Puerto Vallarta Mexico offers amazing Resort for a Day pass options. Treat yourself to an all inclusive experience during your day at port.
We’ve cruised to Mexico many times and have done the “standard” tours. They’re great. Puerto Vallarta has amazing beaches, blue waters, weather, and people.
We’ve also realized that the most convenient way to take advantage of Mexico's assets is with a Resort Day Pass.
Why Choose a Resort Day Pass While in Puerto Vallarta?
There are a bunch of reasons for choosing an All Inclusive Day Pass in Puerto Vallarta. Here are our top few.
Mexico is not the safest cruise destination in the Caribbean. We wouldn't necessarily say that it's "dangerous." But, safety should always be a priority when selecting your Puerto Vallarta cruise excursion. Only use a reputable tour provider if not choosing a resort. And please be very careful when engaging in commerce with locals.
A resort is your best option if safety is a concern. You'll have no worries within the protected walls of any option below. Security and privacy are valuable amenities at these resorts. We’ve never heard of an incident within one of Puerto Vallarta’s resorts. In the rare chance of a health or security issue, you'd want to be at any of these resorts vs an alternative excursion option!
From our map below, you can see that all resorts are near your Puerto Vallarta Cruise Port.
Each day pass option includes transportation to and from the Terminal. They range in distance from 25 to 35 minutes from port. Please note these estimates if your transfer time is important to you. Once on site, you’ll be in complete relaxation for hours.
You'll have every amenity at your fingertips. No need to worry about haggling over price, finding food, renting beach chairs, etc. And you won’t need to check your watch constantly to make sure your excursion provider will get you back on time. Your only inconvenience will be deciding which drink to order next. This is an easy “problem” to solve since drinks are all-inclusive.
Most organized shore excursions are run by “mom and pop” shops. Many do a great job. But, they’re not held to the same standards as the resort properties. When you’re done with your snorkeling gear at the Hilton, they’ll clean and sanitize the equipment. After a tour with “ Lou’s Snorkeling Fun Time,” the gear might get a quick splash of Corona before the next cruise passenger straps it on. This is a bit of an exaggeration, but hopefully you get where we’re going. The resorts will likely have newer beach chairs, fresher towels, and cleaner restrooms.
Cost Comparison All Inclusive vs Other
A resort day pass will cost roughly $100 per person. That may seem expensive. Consider all of the incidentals with a normal excursion. You'll often purchase rental chairs, food, drink, and equipment rental. These can quick add up to exceed a resort pass!
You’ll see the cost of an all-inclusive day pass averages roughly $100 per person. This is similar to the cost of a cruise excursion in Puerto Vallarta. However, you’ll find much more included at a resort. A beach excursion includes many "hidden" costs. You might pay for beach access. Chair rentals will cost $20 per. Drink costs will likely be double that. Then you'll likely want to tack on events like kayaking or snorkeling.
You can easily spend $100 per person going "a la carte." And you'll likely leave a bit hungrier and “thirstier” than if the situation were all-inclusive. There's also an intangible value to the buffet style. The freedom to order whatever you want all day long is a huge bonus.
If you’ve gotten this far, we’ll assume you’re “all-in” for a resort day pass in Mexico. Good decision. You'll be happy with your decision!
Now we'll need to find the perfect day pass option. It will depend on your crew. Are you traveling with kids or are you on a romantic getaway? Are you hoping to get active or more interested in relaxing? Is price an important factor?
Below you’ll find three amazing all inclusive options at Mexico’s best resorts. We’ve broken down each to show what’s included so you know exactly what to expect. Regardless of your priorities, we're confident that there's a great option for you below.
Use the quick-jump links above to check out a specific property. Below you'll find a map showing the location of each.
In the Puerto Vallarta Map above, you’ll see your three available Resort Options. These properties offer exclusive day pass tours to cruise passengers. The properties are marked by the grey numbers. Your cruise terminal is found by the maroon, ship icon. You can see that all are grouped roughly 30 minutes from port. We also note the taxi distance and any related costs for your convenience.
We've analyzed every resort day pass option in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Below are the 3 Best Options with all of the detail you'll need to make your choice.
