All-inclusive in Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit
Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit, all-inclusive, zone by zone.
A calm bay, a real town and a resort coast that runs north for an hour. Where the all-inclusives are, and which stretch suits whom.
Both open in a new tab. Rates, dates and reviews are there.
The flight is the other half
An agent prices every airline flying into Puerto Vallarta (PVR) on your dates, with bags and seats included, and you hear the total before anything is charged. Book the resort once the flight is confirmed.
Toll-free. No obligation.
Which zone?
Banderas Bay is big enough to hold three different all-inclusive trips. Puerto Vallarta's own Hotel Zone and marina are minutes from the airport and ten from the old town; Nuevo Vallarta, across the river in Nayarit, is the long strip of large family resorts on a calm beach; and the Riviera Nayarit north of it, from Bucerias to Punta de Mita, holds the luxury resorts and a few adults-only properties near the surf towns. Whales fill the bay from December to March, and the old town is the evening most people remember.
01
Hotel Zone and Marina Vallarta
Resorts along the beach between the center and the airport, with the marina's restaurants, the cruise terminal and the old town ten minutes away by taxi.
Suits: Town access, short transfers, couples
Transfer: about 10 to 15 minutes
02
Nuevo Vallarta
The main all-inclusive strip: large family resorts side by side on a long, calm beach across the river in Nayarit, with water parks and kids' clubs.
Suits: Families, big resorts, calm water
Transfer: about 20 to 30 minutes
03
Bucerias and La Cruz
A smaller set of resorts on the next bay north, near a real town with a Sunday market and the marina at La Cruz. Quieter than Nuevo Vallarta.
Suits: Repeat visitors, slower days
Transfer: about 35 to 45 minutes
04
Punta de Mita and the Riviera Nayarit
The gated point with the luxury resorts and the calmest water for the Marietas boats, then the surf towns of Sayulita and San Pancho beyond.
Suits: Luxury, honeymoons, surf
Transfer: about 45 to 60 minutes
Resort links open Expedia in a new tab, filtered to all-inclusive properties. All Travel Fun earns a commission on bookings made through them; it does not change what you pay. Transfer times are approximate.
What all-inclusive means here
- What the package covers
- Room, all meals, drinks including tequila and beer, pools, non-motorized water sports, the kids' clubs and the shows. Several Nuevo Vallarta resorts include the water park; the listing says.
- What it does not
- Spa, golf, the boat trips and whale watching, premium spirits at some resorts, and transfers at most. Taxis between Nuevo Vallarta and the old town are a real cost over a week.
- The town is the extra
- Unlike Cancun's Hotel Zone, Puerto Vallarta has a genuine old town with the Malecon and the restaurants ten minutes from the Hotel Zone resorts. Plan at least one evening off the property.
When to go
- November to April
- Dry, warm and busy, with whales from December to March and the highest rates at Christmas and spring break.
- May to June
- Hot and dry, the bay still calm, rates falling. Good value before the rains.
- July to October
- Hot and humid with afternoon storms, the greenest hills and the lowest rates. September is the quietest month.
Questions before you book
Nuevo Vallarta or the Hotel Zone?
Nuevo Vallarta for the biggest family resorts and the calmest beach; the Hotel Zone or marina for being ten minutes from the old town's evenings. They are 30 minutes apart.
Does the flight come with the package?
Not through these links. The resort is booked on Expedia; the flight is separate. Call us to price the flight to Puerto Vallarta, then book the resort once the dates are fixed.
Is the water swimmable?
Inside the bay, yes, almost everywhere, which is the big difference from Los Cabos. North of Punta de Mita the coast turns to surf.
How do I book a resort from this page?
Each "See resorts" button opens Expedia's hotel search for that zone, filtered to all-inclusive properties, with live rates, what is included, reviews and the cancellation terms. You book and pay there. All Travel Fun earns a commission on bookings made through those links; it does not change what you pay.
Plan the rest of the trip
Other all-inclusive coasts
Flying into Puerto Vallarta (PVR)?
One call, every airline on the route, the total with bags and seats before you decide. Nothing is charged until you say yes.
Toll-free. No obligation.