Villa del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa Riviera Nayarit
Villa del Palmar Flamingos is a condo-style Villa Group resort on the beach in Nuevo Vallarta, on the Banderas Bay side of Riviera Nayarit. It draws travelers who value space and a calmer pace: the suites run from junior suites to three-bedroom units with living rooms and balconies, and the larger ones have full kitchens, so a stay feels more like a home than a hotel room. A big freeform pool anchors the property, the beach is generally swimmable, and repeat guests talk about the staff by name. It is a vacation-club resort, so timeshare invitations come with the territory, but the resort states attendance is never required unless it was part of a package you booked.
Things to Know
- Timeshare Property
Traveler Insights
Pros
- +Big freeform pool running from the lobby toward the beach, one of the most talked-about pool setups in Nuevo Vallarta for families and loungers alike
- +Condo-style suites (junior, one-, two- and three-bedroom) with living areas and large balconies; the bigger suites have full kitchens, which makes week-long stays genuinely comfortable
- +Much more dining than its reputation suggests: El Patron, Tomatillos, La Trattoria, Yashinoki, the Pizza Bar, Taco Bar Original, La Creperie and Palmita Market & Deli, with the five-kitchen Gourmet Hall scheduled to open in October 2026
- +A real daily program: beach yoga, aqua fitness, Zumba, Spanish and Mexican dance classes, cooking classes, plus Havana Nights on the beach, DJ night at the Sports Bar and a Sunday outdoor movie
- +Kids' club with eco crafts, kite making and flying on the beach, treasure hunts, pinatas and pizza-making classes, so parents get genuine downtime
- +Tatewari Spa on site with sauna, steam, jacuzzi and cold pool, which guests praise for value relative to bigger brand spas
- +Staff warmth and long-serving pool and bell staff come up again and again, and many guests are repeat visitors who call it coming home
Cons
- −Without the all-inclusive plan, food and drinks on site are pricey, even at the casual taco bar, and room-only guests report sticker shock
- −It is a Villa Group vacation-club resort, so expect timeshare invitations; the resort's own FAQ says a presentation is never required unless your package specifically included one
- −Airport transfers are not free (the resort charges a fee for arranged transfers), though some booking promotions add a free transfer
- −Puerto Vallarta's Old Town and Malecon are a 35 to 45 minute drive away, so frequent trips into town add up in taxi fares and time
- −Some older room interiors feel dated next to newer Riviera Nayarit builds, even as the resort adds new dining
- −Owner-members can make peak weeks feel busy, and the best pool loungers go early
- −Banderas Bay is usually calm, but shore break picks up in higher surf, so keep a close eye on small children at the waterline
Dining is broader than older reviews suggest. The resort lists El Patron (contemporary Mexican over the bay), Tomatillos (farm to table), La Trattoria on the beach, Yashinoki sushi, a wood-fired Pizza Bar, Taco Bar Original, La Creperie and Palmita Market & Deli, plus Bar Marietas and the Piano Lobby Bar. The new Gourmet Hall, announced in September 2026 and scheduled to open in October 2026, adds five kitchens under one roof: RAICES (Mexican), ASIAN WOK, BOTTEGA (Italian), FUEGO (grill) and MAREA (seafood). The activity program is full too, from beach yoga, aqua fitness and Spanish classes to Havana Nights and Sunday movies, and the kids' club keeps children busy. Room-only guests find on-site prices high, so most travelers recommend the optional all-inclusive plan.
This resort suits families, multigenerational groups and couples who want room to spread out and a good pool over nonstop nightlife. It sits below Grand Velas and Punta Mita's luxury resorts on price and competes more with the other big Nuevo Vallarta all-inclusives. The resort puts Puerto Vallarta's airport about 20 minutes away, and Old Town is a longer drive south. Whale watching (roughly December to March), the Marietas Islands, and half-day trips to Sayulita or San Pancho are all easy to arrange from the tour desk.
Common Questions
Is Villa del Palmar Flamingos an all-inclusive resort, and is the plan worth it?
Do I have to sit through a timeshare presentation?
Is the beach swimmable and good for families with kids?
What is the new Gourmet Hall?
How far is the resort from the airport and Puerto Vallarta?
Restaurants (5)
| Type | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Buffet | Breakfast Buffet at the Gourmet Hall |
| Mexican | El Patron, Taco Bar Original |
| Italian | La Trattoria |
| Japanese & sushi | Yashinoki Japanese Restaurant |
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
Zona Romántica30 min drive · 16 mi
Los Muertos Beach30 min drive · 16 mi
30 min drive · 16 mi
Marina Vallarta20 min drive · 10 mi
Conchas Chinas Beach30 min drive · 17 mi
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church30 min drive · 15 mi
More things to do (24)
- Whale watching (December to March) · excursion20 min drive · 10 mi
- Sunset sail from Marina Vallarta · excursion20 min drive · 10 mi
- Splash Water Park · water park11 min drive · 5.7 mi
- Las Caletas beach day trip · excursion20 min drive · 10 mi
- Destiladeras Beach · beach20 min drive · 9.3 mi
- Camarones Beach · beach25 min drive · 14 mi
- Playa Litibú · beach35 min drive · 17 mi
- Puerto Vallarta Malecón · town30 min drive · 15 mi
- Bucerías · town7 min drive · 1.9 mi
- Flamingos Golf Club · golf7 min drive · 2.4 mi
- Paradise Village Marina · marina9 min drive · 4.0 mi
- Aquaventuras Park · water park13 min drive · 6.3 mi
- La Cruz de Huanacaxtle · town14 min drive · 5.8 mi
- La Manzanilla Beach (La Cruz) · beach20 min drive · 6.5 mi
- Marina Riviera Nayarit (La Cruz) · marina20 min drive · 6.3 mi
- Islas Marietas and Hidden Beach boat trip · excursion20 min drive · 6.3 mi
- Evening show and dinner at Las Caletas · excursion20 min drive · 10 mi
- Sport fishing charter · excursion20 min drive · 10 mi
- Playa de Oro · beach25 min drive · 12 mi
- Estero El Salado · nature25 min drive · 12 mi
- Boca de Tomates Beach · beach25 min drive · 9.3 mi
- Vidanta Greg Norman Golf Course · golf25 min drive · 9.2 mi
- Marina Vallarta Golf Club · golf25 min drive · 11 mi
- Playa Los Tules · beach25 min drive · 13 mi
Amenities
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Style & Rooms
Atmosphere
Room upgrades
Google Reviews★ 4.4 · 3,848 reviews
“We stayed at this resort over 20 years ago, and unfortunately it’s in need of a refresh. From the moment you walk in, it feels less clean and polished compared to other resorts. The service overall is outstanding, but the restaurant experience was c...”
“Don’t listen to these negative reviews I just got back from home to Canada from here and the service was great. Clean tidy rooms, always restocked our fridges and room service was quick! Only down fall is that the Mexican buffet was really slow at 6p...”
“They work so hard. I know they there are a lot of sales pitches, but where in Mexico aren't they trying to sell you something? Be smart, and you'll be fine. A lot of the staff is bilingual, and many of them learned English just for the job, which I f...”
