Located along Mexico’s Pacific coast and backed by the lush green Sierra Madre Mountains, Puerto Vallarta is an enchanting destination with cobbled streets, authentic culture, mouthwatering street tacos, and fun things to do. Its spectacular beaches draw many, and if that’s one of the main reasons you’re planning a visit, you’ll probably want to stay in a hotel where the water is swimmable. The good news is that you’ll have some great choices whether you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, ultra-luxurious, or in between.
Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta
Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta is a sleek all-inclusive and adults-only resort. Popular among honeymooners and romance seekers of all types, it sits along a sandy beach that’s safe for swimming. If you want to snorkel, the concierge will be happy to plan a day trip to the Southern Zone, where Banderas Bay and The Arches meet the Sierra Madre. The property provides complimentary snorkel gear and kayaks, and you’ll have two ocean-view pools to enjoy as well, including one with a swim-up bar. There are more pools indoors at the huge spa, and dining includes everything from elegant French dishes to Pan-American cuisine. Every room has a private balcony, some showcasing an ocean view. This is also one of the world’s best hotels with swim-up suites too.
Key Amenities:
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Adults-only and all-inclusive resort
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Concierge support for organizing activities and tours
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Two ocean-view pools, an indoor pool, and a swim-up bar
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Private balconies off every room
Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa
One of the best 5-star resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa is a sister resort to Secrets, and guests get to enjoy the amenities of both. The private beach is ideal for swimming while the kids and teens can enjoy unique programs designed for their various age groups, from baking cookies and craft-making to bouncing on the bungee trampoline and scaling the rock climbing wall. Free access is provided to the spa facilities, which include hot tubs, a sauna, a steam cabin, a Swiss shower, and an acupressure shower. When it comes to dining, there’s a buffet restaurant and four a la carte eateries, a cafe, and a grill. The rooms all come with balconies or terraces, with garden, pool, or ocean views.
Key Amenities:
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Access to amenities at sister property (Secrets Vallarta Bay)
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Kid and teen programming and amenities
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Spa facilities with sauna, steam cabin, and hot tubs
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Balcony or terrace off every room
Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa
Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa is nestled in a jungle mountain preserve and sits along powdered sugar-like sands. As it’s in a natural cove that separates the beach from the wide open ocean, the water is typically calm and ideal for swimming. There are three outdoor infinity pools, and guests can also enjoy activities like kayaking, hiking, and even planting trees. There’s a kids’ club for the little ones and a tranquil spa too. Two restaurants are on-site, one an American-style steakhouse and the other for seafood dining. Rooms and suites are extra-spacious with great options for families featuring as many as three bedrooms plus kitchens. All have balconies with ocean views, flat-screen TVs, and Nespresso machines.
Key Amenities:
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Three outdoor infinity pools
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Access to activities like kayaking, hiking, and tree planting
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Kids’ club, spa, and two restaurants on-site
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Ocean-facing balconies off every room
Carretera a Barra de Navidad Km. 7.5 Puerto, 48390 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico— +1 800-931-4614
One&Only Mandarina
One&Only Mandarina is tucked into lush emerald cliffs and includes two beaches, one that’s swimmable year-round. It also offers multiple infinity pools, miles of scenic trails for hiking and biking, and a wide range of dining and drinking options with four open-air eateries and a treetop bar that overlooks the ocean. One of Mexico’s top stress-melting resorts, there are, of course, yoga classes available and a fabulous spa that offers treatments inspired by ancient healing therapies. Accommodation is provided in treehouses and villas nestled between the dense jungle across the 80-acre property. All offer open-air living and include floor-to-ceiling glass walls and huge sliding doors that lead to balconies.
Key Amenities:
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Access to multiple infinity pools and two beaches
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Wide range of dining and drinking options
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Spa and wellness activities available
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Open-air accommodations in villas and treehouse suites
Conrad Punta de Mita
Located just outside Puerto Vallarta, where the jungle meets the sea, Conrad Punta de Mita is a stunning beachfront resort with a secluded stretch of swimmable beachfront. There are opportunities for all sorts of other water sports, too, including kayaking, sailing, surfing, snorkeling, and stand-up paddleboarding. In the winter, whale watching is outstanding too. Other highlights include a blissful spa with a sauna and whirlpool, temazcal ceremonies, and multiple dining venues, including upscale Mexican fare with healthy dishes available. Romantic private dinners can be arranged, and all rooms and suites offer breathtaking ocean views. Some feature private plunge pools too.
Key Amenities:
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Opportunities for water sports of all types
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Spa with sauna, whirlpool, and temazcal ceremonies
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Multiple dining venues on-site
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Every room features ocean views
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
The beach at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has wide, soft sands and offers the ideal spot for swimming, snorkeling, diving, boogie boarding, and more. Enjoy one of Mexico’s best all-inclusive resorts with snorkeling gear and boogie boards included, along with clubs for the teens and younger ones who can enjoy everything from video games and pool tables to sandcastle building. The spa is fantastic, and it even includes a separate spa for the kids, along with hydrotherapy, plunge pools, an ice room, and a menu of holistic treatments. Polynesian dance classes, Pilates, yoga, and Zumba are available too. Plus, there’s a massive three-tiered infinity pool with poolside service. The rooms and suites feature high-end amenities like pillow menus, well-stocked minibars, robes and slippers, iHomes, Nespresso machines, and flat-screen TVs.
