Royal Decameron
Family-friendly resort in San Jose del Cabo.
Amenities
Traveler Insights(210 discussions)
The Royal Decameron Complex in Bucerías is the classic Pacific Mexico mega-resort: sprawling across 7 acres with 620 rooms divided among three sub-hotels, five pools, seven restaurants, and a stretch of Banderas Bay beach that delivers those dramatic Pacific sunsets nightly. It's been operating for over two decades and carries the bones of a well-established resort — the entertainment programming is tight, the grounds are maintained, and the general flow of a week at Decameron has been refined over years of high guest volume. For travelers who've done Cancun's budget all-inclusives and want to experience Riviera Nayarit at an accessible price, it consistently delivers on the core promise.
The food situation here is genuinely two-tiered. The main buffet gets the expected complaints — temperature inconsistency, limited authentic Mexican options, predictable daily rotations. But the à la carte restaurants (especially JAP JAP and Mexicano Fusion) generate real enthusiasm from guests who secure reservations. The catch: those reservations go fast, and the 7:30 AM queue at the desk is not an exaggeration. Pool service and beach staff draw consistently positive feedback for friendliness, and the entertainment team runs a full schedule from water aerobics to nightly themed shows. Rooms are the weakest link — colonial styling that's feeling its age in many units, with quality varying noticeably between the three sub-hotel buildings.
Decameron Bucerías works best for value-oriented families, groups of friends, and couples who want a full-service all-inclusive experience in a genuinely beautiful corner of Mexico at a price that leaves room for excursions. Its biggest unsung advantage is location: Bucerías village is one of the most beloved local towns in the Vallarta region, with hole-in-the-wall taco spots, fish markets, and artisan shops that give a real cultural counterpoint to the all-inclusive bubble. Puerto Vallarta's Zona Romántica is 25 minutes away, Sayulita is 45 minutes north, and whale watching tours operate from nearby marinas December through March.
Pros
- +620 rooms spread across three sub-hotels (Flamingos, Tropical, Royal) creates a mega-resort scale that delivers variety without any single area feeling overwhelmed
- +Five massive pools including four family-friendly options — the pool complex was rated in the top 10 pools in Nayarit and is a genuine resort highlight
- +Seven restaurants including JAP JAP Pan-Asian, a Mexicano Fusion à la carte, Piccolo Italian, and a steakhouse give the property dining depth unusual at this price tier
- +Long stretch of beach on Banderas Bay directly fronts the property with consistent waves and Pacific sunsets that consistently wow first-time visitors
- +20 minutes from Puerto Vallarta International Airport — one of the most convenient resort-to-airport times in the region, making arrival and departure stress-free
- +Nightly entertainment shows, a dedicated disco, three tennis courts, soccer pitch, and kids' club give the property activity density that justifies a 7-10 day stay without boredom
- +Value-per-night is among the best in the Riviera Nayarit corridor — regularly undercuts nearby Barcelo, Marival, and Hard Rock resorts by a meaningful margin
- +Bucerías beach town location gives guests easy access to one of the most authentic and beloved local villages in the Puerto Vallarta region — excellent tacos, local markets, and artisan shops within walking distance
Cons
- −Dining reservations at the four à la carte restaurants are highly competitive — travelers report needing to queue at the reservations desk as early as 7:30-8:00 AM to secure a table for the same evening
- −Rooms are described consistently as plain and dated — colonial design with locally inspired colors has not aged well in many units, and the furniture feels budget-grade relative to the three-star tier
- −As a 620-room mega-resort, it can feel impersonal and crowded during peak seasons and Mexican holiday periods — this is not a boutique experience
- −Beach chairs from some sections involve a significant walk across the sprawling 7-acre property — guests assigned to the Flamingos section can find the beach access longer than expected
- −Pacific surf at Banderas Bay is stronger than Caribbean all-inclusive beaches — the waves create an energetic beach atmosphere but swimming conditions are more demanding for young children
- −Evening shows and the Vallarta disco generate noise that carries into rooms closer to the entertainment building — requesting quiet placement at check-in is strongly recommended
- −Rooms across the three sub-hotel sections vary in age and quality — Flamingos building is generally considered the most dated, Royal the most recently updated, and randomized room assignments can mean significant variation in experience
- −Buffet quality receives the same criticism found at most budget-tier all-inclusives: inconsistent food temperatures, repetitive daily offerings, and authenticity that doesn't match the excellent independent Mexican dining 5 minutes away in Bucerías
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Google Rating
Google Reviews
“I loved this resort. I wanted to sneak away for a solo trip during the holiday and my birthday. It was the perfect spot. The staff were amazing. It was not too crowded, and my ocean view room was just what I needed to unwind. There were two restaura...”
“We stayed here for a week, even though it doesn’t look exactly as the pictures we still had an amazing time. The staff was FANTASTIC! A special shoutout to waiters: Francisco and Elias; Bartenders: Alexis and Jesus and the entertainment team: Moises...”