunteering for the Rose Parade, among other things.

It had been years since either of us had visited Mexico, so we were both looking forward to spending the next few days in paradise, not to mention all of the unique cultural, culinary, and wellness activities that we would get to experience during our stay.

The open-air lobby welcomes guests upon arrival and looks out directly to the ocean. Photo courtesy of Hilton

Why You’ll Love It

Conrad Punta de Mita is located in Riviera Nayarit, a 200-mile stretch of coastline along the Pacific Ocean in Mexico. The area’s scenic backdrop consists of beaches, mountains, and tropical jungles, as well as coastal towns such as Punta de Mita and Sayulita.

The resort is in Punta de Mita, a peninsula made up of luxury resorts and private villa residences, in addition to championship golf courses. Within the private gated Litibú community, the Conrad Punta de Mita offers guests an exclusive retreat that is secluded and secure.

The property, while expansive, is easy to navigate and not overwhelming. The three swimming pools are located at the center of the resort, which looks out over the beachfront and ocean. Rooms and suites are infused with modern design and local culture, and select suites have private plunge pools.

In addition to a full-service spa, Conrad Punta de Mita has four sit-down restaurants, multiple bars/lounges including a pool bar, an agave tasting studio, a cafe, and private dining experiences that can be arranged.

A wide range of on-site and off-site activities are available for guests to enjoy including immersive cultural experiences, ocean sports and outdoor excursions, as well as full resort programming that has everything from cooking classes to a wellness schedule and more.

In a corner of the lobby lounge sits Tuki, a cocktail bar that serves curated cocktails and small plates. Photo courtesy of Hilton

Accommodations

The resort’s 324 rooms all have ocean views and feature a modern design that is tranquil and simplistic with touches of beautiful artwork and details woven throughout.

We stayed in an Ocean View King, which had a spacious balcony with a daybed for relaxation as well as a table and chairs for outdoor dining, and a large bathroom with his-and-hers sinks and a walk-in rainfall shower.

As soon as we checked into our room, we ordered quesadillas off the room service menu along with Pacifico beers and enjoyed gazing out at the ocean until dinnertime.

At night, we slept with our sliding door open so that we could listen to the waves crashing — the secret to a good night’s sleep, in my opinion.

The resort’s rooms and suites are infused with both modern design and local culture, featuring private terraces and ocean views. Pictured: a King Oceanfront Room.

If you want to get even closer to the water, beachfront rooms are also available. And if you’re looking for an even more elevated experience, the resort has an assortment of incredible suites as well that are especially ideal for larger groups and families.

The best part? They come with private outdoor plunge pools, and you can even request room service in the form of a floating breakfast that is brought directly to your pool.

Suites also come with a Compadre Concierge, who is at your service throughout the duration of your stay and will help you with everything from planning activities to overseeing any other requests that may come up.

To elevate your stay further, book one of the resort’s suites with a private plunge pool. Pictured: Beachfront Grand Suite. Courtesy of Hilton

Pools & Beach

If relaxing next to the pool is your main goal for vacation, Conrad Punta de Mita has three different swimming pools that are temperature-controlled year-round and cater to every type of traveler.

From a family-friendly pool with a waterslide/splash pad to a stunning-infinity edge pool and an adults-only pool with a swim-up bar, you have plenty of options and can even spend your days hopping from pool to pool if you want a change of scenery.

The Adults Pool has private cabanas with Baja loungers and is located across from the swim-up pool bar. Courtesy of Hilton

The pools are located in the center of the resort and the infinity-edge pool overlooks the Pacific Ocean —when you’re staring out over the water, the pool gives off the illusion of flowing directly into the ocean for a magical effect.

When we weren’t participating in various activities or at the spa, we relaxed at the adults-only pool and had a private cabana, which really elevated the experience. A lush path leads to each cabana, and they feature custom-designed wood frames, in-water Baja seats, and butler service.

We were directly across from the swim-up pool bar where you can order drinks (as well as from the cabana butler), and on our last day at the property we didn’t have a flight until later in the afternoon so we spent our final hours relaxing by the pool in our cabana — the perfect way to prepare for travel.

