Squeezed between the sparkling Bahia de Banderas and lush mountains, Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s most popular coastal towns. Millions of tourists flock here every year for the promise of sand, sea and sunshine and there are dozens of hotels across the town catering for them.
The pool at San Tropico Petit Hotel & Peaceful Escape (Photo: Booking.com)
Puerto Vallarta is well-known for its pumping nightlife and adrenaline-fuelled watersports offering, but there’s a quieter side to the coastal town too. The town’s southern beaches are peppered with secluded coves and hamlets, while offshore there’s a handful of uninhabited islands offering wildlife-watching opportunities aplenty. Whether you’re looking to spend every day dancing into the early hours of the morning or some well-deserved R&R, there’s something here for every taste – and its accommodation offering is much the same. While you’ll find all the blockbuster hotel chains dotted along the beaches, there’s also an excellent range of affordable resorts and hotels in Puerto Vallarta. We’ve selected five of the best based on location, amenities, price and reviews.
San Tropico Petit Hotel & Peaceful Escape
As you might expect from the name, San Tropico offers peace and tranquillity just moments from the pulsing heart of Puerto Vallarta. It’s less than a ten-minute stroll from the beach and the hotel offers a year-round outdoor pool too. There’s also a sun terrace, where guests can enjoy a cocktail as the sun goes down too. Rooms are simple but stylish, featuring flat-screen cable TVs, air-conditioning and kitchen appliances. Guests can also hire bicycles from reception and if you’ve hired a car there’s free onsite parking too. Rooms from $92 per night.
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Crown Paradise Golden
The Crown Paradise offers all the trappings of a 5-star hotel without the price tag (Photo: Booking.com)
Located moments from Puerto Vallarta’s city centre, this four-star hotel offers affordably priced, all-inclusive beachfront accommodation. There are 216 air-conditioned rooms to choose from, each featuring luxury touches such as free minibar access, 42-inch LCD TVs and iPod docking stations. There’s a dizzying range of onsite entertainment, ranging from themed dinners to resident DJ nights. You can also book excursions through the onsite travel agency for exclusive rates. Facilities include six restaurants, an infinity pool and easy beach access. Rooms from $170 per night.
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Zona Z
This adults-only hotel is ideal for couples looking for laid-back luxury. Zona Z is located in the historic Zona Romantic, with easy access to some of the best nightlife in the region. There’s also direct beach access from the hotel. There are eight private suites to choose from at Zona Z, as well as one bi-level townhouse that can sleep up to four guests. Every suite features a well-equipped kitchenette, flat-screen TVs and modern bathrooms. The onsite spa offers a range of rejuvenating and restorative treatments, as well as a resident chiropractor. Rooms from $175 per night.
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Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa
The Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort and Spa is boasts beachfront luxury for an affordable price (Photo: Booking.com)
This 4-star hotel is less than a three-minute stroll from Marina Vallarta and just over a mile from Costalegre’s beaches and bays. It features all the usual luxury Marriott touches, including fully-furnished balconies, marble bathrooms with walk-in showers, and large comfy beds. There are also three full-service restaurants, two bars and a swim-up bar. If you’re travelling with children, you can pack them off to the action-packed kids club while you make the most of the adults-only lap pool, spa or infinity pool. The hotel offers private access to El Salado Beach too. Rooms from $250 per night.
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Villa Premiere Boutique and Romantic Getaway
You don’t need to break the bank to enjoy five-star luxury. This boutique resort hotel offers a range of luxurious suites featuring ocean views and a butler service too. Facilities are top-notch, including a swim-up bar, a spa featuring hot tubs, saunas and an oxygen bar, as well as daily yoga classes on the beach. The hotel also boasts an idyllic seafront location, complete with its own private beach. It’s only a ten-minute drive from the airport, so you can spend longer stretching out in the sun before hopping on your return flight home. Rooms from $299 per night.
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