The 9 Best All-Inclusive Puerto Vallarta Resorts of 2023

Friends on terrace of All-Inclusive Puerto Vallarta Resorts by the sea — Westend61 / Getty Images

Our Top Picks

Best Overall: Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta – See Rates at Kayak

"This is one of the best all-around resorts in the area, with five restaurants, four bars, a spa, a fitness center, and a kids’ club."

Best Budget: Las Palmas by the Sea – See Rates at Kayak

"Its prime location means it’s quite easy to explore all that Puerta Vallarta has to offer off the resorts."

Best Boutique: Hotel Mousai – See Rates at Kayak

"Despite being an all-inclusive hotel, it feels much more like a chic boutique property with a calm, elegant atmosphere."

Best for Families: Velas Vallarta – See Rates at Kayak

"For children, there’s a kids’ club with robust activities from crafts to pool games to turtle-release programs in certain seasons."

Best for Romance: Casa Velas – See Rates at Kayak

"Facilities include a large pool with a swim-up bar, a Mexican restaurant, an Asian restaurant, and a beach club with its own pool."

Best for Nightlife: Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta – See Rates at Kayak

"A party-friendly attitude pervades the resort, from pool parties during the day to risque entertainment in the evenings."

Best for Luxury: Marival Distinct Luxury Residences – See Rates at Kayak

"The property draws high-end clientele who come to enjoy the five spectacular restaurants and two pools."

Best for Nature Experiences: Garza Blanca Preserve Resort and Spa – See Rates at Kayak

"The hotel offers guided hikes and bird-watching excursions through the reserve for those who want to stick to the land side of the equation."

Best for Business: Now Amber Puerto Vallarta – See Rates at Kayak

"When you’re not working, enjoy the gold-sand beach, three pools, seven restaurants and bars, the massive spa, and golf."

Best Overall: Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta

Opened in December 2014, Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta is a relative newcomer to the all-inclusive hotel scene, but it’s quickly risen to become one of the best all-around resorts in the area, with five restaurants, four bars, a spa, a fitness center, and a kids’ club. The 335-room resort is located just a 10-minute drive south of the city in Conchas Chinas in a quieter side of the region as compared to the bustling hotel zone.

It sits right on a gold-sand beach in a partially protected cove, meaning the water is usually calm and good for swimming. But the majority of guests prefer the Hyatt Ziva’s pool complexes: you’ll find an activity pool, a family pool, a quiet pool, and two adults-only pools, one of which has a swim-up bar.

While the hotel definitely skews family-friendly, there are special amenities for adult guests, like a romance concierge and a tequila sommelier. There are also adults-only accommodations in the form of swim-up suites. Speaking of rooms, they vary in size and scale (and therefore price point), but they’re all quite spacious and feature modern decor with local touches.

Best Budget: Las Palmas by the Sea

Not all all-inclusive resorts have to bust the budget. The affordable Las Palmas by the Sea offers the convenience of an all-inclusive rate, though it’s admittedly a bit no-frills. While all meals and beverages are included at the four restaurants and three bars, as well as certain activities like volleyball, nightly entertainment, and beginner dive lessons, there are charges for extras like in-room Wi-Fi (it’s free in the lobby) and the safes in the closets.

There are 225 rooms that are a bit simple and outdated, but perfectly functional — though you’d probably do well to spend time elsewhere on property, like the two pools (one for adults, one for families), or the beach. Las Palmas by the Sea is located in the South Hotel Zone, which means it’s quite easy to explore all that Puerta Vallarta has to offer off the resorts. In fact, you can even walk to several nearby restaurants and shops.

Best Boutique: Hotel Mousai

The adults-only Hotel Mousai is the exclusive hotel-within-a-hotel at the Garza Blanca Preserve Resort and Spa, located about a 20-minute drive south of downtown Puerto Vallarta. With just 73 suites, it’s an intimate boutique property featuring striking, design-forward decor with a minimalist bent and just a touch of Vegas-style glam.

Despite being an all-inclusive hotel, it feels much more like a chic boutique property with a calm, elegant atmosphere. And though it’s not a massive property, it has quite a few amenities: several restaurants and bars, a gym, a spa, and an infinity pool with great views of the sea from the hotel’s hillside setting.

Guests also have access to the facilities within the Garza Blanca Preserve resort at large, including beach access (a 10-minute walk downhill, or a quick and easy ride on a free trolley), tennis courts, additional dining and nightlife, and nature excursions like bird watching and hiking.

Best for Families: Velas Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is big on family-friendly resorts, and for an all-inclusive stay, you’d do well to pick Velas Vallarta. The upscale property has sprawling accommodations with kitchenettes (stocked with essentials like water, snacks, and milk, and beer) that are ideal for families, from the studio-style Deluxe Rooms that can fit up to four guests to three-bedroom suites. Though there’s plenty of space to relax in your room, you’ll likely spend the majority of your time partaking in the many activities on the property.

