Four Seasons Punta Mita: Where Your Kids Get a Teen Container and You Get Your Marriage Back

Arrival

Let me start off by saying, I was not planning on coming here. I was on my way to see Naviva, the adults-only, all-inclusive resort next door.

Most luxury resorts make themselves impossible to miss. But this place? The security at the front gate is heavy. You are NOT getting in unless you know someone or have a reservation, period. I had no idea it even existed. And that, I would learn, is exactly the point.

Since this is also a Four Seasons property, the team offered to show me around. And wow! I was absolutely glad they did. I later learned that this was partially owned by the tech mogul and billionaire, Bill Gates, and that this is where Silicon Valley and the elite come to relax and unwind.

When we pulled up past the gates, the first thing I noticed was the smell: copal burning somewhere nearby, that earthy, resinous scent, layered with a subtle expensive fragrance that wasn’t overpowering. And underneath it all, the ocean air. Not that sharp, briny smell, but something clean and sweet. It smelled divine.

We were greeted with deeply refreshing welcome drinks by a genuinely friendly face. I could feel the love in her voice and in her gaze. This was not performative hospitality, it was real, tangible warmth.

And as I glanced over her shoulder, I saw it and my heart skipped a beat. The hotel opens like a window to the most majestic view. It was floor-to-ceiling openness that created the perfect frame into the Pacific. The sound of waves, and the rustle of palm fronds moving in the breeze, disarmed me.

At that moment, I understood. This is not where people go to be seen. It’s where they go to disappear.

Lineage

This property has been here for 25 years, and what makes it special is the people. There are staff members who’ve been here since day one. Twenty-five years of showing up, of remembering names, of knowing exactly how you like your coffee. They don’t just “serve” you. They know you, treat you like family, take care of your kids like they’re their own.

And it’s not just the staff who keep coming back. There are families who’ve been coming here for years. Kids who ran around the pool as toddlers are now in college. The staff watched them grow up. That’s the kind of place this is.

But here’s what most people don’t know. This land was sacred long before the Four Seasons arrived. The Wixárika people have been making pilgrimages here for over 2,000 years. To them, this is where the sea goddess lives. Where two oceans meet is where the divine becomes visible. Jacques Cousteau filmed here in the 1950s, fascinated by how the cold Pacific and warm bay waters collide. That convergence creates an explosion of marine life. More species, more activity, more to see in one place than almost anywhere else on earth.

The Four Seasons didn’t try to override that. They designed around it. They built something that honors what was already here.

And that’s why this place endures. It’s what happens when you focus on longevity and let relationships build instead of constantly turning over guests and employees. Without this place, there’s nowhere else that lets you bring your entire family (babies, teenagers, grandparents) and still have the romantic escape you thought you’d given up when you became a parent.

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✦ Only Here: The only resort in the world with access to the Tail of the Whale, the only natural island green on earth, where humpback whales breach from your balcony, and children under four eat for free while their parents rediscover each other.

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The Property

Most luxury properties make you choose. Romantic escape or family trip. Adults-only sanctuary or kid-friendly chaos. You know how it is.

But what I love about this place is that YOU CAN HAVE IT ALL! How? I’ll get into that in a bit. But first, let me tell you about the space itself.

The property sprawls across 52 acres within a 162-hectare nature preserve. There are 139 casita-style rooms, 34 suites, and 32 villas and residences. On paper, you’d think it feels massive, impersonal, like a mass-market resort.

But it doesn’t. Even at 90% capacity, there are so many intimate, secluded spaces that it feels small and private. You can disappear into your own rhythm. The peninsula is surrounded by ocean on three sides. You’re not looking at the ocean. You’re in it.

The design blends contemporary Mexican aesthetics with native Huichol craftsmanship. You’ll see it in the textiles, the patterns, the way color is used. Some rooms were inspired by the blue-footed booby, that singular bird you see diving into the Pacific at dawn.

When I stepped into the villa, the afternoon light was pouring in, warm and golden. The linens were cool and crisp. And the bathroom? So spacious you could throw a party in there. Le Labo bath amenities, deep soaking tub, beautiful indoor AND outdoor shower area, luxurious in a way that makes you feel like the hero of your own story.

And then, I stepped out onto the terrace.

If I thought the view from the lobby was great, the view from the villa was enough to freeze time and take me to heaven. Had I ever seen anything as beautiful as this? If I had, I swear I couldn’t remember.

It was intimacy with nature. Unhurried. Nothing could disturb my peace.

I guess part of me was also hoping to spot a whale. Humpback whales breach between December and April (peaking in January and February). We visited in November. Because of the volcanic activity, the water is incredibly warm, so mother whales come here to give birth. You can watch this from your balcony while you sip your morning coffee. Between March and May, you’ll see manta rays. Sometimes hundreds, feeding in synchronization in the deeper channels. The convergence of cold and warm water creates plankton blooms. The rays know this. They’ve been coming here longer than the resort has.

