When it comes to planning the perfect family vacation in Puerto Vallarta, there is no shortage of family-friendly hotels. Whether it’s a big all-inclusive resort or small boutique hotel, hotels in Puerto Vallarta are full of activities and top-notch amenities sure to keep families of all ages entertained during their vacation. Here are some of the best hotels for families you’ll find in and near Puerto Vallarta.
This post was sponsored by Visit Puerto Vallarta. This author was thrilled to write it because she lives in and loves Puerto Vallarta.
11 Best Hotels in Puerto Vallarta for Families
1. Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Spa
2. Villas del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa
3. Velas Vallarta
4. Now Amber Puerto Vallarta
5. Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
6. Crown Paradise Club Puerto Vallarta
7. Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort
8. Sheraton Buganvillas Resort & Convention Center
9. Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
10. Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa
11. Barcelo Puerto Vallarta
Planning an international vacation can be stressful when traveling with a family. In addition to booking plane tickets, finding accommodations that are age-appropriate and enjoyable for all travelers can be challenging.
Luckily, family-friendly Puerto Vallarta, located on the west coast of Mexico, makes it easy. Aimed to accommodate all travelers, hotels in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco offers everything from laid back to royal Mexican treatment. Families even have the option between all-inclusive or non-inclusive hotels, giving the ultimate variety for meals.
Read on for 11 hotels that are among the best hotels for families in Puerto Vallarta.
1. Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Spa
A smaller, cozy hotel, the Buenaventura Grand Hotel is best for families who want to be in the center of it all. The hotel sits right on the beach, offering easy access for families who want to take a break from the three hotel pools. There is just about everything a family would need, including a kids club, designated kids pool, babysitting services, a recreation club, and a fully stocked gym.
Located at the top of downtown Vallarta, the location of the hotel makes it a great option for families wanting to explore the real Puerto Vallarta. It is within steps of several authentic Mexican restaurants, a short walk from the start of the malecón, and minutes from the Romantic Zone (also known as Old Town). For first time visitors to Vallarta, the Buenaventura Grand is a great place to start.
2. Villas del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa
Although not one of the newest resorts, Villa del Palmar is centrally located in Puerto Vallarta’s “zona hotelera” (hotel zone) and a popular choice for both local families and tourists. The rooms include small kitchenettes, making it a great option for families who opt-out of the all-inclusive option. Room service is an option for days when gathering all of the family up for dinner is too much of a hassle.
The resort has beach access, although undoubtedly one of the best features is the hotel pool. The pool is beachfront and offers a water slide, shallow kids pool, and a more tranquil pool for the adults.
Several fun activities and entertainment for families to participate in together, including water activities, games, and fitness activities. The resort even offers a “family program” for those on the all-inclusive plan. The program provides kids with their own check-in desk and personalized checkout, a kids club, special menus, and room amenities. There is also a great lineup of activities such as cooking classes, massage classes, arts and crafts, games and more.
3. Velas Vallarta
Located in Marina Vallarta, Velas Vallarta offers up to three-bedroom units to accommodate the larger traveling families. There is certainly no shortage of activities at the resort to keep everyone in the family happy.
The resort has an 18-hole championship golf course within steps, a lush tropical courtyard, three swimming pools, a swim-up bar. Kids can enjoy board games, sporting lessons, video games, and arts and crafts.
There are also special seasonal activities for holidays such as Easter, Christmas, and New Year’s. The resort takes care to plan new activities and programs every season to keep every member in the family entertained year-round.
4. Now Amber Puerto Vallarta
The Now Amber Puerto Vallarta is often noted by travelers as a very family-friendly, kid-friendly resort. Just take care not to get it confused with the Secrets Vallarta Bay all-adult property next door! The resort offers friendly staff, entertaining nightly shows, and an outdoor theater,. It also has an “Explorer’s Club” for kids, and a “Core Zone” teens club. The entire family will enjoy the large pool that has a kids water slide and a swim-up bar with an ocean view.
One thing that can definitely be appreciated about this resort versus others is the free wifi and free international calling to the U.S, Canada, and Mexico.
At the end of the day when the family is ready to take a break from the resort activities and restaurants, downtown Puerto Vallarta and the malecón are just a short five minutes away.
5. Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
The Marriott Puerto Vallarta is another beautiful oceanfront resort with a private beach and plenty for families to do. Its location in Marina Vallarta gives families the option of spending some time off-resort and walking to several marina restaurants and shopping facilities.
The kids club offers a variety of activities that keep kids entertained and having fun while adults relax or partake in off-resort excursions. There is a separate kids pool and water play area. Floaties can be requested for kids (and adults) who don’t quite have the hang of swimming. In addition to the large infinity pool with swim-up bar and indoor lap pool, the resort also offers a full-service spa, fitness center, and free wifi.