All of the pools have cabanas that can be reserved and it’s definitely worth it, especially if you plan to spend a good amount of your time there. There’s also a coconut stand near the entrance to the adult pool where you can order a branded Conrad coconut, a fun way to stay hydrated.

The Beachfront Infinity Pool overlooks the Pacific Ocean and is the perfect setting for relaxation in paradise. Courtesy of Hilton

The resort also offers direct beach access and additional loungers with umbrellas are located on the sand for prime oceanfront relaxation.

The beach is accessible via a set of stairs and you can easily go for a jog or walk along the water, or take a dip in the water.

There’s a beach bar located adjacent to the resort’s Mezquite restaurant and a variety of beach activities can be arranged through the hotel concierge as well.

Conrad Punta de Mita offers direct access to an exclusive beach and the Pacific Ocean. Courtesy of Hilton

Dining

The food was definitely one of the standouts during our trip to Conrad Punta de Mita and every single meal was incredible. The resort has multiple restaurants ranging from casual poolside dining to its award-winning signature restaurant that has been recognized as one of the best in Mexico.

We could tell that a lot of time and heart had been put into the preparation of each dish, from the ingredients to the presentation, and the service was also exceptional. On numerous occasions the chefs came out to our table to chat with us, and in some cases even prepared dishes right in front of us.

In the mornings we did grab-and-go from Colobri Roasting Co., the resort’s cafe that has fresh pastries made in-house, breakfast sandwiches, and sustainably sourced coffee as well as matcha.

There’s also a poolside restaurant called Paleta that serves pizza and relaxed bites, as well as the resort’s lobby lounge Tuki where you can grab a quick cocktail and small plate.

Mezquite

Located right next to the beach with views of the ocean from all sides, Mezquite (named for mesquite wood used in Mexican cooking) serves both American and Mexican dishes that have been reimagined.

Many of their dishes are seasonal and some of the ones we tried included the beef empanadas, mezquite style caesar salad topped with parmesan cotija cheese, the grilled bone marrow, and the garlic shrimp, which came highly recommended to us by our waiter.

Their desserts were definitely worth writing home about — we tried the crepes brûlée, stuffed with dulce de leche and topped with dulce de leche ice cream (positively sinful!); a cinco leches cake (I thought I’d seen it all with tres leches cake, but I was wrong); and then cleansed our palates with lime and charcoal popsicles (good timing since we were about to have s’mores on the beach next!)

My husband asked our waiter for his wine recommendations and he suggested Gran Ricardo from Monte Xanic, one of the premium wineries in Mexico.

The Bordeaux-style red blend is considered the most prestigious wine in the winery’s portfolio and features notes of blueberry and dark currants with notes of black pepper, vanilla, and tobacco. You know a wine is good when you have to take a photo of the bottle so you can purchase it again later!

Mezquite offers guests a beachfront dining experience with a menu that serves reimagined Mexican and American dishes. Courtesy of Hilton

Arbol

Meaning “tree” in Spanish, Arbol is a unique dining concept that offers two different culinary experiences. In the mornings, the restaurant sets up an extensive Mexican breakfast buffet in the resort’s lobby and on the outside patio, which serves everything from fresh tortillas and chilaquiles to huevos rancheros (all of our favorites!)

At night, the restaurant transforms into Árbol Cucina, an Italian pop-up with a menu of fresh pastas, local seafood, cocktails, and more. We started our meal with the fresh baked focaccia bread that we dipped in olive oil, and it was hard to stop myself from filling up on that before the main courses had arrived.

I ordered the Cacio e pepe pasta while my husband had the casarecce pasta with pesto alla Trapanese (which is a red pesto, not the typical green sauce).

For dessert, we had the cannoli filled with pistachio gelato. I didn’t have room for another bite, but another dessert that caught my eye was the chocolate ganache with rustic bread, olive oil, and sea salt. Next time!

In the morning, Arbol offers a lavish Mexican buffet, then at night transforms into Árbol Cucina, a seasonal Italian pop-up. Courtesy of Hilton

Codex

We saved the best for last with our final dinner at Codex, the resort’s signature restaurant whose name is inspired by an ancient Aztec manuscript. Tucked away among shoreline mangrove trees in one corner of the resort, the restaurant connects to the beach and offers a relaxed yet elevated setting for dinner.