Dining

I didn’t get the chance to eat here, but here’s what you need to know:

The property has four restaurants plus The Salad Shack on the beach, along with in-room dining and multiple bars and lounges. Executive chef Jorge González sources fish caught in these same waters that morning. Local fishermen supply what’s abundant, so the menu shifts with what’s actually in season.

Aramara: Asian-inspired cuisine with ocean views from the open-air terrace.

Bahía: Steak and seafood right on the sand. Freshly grilled meats and vegetables. Popular with guests and locals.

Dos Catrinas: Mexican food with a contemporary twist. Open for breakfast through dinner. Craft cocktails.

Tail of the Whale: American and Mexican at the golf clubhouse. Breakfast and lunch. Views of both golf courses and the Pacific.

The Salad Shack: Customizable salads and wraps on Manzanillas beach.

Mez celebrates mezcal with innovative cocktails. Over 70 varieties of mezcal. Nuna Pool Bar and Tamai Pool Bar offer cocktails, raw bar, and poolside dining.

Spa & Wellness

Most resort spas offer the same European treatments with maybe a tequila body scrub thrown in for “local flavor.” The Apuane Spa is different. It celebrates indigenous healing traditions of pre-Hispanic Mexico: copal tree, nopal cactus, agave plant. Indigenous herbal remedies combined with myofascial massage techniques. This means you’re getting treatments rooted in actual practices that have been used on this coast for thousands of years.

The hydrotherapy circuit has three plunge pools in the women’s area (hot, cold, warm), two in the men’s (hot, cold). Steam room, sauna, lounge with flavored water and snacks. Well-equipped gym with daily fitness classes. A shop for high-end beauty products and spa garments.

The signature Hakali Massage uses heated, de-needled prickly pear cactus paddles to apply pulque from agave plants. The Punta Mita Massage features tequila-infused products made with traditional Huichol ingredients. For couples, Just the Two of Us includes a copal cleansing ritual, burning aromatic resin used in ancient Mesoamerican ceremonies.

Activities & Grounds

Remember when I said you can have it all? Here’s how.

Most family resorts either cater to kids or adults, never both well. You bring your family and sacrifice romance. Or you go romantic and feel guilty for leaving the kids behind. Four Seasons Punta Mita refuses that trade-off.

They’ve built age-specific programming so intentional that everyone gets what they need without compromise.

For babies (0-18 months): Integrated programming with babysitting, baby activities, even baby spa packages. All meals for kids under four included.

For kids (5-12): Kids for All Seasons with daily activities. A marine biologist-in-residence who’ll take you out to understand what you’re seeing. Sea turtle conservation program where you release olive ridley hatchlings. Huichol art classes, street art workshops, sports tournaments.

For teens: The Container. A space built from repurposed shipping containers with 85-inch TVs, Xbox, PlayStation, VR stations, air hockey, foosball. Opens with a secure code. Their own world while you find yours.

Isn’t that freaking awesome? It’s so rare if not impossible to find a hotel that even considers babies and teens.

So while they’re off having fun and doing their thing, you can focus on your relationship and turn up the romance.

For adults: Two Jack Nicklaus golf courses, including the ONLY natural island green IN THE WORLD. The “Tail of the Whale” appears and disappears with the tide. Three pools (one adults-only where you can float side by side without a splash from anyone’s cannonball). Two private beaches where you can walk hand-in-hand at sunset. World-class snorkeling and scuba diving. You can even get scuba certified together. Surfing at El Faro. Tennis courts. Private sunset picnic on the beach. Mezcal tastings at Mez where you can create your own blend. Private dinner on your terrace under the stars.

Seriously, there’s so much to do here. You’ll never get bored.

Day Trips

Most guests never leave the property. And honestly? You probably won’t want to. But if you’re the type who likes to explore, or if your wife wants to do some shopping, here’s what’s worth it.

Punta de Mita pueblo is a 10-minute drive. Cute fishing village with local taco stands, surf shops, and that laid-back beach town vibe.

San Pancho is 20 minutes north. This little town is a dream. Quieter than Sayulita, with a gorgeous long beach, local artisan markets, and that slow, unhurried rhythm you didn’t know you were craving.

Sayulita is 30 minutes north. Bohemian surf town with art galleries, yoga studios, and incredible street food.

Puerto Vallarta is 45 minutes south. Galleries, restaurants, the Malecón boardwalk. It’s lively, colorful, worth a half-day if you want to explore.

Marieta Islands are visible from the property. You can take a boat out to visit the famous hidden beach, where Jacques Cousteau used to explore. Only a few people are allowed each day to protect it. Four Seasons guests get priority access.

