Are you taking your family on vacation to Puerto Vallarta?
Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to spend lots of time down in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and it has quickly become one of my favorite places.
In fact, I love Puerto Vallarta and highly recommend visiting the area. There are so many things to do in Puerto Vallarta. After much consideration, I have put together a list of our favorite all-inclusive family resorts to help your family figure out where to stay during your own vacation!
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7 Incredibly Family-Friendly All-Inclusive Resorts in Puerto Vallarta
No matter what kind of budget you are on I can pretty much guarantee that Puerto Vallarta will have an all-inclusive resort that will work for your family with stunning ocean views.
All of these resorts listed are on the beach and packed with amenities. Many of these resorts are so enjoyable you may not even leave the resort!
Dreams Vallarta Puerto Vallarta
Now Amber Kid’s Club
Dreams Vallarta formally known as Now Amber is easily one of my favorites. With multiple pools, excellent food, live nightly entertainment, and an expansive kid’s club there is so much for families to love. Mom will love the spa and the Jacuzzi tub in the rooms, teens will love their own hangout space complete with snacks and drinks, younger kids will go crazy over the incredible kid’s club here, and dad will appreciate the casino and sports bar.
All the rooms look towards the ocean and on the bottom floor, they have swim-out rooms. Now Amber aka Dreams Vallarta borders its sister resort, Secrets. This means while the kids are in their clubs, parents can go escape to Secrets from some adult-only time. Now Amber is 15 minutes from the airport.
Check current rates at Dream Vallarta on Expedia or Travelocity.
To get a solid idea of what to expect, check out this video.
Fiesta Americana
Fiesta Americana in Puerto Vallarta the sister resort to adults-only Grand Fiesta Americana easily makes this list for a lot of reasons included my personal favorite the resort has no smoking policy! Another good thing, it is a blue flag beach, a status given by the Mexican government for superior cleanliness and safety. The list goes on and on, but the staff is just phenomenal and the kid’s club and the teen club are super fun.
If you want to stay at a smaller, more intimate resort without giving up an all-inclusive experience, this is the place! You can read my full review here.
Check current rates at Fiesta Americana on Orbitz or Expedia.
Velas Vallarta
Velas Vallarta is an all-inclusive family resort located on 10 acres of oceanfront with lush gardens in Puerto Vallarta. It’s within walking distance of Marina Vallarta Golf Course and 30 – 45 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta. Situated on the emerald waters of Banderas Bay, Velas Vallarta features 345 suites, three swimming pools, a rejuvenating spa along with spa cabins seaside, a small fitness center, multiple restaurants, and an inviting lounge with live music.
They have two restaurants and room service is available around the clock. When it comes to daytime and evening entertainment, guests can choose from an exciting and original array of activities and events, from making piñatas and jewelry, yoga on the jetty to Mexican fiestas and casino nights. The recently renovated Kids’ Club also welcomes children under 13 with supervised activities like a treasure hunt, face painting, building sandcastles to crafting with beads.
Villa La Estancia in Riviera Nayarit
Not far from Puerto Vallarta is Riviera Nayarit, well not far is in one hour east of the airport. One of my favorite hotels in Riviera Nayarit so far is Villa La Estancia Beach Resort and Spa on Banderas Bay. I’ve only been to a few hotels in this area, so keep that in mind if you disagree with me!
They have special baby amenities like a crib, rocking chair, and ottoman. A white noise machine, baby camera compatible with an app if parents would prefer for baby to sleep in a separate room of the suite, and freshly made organic baby food for the newborn and post-natal juices for mom.
Hotel Estancia in Riviera Nayarit
The pool is massive and has a swim-up bar, the spa is lovely, there’s a splash pad for younger kids, and multiple hot tubs heated to different temperatures! They have a lot of lovely family suites, enabling even large families to stay comfortably here. Some of the suites also have a washer and dryer, but you don’t have to do laundry, because at this resort one of the amenities is that they will do your laundry for you!
Their beach is gorgeous. 
Check current rates at Villa La Estancia Beach Resort on Expedia or Travelocity.
Because this is such a great option for larger families I have put together a video touring many of their suites.
Sunscape Puerto Vallarta
Sunscape Puerto Vallarta has great food, amazing kid and teen clubs, a turtle release program, a safe beach, and more. This is a more affordable option for families on a budget. They often run specials for families, like two kids stay free promotions. 
