Notes from the Road: Punta de Mita

Vibrant culture on the Pacific Mexican Coast

About 45 minutes away from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) is Conrad Punta de Mita, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Global DMC Partners hosted Connection 2024 here, sponsored by Tropical Incentives, and invited Smart Meetings to witness this gathering of meeting professionals from around the world to inspire each other, exchange ideas and learn ways to give back with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.

In this serene setting away from the crowds, meeting professionals can have the best of both worlds—luxury and CSR—when they visit.

Meet and Stay

Upon arrival, Conrad Punta de Mita greeted us with drinks made with the country’s national pride—tequila! The resort provided a room for Smart Meetings with a private balcony overlooking the ocean, pool and the manicured hotel grounds. Laying out on the soft outdoor couch, I realized why Global DMC Partners was drawn to his place. Experiences as simple as an oceanfront balcony in Mexico can be exactly what an event attendee needs to recenter, reflect and refocus for an event.

The hotel provides 54,000 sq. ft. of function space. Between the outdoor lawns and beach, the modern meeting rooms and bright breakout rooms, and hallway space looking over the patio areas, Conrad Punta de Mita is an affordable, sustainable and luxurious destination to meet and stay.

What to Eat and Drink

Punta de Mita is as close to the water as you can get—this means the freshest seafood available. Three properties—the Conrad, plus W Punta Mita and Marriott Punta Mita—pulled in a collaboration of chefs to create a menu of small plates focused on sushi and ceviche for the Global DMC Partners welcome dinner. Guests could munch on spicy shrimp ceviche or blackened salmon mini-tostadas as they strolled the white-sand beach to dip their toes in the warm waters of what is known here as Riviera Nayarit.

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The beverage that made a splash was tequila infused with hibiscus for a dark purple yet light and citrusy refresher.

What to Experience

This is the perfect environment for boating. Venture out on one of the many boats for rent and touring along Riviera Nayarit and see the Mexican coastline as the dolphins, whales and turtles who also visit these waters do. Just to the north are the laidback town of Sayulita and the popular surf breaks of San Pancho.

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The culturally rich experience of the final night was at Vista Paraiso Ranch. The award-winning team of Las Caballeras—Mexican women performing with amazing prowess on horseback—made for a truly moving experience, no pun intended. And they did it all in beautiful, colorful dresses! Nayarit was the first state in Mexico to allow women to participate in state and nationwide competitions, and the pride of that achievement was evident in the women and their horses as they pranced for the crowd.

A strong sense of love for the culture and in being leaders resonated with the guests as we sipped the venue’s signature mezcal drink and marveled at the incredible performance. It was followed by two Caballeras doing dressage tricks on strikingly beautiful (and strikingly large) black stallions. The music and sense of tradition were strong, a testament to the real Mexico, its people and culture.