Punta Mita Is Paradise of the Pacific
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E2 SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2020 CALGARY HERALD TRAVEL The barefoot beach at Four Seasons Punta Mita in Mexico is the perfect setting for family fun and bucket list adventures. CURT WOODHALL FAMILY TRaVEL though easy to access, we ate most of our meals at the Four Seasons. Lunch was always taken poolside at the lazy river. For dinner, we tried each of the signature restaurants. Punta Mita is paradise on the Pacific All were impressive, but Bahia on the beach has the best view of Pun- ta Mita’s dazzling sunsets, and Ara- Resort offers abundance of activities mara’s contemporary Asian menu was our absolute favourite. If I had as well as exquisite dining choices to count, Brooklyn likely ate four plates of the chicken gyoza and at least six orders of salmon sashimi MHAIRRI WOODHALL Punta Mita is a 1,500-acre gated over the course of our stay. resort near Puerto Vallarta boast- Curt and I also managed to sneak “Come on Donatello, you can do ing two five-star hotels (the Four in a date night at Carolina, in the it, just a little bit farther,” cheers Seasons and St. Regis), luxury resi- neighbouring St. Regis Resort. It’s my daughter Brooklyn, while she dences and a pair of signature Jack the only Five-Diamond dining ex- bounds around in the sand. Nicklaus golf courses. Cultural and perience in the Riviera Nayarit and Her face is a mix of emotions, recreational activities are offered the four-course tasting menu, with ranging from excitement and won- in abundance and there are many wine pairings, is the biggest draw. derment, to nervous anticipation. choices for active families. Chef Miguel Soltero’s complex cre- “If he’s struggling, I can cross the The area is hugely popular with ations are beautiful in both flavour line, right? Or if there’s a bird? I surfers, and the gentle waves in and presentation. The ever-chang- just have to help him,” she rambles, front of Four Seasons are ideal for ing dishes are designed around the trying to swallow the panic. beginners. We booked a kid’s tan- season, but I’m hopeful the duck I grasp her hand in solidarity, dem lesson for Brooklyn through mole becomes a menu staple. offering quiet reassurance. Curt, Tropicsurf. She began on dry land, As a carb addict, I was also my husband, joins us and togeth- learning how to pop up on the thrilled to discover Chef Soltero er we watch our tiny trio clumsily board using her chicken wings embraces a passion for baking and shuffle toward the surf. Soon, one- and lizard legs. Not long after, her bread making, which was passed by-one, Donatello, Mikey and Leo instructor paddled them out to down from his father, who owns a are gently lapped from shore and the surf. Much to my amazement, bakery. Each course was preceded disappear into the Pacific. We’ve they caught their very first wave by a delicious doughy morsel. And enjoyed many goosebump-induc- and rode back to shore. Marietas Islands National Park near Punta Mita, Mexico, is a day trip the dessert? Save room, ing travel adventures. The sunset The temperature was cooler that definitely worth taking whether it’s whale season or not. CURT WOODHALL The only way to improve upon turtle release at Four Seasons Re- day, and the water was cold. I was the experience is to dine on a Fri- sort Punta Mita tops them all. convinced Brooklyn would call it thrill of the sight and booked a panela cheese, Peruvian ceviche, day and take part in the weekly The program is a passion proj- quits after the first few waves, but boat charter through Tranquilo shrimp pastor tacos, octopus car- Champagne Sabering Ritual of- ect for Enrique Alejos, the re- my tenacious kid persevered for Surf with a group of friends who paccio. We over-ordered, overate fered in the ocean view Altamira sort’s Cultural Concierge who the entire hour and loved every were staying at a condo in town. and quenched our thirst with lobby at 6 p.m. Bubbles always has led the bucket list experience minute. She was equally enthralled The tour included whale watch- freshly squeezed lime margaritas. taste better at sunset. for five years. It’s offered almost with the programming at Kids for ing and snorkelling in Marietas There’s a string of eateries along Visit www.arrivalstravel.com to every night, between August and All Seasons, and by the end of our Islands National Park. the beachfront in town, and al- follow Mhairri’s family adventures. January, through Four Seasons’ stay, we had a pretty robust art col- En route to the protected isles, partnership with the conservation lection to bring home. we were gifted with a family of •ArthritisinYourFeet organization RED Tortuguera AC, During peak times, the resort whales — mama, papa and baby — which manages hatcheries in the extends kids club hours and hosts which we observed for about 20 •IngrownToenails states of Jalisco and Nayarit. The dance and piñata parties. Both minutes. On the way home, we saw FOOT •Plantar Fasciitis nominal fee of $950 Mexican pesos were well received by Brooklyn. As six humpbacks and a dolphin pod. (just under $60) per person sup- was the Nunutzi Games Room we The national park is also an im- •HeelPain ports the initiative. frequented most nights. PlaySta- pressive sight, and worth visiting •BBuunniioonnss Enrique opened the evening with tions, Wii, Xbox 360, Guitar Hero, even outside of whale season. PAIN? a brief presentation in the cultural a video dance game, as well as air Brooklyn had a blast exploring the DO YOU •Warts, Fungal nailnails centre, then each participant was hockey, Ping-Pong and foosball. caves and narrow passageways, in- SUFFER FROM: given a tiny, wriggling and totally My husband was in heaven. specting the crabs and sea urchins •Neuromas adorable olive ridley sea turtle. I, however, found nirvana at the that covered most of the rocks and After walking, with great caution, spa where tequila is used in the sig- floatingpas t the famous blue-foot- down to the beach, Enrique drew a nature massage. For centuries the ed boobies that nest in the craggy Consult one line in the sand – about two metres potent spirit has been touted as a windswept outcrops. of our from the ocean — that we had to natural treatment for pain relief, After the tour, we wandered stand behind for the duration of and while I still prefer my tequila through the shops in Punta Mi- doctorstoday. the release. on the rocks with lime, the topical ta’s quaint downtown — located After setting our turtles onto the application is unique, effective and about five minutes outside the sand, we became exuberant cheer- outstanding. gated complex — and stopped for leaders coaxing our wards away. Punta Mita’s humpback whale supper at the beachfront restau- If all goes to plan, the turtles will season spans December through rant Si Senior. eventually return home for nest- March. In February, when we vis- As lobster season was in full ing. By the time the sun has set ited, the viewing was at its peak. swing, deciding on our main was over Banderas Bay, we’ve waved From the resort alone we sight- easy. Appetizer selection proved farewell and are crying happy ed five whales, two of which we more difficult. Every dish de- Mayfair Office: 403-777-0085 • Suite203, 6707 ElbowDrSW tears. To call the experience mag- watched from the infinity pool. scribed by our waiter sounded ACHILLES North Office: 403-277-9476 • Suite606 1701 Centre St NW ical is an understatement. I quickly fell in love with the better than the previous. Grilled FOOT CLINIC www.achillesfootclinic.com Anew waytoreach your financialbest. Learnmoreatmogo.ca.