Key Amenities:
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All-inclusive resort with snorkeling and boogie boards included
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Kids’ and teen clubs available
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Separate spas for both children and adults, plus daily fitness classes
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Three-tiered infinity pool with poolside service
Paseo de los Cocoteros 98-Sur, 63735 Nuevo Nayarit, Nay., Mexico— +52 322 226 8917
Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
Located in the upscale Marina Vallarta Area and one of the best resorts in Puerto Vallarta, Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa offers many enticing reasons to book, including a swimmable beach. There’s a government-approved turtle sanctuary and a heavenly spa with water-focused treatments enjoyed with ocean views. Multiple pools are available, too, including an indoor lap pool at the fitness center, while the many dining options include a Japanese eatery and an upscale restaurant for alfresco dining. All rooms have private balconies with garden, pool, or ocean views, minibars stocked with water, soda, and beer, robes and slippers, and flat-screen TVs.
Key Amenities:
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Government-approved turtle sanctuary on-site
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Oceanfront spa with menu of water-focused treatments
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Multiple pools, including an indoor lap pool
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Private balconies off every room
Barceló Puerto Vallarta
Overlooking the gorgeous sands of Mismaloya Beach, Barceló Puerto Vallarta is a Mexican resort redefining luxury. It’s an ideal base for swimming and a popular spot for snorkeling and kayaking too. On land, enjoy everything from mountain biking and hiking with trails that wind through the lush jungle. There are multiple pools to relax by, and families can take advantage of the great kids’ club with all sorts of activities for the younger ones while parents indulge in a massage and various treatments at the spa. There are four restaurants, three bars, a nightly theater show, and live music. All rooms have balconies with at least a partial ocean view and amenities like stocked minibars and flat-screen TVs.
Key Amenities:
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Mountain biking and hiking trails right from the property
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Multiple pools, a spa, and four restaurants on-site
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Kids’ club for the younger ones
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Nightly theatre and live music events
W Punta de Mita
W Punta de Mita is located in the Riviera Nayarit area along a soft sandy beach that stretches for miles, complete with free cabanas and loungers. Here, the swimmable beach offers a wide variety of aquatic adventures to choose from, including paddle boarding, kayaking, boogie boarding, and diving, just to name a few. Another highlight is the pool area called the Wet Deck which features a large pool and two hot tubs, loungers, hanging swings, and cabanas, along with spectacular beach views. There’s also a fitness center, spa, and three outstanding restaurants, including one that serves highly-rated South Asian street fare. Rooms are quirky and colorful, with terraces or balconies, Nespresso machines, iPod docks, and Smart TVs. Options for private plunge pools or whirlpool tubs are available too.
Key Amenities:
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Option to book a room with a private plunge pool or whirlpool tub
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Expansive pool area with Wet Deck, hanging swings, and two hot tubs
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Choice of aquatic activities, like paddle boarding, kayaking, and diving
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Fitness center, spa, and three restaurants on-site
Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
The Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta sits on an unspoiled sandy beach where you can safely swim and enjoy all sorts of other activities, including complimentary kayaking. Sailing, swimming with dolphins, surfing lessons, whale watching, horseback riding, jungle biking, and hiking are all possible too. After a day of play, enjoy some pampering at the ocean-view spa and then get ready for a fun night out with an amphitheater hosting live entertainment. There are four restaurants on-site, too, with menus focused on everything from international cuisine to Asian, Italian, and Brazilian. All rooms have French balconies with views of the lush grounds or ocean, double-jetted tubs next to the beds, well-stocked minibars, and wine and liquor dispensers.
Key Amenities:
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Complimentary use of kayaks and other water sports equipment
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Ocean-view spa, amphitheater, and four restaurants on-site
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French balconies, double-jetted tubs, and wine and liquor dispensers in every room
Paseo de los Cocoteros 19, Villa 8, 63732 Nuevo Vallarta, Nay., Mexico— +52 322 226 8470
Quinta Maria Cortez
An adults-only B&B-style hotel set within an opulent villa, Quinta Maria Cortez sits along swimmable Sagitario Beach, one of the most exclusive beaches in the area. It offers a luxurious, secluded retreat that’s ideal for romance while being just two miles from the lively seaside Malecon. Enjoy the outdoor pool and hot tub with ocean views, or take advantage of your own private pool and Jacuzzi. Every one of the villa-style accommodations includes them – and there’s even a private chef available for unforgettable meals.
Key Amenities:
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Just two miles from Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon
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Ocean-facing outdoor pool and hot tub
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Villa-style accommodations with private pools and Jacuzzis
C. Sagitario 126, Conchas Chinas, 48390 Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico— +52 322 221 5317
