Barceló Puerto Vallarta
Barcelo Puerto Vallarta sits in Mismaloya, about 11 kilometers south of Puerto Vallarta on the Zona Hotelera Sur road, with the mountains behind it and direct access to Mismaloya Beach. The 316 suites are the standout: the entry-level Suite Deluxe runs 68 square meters, every one has a terrace or balcony, and repeat guests consistently call the space unusual for the money. The grounds are built around four pools, a family pool, an adults-only pool, a semi-Olympic sports pool and a shallow children's pool, with two jacuzzis set aside for adults.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Genuinely large rooms: the entry-level Suite Deluxe is 68 square meters, and every category has a balcony or terrace over the gardens, pools or Banderas Bay
- +Direct access to Mismaloya Beach with the green mountains rising right behind it, a setting that looks nothing like the flat hotel-zone strips in Cancun
- +Four pools cover different moods: a family pool, an adults-only pool, a semi-Olympic lap and sports pool and a shallow pool for small children, plus two outdoor jacuzzis for adults
- +Five restaurants under the all-inclusive plan and they are properly distinct: La Fuente buffet on the sea, El Capri for pizza and pasta, Don Quijote for Spanish, Los Arcos for grilled cuts and seafood and Kyoto for Japanese and sushi
- +Los Arcos de Mismaloya marine park sits 0.6 miles away, one of the best snorkeling and diving spots on this coast, so the good water is a short boat or panga ride rather than a day trip
- +A small tequila distillery, Mama Lucia, is a few hundred yards from the hotel entrance and the Zoologico de Vallarta is a little further along the same road, two cheap outings you can reach on foot
- +Pacific coast location means no sargassum, the seaweed that fouls Caribbean beaches in summer, is ever part of the equation
Cons
- −You cannot walk to Puerto Vallarta's old town: the official distances are 6.6 miles to the historic center, 7.3 miles to the Zona Romantica and 8 miles to the Malecon, so every trip into the city is a taxi or Uber
- −The last full renovation was in 2009, when the suites, pools, lounge and spa were redone, and guests through 2026 still describe furnishings and bathrooms as dated for the price
- −Only domestic drinks are in the all-inclusive plan; imported spirits and sparkling wine are charged extra
- −Room service is not part of the all-inclusive package unless you book a Premium Level room, which is unusual for a resort at this price
- −The U-Spa and beauty salon, babysitting, the game room and laundry all carry additional charges on top of the all-inclusive rate
- −The four a la carte restaurants all require a reservation through the concierge and are subject to availability, so a week of spontaneous dinners is not how this resort works
- −Not adults-only and not quiet: the Barcy Club, the family pool and a day-and-night entertainment team mean kids are part of the scene everywhere except the adults-only pool
Dining is better organized than the headline count suggests. Five restaurants are covered by the all-inclusive plan: La Fuente is the sea-view buffet, Los Arcos does grilled cuts and seafood by the water, and El Capri, Don Quijote and Kyoto handle Italian, Spanish and Japanese respectively. All four a la carte venues need a concierge reservation, which is the main practical friction. The U-Spa has oceanfront treatment space, a fitness center and steam baths, but treatments are an extra charge, as are imported drinks, the game room, babysitting and room service for anyone not in a Premium Level room. The last major refurbishment was in 2009 and it shows in the rooms, which is the one complaint that repeats year after year in guest reviews.
This is a solid mid-tier pick for families and couples who want Pacific Mexico with a real beach and do not mind being a drive from town. Travelers who have stayed at both put Hard Rock Puerto Vallarta ahead on rooms, food and entertainment, and also well ahead on price, so Barcelo earns its place as the value option rather than the luxury one. Families should book the two-bedroom Family suite if they need separate sleeping space, since the Suite Deluxe is one open room. Off-resort, Los Arcos marine park is 0.6 miles away for snorkeling, the walkable distillery and zoo fill an afternoon, and Marina Vallarta Golf Club is about 13.5 miles up the coast.
Common Questions
How far is Barcelo Puerto Vallarta from the Malecon and the Zona Romantica?
Which restaurants are included and do they need reservations?
What costs extra on top of the all-inclusive rate?
What is the pool and beach setup like?
Is it a good choice for families with young children?
What is there to do within walking distance?
Restaurants (5)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | La Fuente |
| Italian | El Capri |
| Japanese & sushi | Kyoto |
| Steakhouse | Los Arcos |
| Mediterranean & Spanish | Don Quijote |
From the resort's own dining pages. Only restaurants the resort lists are shown. All are covered by the all-inclusive rate, per the resort.
What's nearby
Zona Romántica14 min drive · 7.5 mi
Los Muertos Beach15 min drive · 7.5 mi
14 min drive · 7.2 mi
Marina Vallarta25 min drive · 12 mi
Conchas Chinas Beach12 min drive · 6.2 mi
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church14 min drive · 7.6 mi
More things to do (24)
- Whale watching (December to March) · excursion25 min drive · 12 mi
- Sunset sail from Marina Vallarta · excursion25 min drive · 12 mi
- Las Caletas beach day trip · excursion25 min drive · 12 mi
- Camarones Beach · beach20 min drive · 8.6 mi
- Mismaloya Beach · beach2 min walk · 0.1 mi
- Playa Colomitos · beach5 min drive · 2.6 mi
- Playa Palmares · beach6 min drive · 3.5 mi
- Los Veranos Canopy Tour · adventure park14 min drive · 7.2 mi
- Boca de Tomatlán · town6 min drive · 3.2 mi
- Puerto Vallarta Malecón · town14 min drive · 7.8 mi
- Los Arcos Viewpoint (Mismaloya) · viewpoint3 min drive · 1.0 mi
- Vallarta Zoo · wildlife4 min drive · 0.9 mi
- Las Gemelas Beach · beach5 min drive · 2.4 mi
- Water taxi to Las Ánimas and Quimixto beaches · excursion6 min drive · 3.2 mi
- Coastal hike from Boca de Tomatlán to Las Ánimas · excursion6 min drive · 3.2 mi
- Amapas Beach · beach12 min drive · 6.4 mi
- Vallarta Botanical Garden · nature13 min drive · 8.0 mi
- Isla Río Cuale · nature14 min drive · 7.4 mi
- Los Arcos snorkel trip · excursion14 min drive · 7.2 mi
- Olas Altas Beach · beach14 min drive · 7.5 mi
- Faro de Matamoros · viewpoint14 min drive · 7.7 mi
- Museo Histórico Naval · museum15 min drive · 8.0 mi
- Palo María Waterfall · nature15 min drive · 4.3 mi
- Mirador La Cruz · viewpoint20 min drive · 8.3 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Google Reviews★ 4.5 · 11,662 reviews
“We had a great time at Barcelo Puerto Vallarta. The hotel is clean and quiet. All the food and drinks we tried, at every a-la carte restaurant and the buffet were delicious. The service was great, everyone was very attentive, specially our servers at...”
“Denise, Maria, Victor, Fernando and the entire entertainment team are amazing! So kind and friendly. My kids always felt so welcomed and joined in on all the activities, which says alot for two teen boys! Fernando is truly special. He brought out a...”
“Came here for 10 nights and had an absolute blast! We were in the premium level. Our room was spacious, clean, and had a gorgeous view of the pool and the ocean. I hope to return again next winter. Oscar Martinez is an amazing waiter in the snack ba...”
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