You can lounge on the beach, hit the swim-up bar in one of the three pools, float down a lazy river, play tennis, get a massage at the spa, or dine at the three restaurants (or order 24-hour room service).

For children, there’s a kids’ club with robust activities from crafts to pool games to turtle-release programs in certain seasons. The resort is located in Marina Vallarta, close to both downtown Puerto Vallarta and the airport.

Best for Romance: Casa Velas

The luxurious, adults-only counterpart to sister resort Velas Vallarta, Casa Velas in Marina Vallarta is absolutely the most romantic property in town. It’s not only intimate in scale — there are just 80 spacious, well-appointed rooms with traditional Mexican decor — but intimate in service, as hotel staff is quick to learn your name and cater to your every need. When choosing a room, book a suite with a private hot tub or plunge pool for the most romantic stay.

Facilities at the serene hotel include a large pool with a swim-up bar, a Mexican restaurant, an Asian restaurant, a beach club with its own pool (note that it’s a 15-minute walk away, or a two-minute complimentary shuttle ride), a spa and salon, a gym with yoga and fitness classes, and even a botanical garden. Guests are also given access to the Marina Vallarta Golf Club, which is adjacent to the hotel, as well as to the facilities at Vista Vallarta.

Best for Nightlife: Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta

Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallartas — Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta

Though Puerto Vallarta certainly caters to traveling families, it also has a strong nightlife scene, both on the resorts and off them. For an all-inclusive property with a lively atmosphere, book a stay at the Grand Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta. As the property is for adults only, a party-friendly attitude pervades the resort, from pool parties during the day to risque entertainment in the evenings.

There are a whopping ten restaurants and six bars (including one that turns into a rooftop nightclub after hours) at the Grand Fiesta Americana, including a swim-up bar in the main pool, so there’s really no need to leave the grounds, but if you do want to indulge in some off-property nightlife, downtown Puerto Vallarta is just 15 minutes away.

When you’re ready to crash for the night, retreat back to one of the 443 guest rooms, from the studio-style Junior Suites to the expansive Party Master Suites, which have private terraces overlooking the nightclub.

Best for Luxury: Marival Distinct Luxury Residences

For a more upscale all-inclusive experience in Puerto Vallarta, you’ll want to book a stay at the Marival Distinct Luxury Residences, which offers 162 one- to four-bedroom apartment-style accommodations within an elegant resort community in Nuevo Vallarta. Each has a full kitchen, private outdoor space, and modern decor, while some even have private pools.

The property draws high-end clientele who come to enjoy the five spectacular restaurants, most notably the rooftop tapas spot Insu Sky Lounge, the Melange Spa, and two pools. The only downside is that the hotel is not technically on the beach, but luckily the property’s luxurious beach club is only a five-minute walk away.

Families are well catered to here if they book the Family Emotion plan, which offers access to an excellent kids’ club, a family concierge (which costs an extra fee) who can procure any sort of entertainment for children, kid-friendly tours and excursions, and even a family photo shoot.

Best for Nature Experiences: Garza Blanca Preserve Resort and Spa

Set 20 minutes south of the crowded Hotel Zone, the Garza Blanca Preserve Resort and Spa is an ideal property for those who really want to connect with nature — with all the perks of staying a luxury all-inclusive resort. The hotel is nestled between the jungle and the sea, offering plenty of activities in both.

The snorkeling is fantastic here for those who want to see some aquatic wildlife up close and in person: The hotel provides snorkeling equipment, kayaks, and paddleboards for free. And the hotel offers guided hikes and bird-watching excursions through the reserve for those who want to stick to the land side of the equation.

While the grounds are sprawling — you’ll need to use a free trolley service to get around efficiently — there are only 165 large suites here, so it never feels too crowded. As for resort amenities, there are three pools, a beauty salon and spa, tennis and squash, and three restaurants.

Best for Business: Now Amber Puerto Vallarta

Though the vast majority of travelers to all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Vallarta are tourists on vacation, we understand the need for connectivity, just in case you get caught up in a little work while you’re on the road. The best place for a bleisure (that’s business-leisure) trip, especially if you’re traveling with your whole family, is the 327-room Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa, located in the Hotel Zone on Banderas Bay.

Let’s get the work part out of the way first — we’ve picked this property specifically for business needs because it has stellar connectivity. The Wi-Fi is free and strong throughout the property, and you can also make free calls to the U.S. and Canada using the hotel’s mobile app. When you’re not working, enjoy the gold-sand beach, three pools, seven restaurants and bars, the massive spa, the kids’ club (if you’re bringing the kids, of course), and golf at the neighboring club.