Iberostar Selection Playa Mita
Family-friendly resort in Punta de Mita. Modern, Family Resort.
Atmosphere
Room Upgrades
Amenities
Traveler Insights(520 discussions)
Iberostar Selection Playa Mita quietly earns its reputation through things that are hardest to photograph - the calm private cove beach, the genuine lack of crowds, the surprisingly good food across a diverse roster of restaurants, and the Mayan architectural character that makes the grounds feel different from the generic tower-and-beach all-inclusive formula. It sits at the northern tip of Riviera Nayarit in the Punta de Mita area, a stretch of coast that attracted surf nomads before luxury development arrived. That legacy gives the area an authenticity that's hard to manufacture.
The food program is a genuine differentiator. Eight restaurants with real variety and buffet dinners that rotate themes meaningfully - the Japanese restaurant and the rotating international buffet nights get the most consistent praise. Service at the beach is strong. The Star Prestige tier is worth considering for travelers who want priority dining and upgraded amenity access. Room quality is the most reliable vulnerability - issues with maintenance, musty bathrooms, and housekeeping consistency appear too often in recent reviews. Requesting a specific building on arrival is worthwhile.
Playa Mita is best for couples and small groups who want a quiet, beautiful beach resort with strong food and don't need proximity to nightlife or major city attractions. It competes directly with Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit about 30 minutes south - Grand Velas wins decisively on room luxury and service finesse; Playa Mita wins on value and the private cove beach feeling. Sayulita surf town is about 20 minutes north, and whale-watching tours (seasonal, November through March) depart from the nearby Punta de Mita marina.
Pros
- +Private cove beach in Punta de Mita with notably calm, clear water that you rarely share with more than a handful of other guests - the antithesis of crowded Cancun beaches
- +Eight on-site restaurants spanning Japanese fine dining, Mexican street food, seafood, and buffet - one of the more diverse dining programs at a Riviera Nayarit all-inclusive
- +Mayan-inspired architecture and jungle grounds give the property a sense of place that generic Caribbean resort architecture lacks
- +Isolated location north of Puerto Vallarta means the property feels genuinely secluded and protected from vendor harassment and beach hawkers
- +Beachside drink service is consistent and praised specifically - staff circulate and you get drinks delivered to your chair without hunting anyone down
- +Star Prestige room tier is well-executed at this property with meaningful service and dining access upgrades that are actually delivered
- +Punta de Mita town is a 5-minute taxi ride for anyone wanting authentic small Mexican coastal town charm with local seafood restaurants
- +Buffet dinner programs with rotating themed international nights get better marks here than at comparable Iberostar properties - the variety is genuinely appreciated
Cons
- −Location is remote even by all-inclusive standards - 45-50 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta with no walkable options and no ride-sharing infrastructure; everything off-property requires planning and taxi budget
- −Rocky sections of the beach bottom make water entry uncomfortable in spots - water shoes are recommended and guests are not always warned in advance
- −Room cleanliness and maintenance issues appear more frequently than you'd expect at this price point - musty smell in bathrooms and slow housekeeping response times are cited
- −Main buffet runs out of items during peak meal windows without reliable restocking, and some guests report locals and tour groups being given priority access
- −Limited nightlife and evening energy - the resort is quiet after 10pm and bar entertainment doesn't sustain past early evening for guests wanting a late-night scene
- −Getting to Puerto Vallarta Old Town requires a 45-50 minute taxi ride each way plus the fare - day trips to the city need planning and budget allocation
- −Pull-out sofa bed and cot availability for families is limited and the quality of rollaway beds has been criticized
- −Air conditioning reliability has been flagged by some guests, which is particularly uncomfortable in the tropical humidity of Nayarit
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“We’re spending 7 days at this wonderful resort with our family (two adults and two girls, ages 14 and 9) and friends (two adults with three kids, ages 15, 14, and 8), and we’ve had such a great, relaxing stay. Fermin from the entertainment team has...”
“This past Friday, my wife and I had our wedding at the Iberostar Selection Playa Mita. To say we had an incredible time would be a major understatement. Adriana is the most professional and talented wedding coordinator you could ever have. Her and th...”
“My child spent half a day at Star Camp, and it was a very positive experience. The activities were well organized, fun, and appropriate for the children’s age. The atmosphere was friendly, safe, and welcoming. The staff were kind, patient, and attent...”