Decameron Isla Coral
Decameron Isla Coral makes complete sense once you understand what it is trying to be. It is not competing with the mega-resorts of Puerto Vallarta or Nuevo Vallarta. It offers a quieter, more local stay in a small Nayarit fishing town on a genuinely beautiful, calm bay, with Isla Coral's white sand and reefs sitting about 2 km offshore. Rincón de Guayabitos is where Mexican families have vacationed for generations, and the water is calm and swimmable in a way that is rare on Mexico's Pacific coast. The hotel itself has a modern, functional design, and the town outside is walkable and unhurried.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Rincón de Guayabitos sits on one of Riviera Nayarit's calmest bays, sheltered and swimmable in a way most Pacific Mexico beaches simply are not
- +Decameron's interhotel system lets you use the bars, shows and restaurants at the other two Decameron hotels in town, La Marina and Los Cocos, which roughly triples your dining options
- +A supervised kids' zone and a synthetic soccer field were added across all three Guayabitos Decameron hotels in June 2024, alongside a game centre open 9am to 6pm
- +Isla Coral itself, a white-sand islet with coral reefs about 2 km offshore, is right in view, and humpback whales pass through the bay from December to March
- +About 62 km from Puerto Vallarta airport, roughly an hour's drive, so the transfer is practical rather than an expedition
- +Usually well below what comparable Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta all-inclusives charge, which is the whole point for budget-minded families
- +Walkable to the town of Guayabitos, with its beachfront seafood restaurants, markets and a malecón for evening strolls
Cons
- −Food is basic rather than inspired: one buffet (Costa Canua) for all three meals plus a single Italian à la carte room (Idolo Moro), so variety runs thin over a week
- −Some traveler forums report the main buffet being closed during low-occupancy stretches, with meals moved to a smaller venue; worth asking about if you travel off-season
- −Just one pool, shared by adults and kids, which gets crowded at Mexican holiday peaks
- −Entertainment is modest by big-resort standards; travelers who expect a full Cancún-style activity program are often underwhelmed
- −Getting to the sister hotels for the interhotel privilege may mean a walk or a taxi; some travelers report no inter-hotel shuttle, so confirm on arrival
- −Western breakfast staples some international guests expect (toasters, bacon, condiment variety) can be hit and miss
- −Marketing photos set expectations of a polished resort; guests who compare it to the Riviera Maya chains tend to come away disappointed
The all-inclusive product is where the limits show. There is one pool for everyone, one buffet (Costa Canua) and one à la carte restaurant (Idolo Moro, Italian), plus three bars: the Pool Bar, the beachfront Playa Fragata and a Lobby Lounge open late. Daytime activity runs to poolside yoga and zumba and a game centre, with nightly shows and a disco after dark. Since June 2024 there is also a supervised kids' zone and a synthetic soccer field across the three Decameron hotels in town. The interhotel system lets you use the bars, shows and restaurants at La Marina and Los Cocos too, which is the real fix for food fatigue, though getting there may be on foot or by taxi.
Isla Coral is the right pick for families and couples who want a low-key, affordable Pacific Mexico beach week in an authentic coastal town, and who find big resorts impersonal. Compare it to an average mid-range Riviera Maya all-inclusive and you will be disappointed; compare it to a local beachside hotel with meals included and you will likely be charmed. Whale watching from December to March, boat trips to Isla Coral, and day trips to Sayulita and San Pancho fill the days the resort does not.
Common Questions
Is the water at Guayabitos actually calm enough to swim in?
How far is it from Puerto Vallarta, and what is there to do nearby?
How does the Decameron interhotel privilege work?
Is it good for kids?
What is the food situation really like?
Is Decameron Isla Coral better than staying in Puerto Vallarta?
Restaurants (2)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | Restaurante Costa Canua |
| International & fusion | Restaurante Ídolo Moro |
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
Sayulita Beach30 min drive · 19 mi
San Pancho Beach25 min drive · 16 mi
3 min walk · 0.1 mi
La Cruz de Huanacaxtle35 min drive · 26 mi
35 min drive · 26 mi
Bucerías40 min drive · 27 mi
More things to do (24)
- Playa Las Cuevas · beach40 min drive · 14 mi
- Playa de los Muertos (Sayulita) · beach35 min drive · 20 mi
- Playa Monterrey · beach30 min drive · 13 mi
- San Francisco (San Pancho) · town25 min drive · 16 mi
- Splash Water Park · water park50 min drive · 34 mi
- Guayabitos Beach · beach3 min walk · 0.1 mi
- Destiladeras Beach · beach40 min drive · 29 mi
- Playa Litibú · beach45 min drive · 26 mi
- La Peñita de Jaltemba · town6 min drive · 2.0 mi
- Playa del Beso · beach6 min drive · 1.5 mi
- Playa Los Ayala · beach8 min drive · 2.0 mi
- Playa Frideras · beach10 min drive · 2.3 mi
- Piedra Bola · ruins11 min drive · 3.5 mi
- Lo de Marcos Beach · beach15 min drive · 9.1 mi
- Altavista Petroglyphs · ruins20 min drive · 10 mi
- Playa Canalán · beach20 min drive · 6.1 mi
- Playa Los Venados · beach20 min drive · 10 mi
- Las Huertas Golf Club · golf25 min drive · 16 mi
- Playa del Toro · beach25 min drive · 7.8 mi
- Mirador Los Ayala · viewpoint25 min drive · 7.8 mi
- Playa Punta Raza · beach25 min drive · 7.6 mi
- Boca del Naranjo · beach30 min drive · 12 mi
- Playa Malpaso · beach30 min drive · 17 mi
- Playa Patzcuarito · beach35 min drive · 20 mi
Amenities
Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Google Reviews★ 4.6 · 4,324 reviews
“I had an amazing stay at this hotel! Everything was spotless — the hotel was constantly being cleaned, and the staff worked so hard to keep every corner shining. From the very first door to the ocean beach, everything felt welcoming, friendly, and al...”
