Tropical Paradise

Celebrity favorite Mexican resort is only a short flight away — but be ready to break out the big bucks

Even if you’ve never been to Punta de Mita, the name likely strikes a chord thanks to a long list of celebrities, including Tom Cruise, Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Rihanna and Jessica Simpson, who have kept the Mexican hotspot in the tabloid headlines.

The lush peninsula, nested in Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit where the Banderas Bay and the Pacific Ocean meet, is home to gated development Punta Mita. Behind the guarded entry is a tropical paradise of white-sand beaches and turquoise waters and the famed Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita.

It’s all about you

Soak-up-the-sun frolicking begins at the free-form infinity-edge pool with striking views of the Pacific Ocean, where you’ll spot dolphins and humpback whales during their seasonal migration. Or you can lounge at the adult-oriented pool complex featuring a main pool and a plunge pool which boasts 10 private cabanas and a full bar with a lavish bites menu that includes sushi and caviar.

The amenity-rich retreat prides itself on fulfilling your every request. Cool off with a frozen piña colada without ever getting out of the water courtesy of a drink-fetching pool butler. Need to clear your sunglasses of sand and water while you lounge? Merely hand over your shades to a sunglass-polishing attendant.

Enjoy frolicking at the free-form infinity-edge pool with striking views of the Pacific Ocean.

There’s never a dull moment with an assortment of classes and lessons including scuba diving, windsurfing, salsa dancing, stand-up paddle boarding and more. Sign up for tequila class and learn how to distinguish tequila from mescal.

Hit the links

The Pacifico Golf Course offers world-class play designed by Jack Nicklaus. Spread over 200 acres of rolling hills and flowering landscapes, eight holes border either the Pacific Ocean or Banderas Bay, offering picturesque ocean views.

Take your golf game to a new level with the optional Hole 3B. Dubbed “the Tail of the Whale,” the unique par-three, 19th hole is one of only a handful of natural island greens in the world. Tee off from a natural rock outcropping with a green designed in the shape of a whale's tail and an oceanside tee on the beach situated 199 yards off the coast.

Take your best shot as you aim for the putting green set on a natural offshore island. Get a lift to the green in an amphibious golf cart.

Weather proof

And when the weather doesn’t cooperate, seek refuge at the state-of-the-art fitness facility with yoga classes and the latest cardio and weight-training equipment. Better yet, head to the on-property spa where you can indulge in a facial, manicure, pedicure and signature Punta Mita massage which incorporates agave tequila (lathered on your back, stomach and feet) and traditional Mexican healing techniques.

Family time

The ultra luxe resort caters to well-heeled singles and family units alike. Inner tube or noodle along to the mild current of the Lazy River, the third pool option, which encircles an all-family building with 23 rooms and suites.

Kids will also enjoy nature trails, an outdoor playground with a jungle gym and a 2,400-square-foot game room with PlayStation consoles, Wii, Xbox 360, Guitar Hero and the like. The options are bountiful with a card table, ping-pong, air hockey and foosball tables.

Hey big spender

The expansive property features 143 rooms and 30 suites situated on 26 acres. Most suites have plunge pools, some oceanfront suites are set atop cliffs, and other rooms open directly onto the beach. Mexican-style casitas are richly designed with beach-inspired décor, a flat screen TV and a spacious bathroom (two-basin vanity, glass-enclosed shower and deep soaking tub).

Hospitality is topnotch starting with your arrival when you are served a welcoming tray with chips, guacamole, salsa and make-your-own margarita ingredients (salt, lime, tequila, orange liquor, a martini shaker, ice and a margarita glass).

Of course, having your every whim answered in these luxe surroundings doesn’t come cheap. Be ready to break out your wallet with room rates ranging from $545-$1,175 for a double and $1,685-$16,000 for a suite during high season. During low season, rates hover around $375 to $925 for a double and $1,025 to $8,750 for a suite.

Getting there

The largest nearby airport is Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR), an hour’s drive from Punta de Mita. United Airlines flies direct to PVR from George Bush Intercontinental Airport, while AeroMexico makes one stop in Mexico City. Southwest Airlines begins service to Puerto Vallarta this October, with flights already on sale. With no stops, the total flight time is just under three hours.

Barely time to catch a flick before starting your trip in Mexican paradise.

(Marcy de Luna’s trip to Mexico was hosted by the Mexico Tourism Bureau.)

Most suites have plunge pools, and some oceanfront suites rest atop cliffs.

Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita Pres Suite CM crop for Marcy's story

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita

Most suites have plunge pools, and some oceanfront suites rest atop cliffs.

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Amusement Park Fun

Six Flags Over Texas launches new roller coaster with a 285-foot drop

Riders on Tormenta Rampaging Run at Six Flags Over Texas

Photo courtesy of Six Flags Over Texas

CultureMap took a ride on Tormenta before it opens to the public.

Six Flags Over Texas will officially open its anticipated new roller coaster, Tormenta Rampaging Run, on Thursday, July 9, and CultureMap and other media and VIPs were given early access to experience the ride's intense thrills before its public debut.

The new coaster boasts several records — as the tallest, fastest, longest, and first-ever giga (300+-foot-tall) dive coaster in the world, topping out at 309 feet just before it sends riders plunging into a beyond-vertical, 95-degree, 285-foot drop. We take you along for the ride in the following video:

Each car of the coaster features three rows of seats with eight seats per row, servicing 24 riders at a time. During the preview event, two cars were sent out in staggered sessions, but a third car sat close by to be used if needed.

The ride's rodeo theme is strong, with multiple posters advertising fictional rodeos and a metallic gate swinging open at the start to let the ~~bull~~ car pass through.

To paraphrase Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day, the first part is a doozy, as riders are click-clacked up a steep stretch forcing them to look straight up into the sky.

The ever-so-brief pause at top affords a view of the surrounding city, the rest of Six Flags, and, in the distance, the downtown Dallas skyline. The angle feels like you're above those towering skyscrapers even though logic tells you that you aren't.

The initial plunge tests the mettle of even hardcore roller coaster fans, sending riders through the extreme drop before hurtling them into two large loops and a corkscrew before coming to another brief stop.

The 95-degree, 285-foot drop of Tormenta Rampaging Run. Photo courtesy of Six Flags Over Texas

That stop gives riders only a small reprieve before they're shot through two smaller loops and a sharp right curve before — mercifully — coming to a jolting halt as the coaster car is shuttled back into the loading station.

From start to finish, the ride lasts around 2 minutes and 45 seconds, but the first 75 seconds is spent just getting to the start of the main portion of the coaster.

All told, the drops, loops, and other elements lasts exactly one minute, which is not that long, but the time-to-thrill ratio is still high.

Misting fans and pergolas at Tormenta Rampaging Run at Six Flags Over Texas. Misting fans and pergolas will help keep riders cool while waiting in line for Tormenta.Photo by Alex Bentley

Even during the brutal heat of the Texas summer, visitors should expect lines to be long for the hot new ride. The corrals close to the ride have scattered pergolas and umbrellas for shade, as well as oscillating fans with misters. Once you reach the completely covered top platform, there are a number of ceiling fans, although they do little to stave off the high humidity.

Opinions will differ as to whether a long wait time for a short ride is worth it, but for those who get their kicks trying out the latest and greatest roller coasters, Tormenta Rampaging Run is a great new addition to the 65-year-old amusement park.

The grand opening for Tormenta is Thursday, July 9 at Six Flags Over Texas. The park is open daily through August 16.

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