From Coca-Cola to ice cold beer Coming from Portugal, I consider Mexico to be a strong beer-swilling nation. Certainly the parties I go to offer endless buckets of ice-cold beer that have no shortage of takers. I was quite surprised, in fact, to learn that this is not an exceptionally heavy beer-consuming nation. Maybe it … Continued
What do we all look for when taking a vacation – experiencing interesting places, savouring unusual flavours, meeting new friends and embracing different cultures. And the best way to achieve all these new destination goals is through food. As a local, I’m happy to share my favourite spots and best restaurants in Bucerias, and hope … Continued
HAPPY NEW YEAR! Wondering when the best time to visit Punta de Mita would be this year? Besides the obvious answer (any time!), you might wish to plan your Mexican getaway around some of the main events scheduled for 2019. Don’t worry if you can’t make these dates. Our Punta de Mita Rentals team have … Continued
“Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat, please put a penny in the old man’s hat.” – English rhyme as sung by Bing Crosby What does that have to do with celebrating the most peaceful time of the year in Mexico, you ask? Well, actually nothing at all, its just that I wanted to … Continued
Photo credits: João Peleteiro Love gourmet cuisine? Love golf? Love both? Head to Mexico this fall for Punta Mita Gourmet and Golf 2018. Punta Mita Gourmet and Golf 2018 Take part in the 8th edition of the leading gourmet and golf event in Punta Mita, Mexico. It’s your chance to indulge in the very best … Continued
Dear Friends, Little by little, our world of luxury rental properties and experiences is expanding – an exceptional new home here, a fun experience there… I am proud that we can offer so many different types of homes with so many fun diversions – things to see, to do and to learn; experiences just waiting … Continued
Dear Friends, Wow! What happened? We seem to have blinked and missed January, it has gone by so quickly. I suppose that is one of the great benefits of living in this remarkable place – the winter weather is so pleasant and there is so much to see and do that the days zip by … Continued
Well, just over a week into the New Year and things look like they’re going to go swimmingly well! The year started on the perfect high note as one of our guests so creatively said “Perfect house, fantastic beach, no alarm clock, no shoes, family all together, perfect weather! Absolute 10!” That’s how the year … Continued
Dear friends, November heralds the beginning of the winter season. We have been busy booking homes for the American Thanksgiving holidays, organizing great suppliers of organic, free-range turkeys and having our chefs test pecan pie recipes. Turkeys are available throughout the year here and often eaten with delicious rich mole sauces. We are suggesting some … Continued
Saludos! As I was cheering and dancing at the last Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations in Puerto Vallarta’s super fun Zona Romantica, (check for new listings soon in this destination), I could not stop wondering how people in Mexico came to celebrate this date and how a whole pop culture around … Continued
Healthy, wholesome Punta de Mita breakfasts and brunches If an adventure before breakfast sounds like too much work, then take a stroll through Punta Mita into the village and find, on your doorstep, Boca Deli. Home to Lavazza coffee and lots of great breakfast treats, this centrally-located, primarily al fresco diner acts as the local … Continued
If you are wild at heart and can do without the creature comforts of a private beach club, the Riviera Nayarit offers those options, too. Just take a short drive up to the quaint village of San Pancho and settle your towel, umbrella and cooler in a quiet location on the mile-long stretch of soft … Continued
Saludos! Wherever you live in the Northern Hemisphere, October is a time of preparation. The children are back at school, the bathing suits are packed away and thoughts turn to Thanksgiving turkeys, the perfect festive gifts, party plans and how to stay warm. If you live in the Southern Hemisphere the kids have also returned … Continued
Restaurant Review: The Litibu Grill Let’s all go to the Litibu Grill! Often the simple things in life are the best! It’s the perfectly-seared piece of fresh-from-the-ocean tuna, expertly grilled and served with a tangy, subtly-spiced salsa. This is a memory that will stay with you when you are back at home in the depths … Continued
I suggest that you do not drink this alone, it’s a happy, sociable drink which is best prepared in a jug with the whipped cream or a cream/ ice cream mix added to each individual glass. Miguel’s Cappequila Recipe Serves 4 4 shots espresso coffee 4 shots tequila reposado (Don Julio is my recommendation) 1 tablespoon whipping … Continued
Saludos! September is the month of Mexican Independence – an occasion which is celebrated widely and boisterously throughout the country. On September 16, 1810, in Dolores, a beautiful village in Guanajuato state, a progressive priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla became the father of Mexican independence with his historic proclamation urging his fellow Mexicans to … Continued
Sangrita compliments tequila when sipped alternately – it makes for a wonderful balance of fresh and fruity flavours with strong and fiery ones. Sangrita by itself does not have any alcohol content. There are many recipes for Sangrita, but most of them contain these main ingredients: tomato juice, orange juice, lime juice and pepper sauce. … Continued
Saludos! I am still in vacation mode down here. July was definitely kick-back-and-have-fun. But, really, why shouldn’t August be the same? Long, hot days, cooling breezes, plenty of ocean and water sports to enjoy…the vacation is just continuing. The kids don’t have to be back at school until the end of the month, so more … Continued
