donnasand

Family with three small children, seeking sandy beach, pool, and clean property. We do not need nightlife or fancy food. We loved the Iberostar in Cancun, but would like to visit Puerto Vallarta. In advance, thank you for any advice!

Little_Man

Hi,
don't expect the beaches to compare to Cancun. I believe, after some research, that the Camino Real has the nicest beach, but it is not an All Inclusive. We visited La Jolla de Mismaloya while there, and it looks like a nice property,with big pools and it does offer all inclusive, but it has a small beach, as do the marina hotels. Hope others can help more with good all inclusives.

butsey

I am going in November to Occidental Nuevo Puerto Vallarta, having been to P. Vallarta 15x we have never tried all inclusive. This time we are going to try it. My friends had been there many years ago so they wanted to try it again. I have gone on many sites and am still asking questions about so far 98% are very favorable. try trip advisor they have many reviews go to P. Vallarta and then to all inclusives. While you are looking inquire about the Occidental it has a lot of info. I know my friends tried the Melia and they didn't like it. I hear that the Occidental is very child friendly. Hope this helps. If anyone elso has any more info on Occidental please post it here.

suze

You might also post on:
www.puertovallarta.net

Go to their bulletin board (bright blue letters on the menu on the left of the homepage). This BB has lots of people, most who stay at the resorts of PV.

Seems like a resort out in Nuevo Vallarta might be what you are looking for (1/2 hour from downtown, but nicer beaches).

Like Butsey, I've been to PV 15 times now (!) but I stay in smaller (cheaper) places, so can't help with the resort scene. But will say how much I LOVE Puerto Vallarta ~ Bienvenidos!!

suze

www.vallartaonline.com
www.vallarta-info.com

are both good resources for PV info.

beachgirl

I loved Majahuitas in PV. It is an all inclusive with, in my opinion, a far better beach than the Camino Real. I don't know how it compares to Cancun's Iberostar. It may be more rustic than what you are looking for - open air casitas and it is surrounded by a jungle so it feels like you are on your own private island. It is the ultimate in pampering/indulgence. We were the only couple there on the first night and were waited on by a full staff! I highly, highly recommend it. The service is impeccable. There is really no nightlife, unless you count a couple of Mexican guitar players that come over on a boat every once in a while and sing traditional songs. The resort is only accessible by boat. There are pictures at differentworld.com

Madisonmissy

donna~We have traveled to PV the last 7 yrs. and have always stayed AI. One year we stayed @ the Melia, and it would be exactly what you are looking for. It wasn't to our liking, because we are a single couple, but we kept saying how wonderful it would be for a family w/ children. If you have specific questions, you can e-mail me. Missy

donnasand

Thank you for all of the suggestions. I'm not sure how to email you, Missy, but I am interested in specific info on the beach - how far away, how small/large, amentities there, etc. One post said it was "crappy." My kids love the pool, but also playing in the sand & waves.
THANKS.

butsey

I don't know how fussy you are with food but my friends stayed there and my other friends went to visit and said they were really glad they didn't stay at the Melia they said the food was horrible!!! Hotel is nice food isn't. Go
to web site trip advisor and try checking it out.