Tucked along Mexico’s Pacific coast, Nayarit feels like a secret whispered by the ocean — where the jungle meets the sea and life moves to the rhythm of waves and birdsong. It’s a place of wild beauty and calm luxury, rich in Huichol heritage, glowing sunsets, and a warmth that lingers long after you leave. Here, golden beaches stretch into infinity, the air carries hints of mango and salt, and every sunrise feels like a personal invitation to slow down and breathe again.
As soon as I stepped into W Punta de Mita, I exhaled everything that wasn’t peace. In one deep breath, I released it all into the ocean air — and felt myself soften into stillness. The tropical breeze met me like an embrace, carrying whispers of salt, palm leaves, and something sacred. It was as if the entire resort — this zen-infused jungle paradise on Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit — opened its arms and said: Welcome!
What I didn’t realize in that first moment was that W Punta de Mita wasn’t just a place to stay — it was a state of being. A reawakening. A reminder that life, at its purest, is art.
This was not the sterile perfection of a city resort; this was untamed beauty curated with intention. The design — a seamless blend of modern minimalism and Huichol artistry — spoke to the soul. Everywhere I looked, color, texture, and geometry played together in divine balance: mosaic tiles, woven hammocks, and organic wood forms creating a rhythm that echoed the heartbeat of the jungle. Even the air was alive — a mix of saltwater, bougainvillea, and something I can only describe as serenity.
When I stepped into my suite, it greeted me like a dream rendered in sunlight. Clean lines, neutral tones, textures of stone and wood — elegance without pretense. The space carried an effortless grace that felt intentional, spiritual even.
And then came the view.
I walked through the glass doors onto my private jungle terrace, where a small pool glimmered under the sun, facing the ocean beyond. The lush greenery framed the turquoise water like a secret painting. I dipped my toes into the pool — warm, inviting — and at that moment, I melted. There was no schedule, no phone in hand, no need to capture anything. I was living inside the photograph.
Later that evening, as twilight wrapped around the terrace, I slipped into the pool again — my body merging with the water, my mind dissolving into peace. The sound of the waves became my meditation.
Dinner at Rubra was an experience that defied language. Imagine a haute cuisine symphony unfolding course by course — where every dish is a poetic fusion of art, flavor, and feeling, crafted to delight both the eyes and the soul.
Every dish was a conversation between land and sea, color and contrast, art and alchemy. And at the heart of it all — Chef Daniela Soto-Innes, a culinary visionary celebrated among the World’s 50 Best Chefs. Her creations are alive — expressive, soulful, and unapologetically Mexican, yet refined with international precision.
From the first bite, I was transported. Vibrant sauces painted on plates like brushstrokes. Local ingredients elevated to haute cuisine. Textures that teased the senses — soft, crunchy, smoky, fresh — each one layered with intention. Even dessert was an act of reverence. It wasn’t just sweet; it was spiritual. The kind of creation that makes you close your eyes and whisper, “Thank you.” This was not a meal. It was a ceremony of flavor.
That night, as I lay in bed wrapped in crisp linens, the ocean sang me to sleep. The rhythm of the waves was steady, nurturing, ancient. I fell asleep effortlessly — as if the sea itself had tucked me in. There’s something profoundly humbling about sleeping in a place where the Earth feels so alive.
And then: Floating Breakfast & Jungle Bliss
When I woke, the light was golden — soft and kind. I opened the terrace door and stepped into the gentle morning air. My pool sparkled like a mirror reflecting paradise. A tray arrived, gliding across the water like a vision from a dream. Fresh tropical fruits, pastries, eggs, avocado toast, fresh squeezed orange juice, and coffee served on the pool’s surface. It was breakfast fit for a queen.
As I floated in my private pool surrounded by lush jungle and birdsong, I realized how rare it is to feel so alive. So connected. So utterly in love with the present moment.
For lunch, I wandered to Chevycheria, the resort’s playful ceviche and cocktail bar perched by the beach. The vibe was relaxed, surf-chic, and kissed by salt air. I ordered the Ceviche Yucatán — a bright medley of shrimp, scallop, and octopus in Mexican green sauce, kissed with garlic oil. The freshness was electrifying. Each bite tasted like the ocean itself — alive, briny, pure. Next, the Ceviche Coco, a dreamy fusion of coconut milk, citrus, and habanero — sweet, spicy, and intoxicating. The Ceviche con Sandía (with watermelon and chile morita) was an unexpected revelation: juicy, fiery, and refreshing all at once.
Every ceviche was a story — of fishermen, waves, and flavor kissed by the sun. Sitting there, barefoot in the sand, with the ocean glimmering before me, I thought: This is heaven disguised as lunch.
Later that afternoon, I surrendered myself to the AWAY Spa, a minimalist temple of wellness carved into the jungle. The moment I entered, the air changed — eucalyptus, citrus, peace.
My therapist greeted me with warmth and intuition, guiding me into a world where every sense was honored. The massage — rhythmic, skilled, and soulful — dissolved tension I didn’t know I still carried.
Afterwards, I lingered in the outdoor hydrotherapy area, surrounded by palms and waterfalls. I sipped a popsicle infused with vitamins — a small, whimsical touch that felt so W. The steam, the water, the air — everything converged into a single vibration: Zen.
This wasn’t just self-care. It was self-return.
That evening, dinner at Spice Market transported me across continents. Inspired by Southeast Asian street food, it was a symphony of flavors — Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian — all reimagined through a Mexican lens.
The hand-pulled noodles, the fresh fish, the intricate fusion of spices, herbs, and sauces — every bite told a story of travel and transformation. Exotic cocktails — lemongrass martinis, ginger-infused elixirs — carried me further into bliss. Here, cuisine wasn’t just sustenance; it was exploration.
One of my favorite moments was discovering the resort’s farm-to-table garden, where herbs, vegetables, and flowers grow in wild, sun-kissed harmony. Hidden within this lush sanctuary, I experienced a private Casa Dragones tequila tasting — an intimate ritual beneath the palms where sunlight filtered through emerald leaves and every sip told a story of Mexican craftsmanship and soul.
The Casa Dragones Blanco, crisp and mineral, paired flawlessly with fresh ceviche; while the Casa Dragones Joven, velvety and complex, lingered like a golden memory — smooth, elegant, unforgettable. Surrounded by the gentle hum of the jungle, I felt deeply connected to the earth, as though each note of agave carried the heartbeat of this land.
It was grounding, sensual, and sacred all at once — a celebration of Mexico’s artistry in its purest form. Here I realized that true luxury isn’t excess; it’s connection — the way nature, flavor, and spirit come together in one perfect, timeless moment.
By night, Venazú turns into a full-on flavor mood — bold, soulful, and straight from the heart of Mexico. The black mole chicken enchiladas stole the show, dripping in a rich mix of cacao, roasted chiles, sesame, almonds, cinnamon, and ripe tomatoes, topped with pickled red onion, creamy cotija, and a sweet potato hashbrown that hit every note. The grilled catch of the day zarandeado brought that coastal energy — smoky, fresh, and light — while the wood-fired pizzas added a fun twist with Oaxaca cheese, basil, and sun-kissed tomatoes. Every bite was pure joy, a love letter to Mexican flavor with a modern edge.
W Punta de Mita isn’t just a destination. It’s a transformation disguised as a vacation.
Here, I rediscovered simplicity, presence, and joy. I left with sun-kissed skin and a heart wide open — lighter, softer, more alive than before.
To say this place recharges you would be an understatement. It reawakens you. It reminds you that beauty, when experienced with awareness, becomes prayer.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/pvrwh-w-punta-de-mita/overview/
Words by Elena Vasilevsky
