Punta Monterrey

We had an amazing time at Punta Monterrey. This place is magical! The beach is very beautiful and we loved staying in the middle of the jungle. The food is great and the staff are very welcoming. They took good care of us. Can’t wait to come back!

There are many hotels that, though comfortable, feel somewhat artificial. Take one of the hundreds of hotels along Mexico's Riviera Maya: sure, the beaches are beautiful and the service is fantastic and one can have a genuinely good time at one (and I have on multiple occasions), but most will...

There are many hotels that, though comfortable, feel somewhat artificial. Take one of the hundreds of hotels along Mexico's Riviera Maya: sure, the beaches are beautiful and the service is fantastic and one can have a genuinely good time at one (and I have on multiple occasions), but most will feel contrived and devoid of any real character. Then there are those places where the opposite holds true; where nothing feels forced or superfluous. Where all the principal elements feel naturally derived and organic and perfectly complimentary. Punta Monterrey is such a place. We found Punta Monterrey after a bit of research. I sent an email and received a reply from Jaime, the property's manager, quickly. From then on all my questions and concerns were answered promptly, accurately, and cordially -- communication was indeed excellent. Jaime was very helpful and quickly assured me that our arrival at Punta Monterrey would prove seamless. And it turned out he was right, the very professional taxi Jaime helped us reserve picked us up at the airport terminal and dropped us off right at the property. Booking a stay was a bit more involved than a few simple clicks on some travel comparison website, but then again this place is something different. Upon arriving at Punta Monterrey Jaime and Matias were there to greet us. They led us to the cabin we'd booked and explained everything we needed to know about the property. The first thing one notices upon arriving is the stunning natural beauty the cabins are set against. Whomever planned the building of said cabins obviously had a keen eye for natural aesthetics, because the buildings do not look obtrusive, rather, they seamlessly blend into the surroundings and really help the guest immerse into the beautiful landscape. Palm trees abound, the ocean's soothing ebb and flow just meters away, all while a verdant jungle stretches up and out for what must be many many miles. I found the cabin we booked to be perfect. I would not call it luxurious, but, to be sure, "luxurious" accommodations would seem out of place here. The cabin, though, had plenty of welcome amenities. There is a balcony with an absolutely stunning view of the surrounding flora and the sea just meters away. The bathroom was spacious, clean, and comfortable. A very useful mini-fridge. Purified water readily available. AC and a ceiling fan. Even a small desk! And the steady sound of the sea rolling in ensured I slept like a sloth every night. The beach itself is obviously a main event here, and it does not disappoint. Soft, flaxen sand. Clear water. Gentle swimming, and, given the relative seclusion of the place, the beach is virtually private. Free use of the property's kayaks. A couple of canopies are set up if guests wish to escape the sun for a bit. One can easily dwindle away the day with nary a worry in the world, as we surely did on multiple occasions. I should mention that, given the property's proximity to nature, many small animals abound, especially insects. Some small, some bigger, some friendly, some bite... I definitely do not see this as a negative. You simply cannot expect to be among such a natural surrounding and not expect some of the jungle's residents to show up. But I know this may be uncomfortable for some people, which is why I mention it. For me it just added to the flair of the place, especially with all the brilliantly-colored butterflies flying around. To me, what most catches the true spirit of Punta Monterrey, even more than the golden sand, the gentle crashing of the Pacific waves, or the emerald greens of the jungle background, is the communal table. It was truly my favorite area of the property. The reason is that this is where most, if not all, of Punta Monterrey's guests eventually congregate for dinner. All meals are served here. And, to be sure, without a doubt the best part of our experience at Punta Monterrey, what will surely form the most lasting memories for us, were all the beautiful people we were fortunate to meet. At dinner on a given night we'd be sitting with a family from South Africa, a group of friends from California, another group of friends from Monterrey MX, a couple from Guadalajara, a traveler from Spain, along with Jaime and Matias... and we all got to know each other and laughed together over sips of great mezcal until well after midnight. The type of people that are drawn to the aura of Punta Monterrey is what truly sets this place apart from any other place i've ever been to. So many other things about my short trip stand out: the impromptu oyster lunch on the beach, bonding with Punta Monterrey's resident labrador, Lucas, Jaime's gracious invitation to go into Sayulita for a night which turned out to be great fun, the nature hike (astutely guided by Lucas and Matias' elegant Great Dane, Hera) to the beach on the other side of the Punta in search of natural clay, another astonishingly beautiful hike to the waterfall, Señor Guero's fantastic homemade tortillas... In summary, Punta Monterrey is a genuinely wonderful experience. It is NOT a corporation-owned glitzy Cancun all-inclusive type of place -- it is a very welcome alternative to that sort of vibe. We felt completely free to either mingle amongst the staff and guests or to completely seclude ourselves in some serene spot on the property for some quiet time. The beauty of the surroundings, the welcoming spirit and attentiveness of Jaime, Matias, and the rest of the staff, the fresh delicious food, and the experience of meeting so many vibrant, interesting people make Punta Monterrey a remarkable place and one we'll sure be visiting again soon.

