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.
Hotel Promotions
Up to $500 in Resort Credits.
Guests will receive up to $500 in coupons per room towards the purchase of Spa Services, Scuba Diving, Wedding Services, Rental Car, and Photography.  Additional details will be provided upon check-in at the hotel.

Important Information: 
Guests will receive coupons at check-in.  The total of credits is per room for guests 21 and older.  Resort credits are non-transferable, non-cumulative, non-refundable, non-combinable, and cannot be used on future stays.  Resort credits can be used as a discount only for selected services.  Credits cannot be exchanged for cash.  Promotion is subject to availability and can change without notice.  Restrictions may apply.
Applicable Dates:
Booking Dates: 14 Dec 2023 to 22 Dec 2025
Travel Dates: 24 Dec 2023 to 23 Dec 2025
*Applicable promotions will display with your room selection. Some restrictions may apply.
Up to $630 in Resort Credits.
Guests will receive up to $630 in coupons per room towards the purchase of Spa Services, Scuba Diving, Wedding Services, Rental Car, and Photography.  Additional details will be provided upon check-in at the hotel.

Important Information: 
Guests will receive coupons at check-in.  The total of credits is per room for guests 21 and older.  Resort credits are non-transferable, non-cumulative, non-refundable, non-combinable, and cannot be used on future stays.  Resort credits can be used as a discount only for selected services.  Credits cannot be exchanged for cash.  Promotion is subject to availability and can change without notice.  Restrictions may apply.
Applicable Dates:
Booking Dates: 14 Dec 2023 to 22 Dec 2025
Travel Dates: 24 Dec 2023 to 23 Dec 2025
*Applicable promotions will display with your room selection. Some restrictions may apply.
Honeymoon Inclusions.
Guests celebrating their honeymoon with us will receive 
- Surprise welcome gift in the room
- Small bottle of Tequila
- King Bed ( subject to availability)
- Late Check out (subject to availability at time of departure)
Complimentary upgrade to next available room category ( subject to availability and upon request)
- $35 Spa Credit for a selected service in "Specials for couples" category (120 min)

To receive this offer, just enter "HONEYMOON" in the Special Service Request section during check-out or call our Customer Care Center and we will be happy to make the notation for you.

Important Information:  Proof of marriage must be provided at check-in. Emission date of less than 90 days
Applicable Dates:
Booking Dates: 27 Jun 2024 to 23 Dec 2026
Travel Dates: 24 Dec 2024 to 23 Dec 2026
*Applicable promotions will display with your room selection. Some restrictions may apply.
Exchange Privileges.
Guests have daytime use of the following Riu properties:Riu Jalisco. Guests may use facilities at these resorts, including the beach, pools, and bars. Guests may also enjoy lunch at these properties. Restrictions apply and transportation is not included. Consult hotel upon arrival for more information.
Applicable Dates:
Booking Dates: 28 Dec 2023 to 23 Dec 2026
Travel Dates: 28 Dec 2023 to 23 Dec 2026
*Applicable promotions will display with your room selection. Some restrictions may apply.
All Inclusive Amenities
The All Inclusive program includes the following amenities:
All meals and snacks
Breakfast: Full American breakfast buffet and live cooking stations. Continental breakfast / snacks
Lunch: Hot and cold buffet and live cooking stations. Pizzas, pasta, salads and assorted desserts. Grill in the pool area
Dinner: Buffets and live cooking stations. Special evenings: themed buffets (three times a week)
Optional dining:
""Kulinarium"" restaurant (à la carte)
Asian restaurant (buffet)
Steakhouse (à la carte)
Italian restaurant (à la carte; buffet starters and dessert)

Appropriate attire required for dinner.

Snacks 24 hours a day

Beverages:

Unlimited local and imported beverages 24 hours a day
Regularly restocked minibar and liquor dispenser
In-room safe

Sports and activities:

Gym, beach volleyball court
Group fitness activities in the RiuFit area (six times a week)
Small catamaran, kayaking, body board
Entertainment programme:

Daytime entertainment programme for children ages 4 to 7 and ages 8 to 12 at ""RiuLand"" (daily)
Daytime entertainment programme for adults (daily)
Riu evening programme, shows or live music (daily)
At Riu Jalisco:

""Riu Get Together Party"", theme parties for guests of all Riu hotels in Riviera Nayarit, once a week
""Pacha"" discotheque (free entry and drinks), open every night
 
All accommodation, taxes and tips included

All hotel guests are required to wear an ""All Inclusive"" wristband for identification purposes
Applicable Dates:
Booking Dates: 28 Jun 2022 to 23 Dec 2026
Travel Dates: 24 Dec 2022 to 23 Dec 2026
*Applicable promotions will display with your room selection. Some restrictions may apply.

