Occidental Nuevo Vallarta - All Inclusive
Family-friendly resort in Nuevo Nayarit. Mid-Range, Centrally Located.
Atmosphere
Amenities
Traveler Insights(12 discussions)
Occidental Nuevo Vallarta is a mid-range all-inclusive in the Riviera Nayarit that earns its best reviews from guests who upgrade to the Luxury floors. The sixth and seventh floor rooms unlock a private, much quieter pool that feels almost adults-only compared to the main pool scene below, plus dedicated daybeds on the ocean that Luxury guests have to themselves. For a family resort that otherwise doesn't segregate adults, this tiered system is a genuine feature. travelers recommends it specifically for families who want one adult member to have a quieter retreat while the kids use the main pool.
The practical experience tracks well with other mid-range Pacific Mexico properties: beach is good and swimmable, food is serviceable without being memorable, rooms are decent-sized with ocean views. The junior suite category in particular gets mentioned as solid value. What Occidental Nuevo Vallarta doesn't do is compete with the premium end of the Puerto Vallarta market - Garza Blanca, Velas Vallarta, and the Secrets brand are all in a different league for food, service, and resort experience. But they're also meaningfully more expensive.
The location in Nuevo Vallarta works well as a base if you want to combine resort time with PV's extraordinary food scene and Malecon. The taxi into old town is straightforward and worth it for at least one evening. The resort's proximity to a local tequila distillery (walkable) is a fun afternoon activity. This resort is best for families with mixed needs - parents who want moments of calm while kids splash around - and budget-conscious couples who want Pacific Mexico without paying Garza Blanca rates.
Pros
- +Luxury floor upgrade (6th and 7th floor) provides access to a private, adults-only-feel quiet pool and exclusive daybeds on the ocean - a significantly calmer experience within a family resort
- +Riviera Nayarit location means Pacific Ocean swimming without the sargassum seaweed problem that plagues the Gulf and Caribbean sides of Mexico
- +Junior suites are spacious and well-priced relative to Puerto Vallarta luxury options - a travel advisor noted paying $1,400 for 7 days for a junior suite
- +Full all-inclusive program confirmed to include buffet, a la carte restaurants, and drinks without extra charges despite confusing Expedia listings
- +New Vallarta's beach is swimmable and family-friendly with calmer Pacific conditions than Cabo beaches, making it safer for children and weaker swimmers
- +Close proximity to Nuevo Vallarta's strip of resorts means easy access to neighboring properties and beach club options
- +Puerto Vallarta airport access is easy - the Nuevo Vallarta area is about 30 minutes from PVR and several airlines offer direct US flights
- +The area's local tequila distillery and zoo are walkable from the resort, giving active guests easy off-property activities
Cons
- −Some reviews express concern about quality inconsistency - enough negative feedback that Travelers considering booking specifically asked others to verify current conditions before committing
- −Food and dining quality is described as adequate but not impressive - the AI food experience here does not compete with better-reviewed Puerto Vallarta options like Garza Blanca or Velas
- −Distance from Puerto Vallarta's old town (Zona Romántica, Malecon) is significant - you cannot walk to the famous boardwalk area, requiring a taxi or Uber for city exploration
- −Main pool area can get crowded and loud, which is why the Luxury floor pool upgrade matters so much - the standard pool experience is typical busy all-inclusive chaos
- −Compared to some Mexico Pacific coast options, the resort lacks the jungle-meets-ocean scenic drama of properties deeper in Banderas Bay
- −The Luxury level rooms come at a premium - the free private pool and daybeds that make the resort special are only available to higher-category guests
- −Limited resort size means fewer restaurant choices and entertainment options than larger Puerto Vallarta competitors
- −Marijuana-related questions in travel forums suggest enforcement inconsistency and policy uncertainty that could create guest confusion
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“My extended family of 16 had a fantastic stay at the Occidental. For the money we paid, we feel we got excellent value. We paid a little more for the balcony rooms and that was definitely worth it. The beach is beautiful and we spent a lot of time...”
“Incredible place and staff was wonderful! Many props to the HR department for hiring such kind and caring people in every department from the buffet to room service. The superstars of the resort were the photographer, who went out of his way, literal...”
“Overall very good experience. The people at the hotel are so welcoming, nice, very helpful and kind. We had massages and facials and cannot recommend this enough. It is very loud around the rooms. There is no rule about people yelling in the hallways...”