Resorts in Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico

About Nuevo Vallarta

Nuevo Vallarta sits on Banderas Bay in the Riviera Nayarit, just north of Puerto Vallarta, and it suits the kind of holiday where you unpack once and settle in. The coastline is a string of resort beaches backed by marinas and waterways, with warm water, wide skies and bay sunsets. Days tend to follow an easy rhythm: a slow morning by the sea, an afternoon at the pool or spa, and an evening that never requires a taxi. When you want a change of scene, the restaurants and streets of Puerto Vallarta are a short hop down the bay.

Both of our hotels here are five-star and beachfront, but each gives the stay its own character. Marival Emotions Resort & Suites Riviera Nayarit by Mercure has a private beach area, a heated outdoor pool with a shallow end, and a spa with a steam room, hot tub and massage. Evenings bring live music, themed dinner nights and karaoke, and its suites sleep up to 8 guests, a natural fit for family gatherings or groups of friends. Guests rate it 8 from 302 reviews. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit-All Inclusive is a five-star all-inclusive suite resort right on Banderas Bay, rated 9.9 from 343 reviews. Its spa has a sauna, hammam and hot spring bath, and families have a kids' club, an indoor play area and babysitting. Active guests can try water sports on site, plus canoeing, snorkelling and diving.

Choosing between them is a matter of the trip you have in mind. Travelling with a big group, or hoping for evenings with live music and karaoke? Marival Emotions is worth a close look. Travelling with young children, or planning days on the water and a long spa session? Grand Velas has the kids' club, water sports and hot spring bath to match. Both offer free parking for drivers, and our 24/7 agents can help you compare dates and room types.

When to go

Nuevo Vallarta has a tropical climate with two broad seasons. The dry season, roughly November to May, brings sunny days, lower humidity and comfortable evenings, which makes it the most popular time for beach and pool holidays. Between about December and March, humpback whales visit Banderas Bay, an added draw for nature lovers. The wetter season, roughly June to October, is hotter and more humid, with rain that often arrives as afternoon or evening downpours and leaves greener scenery behind. Late summer into early autumn is the peak of the Pacific hurricane season, so travellers booking then should keep their plans flexible. Water temperatures are warm for much of the year.

Tips for your trip

• Start with who is travelling. Groups of up to 8 can look at the suites at Marival Emotions Resort & Suites Riviera Nayarit by Mercure, while families with young children can look at the kids' club, indoor play area and babysitting at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit-All Inclusive.
• Both resorts have a spa. Marival Emotions offers a steam room, hot tub and massage, and Grand Velas has a sauna, hammam and hot spring bath, so choose by the kind of treatment you want.
• If you plan to hire a car for a day in Puerto Vallarta or along the coast, both resorts offer free parking, and Marival Emotions also has valet parking.
• Active travellers should check the water sports at Grand Velas, which include canoeing, snorkelling and diving alongside other on-site options.
• Dry-season dates, roughly November to May, are popular, so book early for those months. Our 24/7 agents can help if you want to compare dates or room types.

Frequently asked questions