My wife and I spent a week here during our honeymoon and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The grounds themselves are amazing and so beautiful. The rooms are comfortable, have amazing views and you can wake up to the sounds of the ocean. The beach is secluded with a...

My wife and I spent a week here during our honeymoon and I cannot recommend it highly enough. The grounds themselves are amazing and so beautiful. The rooms are comfortable, have amazing views and you can wake up to the sounds of the ocean. The beach is secluded with a picturesque cove to swim in with beautiful, clear, blue-green water. And the food is authentic and so delicious. But if you take one thing from this review you should know that the people are what makes this place truly wonderful. Jaime and Matias (and the rest of the staff) could not have been more gracious and accommodating and they treat you like family. To sum it all up, if you're looking for some all-inclusive resort where lobster-red Americans sit in a pool sipping Mai Tai's, then this is not the place for you. If you're looking for a beautiful location with warm and friendly people, somewhere to unwind, disconnect and soak in the sun then this is definitely the place for you.

As a frequent traveler there are so many things I look for in a vacation. Punta Monterrey provides all of them and more. I came for the first time last year for a retreat in March and again this year. Every time it seems to get better and yet nothing...

As a frequent traveler there are so many things I look for in a vacation. Punta Monterrey provides all of them and more. I came for the first time last year for a retreat in March and again this year. Every time it seems to get better and yet nothing changes. The food is simple, fresh, local, and exactly what you need after a day at the beach. The staff is attentive and friendly and the rooms are all different yet each has its own charm based on location and decor. This past trip we were right on the beach and the sound of the waves and ocean was magnificent. Previously we were in one of the original stone buildings which was also very charming and comfortable. Jamie and his staff have honed the art of being available and invisible at the same time and can give great recommendations about where to go, what to do, and things to see. He makes you feel as if you are part of the family and treats everyone like a brother or cousin. There is another beach that's just a short hike away through the jungle, another down the rocks which leads to a tide pool, but the beach in front of the hotel is more than enough fun and is a great place to relax and get some sun. There are also several towns and beaches just down the road for day trips like Sayulita and San Pancho. Each has its own thing that makes it unique but depending on how much time you have you may never want to leave. I saw an unending array of birds, fish, and even an iguana sunning itself on the rocks. This is one of those special magical places that really has no analogue. I've been to beaches in Greece, the Caymans, Florida, Hawaii, Cancun, and Texas but none seem to have such a place in our hearts. I am already planning my next trip to come back here and can't wait to be at Punta Monterrey again later this year and the next.

Private golden sandy beach, amazing bungalows in the jungle with view to the ocean and a yoga room, delicious food, unmatchable personalized service, this place is heaven and a bunch of activities to do around the town