Puerto Vallarta Resort for a Day: 3 Cruise Day Passes Compared

Compare 3 Puerto Vallarta day passes for cruisers from $89: all-inclusive, adults-only and family resorts 30 to 33 min from the pier, with prices and hours.

Jeremy Camosse

Aug 2021 · Updated Mar 2026

mexicoresort for a daypuerto vallartaexcursions

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// At a glance

Pick your Puerto Vallarta day pass

01$89/ adult

Hotel RIU Jalisco

32 min · 12.3 mi · Families welcome

Check availability

02$89/ adult

Hotel RIU Vallarta

33 min · 12.6 mi · Families welcome

Couples, families and larger groups

Check availability

03$124/ adult

RIU Palace Pacifico

30 min · 11.9 mi · Adults only

Adults who want an all-inclusive beach and pool day

Check availability

We may earn a commission when you book through our partners, at no extra cost to you.

The Puerto Vallarta cruise port is one of the most popular cruise destinations in Mexico and a resort day pass is one of the best ways to spend your time at port. Instead of piecing together individual activities, you get all-inclusive access to a resort’s beach, pools, food, and drinks for one fixed price.

We’ve cruised to Mexico many times and have done the “standard” tours. They’re great. Puerto Vallarta has beautiful beaches, warm waters, perfect weather, and friendly people. But we’ve found that the most convenient way to enjoy everything Puerto Vallarta has to offer is with a resort day pass.

Below, we compare every Puerto Vallarta resort day pass option available to cruise passengers. We include pricing, ratings, amenities, and distance from the cruise port. You’ll find everything that you need to make the best decision possible for your Puerto Vallarta shore excursion!

// Why a day pass

Why a Puerto Vallarta resort day pass beats a DIY port day

01 · Safety

6.6

out of 10

Ranked #10 of 23 ports

Country average 6.7

The tourist areas along the Malecon and Hotel Zone are well-patrolled and very welcoming. Locals are friendly and accustomed to cruise visitors. That said, it’s always smart to stay in well-traveled areas and use reputable tour providers if you’re exploring beyond the resort. A resort is your best option if safety is a concern. You’ll have no worries within the protected grounds of any option below. Security and privacy are valuable amenities at these resorts. You can relax knowing that your belongings and family are secure while you enjoy the beach, pool, and all-inclusive perks.

02 · Convenience

About 7 hours at the resort

Ship docks
Step off the ship in Puerto Vallarta
About 30 min
Ride to RIU Palace Pacifico
About 7 hrs
Beach, pools, food and drinks
1 hr before all aboard
Back at the ship

03 · Experience

5.0best rating

RIU Palace Pacifico

Resorts keep newer loungers, fresher towels and cleaner restrooms than most beach stands near the pier.

04 · Cost

$89/ adult

Lowest price on this list

One price covers the day, instead of paying for chairs, food and drinks one by one.

// Cost check

Save about $2 a person

A taxi, beach chairs, lunch and a couple of drinks add up fast in port. The cheapest pass on this list costs less than those typical costs, for a day at a resort.

DIY beach day (typical costs)$91

Taxi round trip $30Chairs and umbrella $20Lunch $25Two drinks $16

Resort day passfrom $89

One price, per adult

Hotel RIU Jalisco

// Ride times

How far is each Puerto Vallarta day pass resort?

Typical drive times from the Puerto Vallarta cruise pier by road. Tap a resort to jump to its listing.

3RIU Palace Pacifico
30 min · 11.9 mi
1Hotel RIU Jalisco
32 min · 12.3 mi
2Hotel RIU Vallarta
33 min · 12.6 mi

// The options

The 3 best Puerto Vallarta resort day passes

Traveling with kids or on a romantic getaway? Want to get active, or just float? Here is exactly what each pass includes.

We may earn a commission when you book through our partners, at no extra cost to you.

Hotel RIU Jalisco day pass in Puerto Vallarta, photo 1 of 9

1 / 9

// Option 01 · Families welcome

Hotel RIU Jalisco

★4.032 min · 12.3 mi

$89/ adult

$49 child (ages 3 to 12)Free infant (up to 3)

All inclusive
Beach
Pool
Watersports
Free WiFi

Check availability$89

Groups of 12 or more SAVE $5 per adult.

Details

All inclusive beachfront resort day pass!

Day Pass Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm
Unlimited dining for lunch and snacks
Unlimited drinks (alcohol & non alcohol)
Beach, pools, whirlpools
Use of sauna, gym and whirlpool bath
Loungers, towels & umbrellas

Hotel RIU Vallarta day pass in Puerto Vallarta, photo 1 of 10

1 / 10

// Option 02 · Families welcome

Hotel RIU Vallarta

Five pools, swim-up bar, Playa de Flamingos

★4.033 min · 12.6 mi

$89/ adult

$49 child (ages 3 to 12)Free infant (up to 3)

All inclusive
Beach
Pool
Watersports
Free WiFi

Best forCouples, families and larger groups

Check availability$89

Groups of 12 or more SAVE $5 per adult.

