logo Punta el custodio

F.A.Q's

Before you book

Almost ready to book?

Please read this page well. Punta el Custodio is a paradise for most people, but it’s not for everybody. On this page, you can read more about what to expect. We do hope to see you in our little paradise!

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Do you recommend any activities or excursions for your guests?

Our on-site manager, Martin, can arrange excursions/transportation if you want. You can go deep-sea fishing, whale/dolphin watching in season, visit the turtle hatchery at 1 mile from our community, go horse riding on the beach, visit local towns and markets or go to the bigger towns (at 45 minutes or more). Go to the Tovara waterfall. Martin will arrange it for you. We are in front of one of the best surf breaks in Nayarit, we have surf boards,  paddle boards, boogie boards and one-person kayaks for rent, ask michel for more info. You can go paddle boarding into the estuary, go fishing in a kayak, or just sip a margarita on your sundeck.

You won’t get bored.

Will I have cell phone and internet connection?

All of our houses have good working internet, and most of them have internet from Starlink, which is very reliable and very fast.  Internet is also, most of the time, available at the gatehouse near the entrance.

We have 3G cellular access in our houses/community, so you can call and be called. In some places the signal may be weaker, then you will have to move a few meters. At busy times (morning and early evening) you may lose the signal. In case of emergencies, our staff is always on stand-by. There is a gatekeeper 24/7 with a mobile phone.

Is Punta el Custodio a safe place?
Over the past few years, Mexico has received very bad publicity because of the drug violence. This is a serious problem, but at the same time we, all our guests and all the people we talk to, feel very, very safe in Mexico, and at Punta el Custodio in particular, which is a gated community. The violence is mainly near the border or more South. If you are not engaged in the drug trade, there is nothing to fear: you will probably be much safer here than in most cities in the US or Canada. Punta el Custodio is one of the safest places we know, so book one of our rentals for your best Mexico vacation ever. Just take the normal precautions, don’t walk around with (or show) a lot of cash.
Does 'located in rural Mexico' mean 'in the middle of nowhere'?
We are not exactly located in the middle of nowhere, but it is rural Mexico. It’s one of our charms, we think, that we are far away from the noisy, busy and touristic places. At Punta el Custodio, you are away from it all. You will be able to relax and enjoy your vacation like you never have before. Thanks to our staff also, who will do everything to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

The drive from Puerto Vallarta airport is an easy, beautiful drive. Almost all straight, just follow the highway, you only have to take 4 turns. We used to say that it was a 2 hours drive, but it has gotten busier over the last few years. Probably it takes between 2 and 2.5 hours by now (April 2018).

There still is no development of condos, hotels etc in this area. We feel very lucky about that. You will have the ocean for yourself, literally. You may see some other guests that stay at one of the houses, and in the weekend Mexicans from the area come to the beach in Platanitos or to surf.

See our exact location and driving instructions on our page Location.

How about bugs?
As we are in the tropics, animals and insects are present. We suggest that you close the doors at dark to keep the “little creatures” out. “No-see-ums” are well named. They are invisible insects whose bites feel like the ones of mosquitos. The area is sprayed, but at the same time, we want to keep our community as free as possible from poison. Most of our guests find that the No-see-ums are only active around sunrise and sunset, and only about 1 or 2 days out of every 10. Spray liberally with an insect repellant, wear long pants, long-sleeved T-shirts and socks at sunset and sunrise and life will be pleasant. We also suggest using the fans when they are around and bother you, this will keep them away. In general, there are no bugs during daylight. In the past 9 years, we had 2 guests who left the house earlier than planned because they were bothered too much by the no-see-ums. So again, if you are very sensitive to these things our place may not be for you.
Can we bring our pet?
We are sorry, but pets are not allowed!
Is the electricity supply reliable?
We do have occasional blackouts, as they have in Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita, and many other tourist destinations in the area. During the dry season (November – June) they hardly occur, and if so, power is back quickly most of the times. During the rainy season, they are more frequent because of lightning that strikes a pole, landslides etc. We have a big back up generator for these situations, all houses but casa Sonrisa are connected to it. Despite the generator, the A/C can not be used during blackouts. The generator supplies enough energy for refrigerators, fans and lights to work, but not enough for the A/C.
Are there extra costs when we rent a villa?

Our additional All-Inclusive Package (Meal Plan)
Our houses and villas can be rented with or without the all-inclusive package. For the rental rates, see each individual rental page. Our all-inclusive package (3 meals a day, juices, sodas, fruits, chips, and 5 beers a day per adult, all shopping is done by the staff of Punta el Custodio) costs $280 USD per week per adult, $140 USD per week for children from 5 – 12 years old. A tip for your private maid/cook and the staff is greatly appreciated!

Payment fees
There may be payment fees when you book the house. If you pay by sending a cheque to the owner, then there are no extra costs. Paying by sending a cheque is possible for all houses. All owners accept PayPal deposits, we do charge an extra 4% payment fee when paid through PayPal. 