However, perhaps the best part of the Marriott is the helpful and friendly concierge staff who go above and beyond to ensure everyone in the family has a great time both onsite and offsite.
6. Crown Paradise Club Puerto Vallarta
The Crown Paradise Club offers a more laid-back vibe for families seeking an all-inclusive resort, with plenty of fun things to do for all ages. The resort offers rooms with up to three-bedrooms for larger families. The Family Room comes with a king bed, three bunk beds, and separate TVs in each room so kids and adults can watch their own programming.
Professional childcare services are offered for babies and toddlers, as well as a fun kids club for older children. For the teens in the family, there are also plenty of activities, including a game room with video games, pool table, and air hockey table.
However, the highlight of the resort for kids and adults alike is the Aquapark. Claimed by the hotel to be the best water park in Puerto Vallarta, the Aquapark offers nine slides, a pirate ship and a castle, and a Jacuzzi with swim-up bar for the adults.
7. Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort
For families who won’t have access to a vehicle and want to have everything right at their fingertips, the Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort is a great all-inclusive option. Kids visiting the Hilton with their families love the beachfront pool and various activities for all ages.
The resort kids club and private babysitting service is also a favorite for the entire family, providing adults with a small break to participate in adult activities while the kids enjoyed fun games, arts, and crafts. The kids club also includes a garden area for mini-golf, a shallow wading pool, a movie room, and a game room.
There is a variety of all-inclusive dining options on-site to fit all appetites including specialty restaurants serving French, Brazilian, Spanish, and Asian (with reservations only). While the specialty restaurants only make available a certain block of hours for dining with children, families will still feel better knowing that they don’t have to make separate dinner plans for their little ones!
For those times when leaving the room for food is inconvenient, 24-hour room service is available.
8. Sheraton Buganvillas Resort & Convention Center
The Sheraton is great for families wanting to enjoy the resort life, without being secluded from the city. Located at the south of the hotel zone, the resort is on the beach and walkable to the malecón and large grocery stores. Right across the street is a large public sports complex with a track, multiple soccer fields, baseball fields, and more.
The resort has large pools with kiddie areas and a fully equipped kids club with various activities and workshops.
There are even kitchen workshops where kids can prepare pizzas, cupcakes, and popsicles. Adults have their choice of workshops as well, with the option of taking salsa or merengue lessons, or yoga classes. Every Thursday, there’s a huge Mexican Fiesta night, complete with fireworks.
There’s no doubt the entire family will have fun at the Sheraton.
9. Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
Formerly the Holiday Inn Resort & Spa, the best part about the Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa is that up to two kids stay free when in a room with two paying adults. For families on a budget, this is an excellent option.
An all-inclusive, beachfront hotel, the Sunscape offers beautiful, sweeping views of Banderas Bay. The location is great, just minutes away from downtown Vallarta and the malecón, as well as the marina. Additionally, the excellent location and private beach make it perfect for viewing whales during Puerto Vallarta’s whale-watching season.
The hotel has a swimming pool including a kids pool with waterslide. There are also plenty of pool activities and a swim-up bar for adults.
When adults want to explore Puerto Vallarta on their own, a supervised kid’s club and connecting teen’s club is available. There is a special kid’s check-in experience complete with red carpet stairs, special welcome treats, and resort “passports.”
10. Garza Blanca Preserve Resort & Spa
For families looking for a bit of luxury on their family vacation, Garza Blanca is an excellent choice. Nestled in the jungle, Garza Blanca gives families a five-star, oceanfront, all-inclusive experience. The resort offers suites with up to three-bedrooms, a full-sized kitchen and in-suite washer and dryer. Kids stay free with all-inclusive packages.
The resort offers an outdoor play area and a kids club full of games. There are nature activities such as hiking, bird watching, and feeding turtles. Face painting, arts and crafts, and entertaining performances are among the other activities that kids can enjoy. Babysitting services are also available.
For the rest of the family, there’s an infinity pool and water activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
11. Barceló Puerto Vallarta
The Barceló Puerto Vallarta sits about 45 minutes south of the Puerto Vallarta airport on Mismaloya Beach. However, its location away from the touristy area of Puerto Vallarta doesn’t mean that it lacks activities.
The hotel is great for families of all ages with one sports pool, two family pools, and one kids pool. There’s also nightly entertainment in the resort theater, a game room, and a kids club full of fun activities.
Outside of the resort is the Vallarta Zoo, Vallarta Botanical Gardens, Los Arcos Marine Park, and El Eden Adventure Park.
The fact is, there is no shortage of Puerto Vallarta hotels that are excellent for families. Although each has its own unique vibe, one thing in common is that every family will want to return ASAP!
Learn about fun things to do with kids in Puerto Vallarta here.
16 FREE (and fun!) Things to Do in Charlotte, NC