RIU Jalisco Puerto Vallarta
Resort for a Day Pass
This resort day pass is great for couples or families. Both adult and child will be well accommodated at RIU Jalisco. In addition to the children's playground, kiddos also have customized entertainment programs. Adults can frolic on the beach or poolside with endless options for entertainment or relaxation. The swim-up bar is a crowd favorite that shouldn't be missed!
RIU Jalisco is a stunning property located on a white-sand beach and offering private beach access. Your RIU day pass includes unlimited food, drink, and access to amenities. Some of the resort's main features include two pools with swim-up bars, sun loungers, wifi, multiple restaurants, children's pool with slides, whirlpool and steam bath. Food and drinks (including alcoholic beverages) are included with your visit. The resort offers numerous eating venues with varying themes.
- All You Can Eat
- All You Can Drink
- Beach
- Pools
- Whirlpools
- Sauna
- Gym
- Whirlpool Bath
- Loungers
- Towels
- Umbrellas
- 2 Poolside Bars
- Swim-Up Bar
- Children's Playground
- Free Wifi
NOTE: The Hotel RIU Jalisco has limited resort passes allocated to cruise passengers. Make sure to book well in advance to assure that there's availability.
RIU Vallarta
Resort for a Day Pass
The RIU Vallarta Hotel offers a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement. A 30-minute scenic drive from your port, this all-inclusive resort welcomes you with its elegant Art Deco design and lush tropical gardens.
Upon arrival, you’ll be quickly checked in, ready to indulge in the hotel’s extensive amenities. Enjoy access to amazing beaches, relaxing pools, and a variety of dining options that cater to every palate. The all-inclusive pass also includes unlimited drinks from several bars.
Get active by taking advantage of the resort's beach volleyball and water sports. Or unwind on a lounger by the ocean. Families will appreciate the dedicated kids’ club, while adults might opt for a relaxing treatment at the Renova Spa (additional cost). As your day in port winds down, convenient showers and changing rooms allow you to freshen up before heading back to the ship.
- All You Can Eat
- All You Can Drink
- Beach
- 5 Pools
- Gym
- Loungers
- Towels
- Umbrellas
- 2 Poolside Bars
- Swim-Up Bar
- Children's Playground
- Free Wifi
NOTE: The Hotel RIU Vallarta has limited resort passes allocated to cruise passengers. Make sure to book well in advance to assure that there's availability.
RIU Palace Pacifico
Resort for a Day Pass
Hotel RIU Palace Pacifico is a breathtaking property located directly on the beach. The property features towering hotel structures surrounding a beautiful central park area with pool and many other amenities. The "t" shaped pool includes a swim-up bar and mini pool within the larger pool. In addition to the impressive pool area, you'll have access to a large stretch of pristine Puerto Vallarta beach. RIU offers a number of non-motorized water sports to take advantage of the beach and blue waters. Enjoy catamarans, kayaks, and even body boards.
The RIU Palace Pacifico is an ideal resort day pass offering the works. You'll be treated to VIP access of their private beach and freshwater swimming pool. Additional features include towels, chairs, loungers, parasols, and even a children's swimming pool. There are plenty of options to get active as well. Your day pass includes windsurfing, catamaran, kayaking, bodyboarding, and volleyball amenities. Food and drink are unlimited and your options for eating and drinking are virtually unlimited as well. You'll find buffet and a la carte options. The international cuisine offered will sate any pallet. To wash it down, visit the swim up bar with service throughout the day.
- All You Can Eat
- All You Can Drink
- Beach
- Pools
- Whirlpools
- Swim-Up Pool Bars
- Lounges
- Umbrellas
- Towels
- Windsurfing
- Catamaran
- Kayaking
- Body Boarding
- Sauna
- Gym
- Whirlpool Bath
- Free Wifi
NOTE: The Hotel RIU Palace Pacifico has limited resort passes allocated to cruise passengers. Make sure to book well in advance to assure that there's availability.
We hope this post helps you to make the most of your time in Puerto Vallarta.
It's tough to choose a cruise excursion. You can't go wrong with a resort for a day pass. These properties are optimized for your relaxation and enjoyment. Standard tours are great too. They're just "hit or miss." Remove all risk with one of the options above.
Check out additional options for the other ports on your cruise itinerary. The post below lists every day pass option for ports in the Caribbean!