Are there stores nearby?
There are only a few small stores in Platanitos and in the nearby towns, but they don’t carry a wide variety of products — only the most basic ones. You can buy freshly caught fish from the fishermen who arrive at Platanitos beach at 8 in the morning, and a pickup truck with fruit and vegetables comes to Platanitos several days a week in the morning. The nearest supermarket is in Zacualpan, about 25 minutes away. This is one of the reasons that most guests go for the all-inclusive package: the staff will do all the shopping for you!

Quick links to other info on our website

What is the booking process?
How do I order and pay for the meal plan?
Do you arrange airport transfers?

General info about Punta el Custodio

Check-in: 2 pm
Check-out: 11 am

Noise
No noise after 10 pm

Events/Parties
Please ask

The staff

The staff of Punta el Custodio consists of Martin, our on-site manager, Norma and Bob (owners of one of the houses),the women who clean the houses (each house has it’s own housekeeper/cook), the gatekeeper, gardeners, mechanics, other maintenance workers, and Michel, your rental agent. In Casa Sonrisa, you will deal with Summer Poulsen as the property manager,

About 6 weeks before arrival we will arrange the food/plan airport transfers with you. Once you arrive at Punta el Custodio Martin or Summer will be your main contact to answer all your questions and help you with activities such as trips, tips, and excursions. They are also excellent at coordinating special events such as mariachi parties.
You can always contact Michel, your rental agent also.

Contacts for your stay at Punta el Custodio

Your first contact will be Michel, your rental agent for the 9 houses listed on this website. Since he has spent many weekends in all houses at Punta el Custodio with his family since 2009, there is no better person to help you choose the best house for your needs. He will answer all your questions and will give you the best information about each of the houses and about Punta el Custodio itself. He will assist you in making your reservation. 

You will love our place if:

you like adventure (crossing the estuary!)

You should not book if:

you have problems walking (a cobblestone road that winds through our community, houses with different levels)

You will love our place if:

you enjoy unspoiled nature (the whole area)

You will love our place if:

you want to relax (no better place)

You should not book if:

You need to have a hospital nearby (we can make it to the nearest in 45 minutes)

You will love our place if:

you want to be pampered (everybody will work hard to make your stay unforgettable)

You should not book if:

you are VERY sensitive for bugs (our community is free from insecticides as much as possible)

You will love our place if:

you want to spend a week or so in paradise (you found it!)

You will love our place if:

you want to be away from all the tourists

You should not book if:

you want bars, restaurants and nightlife during your stay (at no place you will see as many stars at night as in our area, there is no light pollution from cities nearby)

You will love our place if:

you don’t want to cook, do dishes etc. (you may not want to leave)

You will love our place if:

you want to see pelicans flying right in front of your terrace (and all kinds of other exotic birds)

You should not book if:

you want to be online 24/7 (this is rural Mexico, sometimes you will be disconnected from the world)

You will love our place if:

you want to see dolphins and whales at 600 feet from your terrace (from December until the end of March)

You will love our place if:

you like adventure (crossing the estuary!)

You should not book if:

You need to have a hospital nearby (we can make it to the nearest in 45 minutes)

You will love our place if:

you enjoy unspoiled nature (the whole area)

You will love our place if:

you want to relax (no better place)

You should not book if:

you are VERY sensitive for bugs (our community is free from insecticides as much as possible)

You will love our place if:

you want to be pampered (everybody will work hard to make your stay unforgettable)

You should not book if:

you have problems walking (a cobblestone road that winds through our community, houses with different levels)

You will love our place if:

you want to spend a week or so in paradise (you found it!)

You will love our place if:

you want to be away from all the tourists

You should not book if:

you want bars, restaurants and nightlife during your stay (at no place you will see as many stars at night as in our area, there is no light pollution from cities nearby)

You will love our place if:

you don’t want to cook, do dishes etc. (you may not want to leave)

You will love our place if:

you want to see pelicans flying right in front of your terrace (and all kinds of other exotic birds)

You should not book if:

you want to be online 24/7 (this is rural Mexico, sometimes you will be disconnected from the world)

You will love our place if:

you want to see dolphins and whales at 600 feet from your terrace (from December until the end of March)

 Water

Water is a valuable commodity at Punta El Custodio and we ask that you make every effort to conserve water. i.e. short showers and minimal flushing. Bottled water is provided and should always be used for drinking and brushing your teeth. Water containers are in each bathroom. 

Tides of the estuary

Tide tables are available in all houses and MUST be consulted before crossing the estuary. You CAN ONLY cross when the tide is turning, so there won’t be a current, preferably at low tide. Do not underestimate the power of the tides and the current. At low tide, it is very safe to cross/swim in the Estuary or the Ocean at the East/Southside. At other times the swimming can be dangerous. The current can be too strong, even for experienced swimmers. There is a safe beach in Platanitos, the village 800 meters, or half a mile down the road, with restaurants to choose from as well.

In case of problems while you are at the house, please ask the on-site staff for help. You can always call Michel, your rental agent, too:
+52 334 296 7265.