Resort Details

Dining
You don’t have to go far for delicious food and drinks, these options have you covered.
OnSite Dining
  • Don Rafael
    Main restaurant

    Buffet restaurant open for dinner. Buffets and live cooking stations.

    Special evenings: themed buffet (three times a week).

  • Flamingo
    Steakhouse serving A la carte specialities.
  • Il Gusto
    Italian restaurant

    Buffet-style Italian restaurant.

    • Poolside restaurant/Theme restaurant
  • Kulinarium
    Gourmet restaurant

    A la carte gourmet restaurant.
  • Nirvana
    Asian restaurant

    Buffet-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.

Treat yourself to everything that this resort has to offer and more.
On-Site Amenities
  • 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

Whether a land lover or a water sports fanatic, you’ll always have something fun to do.
On-Site Recreation
  • Children's pool

    Children's pool with slides.

  • Children's program, onsite
    Daily daytime entertainment program for children. "Riu land" kids club.
  • Direct access to a beach
  • Fitness center on-site
    Complimentary use of gym.
    Fitness activities in RiuFit area.
  • Motorized Water Sports †
  • Non-Motorized Water Sports
  • Playground
    Children'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
Off-Site Recreation
  • Golf †
    Golf course located within a mile of the hotel.
  • Kayaking †
  • Nightclubs
    Complimentary access to "Pacha" discotheque at Riu Jalisco (open 7 nights a week); drinks included.
  • Windsurfing †
On-Site Attraction
  • On-site Entertainment
    Access to weekly theme parties for everyone
Off-Site Attraction
  • Nuevo Vallarta
  • Other Local Attractions
    Bathed 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

TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_4.0 9354 reviews
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 4.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Beach not that great.

    Overall, the hotel was beautiful, along with the service. Armando, the bartender at the adult pool was awesome!!! Only downfall was the beach was dirty and the Mediterranean restaurant wasn’t open like it should have been.

    Oct 29, 2025
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 5.0 star tripadvisor rating
    One of the best RIUs

    The RIU Vallarta is one of the nicest and cleanest RIUs I stay at. Never a disappointment. Staff are amazing and pools are clear and clean. Beautiful beach front.

    Oct 25, 2025
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 5.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Excellent Option

    Everything was excellent, location, cleanness, service, etc. Check in was fast, all types of food, the beach was great!

    Oct 23, 2025
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 5.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Amazing Holiday!!!!

    My husband, friends, and I just returned from a amazing 12 day holiday at Riu Vallarta. From the moment we arrived till the end, our holiday was very memorable :) The food was really good! The one we liked the best was the Steak House and Nirvana, both offering great dishes. The buffet also had several of options and was very good. What really made our trip unforgettable was the amazing staff. They are hands-down the heart of this resort. Everyone we encountered was so friendly, caring, and veryyyy helpful. They made our stay so much more special. A big shoutout to the bartenders: Armando, Pedro, and Abel at the pool bar -Teresa and Veronica at the Astoria bar -and Israel and Angel at the sports bar – they were all wonderful!!!! Special thanks to Alex, the restaurant supervisor....also Giovani, who went above and beyond, and to Richard at the Steak House for making our dining experience even more fun. Laura, Blanca, and the entire team at Don Rafael were also incredible! We also want to recognize Guadalupe, our housekeeper, who made sure our room was cleaned every morning. The staff at this hotel was exceptional, and we felt like they became familia...... We can’t wait to come back to see all of you again! We recommend Riu Vallarta for anyone looking for a relaxing, fun, and great holiday. Thank you for making our stay so special, you’ll always have a place in our hearts! <3 Kevin and Ingrid

    Oct 22, 2025
  • TRI_LOGO_ANCILLARY_ 5.0 star tripadvisor rating
    Love this place

    The staff here are friendly, attentive and overall amazing. Drinks are good, food is good. The resort is close to Bucerías you can walk, and to Puerto Vallarta.

    Oct 21, 2025
Hotel Advisories
  • 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.
General Policy
  • 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

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