Yearning for the laidback feel of a rural fishing village with white sand beaches, combined with the luxuries and mild year-round weather of the Mexican Riviera? Plus championship golf, diving, sport fishing, surfing, sailing, sea kayaking, whale watching, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, Jeep tours, and rainforest excursions. A Punta de Mita vacation rental villa, home, or condo is your money-saving alternative to the big resort hotels. Enjoy privacy and splendid isolation. Yet be within 30 miles via coastal highway from Puerto Vallarta and Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport.

Tee off overlooking the breezy blue waters of the Pacific Ocean at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Pacifico Course, rated among the best in Latin America. Pacifico is renowned for its optional 19th hole, the “Tail of the Whale,” a 199-yard par-three where you tee off over the Pacific Ocean onto a large island green. The Bahia, another Nicklaus-designed championship course, has six ocean holes, and is lined by beach sands and gated resort properties controlling course access.

Consider a money-saving vacation rental villa alongside a golf hole. Take a game break, and park your golf cart alongside your villa. Have the villa’s cook waiting for you with mid-game refreshments. Your Punta de Mita vacation rental condo or villa can also be oceanfront, and still save you money on greens fees. Plus the whole family can enjoy access to resort swimming pools, tennis courts, children’s play areas, and other amenities.

Walk into town for beachfront restaurant dining and Pacific Ocean sunsets. Kids can safely swim at Playa El Anclote, where the rock jetties calm the shallow waters near restaurant row. Surf El Anclote’s long slow waves. Or seek out those special surfing spots along the coast, like near Punta Sayulita. Enjoy kayaking. Take the family sailing. At the end of the day, return to the comforting surroundings of your money-saving Punta de Mita vacation rental condo, apartment, home, or villa.

The Bahia Banderas (Bay of Banderas) and north towards Sayulita is great for fishing and diving volcanic tunnels, or just watching whales, dolphins, turtles, and ocean birds. Snorkel color-splashed shallow reefs. Spend a day on a ponga, a motorized open-bow fishing boat in search of mahi-mahi (dorado), pugnacious pargo (big cubera snapper), Pacific sailfish, fighting roosterfish, yellowfin tuna, and bonita. From Islas Marietas and El Morro to La Corbetena and El Banco, the diving opportunities are numerous. Your money-saving Punta de Mita vacation rental will be a home base to remember for the rest of your life.