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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Dec 01, 2025Awesome Time
Just got back from 10 days at this wonderful resort. I’m giving it 5 stars but there are a few things that may bother some people. We have stayed at many resorts in Mexico including Cancun, The Maya area, and Playacar beach area. Cuba,The Dominican etc. The good first. We were located on the first floor end unit which included a walk around balcony. Room was very clean upon arrival and everything was in good condition and the fridge stocked. A few issue with water getting out through the shower door opening due to the shower head location. After one small flood which was contained and housekeeping was there quickly after a call to the front desk. That was easily solvable. A/C wouldn’t get cool enough but that was taken care of as well. No noise was heard from the theatre area. The food was awesome. Bacon and lots every breakfast as well as a predictable but very good selection of other dishes.We ate at the Italian 3 times and the steak house twice. Lasagna was awesome. Gotta try it and the steakhouse steak and platter for 2 were amazing. Yes line ups but we were able to get in with minimal waiting in line. The buffet was great as well. Different menu every evening and we managed to be there for the thanksgiving dinner. The pools we warm and clean and the beach was awesome as well. We never had any issues getting chairs at the pool and we are not earlybirds. Service was awesome and the staff friendly. The resort was kept amazingly clean. Great work and 5 stars to the staff that keep it that way. Oh and don’t miss the foam party. Didn’t stop for over a half hour The issues and some obviously can’t be changed. The adult pool with swim up bar very small, shallow and crowded. For most days the non party pool was the best option The pool area bar was lined up most of the time but line went pretty quick. Pepe snack bar was the same every day fries hot dogs hamburgers and tacos. It would be awesome if they could mix it up at bit. Even just some wings would be a big help Lastly the theatre shows. The entertainers try hard and do a great job but where we sat the sound quality wasn’t the best. Overall I would have zero objections to go back to this wonderful place
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Nov 30, 2025Beautiful resort.
We really enjoyed the resort. It has everything that we needed. The staff were friendly and helpful and the food was great. The buffet always had something that was different and satisfied all of our individual dietary needs. We tried three of the a la cartes and loved all three. Would love to see better, more authentic entertainment in the evenings. We all thought that more ethnic entertainment would be a plus. The report and grounds are beautiful and well kept.
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Nov 30, 2025
Review
We like almost everything about of stay with the exception that the hotel was not really handicap accessible. The only elevator from the lobby down to the restaurants and pools was hidden and you need to go down a few hallways to get here. Also no handicap bathroom stalls. The rooms were spacious and very clean. We had to call down twice to restock the fridge with water. Buffet was okay, thought we would have more Mexican food. Mattress in the rooms coiuld use an update, not very high qualtiy.
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Nov 30, 2025Family of 26 sick!
Worst food ever! Came with a family of 26 and more than half of us got sick. Vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. The resort and grounds are clean and very well kept. The pools were great and very family friendly establishment. Entertainment and service was good, no complaints there but the food was disappointing. We had to leave day 2 and 3 to eat outside of the resort since all of us kept getting sick. I believe they are cutting corners in the kitchen. Juice was not fresh, even the breakfast wasn’t good. I would not recommend coming here and would never go to another Riu, EVER!
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Nov 29, 2025
great 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.
- 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