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Choosing between Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort and Hotel Riu Vallarta? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which resort best fits your next all-inclusive getaway.
Best for families, couples, singles, and friends who want a budget-friendly all-inclusive in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone with a simple, activity-focused resort feel.
Better for travelers who want a larger beachfront all-inclusive in the Riviera Nayarit area with a more classic resort-style setting and broader vacation-resort feel.
If you want an affordable Puerto Vallarta base with family facilities, a Kids Club, two pools, daily activities, and access to a small Las Glorias Beach Club across the street, Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort is the more practical pick.
If your priority is a bigger beachfront resort atmosphere with the recognizable Riu all-inclusive style, Hotel Riu Vallarta is likely the stronger choice.
Bottom line: choose Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort for a simpler, budget-conscious Puerto Vallarta stay close to the city; choose Hotel Riu Vallarta for a larger beachfront resort experience.
| Category | Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort | Hotel Riu Vallarta |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Vibe | Basic, all-ages all-inclusive for families, couples, singles, and friends who want value, activities, and a straightforward Puerto Vallarta stay. | Larger beachfront all-inclusive with a more traditional resort feel, best for travelers who want to stay put and enjoy the property. |
| Location | In Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone at Las Glorias, with the Beach Club across the street from the main hotel and city attractions a short drive away. | In the Nuevo Vallarta/Riviera Nayarit area, better suited to travelers who prefer a resort-zone beach setting over a city-hotel base. |
| Rooms & Suites | Simple rooms geared toward value-minded travelers; published occupancy notes indicate rooms can accommodate up to 4 guests within set adult/child limits. | Better for guests who want a more resort-style room experience at a larger beachfront all-inclusive. |
| Dining | Buffet and à la carte dining with Mexican, international, Italian, sushi, snacks, pizza, coffee, pool bars, and a sports/karaoke bar. | A broader all-inclusive dining feel, better for travelers who prefer the scale and variety of a larger resort brand. |
| Pools & Beach | Two pools plus an all-inclusive Beach Club across the street with an oceanfront pool, swim-up bar, snack bar, pizzeria, and small beach area. | Beachfront resort setting with a more self-contained pool-and-beach vacation atmosphere. |
| Kids & Family | Children of all ages are welcome, with a Kids Club for ages 4–12, daily activities, and family-friendly dining. | Family-friendly all-inclusive atmosphere, better for travelers who want a larger beach resort setting for a family trip. |
| Price & Value | Best value for travelers who want a budget-friendly Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive with kids’ facilities and city access. | Best value for travelers who prioritize a larger beachfront resort experience over a more central Puerto Vallarta location. |
Rooms at Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort are best viewed through a value lens: practical, simple, and suited to travelers who plan to spend most of their trip around the pools, Beach Club, and Puerto Vallarta.
Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort is the better pick if you want a practical, lower-frills stay with family facilities and easy access to Puerto Vallarta.
Hotel Riu Vallarta is the better fit if you want the feel of a larger beachfront all-inclusive, with a more classic resort setup and more time spent on-property.
If the room and resort setting matter more than being in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone, Hotel Riu Vallarta has the edge.
Dining at Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort covers the essentials well for a value all-inclusive, with a mix of buffet, à la carte, snack, pizza, coffee, pool bar, and evening bar options.
Expect:
Hotel Riu Vallarta is the stronger choice if you want the dining rhythm of a larger all-inclusive resort, with more of a stay-on-site vacation feel.
If you want specific Puerto Vallarta dining access and casual variety, Plaza Pelicanos works well; if you want a larger resort dining environment, Hotel Riu Vallarta is the better fit.
Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort has two swimming pools and an all-inclusive Beach Club across the street from the main hotel on a small stretch of Las Glorias Beach.
Hotel Riu Vallarta is the better option for travelers who want a more direct beachfront resort atmosphere and a vacation centered around the pool-and-beach scene.
If you want the convenience of a larger beachfront resort, Hotel Riu Vallarta wins; if you want Puerto Vallarta location and a separate Beach Club setup, Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort is the value pick.
Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort is an all-ages property with children’s facilities and a family-friendly all-inclusive setup, making it a practical choice for parents watching budget.
Hotel Riu Vallarta is also better suited to families who want the simplicity of a larger beachfront all-inclusive where most of the vacation happens on-site.
If you want a lower-cost family base in Puerto Vallarta, Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort is compelling; if you want a bigger beachfront resort environment, Hotel Riu Vallarta is the easier fit.
Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort offers the most value when you want an affordable, all-ages all-inclusive with family facilities, multiple casual dining options, and access to Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone.
Hotel Riu Vallarta is the better value if your priorities are a larger beachfront setting, a more self-contained resort stay, and the comfort of a bigger all-inclusive environment.
Choose Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort if you want a budget-friendly, all-ages all-inclusive in Puerto Vallarta with kids’ facilities, casual dining, two pools, and Beach Club access.
Hotel Riu Vallarta is the better pick for travelers who want a larger beachfront resort atmosphere and a more self-contained all-inclusive vacation.
For families, couples, singles, or friends who want value and a Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone base, Plaza Pelicanos Club Beach Resort makes the most sense.
If you want a bigger resort feel, a beachfront setting, and less need to leave the property, Hotel Riu Vallarta is the stronger choice.
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