Led by Chef Jose Torres, Codex has won numerous awards and accolades over the years including being named number one restaurant in Punta de Mita on Tripadvisor, among others.

The menu features a modern and innovative take on regional Mexican dishes and Chef Torres was also inspired by his travels and experience working in other destinations, which is reflected in each dish. Highlights include the grilled octopus, short rib, grilled lobster, and the soft shell crab, which I was very excited about and it delivered!

The desserts were equally impressive and Chef Torres, who came by our table on more than one occasion to check on us and share the inspiration behind his dishes, recommended we try the guava ate (a firm jelly that is a traditional Mexican confection) topped with cheddar and parmesan cheese, as well as the Black Velvet — a unique sweet treat in the shape of a sphere with a cherry and strawberry compote that shared similar taste notes to red velvet, but with a twist.

There’s a tasting menu that showcases the restaurant’s best dishes if you’re looking for the ultimate culinary adventure (it’s features the chef’s top picks in case you’re unsure of what to order).

Codex is the resort’s signature restaurant that takes diners on an immersive culinary journey through Mexican cuisine’s flavors and traditions. Courtesy of Hilton

Spa & Wellness

Designed to embrace nature and local culture, Conrad Spa at Conrad Punta de Mita is a relaxing oasis in a jungle-like setting that includes outdoor dome thatched treatment rooms, a Temazcal lodge, several hydrotherapy features including a spa pool and cold plunge, and more.

In addition to standard spa services like massages and facials, the menu of offerings also showcases numerous spiritual ceremonies and experiences such as cacao and Temazcal ceremonies, as well as therapies influenced by the ancient Huichol culture of Mexico.

We visited the spa twice during our stay — once for a couple’s massage in an outdoor thatched room and the other to experience a traditional Temazcal. The 120-minute experience is led by the resort’s shaman Luis, and takes place in a domed stone structure located in a quiet outdoor corner of the spa.

I go into more detail in my spa review, but the Temazcal was unlike anything either of us had done before and we felt completely renewed afterwards. It took some adjustment to get used to the heat and steam, but I felt so much lighter afterwards — both physically and mentally.

The 10,000-square-foot Conrad Spa features a lush, jungle-like setting with a menu of treatments and therapies that restore balance and well-being. Courtesy of Hilton

Experiences & Activities

At Conrad Punta de Mita, an abundance of activities are available for guests to enjoy. Whether you want a more relaxing trip with no itinerary or a packed schedule with on-site and off-site experiences, both are available depending on the type of trip you want to have.

From golf and whale-watching to horseback riding and resort activities, view all of the offerings here and read on to hear more about the specific experiences we had during our visit.

Agave Tasting

One of the special activities offered at the resort a is an agave spirits tasting led by a dedicated agave expert, who undergoes rigorous training and certification. I’ll admit I was a little nervous beforehand because I’m not a big drinker and I was afraid my throat would burn from the alcohol, but surprisingly, it didn’t; especially when he taught us how to sip and taste it.

Agave spirits are a big part of Mexican culture and agave plants are primarily cultivated in Mexico, especially in the Jalisco region which is home to mezcal and tequila (a type of mezcal) production.

During our tasting, we learned about the history of the agave plant, the difference in quality and flavor profiles from different brands (including Casamigos and Patron), and we even learned about food pairings (my favorite part) where various small bites were brought out as we tried each spirit.

Our tasting took place in the private Agave Studio located by the entrance of the resort’s Arbol restaurant, and the room is beautifully decorated with hundreds of bottles of different local spirits as well as colorful aged oak barrels.

My husband, who is a wine enthusiast, enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about tequila and mezcal, and even noted some similarities with wine and how it’s produced. For me, it was fun to step outside of my comfort zone and try something different while learning more about Mexico’s history and culture.

Conrad Punta de Mita offers a wide variety of cultural activities and experiences including a spirits tasting in the resort’s Agave Studio led by an agave expert. Courtesy of Hilton

Private Beach S’mores Bonfire

Whenever I’m near a beach and a fire-pit, s’mores always come to mind. I’ve enjoyed plenty at numerous hotels over the years, but the s’mores experience at Conrad Punta de Mita was extra special.

