Cacao Rituals, Grilling Workshops, and Artisan Crafts: This Beach Resort Offers More Than Just Sun and Sand

The Dinogo Perspective

As the Mexican resort destination of Punta de Mita becomes increasingly popular, Susurros Del Corazón, Auberge Resorts Collection provides a serene beach escape in a hidden corner of the Riviera Nayarit. This elegant resort boasts all the elements of an idyllic beach getaway—think pristine white-sand beaches, a breathtaking three-tiered pool, and an expansive spa that could easily take up most of your day—while making a concerted effort to immerse guests in the local culture through culinary, artistic, musical, and other enriching experiences.

The decor throughout the guest rooms and common areas showcases the talent of local artists and craftsmen, beginning with a grand wooden table at the reception adorned with sculptures and pottery. Guests can partake in a variety of activities, from a cacao ritual guided by a local healer, where participants create a Mayan-inspired altar dedicated to IxCacao, the goddess of the cacao tree, to a culinary class focused on the ancient Nayarit grilling method, zarandeado.

The spa's extensive wellness program transcends traditional massages and facials, offering a diverse array of daily fitness and movement classes (many included in your stay), as well as spiritual activities such as sound baths, drum circles, and guided meditations.

A stunning three-tiered pool offers sweeping ocean views, with the top level exclusively for adults. In addition to the pool and nearby beach, the resort boasts tennis and pickleball courts, snorkeling trips, surfing lessons, fishing excursions, and for experienced surfers, boat rides to the best surf spots. For those with a creative flair, hands-on workshops are available, including a hat-decorating session led by local artist Mariana Ortega from Mowi, who provides various handmade hats from local milliners for guests to personalize.

An engaging kids' club ensures that younger guests are well looked after, allowing parents to unwind completely. The club offers a three-day surfing camp, as well as locally themed activities like exploring a tidal pool, participating in Huichol beadwork workshops, and a class on baking conchas (Mexican sweet bread). My son couldn't get enough of his turtle-shaped concha.

Who is it ideal for?

Susurros is perfect for couples, groups of friends, and families seeking a beach getaway that combines enriching wellness experiences with deep dives into Mexican culture.

The Setting

Susurros del Corazón is located on the serene Riviera Nayarit peninsula, boasting its own private beach with no other hotels in sight. The busier Punta de Mita area is about a 15-minute drive away on a separate peninsula, while Puerto Vallarta and its international airport are roughly 45 minutes away by car.

The Accommodations

Susurros features 59 guest rooms and suites alongside 30 villas and casas, which are spacious, multi-bedroom residences. Each accommodation includes expansive patios or terraces adorned with floor-to-ceiling glass doors.

The airy, Bohemian-chic rooms showcase the craftsmanship of Mexican artisans, featuring intricately carved whitewashed wooden headboards and dream catchers crafted from driftwood and seashells. Guests will also find a locally handmade straw hat and rattan bag available for use on-site (or, for an additional fee, to take home).

Bathrooms are designed with generous wet rooms that include showers and free-standing, organically shaped soaking tubs. The body oil, body scrub, and all-natural bug spray are all products from the Mexican brand Ram Ram.

Culinary Offerings

The four dining and drinking venues on the property are all overseen by executive chef Tonatiuh Cuevas, who draws inspiration from local cuisine. At the open-air La Boquita, for example, the (absolutely delicious) ceviche pays tribute to a renowned local street food vendor, and the succulent al pastor pork tacos are sliced from the spinning spit behind the bar, with fresh tortillas coming straight from the comal.

The slightly elevated menu at Casamilpa features locally sourced produce, freshly caught fish, and sustainably raised meats and poultry. I'm still reminiscing about the tender guajillo pepper-marinated chicken accompanied by grilled vegetables and borracha salsa, as well as my daily breakfast indulgence of chilaquiles topped with a delicious salsa rojo and a side of the juiciest, most exquisite papaya I've ever had. Acapulco, the poolside venue, serves popular Mexican dishes like tacos, and the adults-only pool boasts a swim-up bar offering delightful cocktails. For coffee, fresh Mexican pastries, or gourmet snacks, Don Surf is a convenient grab-and-go option near the resort entrance.

The Spa

The 25,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor Onda, an Auberge spa, features 11 treatment rooms, a hydrotherapy pool, sauna and steam rooms, along with an on-site dining option called Good Vibrations Café.

In addition to traditional spa services, the offerings include tarot card workshops, sound baths, and gratitude circles, along with daily fitness classes held on the beach, most of which are covered by your room rate. There are also weekly drum circles and sound bowl meditations by the shore; one evening, we spontaneously joined a complimentary drum circle in the sand.

Service and Staff

The staff was warm, helpful, and well-informed. Whenever we had difficulty finding our way, they kindly guided us to our destinations, even if they were occupied with other tasks. We found the waitstaff at Casamilpa and La Boquita to be exceptionally attentive.

Accessibility

The entrance and several public areas are wheelchair accessible, including the rooms located on the first floor. Televisions come equipped with closed captioning. Guests with mobility concerns can reach out at 866.256.6829 or email accessibility@aubergeresorts.com for additional information.

Culinary Experiences

For a more immersive experience in Mexican cuisine, consider booking one of the exceptional food and drink experiences, such as a mezcal-and-chocolate pairing session, a cooking class focused on zarandeado—an ancient grilling method from Nayarit—and a tasting of lesser-known ancestral spirits, accompanied by a private dinner prepared by executive chef Tonatiuh Cuevas.

My husband and I took part in a tasting of raicilla, a spirit that can only be legally produced in the Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit. Often described as the moonshine version of tequila (though I personally find it far superior), it is crafted from roasted, hand-harvested agave maxamiliana.

Our class was held at Casamilpa and conducted by local raicilla makers Ana López and Juan Pablo Mercado, the husband-and-wife team behind La Reina, a boutique raicilla brand in the region. We sampled four distinct varieties of raicilla, paired with locally made cheese and candied guava, concluding with a family-style five-course dinner. Starting at $1,234