They even have designated family rooms with bunk beds and a patio that opens up towards the kid’s club. The kid’s club is super cute and has a lot going on.
Kid’s Club at Sunscape Puerto Vallarta
There’s also a separate teen club. It’s an open-air hang out with a little enclosed room with gaming systems.
Teen Club at Sunscape Puerto Vallarta
Down at the beach, they have kayaks, paddleboards, boogie boards, and snorkels.
At Coco Cafe, I recommend a latte with Amaretto and Vanilla. In addition to the restaurant options, there are also four bars (all of which are included).
The resort is in a great location in downtown Puerto Vallarta only 15 minutes from the airport and steps away from the La Isla shopping complex. It is also close to El Malecón boardwalk and historic Old Town Vallarta. Plus, you can see whales from their property between December to March.
Check current rates for Sunscape.
Here is a short video I made to give you a better look at this resort.
Riu Palace Pacifico
Riu Palace Pacifico in Riviera Nayarit was built in 2008. This is a pretty large resort with a massive pool. They have 448 rooms and the resort is all-inclusive only. One perk of their all-inclusive is that no reservations are needed for any of their restaurants. Oddly enough many all-inclusive properties make you reserve dining.
The lobby at Riu Palace Pacifico
The whole place is stunning and they have some nice water activities including half an hour hobby cat, windsurfing, kayaks, & boogie boards. They offer windsurfing lessons and sailing lessons. They have a book-borrowing shelf near the pool towels.
While I was here I got to have a romantic dinner on the beach. It was one of the most memorable dinners in my life so far. This was not included in the all-inclusive, but worth every penny. I cannot remember how many courses it was, but it was at least five. It started right before sunset. 
Check current rates at Rui Palace Pacifico.
Hilton Vallarta Riviera All-Inclusive Resort 
Hilton Vallarta offers sweeping ocean views over the Bay of Banderas and one of their towers offers families accommodations. (The other tower is adults-only.) The family-friendly side of the hotel will offer ocean-facing rooms and suites as well a pool area perfect for guests of all ages. The hotel offers seven all-inclusive dining experiences as well as room service, featuring healthy options and globally inspired cuisine.
The Kids Club is a colorful and bright indoor space bursting with stimulating games and activities, open daily. It features crafts stations, a lounge area with bean bags and a tv for movies and reading, and a soft play area for babies and toddlers with toys for a fun sensory experience. The complimentary activities program for kids (ages 4-12) includes inspired art projects such as jewelry making, face painting, and mini chef cooking classes. Activities such as scavenger hunts and dance classes allow children to discover new treasures and talents. Themed parties, mini disco, glow in the dark games and movie nights light up the evenings for entertainment before bedtime. 
For teens (ages 13-17) there is the teens zone – an exclusive lounge area that will offer teens the freedom of a dedicated space to relax and socialize. The space will include pool tables, air hockey, gaming stations, ping pong tables, foosball tables and board games, as well as beanbags, tv screens, and music. The space even includes a DJ lab where teens can learn to mix their favorite songs and create their very own sets and playlists. Other activities include sports tournaments, street art and photography workshops, as well as contemporary music and dance classes. Outdoor entertainment includes beach games, volleyball, pool games, unmotorized water sports, and surfing. Activities continue into the night with movie and pizza nights, breakdance classes, themed parties, talent contests complete with awards, a photobooth and disco/teens nightclub with a live DJ.
Check current rates at Hilton Vallarta.
No matter where your family stays one thing is for sure, you are going to have a wonderful time! If you have any questions about any of these resorts do not hesitate to ask. I will do my best to find the answer for you.
If you are headed to Puerto Vallarta without the kids, I recommend Hotel Mousai, it’s got the most amazing rooftop infinity pool!
Have you been to Puerto Vallarta? Where did you stay? I would love to hear your recommendations in the comments below.
Should You Get Travel Insurance?
Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a fan of Travelex insurance, because of the variety of options. Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. I have gotten extremely sick twice now out of the country and Noah has had seizures in other countries, so I always recommend getting some sort of coverage. Read more about why you should always carry travel insurance here.
Airport Shuttle
After visiting so many times I have a specific company I prefer to use if I am taking a shuttle from the airport or around town, I recommend Grayline.
Car Rental
If you are looking for a car rental I recommend getting the car at the Cancun Airport. It will make things easier. This entire area is easy to drive around in. Get a Puerto Vallarta car rental for $9 a day!
