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
Customer Ratings & Reviews
TripAdvisor Traveler Rating
8910 reviews
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Jan 19, 2025Sub par
Disappointed! Resort is run down, old and tattered. Frayed musty smelling towels & worn furniture(inside & pool). It is small so no escaping bumping music @ night. Headbangers band in the middle of Sunday so could not relax on the beach & read. I have stayed at RIU in Cabo & Cancun & they are updated & bigger so there was space for quiet if you don’t want to party. It was a party scene for older people not a relaxing beach getaway. I would not recommend. Food is basic what you would expect from all inclusive. There are 3 levels of RIU, Vallarta is the middle and I cannot imagine worse than this. We were surprised beach vendors are allowed on resort property & all day approach us while lounging on the beach. Walking for 2 miles along the beach are massage tents & horses popping on the beach. The friendly hard working staff are what kept me from giving the lowest score. They kept it clean!
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Jan 19, 2025Good Resort!!
We traveled to the RIU Vallarta last week of November and first week of December 2024. We have been to this resort several times over the past 10 years. The resort was renovated about 4-5 years ago and is still in great shape. We find it checks most of the boxes for a nice 2 week get away. Its less than 30 minutes to get there once you arrive. Check-in for the most is always pretty good. Rooms are nice and a decent size. Pools and beach are great. You can walk miles either way in the rich sand. Customer service at the resort is pretty good all around. What we noticed this time is the Buffet/A LA Cartes were the same menu as they were when the resort was renovated. I think the resort should look at changing its menus up as its the same old. They are decent but if you go there once or twice a year you really notice. The food is good but time for a change. Also we find the night entertainment has gone down hill. It use to be very good and would attend most nights. Now we go maybe 3-4 times over the two weeks. But all in all this is a very nice resort.
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Jan 19, 2025
Enjoy your stay!
Overall, we enjoyed the RIU Vallarta. The food was good, you could always find something yummy (especially the coconut ice cream!). This is a family hotel, but would really like an adults only pool option. Bartenders did a great job and the Friday night white party was a blast! I would love to see more bathrooms available near the pool and a little more emphasis on cleanliness (tables by bar areas sticky and would really benefit from someone walking around wiping them down).
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Jan 19, 2025Enjoyed
Other than the night entertainment getting old, only because I have stayed in the riu hotel chan in Mexico getting repetitive i really enjoy the atmosphere and the way you treat customers
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Jan 19, 2025
Winter vacation 2025
The resort totally met our needs. The staff were all excellent and the food was great. The beach and pools were very clean and comfortable
- 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