Details

An all-inclusive beachfront day at Hotel RIU Vallarta on Playa de Flamingos, with unlimited lunch, snacks and drinks. The pass runs 8:00am to 5:00pm across the beach, five pools and a swim-up bar.

Day Pass Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm
Unlimited dining for lunch and snacks
Unlimited drinks (alcohol & non alcohol)
Beach and 5 pools
Use of gym
Loungers, towels & umbrellas

RIU Palace Pacifico day pass in Puerto Vallarta, photo 1 of 7

1 / 7

// Option 03 · Adults only

RIU Palace Pacifico

Newly renovated beach resort for adults

★5.030 min · 11.9 mi

$124/ adult

Adults only

All inclusive
Beach
Pool
Watersports
Free WiFi

Best forAdults who want an all-inclusive beach and pool day

Check availability$124

Groups of 12 or more SAVE $5 per adult.

Details

An all-inclusive day for adults at the newly renovated RIU Palace Pacifico on a private beach, with a freshwater pool, whirlpool and spacious swim-up bar. Lunch is a buffet with live cooking stations, and drinks are unlimited.

Come enjoy your resort day anytime between the hours of 10:00AM and 5:00PM
Unlimited dining for lunch and snacks
Unlimited drinks (alcohol & non alcohol)
Beaches, pools, whirlpools
Swim-up pool bar
Lounges, umbrellas, towels (no need to bring the ship’s towels)

// Before you go

Before you book: 3 quick tips

1
Book a few days ahead
Passes are limited each day and popular dates sell out, so book once you know your port day.
2
Bring your pass and a photo ID
Have your confirmation and ID ready at the resort's front desk.
3
Plan around all aboard
Leave the resort with time to spare. The ship won't wait.

// Side by side

Compare every Puerto Vallarta day pass

Tap any name to jump back to its full listing.

	01Hotel RIU Jalisco	02Hotel RIU Vallarta	03RIU Palace Pacifico
Rating	★ 4.0	★ 4.0	★ 5.0
Adult	$89Lowest price	$89	$124
Child	$49ages 3 to 12	$49ages 3 to 12	Adults only
From port	32 min · 12.3 mi	33 min · 12.6 mi	30 min · 11.9 mi
All inclusive	Yes	Yes	Yes
Beach	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pool	Yes	Yes	Yes
Watersports	Yes	Yes	Yes
Free WiFi	Yes	Yes	Yes
Family friendly	Yes	Yes	No
Adults only	No	No	Yes
	Book $89	Book $89	Book $124

// FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How much is a Puerto Vallarta resort day pass?

Adult passes cost $89 to $124, depending on the resort and what is included. Child passes cost $49.

Which Puerto Vallarta day pass is closest to the cruise port?

RIU Palace Pacifico is the closest, about 30 minutes from the cruise port by road.

Can kids use a Puerto Vallarta resort day pass?

RIU Palace Pacifico is adults only. Kids are welcome at Hotel RIU Jalisco (ages 3 to 12) and Hotel RIU Vallarta (ages 3 to 12).

How do I get from the Puerto Vallarta cruise port to the resort?

The simplest way is to grab a taxi right outside the cruise terminal. Puerto Vallarta’s cruise port is well-organized with plenty of taxis waiting for arriving passengers. Check each listing to see whether round-trip transfers are included. You can also use ride-sharing apps. Just agree on the fare before you get in the taxi.

Do I need to book my Puerto Vallarta resort day pass in advance?

We’d say yes, definitely book ahead. Puerto Vallarta is a hugely popular Mexican Riviera port, and day passes can sell out during busy season from November through March. Booking in advance locks in your spot and usually gets you the best price. You can reserve online through the links in each resort listing above.

Is a Puerto Vallarta resort day pass worth it?

We think it’s one of the best ways to spend your port day. Consider the alternative: renting beach chairs runs $20-30, then you’re buying tacos, margaritas, and maybe renting snorkel gear. That easily tops $100+ per person, and you’re still figuring out logistics on your own. A day pass wraps everything into one price with resort-quality pools, food, drinks, and service. Plus, you get the peace of mind knowing exactly what your day will cost before you even step off the ship. It’s the most stress-free way to enjoy Puerto Vallarta.

// Our take

Our take: you can't go wrong with a Puerto Vallarta resort for a day

Choosing an excursion is tough. Standard tours are great, but they can be hit or miss. These resorts are built for one thing: your relaxation. Any of the options above takes the risk out of your Puerto Vallarta port day.

Stopping at other ports? Our complete guide lists every resort day pass option across all major cruise ports.