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
-
Feb 11, 2026
Great trip
Family trip. The beach was wonderful and pools were great. We had a partial ocean view which was quiet and not in direct sun which kept the room cool. Easy walk to Bucerias even with kids. Easy Uber back.
-
Feb 11, 2026
Nice place, restaurants are reasonable, lesser of 3 Riu's. Entertainment team excellent (Mimi and Oscar). Reception staff less c
Well its the lesser of the 3 Riu hotels on this strip, but perfectly adequate reception staff less than considerate at times
-
Feb 10, 2026
Mexican vacation
The staff, meals and service were great. Everyone from housekeeping, servers, bartenders, etc. were efficient and professional. The beach was well maintained and inviting. We enjoyed many walks on the beach and felt very safe throughout the resort and beach. I had wonderful yoga experiences with Mimi as an instructor. The evening entertainment at the resort was just okay. The excursions to Puerto Vallarta and Rhythms of the Night that we set up with Lorenzo from Delta Vacations was well organized and well worth it. We would visit this resort company again.
-
Feb 10, 2026
Construction ruined my stay and Riu didn't give a damn
beware of this hotel and other Riu properties. The experience we had in RIU puerto vallarta was badly impaired by heavy construction work in hallways for 4 out of my 5 days there. The work involved installing fire doors. Worse, the hotel showed a total disregard for how badly I and others were affected. The staff did not care. The management gave no advance warning of the work and the desk staff played dumb, giving out little or no info... When my friend complained to Riu HQ, they said he should talk to Expedia. The hotel made NO sincere effort to make up for noise, painting fumes, obstacles and dust (and danger, as men were welding and using power tools as guests tried to come and go. I have never encountered a hotel that was so bad at providing a relaxing beach experience as Riu .... or so apathetic about my experience as a guest. I have no idea how much construction the chain plans but be warned; they won't warn you it's coming and they won't care if you are inconvenieced by it. you take a big chance with Riu. if their other hotels were built without fire doors, as was the case in PV, they may have lots of work to do. Be sure to insist that RIU tell you aabout planned construction. Don't let them spring it on you by surprise after you cannot make other hotel booking.
-
Feb 10, 2026
Deeply Disappointing, Unsafe, and Discriminatory Experience
My stay at RIU Vallarta from February 4–8 was one of the most disappointing resort experiences I’ve had. I paid $250 to upgrade to a suite (Room 7066), which was visually nice but immediately compromised by active construction that began the day we checked in—directly outside our door. From 9am to 6pm daily, the hallways were filled with workers, dust, drilling, sanding, and constant traffic. Dust entered our room repeatedly, triggering my allergies and asthma. Newly installed doors had wet paint on the handles, were not cleaned, and there were no warning signs anywhere. As a result, my expensive designer shirt was permanently damaged after brushing against a freshly painted wall. None of this construction was disclosed in advance—no notice in the app, no signage, nothing. Moving rooms was not a solution, as we were told construction would continue throughout the hallway and floors below. Other guests later told us they were offered relocation to RIU Jalisco due to construction disruptions—we were not. Food quality was consistently poor. The buffet was largely inedible and poorly maintained. At the steakhouse, wilted salad, soggy croutons, and overcooked meats were served. A manager named Christian was professional and invited us back to try again—but that evening ended with an extremely uncomfortable interaction. The hostess told us the restaurant was “completely full” with “190 people ahead of us,” despite the restaurant being visibly empty. After being seated, she returned to say she “wasn’t even supposed to seat us” because my partner was wearing a tank top and that we “should be happy.” This was humiliating. The stated dress code was not enforced on any other guests, and we have photos to confirm this. We were the only Black guests at the resort during our stay, and after multiple incidents—including unequal treatment, dismissive responses, and selective rule enforcement—we left feeling unwelcome and discriminated against. Management was the final attempt to resolve this. While polite on the surface, accountability was lacking, and only a partial refund of the room upgrade was offered—completely inadequate given the circumstances. This experience ruined what was meant to be a celebratory vacation. I have extensive photographic documentation of everything described above. I cannot recommend RIU Vallarta.
- 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
- Early Departure Penalty:1 NightApplies: Sunday - Saturday 24Dec26 - 31Dec50