Watch out for this one! The Verdant Viper Cocktail is one of those innocuous, healthy-looking drinks that will knock you on your… bottom! It does, however, contain lots of vitamins and goodness – so several are recommended to get the full effect! Verdant Viper Cocktail Makes 1 jug. Serves 4 1 litre of fresh pineapple … Continued
If you’re into a genuine, toes-in-the-sand beach vacation, sunny Sayulita ticks all the boxes. This seaside surfing Mecca is renowned for its beaches and its consistent river-mouth surf break. This brief guide will introduce you to some of the most popular and lesser-known beaches in and around Sayulita. Sayulita Beach One of the biggest draws … Continued
Not all of our guests are staying in and around Punta Mita, many are up in Sayulita enjoying the exclusive enclave of Punta Sayulita with its own private beach club, or staying in homes situated on the magnificent San Pancho Beach. But wherever you are staying while on vacation, at some point I bet you’ll … Continued
Punta Sayulita – an Eco-friendly, Jungle Fantasyland Peace, tranquility, and exclusivity are all yours in this beautiful gated development covering a breathtaking 33-acre, oceanfront peninsula. At Punta Sayulita, Hawaii-based architect Mark de Reus has created a special space that simulates an Old-world Pacific (as in the entire Pacific basin) fishing village with the central meeting … Continued
Hola Amigos! I do not care where you are in the world, if you were born and raised in the Northern Hemisphere you will always equate July with summer. This is the month you were meant to be by a body of water enjoying long, sunny days of laziness, water sports, beachcombing, suntans and tropical … Continued
The Riviera Nayarit offers many fabulous beaches where you can surf, swim and snorkel. Or just sit back, relax, catch a few rays and people watch. Two of my favorite Litibu beaches are the incredibly beautiful stretches of miles-long golden sand located on nearby Litibu Bay. Kupuri Beach This beach is one of the best … Continued
The quintessential beach cocktail made with ingredients that are literally falling off the trees here. Punta Mita Pina Colada Basic (skinny) recipe – Ingredients 1 1/2 oz Light or gold rum 2 oz Coconut milk or cream of coconut 2 oz Fresh Pineapple juice The fuller bodied version can include: 1/2 oz heavy whipping cream … Continued
Coconuts are clearly a handy, easily accessible ingredient around here and deliver quite a few useful options: coconut water, coconut milk, coconut cream, cream of coconut, coconut oil etc. The potential for coconut food products are endless. Looking at a coconut, it’s hard to figure out how that hairy brown bowling ball makes its way into … Continued
Hola Amigos! June – some say we experience “June gloom”. A few little rain showers may pass by, but it’s hardly gloomy. In fact, it’s absolutely beautiful! June is one of the quieter months on the Punta Mita area calendar. For much of the month, school will still be in session in the USA. So, it’s … Continued
Here in Punta Mita, we have no shortage of fun events going on throughout the year. Usually, they include a first-class food, wine and beverage aspect – which could be one reason why I am always at the forefront to participate! When things start to heat up here, the locals head for the beach! Lucky … Continued
Nothing Could be Finer than to Eat at Carolina! Looking for a great place to go for a “date” night? A place where you can dress up, your loved one can put on heels and you can be treated like kings? Carolina, located at the St. Regis Punta Mita Hotel, is a three-diamond award-winning restaurant. … Continued
Ah! What could be better than a frosty glass of white wine at sunset on a hot day? A frosty glass of white wine at sunset on the beautiful tropical beaches of the Riviera Nayarit! Directions Find a great bottle of your favourite Mexican white. Put it in the fridge to chill. When it reaches between … Continued
When you think about Mexico’s heritage, it makes sense that wine would be as popular here as it has been for centuries in Europe. When the first Spanish settlers came to New Spain in the 16th century, they brought vines from Europe with them. Even before the Spanish conquest, Mexico had its own indigenous grapes. … Continued
Naef Cuisine has more choices for your Punta Mita Breakfast Naef Cuisine is the brainchild of two very amiable brothers, Mathiew and Pierre. They hail from Switzerland but have been in the Punta Mita area for many years now. The Swiss seem to have a knack for all things dairy and these two are certainly … Continued
Dear Friends, This month marks the departure of the majority of our “snowbird” friends. Many of the local residents who call Punta Mita home for the winter season head back to their other homes to beat the heat. Those of us who stay behind can now relax a little. Suddenly, we find we have some … Continued
If you are looking for an excuse to get away from your humdrum reality, here is a good one. For some eleven years now, around the middle of May, Vallarta Lifestyles Publishing Group promotes a two-week food fest called Restaurant Week. Restaurant Week features some of the finest restaurants in Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera … Continued
Forget Cinco de mayo, the real May fiestas around here are the rodeo events at the Ferias de San Isidro. This patron Saint is known for protecting many parts of the Spanish-speaking world, the most famous being the capital city of Madrid, but more locally, the nearby village of Higuera Blanca. Last month, I was … Continued
