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
9500 reviews
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Jan 16, 2026Very nice and clean hotel
We stayed at Riu Vallarta for one week in a family room. Nice room and the hotel is very clean. Buffet was ok but the steak house was our favorite restaurant. Super safe hotel. Staffs are all friendly and professionnal.
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Jan 16, 2026overall a disappointment
Start with positives, great beach, rooms nice, property clean and maintained. housekeeping did a good job cleaning rooms in timely manner. Staff was friendly, except for the "gatekeepers" at the "specialty" restaurants. This leads to the disappointing part. Don't be fooled, only the steakhouse was not a buffet, Asian, Italian are buffets. The fusion place was closed for maintenance the week we were there. Opened on our final night, no one seemed to eat there due to a lousy menu. I felt that feeding guests was just such a bother. Examples; went to steakhouse for reservation, place was almost empty at 6:30, were told "we are not seating anymore guests this evening." The steakhouse was also the overflow area for the buffet. We had a group of 14, Asian restaurant accommodated us, Italian did one night, then the very next night, they refused to seat us, saying "we never seat groups of this size". PS, the Italian restaurant did seat us shortly after when a member of our group offered a $50 bribe! The food at any location was edible, as a comparison, you will find better food on cruise ships. When it came to the free drinks, that was another odd situation, you could go to the same bar all day, order the same drink and never get the same thing twice! we would get a drink, it would be horrible, so it was wasted, and we would make the trek back to the bar and start over. My wife ordered a ameretto sour at one point and she got something with orange juice in it!? As for wait staff bringing drinks to the beach, very rare. You wanted a drink, you went to the bar. Also, they rarely came around to pick up empty glasses, plates etc, one day we had 2 dozen glasses stacked on our little beach table, we finally started moving them due to all the bees they were attracting. As a side note, we walked to the adults only RIU Palace to take a look for a future trip, they refused to let us on the property, even with our RIU wristbands...so that means I will never try one of the many other properties they have. It is a family resort so expect kids and noise, many complained but we had no issue with it. The consensus of our group is we will not come here again or use any other RIU properties
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Jan 16, 2026
Rod
Very nice property, clean, friendly staff, plenty of seating by the beach and pools. One elevator was down for most of our stay but we managed fine without it..Recieved a free upgraded room with beautiful views.
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Jan 15, 2026Nice Resort
The RIU Vallarta is very nice resort and is kept up well. The staff were excellent, and the food is good. Beautiful beach with lots of comfortable chairs. My only real complaint is hearing a loud pounding bass while you’re trying to relax on the beach. The swim-up bar pool was totally crowded with a young crowd and they partied all day every day.
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Jan 14, 2026
Riu vallarta
Very good! The place is so nice and the staff are all friendly! Location is good if you want relaxation but far from the city but its very accesible by uber.
- 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.
- 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