After finishing dinner our first night at Mezquite, we were led down the beach to a private fire-pit that had seating with blankets and a picnic basket filled with graham crackers, chocolate, and pink-and-white marshmallows.

Relaxing next to the cozy fire accompanied by the light ocean breezes while enjoying our tasty s’mores was the perfect way to end our first night at the resort. We were pleasantly surprised when colorful fireworks appeared in the sky from a nearby resort — a fun and unexpected bonus.

Zarandeado Lunch

For lunch one afternoon, we experienced a private Zarandeado Beach Barbecue at Mezquite. Meaning “shaken,” Zarandeado is a Mexican culinary term that references a traditional grilling method for fish.

We enjoyed an incredible six-course menu that included fresh-made guacamole and ceviche, grilled octopus, and dessert. All of the food was prepared fresh in front of us by the chef, and like everything else at Mezquite, tasted wonderful.

We were so full by the end (with plenty of food left over and our waitress even offered us to-go boxes) that I’d recommend going light on breakfast to ensure that you have plenty of room for the Zarandeado lunch — trust me, it’s worth it.

We enjoyed a private Zarandeado lunch on the beach at Mezquite featuring an assortment of fresh seafood. Photo by Kamala Kirk

Sayulita

During our stay, we carved out part of a day to spend at the nearby beach town of Sayulita, which is about 20 minutes from the resort by car.

The concierge scheduled a car service to take us to and from the town, and we spent about four hours walking around, exploring the cute art stores and gift boutiques, checking out the surf from the beach, and grabbed lunch at one of the many restaurants around town.

Sayulita has a very unique bohemian vibe with colorful banners and artwork, lots of surfers, cute street dogs (I wanted to take all of them home), and people driving around in golf carts and on ATVs. In many ways it reminded me of Venice Beach back home in Los Angeles — vibrant and eclectic.

Sayulita is a cute boho beach town and popular surfing destination near the resort that is home to plenty of boutiques, restaurants, and bars. Photo by Kamala Kirk

Insider Tips

  • Reserve a poolside cabana. Each of the resort’s swimming pools offers private cabanas with butler service that are the perfect way to elevate your poolside experience.

  • Book a private dining experience. Beyond room service, the resort offers a few different private culinary experiences including dinner under the stars as well as a Zarandeado lunch on the beach highlighting the fresh catch of the day.

  • Try a spiritual ceremony at the spa. Aside from luxurious amenities and treatments, Conrad Spa at Conrad Punta de Mita has a unique menu of transformative spiritual ceremonies including the popular Temazcal experience, which promotes a journey of self-discovery through purification of the body.

  • Sign up for a tasting at the Agave Studio. Even if you’re not a big tequila/mezcal person, the agave spirits tasting is a fun educational session with the resort’s agave expert who will lead you on a private tasting adventure paired with small bites that includes lessons about the fascinating history and flavor profile of the ancient spirit.

  • Plan at least one off-site activity. While Conrad Punta de Mita has everything you could possibly want and need on site, you should still venture off the property for a few hours whether it’s exploring a nearby beach town or going sailing. The resort concierge can schedule everything for you, including car service to get you safely to and from your destination.

  • Step out of your comfort zone. It’s easy to stay by the pool with a book on vacation but with so many offerings at the resort, it’s worth it to try at least one activity that you normally wouldn’t do back home, whether it’s stand-up paddle-boarding or signing up for a cooking class. Plus, you just might end up discovering a new passion or hobby.

Don’t forget to catch a cocktail at the beachfront bar adjacent to Mezquite while enjoying a beautiful sunset. Courtesy of Hilton

For more information and to book a stay at Conrad Punta de Mita, visit their website or call 1 (844) 298-4300. Follow on Instagram: @conradpuntademita

Carr. Punta de Mita Sayulita Km 2, Punta de Mita, NAY 63734, Mexico

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[Photos courtesy of Conrad Punta de Mita]

Kamala Kirk is a University of Southern California graduate and has been an editor/writer for more than a decade. She has written for E! Online, Total Beauty, TravelAge West, Malibu Times Magazine, and many more. She resides in Los Angeles and is a proud pug mom. Follow her on Instagram: @kamalakirk