RIVIERA NAYARIT — Classy. Secluded. Spacious. Tranquil. These were my impressions of the Iberostar Selection Playa Mita. The all-inclusive five-star on the Riviera Nayarit near Punta Mita, 30 kilometres north of Puerto Vallarta and 20 minutes south of Sayulita, is the sole Iberostar in Pacific Mexico and part of the brand’s Beachfront Resorts collection.

I was the only guest checking in Sunday evening after a 45-minute drive from the Puerto Vallarta airport. I was offered lavender-infused cloths and a refreshing Tajin-rimmed red hibiscus drink, which I sipped while riveted by an enormous multi-coloured jaguar head protruding above the front desk. Scanning the QR code, I learned the one-of-a-kind jaguar took six Wixárika artists 2.5 months and more than three-million beads, one of the largest pieces ever. The ancestral territory of the indigenous Wixárika (or Huichol) is the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains, which run through northeast Nayarit.

Later, I discovered more art peppering the sprawling 7.6-hectare resort, a mix of Balinese and local pieces (a self-guided art tour would be a great addition). The Iberostar is incorporating Wixárika art and cultural elements, while phasing out the almost 10-year-old property’s original Indonesian theme.

“The Wixarika culture that is connected to the lands around the resort is fascinating and we have been working over the last year to bring more of this authentic, ancient culture into the resort and make it accessible to our guests,” explains Daniel Llinás, the resort’s GM.  “We have decoration details starting with our magnificent Jaguar’s Head, services like our new Wixárika tasting menu at our Pacific Express restaurant ($75 USD), activities like artisans coming to the hotel to teach bracelet-making, and shows like the sunset ritual dance at our Wirikuta Bar, all of them focused on this culture.” The resort also sells their handicrafts.

The family-focused Iberostar’s 451 rooms in three sections offer views of the Pacific, the mountains or the gardens, and are accessed by a wristband chip, a new-to-Iberostar technology that eliminates carrying a key (loved it!).

My oceanfront junior suite looked down to the pristine golden beach with bathtub warm waters, which the Iberostar shares with just one resort. Next year, construction is slated for an Iberostar Grand nearby, an adults-only premium product with 305 rooms, Llinás says. Renovation plans here include room redecorating.

Although spring break was in full swing, it wasn’t crowded or too noisy; no lounge chair saving was required. Occupancy is about 60%, which, compared to pre-COVID, is “back to normality,” says Llinás. Most winter guests hail from Canada and the U.S., particularly westerners, with Canadians comprising up to 60%.

In addition to families, the resort is a good fit for groups, meetings and conventions (five meeting rooms), and couples seeking a romantic, idyllic retreat. Destination weddings are back, says Llinás.

I witnessed no nuptials in the wedding gazebo, but the rooftop lounge terrace overlooking the ocean provides a spectacular sunset backdrop for dinner and dancing. It certainly did for the lively weekly Mexican Fiesta. That’s just one of the myriad activities guests will find with free WiFi on the Iberostar app (a paperless initiative that needs some tweaking). It includes scheduled activities offered by the Star Friends entertainment team, things to do, tours, bars, restaurants and menus, etc.

I enjoyed morning yoga, aqua aerobics in the huge freeform pool, a body scrub and massage at SPA Sensations, an aguachile cooking class, and a tour with Dressel Divers, the onsite PADI-certified diving centre, to the Islas Marietas National Park in Banderas Bay.

Breaching humpback whales and leaping mobula rays elicited “oohs” before the boat circled the uninhabited islands for views of the 90+ species of nesting seabirds, including blue-footed boobies. Divemaster Bruno then guided a group snorkel to look at colourful reef fish. For divers, four sites are conveniently located near the Iberostar. Dressel also offers PADI courses, jet skis, sport fishing, whale watching (winter), and surf classes and excursions.

Back at Iberostar, those with energy can hit two tennis courts, Technogym equipment in the fitness centre, the activity pool for games like waterpolo, or play pingpong or billiards. Within the grounds is the 18-hole, Par 72 Higuera Golf Club designed by Greg Norman, with oceanfront holes and a peninsula green. Shuttles to Sayulita and Puerto Vallarta are also available (extra cost).

For youngsters (4 – 17), Star Camp focuses on local culture and caring for the planet, plus outdoor play on Aquafun’s water slides and in the splash pool. Lifeguards are on duty at the beach and the pool. Other family-friendly services include kids’ menus and a babysitting service.

When the sun begins to drop, the oceanfront rooftop Wirikuta Bar is the ideal place to witness it set behind Punta Mita. Don’t miss the Monday Sunset Circus on the adjacent lounge terrace, a high-calibre show, as was much of the entertainment.

In addition to a buffet for dinner, four international restaurants include Asian, Mexican, a steakhouse, and a train-themed gourmet. At the new El Agave Mezcalería, guests can enjoy a sommelier-led tasting of Mexican spirits (US$45). And the 24-hour Starcafé is always popular.

As part of Iberostar’s Wave of Change commitment to responsible tourism, the hotel eliminated single-use plastics. By 2025, it will be waste-free and use 100% sustainable seafood, and by 2030 will be carbon neutral. The resort has earned LEED Gold and EarthCheck certifications.

For more information visit Iberostar’s site at https://www.iberostar.com/en-ca/hotels/riviera-nayarit/iberostar-playa-mita.