Canto del Sol Plaza Vallarta
Family-friendly resort in Puerto Vallarta.
Amenities
Traveler Insights(198 discussions)
Canto del Sol Plaza Vallarta is built around activities more than beach luxury, and it works best when you accept that framing from the start. The property's crown jewel is its tennis complex — 8 courts total across clay and covered surfaces — which is rare and genuinely excellent for an all-inclusive. Beyond tennis, the resort layers in dance classes, water sports, volleyball, nightly shows, and 7 restaurants in a way that keeps the schedule full. The colonial architectural aesthetic and tropical grounds give it more personality than you'd expect from a mid-range all-inclusive.
The food situation is one of the better stories at this price point. Seven restaurants means you're not repeating the same buffet every night — the Italian and Surf and Turf options get specifically praised, and the ceviche bar fits Puerto Vallarta's coastal identity. Service in the restaurants is the most consistent bright spot across traveler reviews. The pool complex is well-maintained and lively. The rooms are where things get complicated: the property hasn't renovated evenly, and older blocks are noticeably basic. Requesting a room in a recently refurbished section at check-in is worth pushing for. The beach itself is a secondary consideration here — Puerto Vallarta's Pacific-facing beaches are rocky-entry and rougher than Caribbean alternatives, so pool-focused travelers will be happier than beach-focused ones.
Canto del Sol makes the most sense for travelers who want to stay active — tennis players especially, but also anyone who wants structured resort programming rather than just lounging. The Puerto Vallarta location is a genuine bonus: downtown with its myriad restaurants, bars, art galleries, and the Malecon boardwalk is 10 minutes away. Day trips to the Marietas Islands (blue-footed boobies, snorkeling), the pueblo mágico of San Sebastián, whale watching tours (December through March), and jungle zip-lining are all accessible. Price-wise, it sits below the Westin or Dreams resorts in Puerto Vallarta while offering a more activity-rich experience.
Pros
- +Championship tennis complex with 4 outdoor clay courts and 4 covered indoor courts — one of the best resort tennis setups in Mexico, included in the all-inclusive package
- +Seven restaurants covering Surf and Turf, Italian, Japanese, Ceviche bar, Mexican, and buffet — more dining variety than most resorts at this price tier
- +Three free-form pools with a lively social atmosphere — pool area is consistently rated as well-maintained and energetic without being chaotic
- +Dance lessons, water polo, tequila volleyball, windsurfing, and nightly entertainment shows are all included, making it genuinely activity-dense
- +Colonial-style architecture with tropical landscaping that gives the property a more characterful feel than generic box-resort designs
- +10-minute drive to downtown Puerto Vallarta's Malecon, El Centro, and the vibrant restaurant and bar scene on Basilio Badillo street
- +Helpful, personable staff across dining and activities — service quality at the restaurants in particular earns consistent praise
- +Onsite spa and wellness center provides a relaxation option beyond the pool, and the spa treatments are reasonably priced by resort standards
Cons
- −Beach is small with a rocky entry into rough Pacific surf — not a swimming beach in the traditional sense, making the pools the de facto beach substitute
- −Older room blocks are noticeably dated with basic furnishings, thin mattresses, and limited decoration that feel behind the price point
- −Room quality varies dramatically depending on which building you're assigned — the resort hasn't renovated consistently, so luck plays a role
- −Pacific-facing Puerto Vallarta beach is rougher and less calm than Caribbean beaches — a meaningful disappointment if you're expecting turquoise, flat water
- −Some travelers report food quality control issues — improperly prepared proteins and a few cases of food-related illness appear in reviews
- −Gym is small and equipment-limited — weight selection and cardio machines don't match what fitness-focused travelers expect
- −Timeshare and vacation club sales approaches are persistent — check-in sometimes involves a sales pitch, and 'invitation breakfasts' are a known upsell tactic
- −Wi-Fi reliability in rooms is inconsistent, particularly in the older sections of the property farther from the main building