Hola Amigos! This month, I want to bring your attention to a wonderful party that is about to happen on the 23rd of April! The event is the fabulous End-of-Season Party and the venue is my beloved Vista Paraiso Ranch in Higuera Blanca. The first week I moved to this spectacular area eight years ago, I … Continued
My recipe for the month of April is one of my favorite Mezcal cocktail recipes: the marvelous, smoking hot, kicks-like-a-mule, Mezcaltini! I first met this spirit on a trip to Oaxaca in the south of Mexico, where it hails from. Mezcal is definitely an acquired taste. It has been described as having a nose akin … Continued
This month, I am on a diet… which means no alcohol. So, I think I will cancel the newsletter! Dieting is actually pretty miserable, especially when you live in a place where everybody else is on Vacation and off THEIR diets. Luckily, this month is so incredibly busy that I hardly have time to eat … Continued
Maybe it is an age old question or maybe it is something that is only discussed amongst my “bon vivant” friends. Have you ever asked yourself which comes first… “being mad for tequila” or “tequila making you mad”? This is where you have to understand the nuances of language. (Coming from Portugal, who am I … Continued
Last December, when we introduced our newsletter, we at Punta Mita Rentals decided it was a great idea to feature a cocktail of the month with recipe and photos. Now, taking photos of food and beverages is not the easiest thing in the world, especially when the photos are of frosty cocktails in the tropical … Continued
March 2016 Restaurant Review What makes travel so exciting? The new experiences, the local people you meet whilst away, the unfamiliar, embracing new traditions, learning a smattering of another language. There are many reasons we yearn to get away from our own homes. Hotel Casa de Mita, to me, is like taking a trip to … Continued
Our visitors from other parts have a tendency to want to shoot tequila… now this is madness in any language! A better option is to drink a Margarita – the wonderful limey, tangy, cold, refreshing cocktail synonymous with Mexico. But don’t be fooled! The strong taste of the tequila may be disguised, but a good … Continued
February…the hangover month! I always think of it that way as it’s often cold, bleak and miserable outside…unless, of course, you live in the Punta Mita area where the climate is absolutely perfect! Clear blue skies, low humidity, gentle breezes, daytime temps around 78 degrees, swaying palms, waves that are perfect for swimming, surfing, snorkeling…anyway, … Continued
A Michelada is a cerveza preparada — Spanish for “beer with some other business going on” — with a hazy past. One legend tells of General Don Augusto Michel, who roused his troops for the 1910 Mexican Revolution by fortifying their beers with lime and hot sauce. A less epic tale credits Michel Ésper, a … Continued
One reason you might want to give me a call and book a week in the sun is to bring your loved one away for some reconnecting, relaxation and well…love. Isn’t that also what February is famous for…Valentine’s Day or El Día del Amor y la Amistad? Since pre-Columbian times, Mexicans regard friendship very highly, considering … Continued
February 2016 Restaurant Review People are always asking me for restaurant recommendations. Maybe because I am always waxing lyrical about food, or because I take hundreds of photos of food (I have photographic documentation of just about every calorie consumed in Peru last year) and because I like to cook. It is, however, a dangerous … Continued
Many of my friends and a number of local property owners ask me to manage their properties. I take this as a compliment, but my expertise lies in the “hospitality” side of the luxury rental business. I believe we all have different strengths. Mine is helping my clients find the perfect home, chef, activity etc. and … Continued
Happy New Year to All! It’s one of those phrases I never get tired of hearing or saying. The ultimate new beginning, a fresh start every 12 months, time again to re-enter the diet, the detox, all the great resolutions that we so resolutely give up on over the course of the next few months…the … Continued
Restaurant Review: The Ocean Grill Restaurant Location! Location! Location! It’s the key phrase in real estate. Does it apply to restaurants, too? Most would say the best business will be had on the main drag: it’s easy to get to, the locations are good, there’s ample parking, street visibility…etc. Well, here in Mexico things are … Continued
We all start the New Year with plenty of “Sparkle”. But, by mid-month, we start to “fizzle out” a little. I’ve always found a “hair of the dog” to be the best path back to sizzle and sparkle. The shot of tequila that is added to the champagne is guaranteed to chase away any January … Continued
Many of you are familiar with who we are; old friends, returning clients, colleagues and acquaintances from prior visits to Punta Mita and Sayulita. I feel we have grown sufficiently in the past year to warrant a regular update on what we are doing here at PuntaMita-Rentals. I will endeavor to bring you a monthly … Continued
Our next big event, the 6th annual Punta Mita Golf and Gourmet runs from January 28th to the 31st, 2016. Almost 20 renowned chefs from around the world come to the event to promote their best recipes and adapt their styles using our freshest, most fabulous local ingredients. You have a unique opportunity to play our 2 … Continued
Mexican Christmas Punch We all remember the “pot luck” punches of college days. Well, the traditional Christmas libation of choice in Mexico is ponche, a warm, tropical fruit punch. Its preparation is taken much more seriously in these parts than the concoctions we’d throw together back then. Families throughout Mexico have their own guarded recipes … Continued
