Dreams Vallarta Bay Resort & Spa
Dreams Vallarta Bay delivers the standard Dreams brand promise - Unlimited-Luxury format, family-friendly programming and Hyatt loyalty integration - from a genuinely convenient Puerto Vallarta address. It is the former Now Amber Puerto Vallarta, now in the Dreams family, and it sits on Playa Las Glorias in the city's Zona Hotelera, next to the adults-only Secrets Vallarta Bay - about five minutes from downtown, a 20-minute walk from the Malecon and 15 minutes from the airport. That's a meaningful advantage over resorts out in the Nuevo Vallarta corridor: you get the all-inclusive beach routine with the Malecon, the Zona Romantica and the old town restaurant scene within easy reach for an evening out.
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Most dining is walk-in under the Unlimited-Luxury format: the Carnival buffet, Castaways seafood, Tamarindo (Mexican), Capers (Italian), the poolside Barefoot Grill and a 24-hour Coco Cafe, with Himitsu (Asian) the one venue that needs a booking
- +Located in Puerto Vallarta proper on Playa Las Glorias in the Zona Hotelera - about 5 minutes from downtown and roughly a 20-minute walk from the Malecon, so the city's restaurants and culture are genuinely close
- +Swim-out junior suites open straight onto a private pool, and the Manatees swim-up bar covers the main pool, so you can spend the day in the water without leaving the deck
- +Kids programming is detailed rather than token: the Explorers Club (ages 3-12, 9:00 to 22:00) runs science and nature themes, sandcastle contests, movies under the stars and a weekly beach campout that frees parents for an evening, and the Core Zone covers ages 13-17
- +Sip, Savor and See lets guests book dinner and drinks at nearby participating Hyatt Inclusive Collection resorts between 6 pm and 1 am through the concierge, a real break from eating at one property all week
- +Preferred Club suites come with their own bar (8:00 to 23:00) and premium brands, and the outdoor Showtime theater pairs nightly shows with drinks
- +Round-trip airport transfers are included, and the airport is only about 15 minutes away, so arrival day is short
Cons
- −Pacific side beach has rougher surf than Caribbean alternatives - ocean swimming requires flag-checking and conditions vary, which adjusts the experience for guests expecting calm Caribbean water
- −The Zona Hotelera Las Glorias setting is urban - you're on a city beachfront with neighboring high-rises rather than in a secluded, sprawling resort enclave
- −Food quality gets mixed traveler reviews - Unlimited-Luxury is convenient but the cuisine execution doesn't consistently match the format's promise
- −Watersports are not part of the package here: tour operators list jet skis and both motorized and non-motorized watersports at extra cost, which surprises guests used to free kayaks at Caribbean all-inclusives
- −Capers, the Italian restaurant, is listed as adults-only except on Tuesdays, so families with kids get one night a week there
- −24-hour room service has been cut back to 7:00 to 23:00 until further notice, per a tour-operator alert, so late-night snacks mean a walk to the 24-hour Coco Cafe
- −Compared to Dreams Playa Mujeres in Cancun, which travelers consistently rate higher, Vallarta Bay can feel like the lesser sibling at a similar price
Dining runs through a buffet (Carnival), Castaways for seafood, Tamarindo for Mexican, Himitsu for pan-Asian and teppanyaki (the one that needs a reservation), Capers for Italian (adults only except Tuesdays), the poolside Barefoot Grill and a 24-hour Coco Cafe, plus a paid Chef's Table. Food gets middling marks: convenient rather than memorable. The Pacific beach is the key adjustment for first-time visitors, since it is not calm Caribbean water and swimming depends on the flags, so the main pool, the kids pool and the swim-out suites do a lot of the work. Watersports carry a surcharge here, and room service has been limited to 7:00 to 23:00 until further notice.
Dreams Vallarta Bay is right for families wanting a polished all-inclusive within minutes of downtown Puerto Vallarta with strong kids and teen clubs, Hyatt loyalists who want World of Hyatt benefits on the Pacific coast, and couples who are happy at a family resort. Travelers with destination flexibility should compare it with Dreams Playa Mujeres in Cancun, which consistently gets higher traveler marks at similar prices but can't match Vallarta Bay's walkable access to a real Mexican city. Marina Vallarta's 18-hole golf course and the Banderas Bay whale-watching season (roughly December to March) are easy add-ons.
Common Questions
Is the beach at Dreams Vallarta Bay good for swimming?
How does Dreams Vallarta Bay compare to Dreams Playa Mujeres in Cancun?
Do you need to make restaurant reservations at Dreams Vallarta Bay?
Is there an adults-only area for couples?
How close is Dreams Vallarta Bay to downtown Puerto Vallarta?
What's nearby
Zona Romántica6 min drive · 2.5 mi
Los Muertos Beach7 min drive · 3.0 mi
6 min drive · 2.9 mi
Marina Vallarta6 min drive · 3.0 mi
Conchas Chinas Beach9 min drive · 3.8 mi
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church5 min drive · 2.2 mi
More things to do (24)
- Whale watching (December to March) · excursion6 min drive · 3.0 mi
- Sunset sail from Marina Vallarta · excursion6 min drive · 3.0 mi
- Las Caletas beach day trip · excursion6 min drive · 3.0 mi
- Splash Water Park · water park14 min drive · 8.1 mi
- Camarones Beach · beach4 min drive · 1.3 mi
- Playa Palmares · beach13 min drive · 6.4 mi
- Mismaloya Beach · beach20 min drive · 9.9 mi
- Boca de Tomatlán · town25 min drive · 13 mi
- Puerto Vallarta Malecón · town4 min drive · 1.9 mi
- Playa Las Glorias · beach5 min walk · 0.2 mi
- Playa Los Tules · beach11 min walk · 0.6 mi
- Playa de Oro · beach4 min drive · 1.6 mi
- Museo Histórico Naval · museum5 min drive · 2.1 mi
- Mirador La Cruz · viewpoint6 min drive · 2.1 mi
- Faro de Matamoros · viewpoint6 min drive · 2.4 mi
- Evening show and dinner at Las Caletas · excursion6 min drive · 3.0 mi
- Sport fishing charter · excursion6 min drive · 3.0 mi
- Isla Río Cuale · nature6 min drive · 2.5 mi
- Olas Altas Beach · beach6 min drive · 2.5 mi
- Estero El Salado · nature6 min drive · 2.7 mi
- Los Arcos snorkel trip · excursion6 min drive · 2.9 mi
- Amapas Beach · beach8 min drive · 3.7 mi
- Marina Vallarta Golf Club · golf9 min drive · 4.3 mi
- Jardín Mágico Butterfly Garden · wildlife14 min drive · 5.5 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Google Reviews★ 4.5 · 5,364 reviews
“Our stay at Dreams & Secrets Vallarta Bay in Puerto Vallarta was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we arrived, we were impressed by the breathtaking ocean views from every room and the beautifully maintained property. The dining experien...”
“We had the most wonderful time, central to so much of our favorite places in PV. The views and beach are gorgeous, food options are all fantastic. Best of the best was the Mexican restaurant Tamarindo! The corn cake dessert was delicious, and our ser...”
“We are staying in Secrets (adults only all inclusive) resort as the twin tower of Dreams (family friendly) resort within the same complex at Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta for 7 nights and we can use facilities both resorts, enjoy the performances of b...”
