What We Love
- No reservations needed at any of the restaurants.
- The resort's Art Deco architecture hugged by epic palms that rises up from the sandsational beach.
- The liquor dispensers in the rooms. It's a party. Just add people.
- The treatments at the world-class, delicious spa. Unplug and unwind.
- Supervised fun for the little ones while you savor a drink by the teal waves.
- Teeing off at the 18-hole, championship golf course that's right next door.
- The fitness program that includes Backfit, Aquagym, stretching and bums, legs, tums.
- Dancing the night away at the Pacha nightclub.
Things to Know
- The airport is a mere 15 minutes from the airport so you'll be on that sweet beach lickety split.
- Be sure to visit Cuale Island, a shady and tranquil oasis, to shop for crafty, cool souvenirs.
- Banderas Bay is brimming with animal fun: see the release of sea turtles & swim with dolphins.
- Get up early to snag a beach lounger. They go fast.
- You can go horseback riding in the Sierra Madres, a bucket-list-worthy thing to do.
- If you're more adventurous, there's bungee jumping. Hang on!
- There are oceans of water sports: bodyboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and more. Take the plunge.
Resort Details
- Don RafaelMain restaurantBuffet restaurant open for dinner. Buffets and live cooking stations.
Special evenings: themed buffet (three times a week).
- FlamingoSteakhouse serving A la carte specialities.
- Il GustoItalian restaurantBuffet-style Italian restaurant.
• Poolside restaurant/Theme restaurant - KulinariumGourmet restaurantA la carte gourmet restaurant.
- NirvanaAsian restaurantBuffet-style Asian restaurant.
- Various Lounges/Bars
• Astoria - Lobby bar
• La Boheme - Lounge bar
• Sports Bar
• La Plaza - Bar
• Mezcal - Poolside bar with swim-up bar
*Access to all bars at Riu Jalisco.
- 24-hour front desk
- Accessible facilities
- ATM/Cash machine
- Babysitting,Offsite†
- Baggage hold
- Beachfront
- Bell staff/porter
- Business services†
- Children programs
- Children welcome
- 24-hour front desk
- Complies with Local/State/Federal laws for disabled
- ATM/Cash machine
- Babysitting, Offsite†
- Baggage hold
- Beachfront
- Bell staff/porter
- Business services†
- Children programs
- Children welcome
- Children's play area
- Concierge desk
- Elevators
- Exercise gym
- Free high speed internet connection
- Game room
- Gift/News stand†
- Golf, Offsite†
- Housekeeping - daily
- Laundry/Valet service†
- Lounges/bars
- Meal Plan Type: All Inclusive
- Parking
- Pool
- Restaurant
- Safe deposit box
- Spa
- Sports bar
- Tour/sightseeing desk
- Water sports†
† Fees may apply
- Children's pool
Children's pool with slides.
- Children's program, onsiteDaily daytime entertainment program for children. "Riu land" kids club.
- Direct access to a beach
- Fitness center on-siteComplimentary use of gym.Fitness activities in RiuFit area.
- Motorized Water Sports †
- Non-Motorized Water Sports
- PlaygroundChildren's Playground.
- Pool
There are 5 pools including one with a swim-up bar. New grill by the pool.
- Sauna
- Spa †Renova Spa with a variety of treatments, hairdresser, massages and beauty salon ($).
- Whirlpool
- Golf †Golf course located within a mile of the hotel.
- Kayaking †
- NightclubsComplimentary access to "Pacha" discotheque at Riu Jalisco (open 7 nights a week); drinks included.
- Windsurfing †
- On-site EntertainmentAccess to weekly theme parties for everyone
- Nuevo Vallarta
- Other Local AttractionsBathed by the waters of the beautiful bay of Banderas and sheltered by the imposing Sierra Madre, Puerto Vallarta is one of the most highly-prized tourist destinations in Mexico. As well as excellent beaches and water sports, this destination offers you the chance to enter into contact with unique nature: dolphins, whales and turtles.
† Fees may apply
Guest Reviews from CheapCaribbean Customers
Customer Ratings & Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
9411 reviews
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Nov 29, 2025great holiday
We enjoy staying at the RIU, clean , good service , friendly staff, fun activities. Appreciate having exercise staff come around to invite us into the daily activities. Arranza was so good with fit classes yoga and aquafit ect. The one down side is the smoking areas are to close to where people exercise and walk. That there was a few times we had to move away so we didn't breathe in the smoke. other than that we enjoyed our stay.
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Nov 29, 2025Definitely not 5 star resort. Bring earplugs.
