NOTES FROM A BEACH TOWN

Punta de Mita, Mexico — July 2024

Words and photos by Jossie Ayón

Some say Mexico hides its best parts near the ocean. I honestly couldn’t say otherwise.

Amidst tiny fishing towns, mountains, coconuts, old trucks, and Teslas, there’s Punta de Mita — a naturally glamorous fishing village on the Mexican Pacific Coast.

El Anclote is Punta de Mita’s core, a public beach hosting some of Mita’s best: fresh oysters, banana bread, local coffee, firewood kitchens, endless waves, and the display of stacked surfboards and fetching sarongs on the street.

While cars and motorbikes are always in a rush, life in Punta de Mita moves slowly — and barefoot! In that small, carefree town, people wake up before sunrise to start their day at sea. They all know each other and are the best at recognizing foreign faces. They always nod, whistle in code, and wave back while shouting “¡quihubo!” — very interesting Mexican lingo for “hello, how are you?”.

With time, this town has become a quiescent place for luxury living. Known for its hedonistic ways, luxury real estate, golf courses, and secluded beaches, Mita has won a golden mark on every traveler’s world map. Still, this village preserves a non-pretentious lifestyle, a genuine feature in every beach destination in Mexico that revolves around cherishing a life near the ocean—a trait I treasure.

Coastal towns do have a special feel—that of rest, calmness, and wonder. So, what are you looking for this summer? Catch-of-the-day-fresh fish tacos, road trips, or the most exquisite banana bread?  

I hope you add some sun time to that list of yours, anyway.