But like I said, most people don’t leave. There’s just no reason to.

Transformation

Remember when I said this is where people go to disappear? Here’s what you actually disappear from: the constant mental checklist. The worry. The managing.

And when that disappears, something else comes back. Your marriage.

Not the version where you’re coordinating schedules or negotiating bedtimes or making sure everyone’s fed but the version where you look into each other’s eyes, share a laugh, hold hands, and enjoy each other.

Your kids are off having their own adventures. And you? You’re having deep conversations and remembering what it felt like when it was just the two of you.

That’s what this place does. It gives you space to remember who you were together before you became parents. And somehow, in remembering that, you become better parents too.

Alignment

Who it’s for:

Families with babies, toddlers, and teenagers who want everyone cared for. Couples who thought they’d have to wait until the kids were grown to have a romantic trip again. The guy who wants to plan a trip that makes his wife AND his kids happy, without sacrificing the golf or the romance.

Who it’s NOT for:

If you need nightlife, a scene, or constant stimulation, you’ll be disappointed. This is a place to disappear, not to be discovered.

Note: If you want adults-only on the same peninsula, Naviva[^14] (A Four Seasons Resort) offers 15 luxury tents, all-inclusive, designed for honeymoons, birthdays, anniversaries, and indulgent “just because” trips.

Final Thoughts

I didn’t expect this place to solve that impossible equation. The one where you want to be a present parent AND a connected partner. But somehow, it does.

Your teenagers are in The Container playing video games with kids they just met. Your little ones are watching baby sea turtles make their way to the ocean. And you’re sitting on the beach with your partner, just… being together.

It’s rare but it’s real. And if you’re the one planning this trip, you’re going to be the hero for finding it.

If you want help making this happen, I’ve got you. I’ll handle the logistics, you just show up and breathe.

When I book it for you, you get my Four Seasons Preferred Partner status, plus:

Priority Upgrades: One category up at check-in (if available) Daily breakfast: For two per bedroom Resort Credit: USD 100-200 depending on your room

Krystal’s Rating & Accolades

Category	Rating	Notes
Accommodations	★★★★★	Balconies with whale sightings, native Huichol craftsmanship, Le Labo amenities, deep soaking tubs with ocean views
Dining	★★★★★	Chef Jorge González, 125 regional tequilas, wood-fired zarandeado at Bahía, pan-Asian Aramara
Service	★★★★★	25 original employees from 1999, amphibious waiters, anticipatory without hovering
Spa & Wellness	★★★★★	Apuane Spa with indigenous treatments, Hakali cactus massage, copal cleansing rituals
Family Programming	★★★★★	0-18 months baby program, The Container teen space, kids under 4 eat free
Sense of Place	★★★★★	Humpback whales Dec-April, manta rays March-May, Wixárika sacred geography, 300+ days of sunshine
Value	★★★★☆	High investment, but inclusions (kids’ meals, dual-gated security, preferred partner benefits) justify the commitment

Overall: ★★★★★ — Exceptional. The gold standard for family legacy building without sacrificing romance.

INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

• Forbes Travel Guide: Five-Star (Responsible Hospitality Verified, Verified Luxury)
• AAA: Five Diamond (20 consecutive years)
• Condé Nast Traveler: Gold List (multiple years)

Inclusions

Included with your stay:

• All meals for children aged 4 and under in the restaurants
• Welcome treat: signature cocktail, lemon-scented oshiburi towels, candy for children
• Coffee, tea, and mini-muffins in the lobby from 5:00am to 9:00am
• Kids for All Seasons full-day children’s program
• Teen Container access
• Daily housekeeping with turndown service
• Welcome fruit and age-appropriate children’s treat delivered on arrival night
• Two bottles of water daily, plus ice delivery
• Regular and decaffeinated coffee and tea
• Le Labo bath amenities
• Complimentary premium Wi-Fi
• Fitness center with hibiscus water, bottled water, and chilled towels
• Daily fitness classes (spinning, yoga, aqua aerobics, stretching)
• Game room with ping-pong, air hockey, Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
• Poolside amenities hourly: lemon-scented chilled towels, juice, fruit, smoothies, ice cream, iced coffee, Evian spritz, five-minute foot massages, sunblock, magazines, sunglass-cleaning service
• Valet parking
• Golf cart service within the resort
• Multilingual concierge

Not included:

• Spa treatments
• Golf (green fees and cart rentals: Pacifico from $270, Bahia from $382)
• Off-property excursions (Marieta Islands, whale watching tours)
• Airport transfers (Mercedes-Benz Sprinter from Puerto Vallarta International Airport: MXN 5,916-7,980)
• Alcoholic beverages beyond welcome cocktail