Very disappointed. The restaurants were all very noisy and sounded like cafeterias. I had two steaks in the steakhouse after lining up for an hour to get in (so salty I couldn't eat them and tough) and one fish entree at Kulinaria that was over cooked and inedible. The advertised adult only pool was full of children with children playing football in the adult pool. No ability to have a lounge chair in the shade unless we put out towels at 7 am despite the hotel's request to not reserve chairs. Observed people putting towels on chairs at 7 and not appearing at the pool until late afternoon. Not enough bathrooms in public areas - you know people are peeing in the pool. Ridiculous to have to walk up or down 30 stairs to get to the elevators or pool/restaurant level. The sound in the main plaza was awful - felt like people on stage were constantly yelling and listening to the children's entertainment blasting over the main square was awful. The entertainment wasn't good - particularly the ABBA tribute with the sound reverberating. I will say the staff were great and the place was clean and our room was nice. The whole experience was awful and we wanted to leave and would have if we could have changed our flights. Will never stay at this RIU again.
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Nov 28, 2025What a Great Vacation
We just spent 2 wonderful weeks at the RIU Vallarta. Everything was perfect. From the service to the food. We particularly enjoyed the attention given by the staff ( who remembered us from last year). Yessy, (for breakfast and lunch) and Francisco and Omar (for dinners) in the Don Rafael buffet, Jacob & Misael in the beach/pool area and Hugo in the Balinese Bed area. All the staff was very friendly and remembered our drink orders, always greeted us with big smiles and a friendly “Hola”. The room was very clean, as was the resort itself. We will be back next year!
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Nov 26, 2025
Amazing All Inclusive RIU
Our stay at Riu Vallarta was amazing! The all-inclusive package was absolutely worth it. Although the resort is a bit far from the downtown area, the beach is clean, and there are five pools, including an adults-only pool. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were all included, and the 24-hour sports bar—with limited but handy food options—was perfect for late-night cravings. The property also has four specialty restaurants offering Italian, steakhouse, Asian, and African cuisine. We couldn’t have asked for a better stay. If the team at Riu Vallarta is reading this — please consider adding some Indian food options to the menu! We spent most of our days relaxing at the property and enjoying the pools. Every evening, there’s a three-hour entertainment program for the whole family, and each day offered a unique experience. Plus, the unlimited food options made the stay even more enjoyable.
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Nov 26, 2025Review
We have been to many RIU reports, Vallrata wasn't as good as the other ones in Cabo, Costa Rica and Cancun areas. The food was average, specialty restaurants weren't as good and service was good but not excellent. We love RIU resorts but this was less desirable.
- AdvisoryStudent Groups/Spring Breakers (either groups or individuals, regardless of age) are not allowed at any time during the year. Guests disturbing or generating complaints from other guests or hotel may be removed from the property, at their own expense. Parties in rooms are not permitted.
- AdvisoryRiu Party in Puerto Vallarta will be temporarily paused during the renovation of Riu Jalisco. The renovation will begin on August 18, 2025, and the hotel will reopen on December 20, 2025. As a result, the Riu Party will not be available for guests at Riu Vallarta and Riu Palace Pacifico during this period. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to resuming the Riu Party events upon the completion of the renovations.
- Check In: 3:00 PM
- Check Out: 11:00 AM
- Minimum Check-In Age: 18
- General Policies:
Check-in Policy - Deposits or credit/debit card hold authorizations are not requested at check-in. "Minimum age of 18 is required for check-in, an ID/Passport will be requested upon arrival.
Convention Policy : Groups traveling together can book this property for their stay taking advantage of group benefits such as 6th or 11th complimentary guest, Group dinner reservation, One complimentary cocktail hour with a selection of appetizers, One complimentary massage for the group leader, Complimentary room upgrades to the next category, Fruit plate and bottle of wine for the VIP, Private check-in when arriving together, Welcome sign. Applicable with Wedding Collections and Social Packages. Consult terms & conditions.
Spring Break Policies - Student Groups/Spring Breakers (either groups or individuals, regardless of age) are not allowed at any time during the year. Guests disturbing or generating complaints from other guests or hotel may be removed from the property, at their own expense. Parties in rooms are not permitted.
Transfer Policy - A price may display when children stay free, if your vacation includes transfer to your hotel.
General Information - Room taxes and service fee are included in vacation price.
Minimum night stay restrictions may apply.
Reservation changes may not be permitted unless authorized by the hotel.
- Pet Policy : Pets Not Allowed
- Early Departure Policy
- Early Departure Penalty:1 NightApplies: Sunday - Saturday 04Jul24 - 23Dec26
- Early Departure Penalty:2 NightsApplies: Sunday - Saturday 24Dec25 - 30Apr26