5 Best Hotels in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Background Illustration for Hotels

Centered in the middle of a large bay, Bahía de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta is the traditional hub for area beach hotels. Look for smaller budget hotels downtown, and oceanfront high-rise hotels to the north in the Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera), Marina Vallarta, and Nuevo Vallarta. Even farther north, Riviera Nayarit is where to go for unique B&Bs, boutique hotels, and some truly luxurious villas.

Having reached critical mass, Puerto Vallarta’s hotel scene is more about upgrading than building new properties. In the Centro and Zona Romántica neighborhoods, expect refurbished budget and moderately priced hotels (with the exception of luxury property Hacienda San Angel). Continue north into Zona Hotelera for condos, time-shares, and high-rises.

Areas directly to the north and south of the city continue to add vacation properties. Just north of town in Nuevo Vallarta, look for the new condo-hotel Taheima Wellness Resort & Spa. South of town in Costalegre, the boutique ecoluxe oasis Hotelito Desconocido was renovated with an extensive new holistic spa.

The most development is occurring in Riviera Nayarit, where the 161 km (100 miles) of coastline between San Blas and Nuevo Vallarta are experiencing a building boom. Once the private playground of surfers and beachgoers seeking waves and long stretches of solitary sand, many popular beaches are now becoming resort destinations. Playa Destiladeras, between La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta Mita, is home to the new Fairmont Rancho Banderas—an upscale family-focused resort of one-, two-, and three-bedroom villas. The area is also home to the 2,100-acre Litubú development that is set to have two golf courses, the new La Tranquila resort, private homes, a beach club, and public shopping and dining options.

No matter what you’re looking for—from cliff-side condos with beach access to small inns with trails leading into the jungle, from enormous pools with swim-up bars to private plunge pools—almost any hospitality wish can be fulfilled here.

Barceló La Jolla de Mismaloya

$$$ | Carretera a Barra de Navidad, Km 11.5, 48300, Mexico

Guests consistently give this hotel high marks for the classy suites, each with a brown-and-taupe color scheme and an ample terrace. Separate sitting rooms have a second flat-screen TV, and there's even a pillow menu. The pools are surrounded by spacious patios, so there's plenty of room to find the perfect spot in the sun or the shade. Given the elegance of the place, it's a shame to have to wear the usual wristbands.

Pros

  • Recently redecorated and remodeled
  • Concierge service
  • Lots of on-site dining and activity options

Cons

  • Least expensive rooms don't have ocean views
  • No bathtubs
  • Crowded beach with lots of vendors
Carretera a Barra de Navidad, Km 11.5, 48300, Mexico
322-226--0660
hotel Details
316 suites
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Casa Iguana All-Suites Hotel

$$ | Av. 5 de Mayo 455, 48394, Mexico

Palms and plants edge the walkways lining the swimming pool and goldfish ponds, while balconies look down on this idyllic garden scene. Suites have full kitchens, shower-only baths, and tropical-style furniture. The hotel is on a cobblestoned street off the highway; if you don't want to hoof it into Puerto Vallarta, take one of the local buses that pass by every 10 minutes. The beach is a five-minute walk away on the other side of the highway.

Pros

  • Experience village life not far from Puerto Vallarta's bars and restaurants
  • On-site grocery store
  • Swimming pool and Jacuzzi

Cons

  • Tiny gym
  • A cab or bus ride from nightlife, restaurants, and shops
  • Not on the beach
Av. 5 de Mayo 455, 48394, Mexico
322-228--0186
hotel Details
51 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Garza Blanca Preserve Resort and Spa

$$$$ | Carretera a Barra de Navidad Km 7.5, Chapala, Mexico Fodor's Choice

Hollywood celebrities have stayed at this new and award-winning resort when visiting Puerto Vallarta for vacation—and it's no surprise why. It's luxurious, nestled between the hills and the clean waters of southern Bahia de Banderas, and offers all the amenities and attention to detail you can think of. Rooms range from "deluxe" to "grand penthouse" suites, all exquisitely furnished, yet without forgetting the hotel's eco-friendly purpose.

Pros

  • Elegant and sophisticated
  • Great restaurants
  • Immaculate facilities
  • Spotless beach

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Need transportation to get to Puerto Vallarta
Carretera a Barra de Navidad Km 7.5, Chapala, Mexico
877-845–3791-in the U.S.
hotel Details
73 rooms
Rate Includes: All-inclusive; No meals

Quick Facts

Recommended Fodor's Video

Hotel Mousai Puerto Vallarta

$$$$ | Carretera a Barra de Navidad, Km. 7.5, Mexico Fodor's Choice

This adults-only, extra-luxurious, all-inclusive resort is the only five-diamond hotel in Puerto Vallarta, and you can tell why the moment you step foot on it. This two-tower hotel is sparkling and stylish, with huge rooms, modern sassy decor, and all types of little details such as iPad-operated ambience systems, walk-in rain showers, and smart bidet toilets. The all-inclusive experience is real premium with four top-notch restaurants on the premises, plus two more options at its sister hotel Garza Blanca located within walking distance.

Pros

  • No kids
  • Private terraces with Jacuzzi
  • Two extraordinary rooftop swimming pools

Cons

  • Not beachfront
  • Traffic from PV
  • Time-share presentations
Carretera a Barra de Navidad, Km. 7.5, Mexico
322-176-0738
hotel Details
145 rooms
Rate Includes: All-Inclusive

Quick Facts

Verana

$$$ | Playa de Yelapa, Domicilio Conocido, 48300, Mexico

Understated luxury and an open-to-nature building design describe this 10-suite boutique property located in a jungle about an hour south of Vallarta. Built into the hillside overlooking lovely Yelapa Bay, Verana is sleek and contemporary yet surrounded by nature and built of locally available materials. Each of the freestanding suites has a different view and feel; several have outdoor showers and all are warm, inviting, and romantic. Every room has a ceiling fan, but just a few have air conditioning.

Pros

  • Simple luxury
  • No electronic distractions
  • Gorgeous infinity pool

Cons

  • Accessible only by boat
  • Five- to seven-night minimum
  • Steep hike up from boat dock
Playa de Yelapa, Domicilio Conocido, 48300, Mexico
555-351--0984
hotel Details
10 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts