By the Family All-Inclusive Resorts editorial team · Updated November 7, 2026
The Short Answer
Our top pick for families around Puerto Vallarta is Grand Palladium Vallarta on the Riviera Nayarit coast, about 45 minutes from the airport. It is one of the few resorts with a club for every age: a Baby Club for ages 1 to 3, a Mini Club for 4 to 12 and a Junior Club for 13 to 18, plus a small water park for kids and a saltwater pool.
- Shorter transfer: Krystal Grand Nuevo Vallarta, 10 to 30 minutes from the airport, has the Kamp Krystal kids' club and the Adventure Friends teens' club. See our teens guide.
- Near town: Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, south of downtown and under 20 minutes from the airport, has two kid-friendly pools and family suites.
- On a budget: Riu Vallarta or Occidental Nuevo Vallarta, which describes the water in front as calm. See our affordable family resorts.
Puerto Vallarta's Areas Compared
| Area | Best for | From the airport | Our picks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuevo Vallarta | Long beach, most family resorts | 10–30 min | Krystal, Riu, Occidental, Hard Rock |
| Riviera Nayarit, toward Punta Mita | Clubs for every age, surf | About 45 min | Grand Palladium Vallarta |
| South hotel zone | Downtown close by | Under 20 min | Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta |
Map of Puerto Vallarta Family Resorts
Nuevo Vallarta is north of the airport, the Riviera Nayarit coast runs on toward Punta Mita, and the south hotel zone is below downtown.
Map prices come from Booking.com and other partners through Stay22. Enter your dates on the map to see live rates.
Search all Puerto Vallarta stays →Best Kids' and Teens' Clubs
Resorts with clubs for several age groups, including teens.
Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa
Riviera Nayarit, near Punta Mita, Puerto Vallarta
Our top pick: for families with toddlers or teens, with a Baby Club for ages 1 to 3, a Mini Club for 4 to 12 and a Junior Club for 13 to 18.
Best for: Families with toddlers or teens
- Baby, Mini and Junior clubs (ages 1–18)
- Small kids' water park
- About 45 minutes from the airport
More about this hotel
A Palladium resort on the Riviera Nayarit coast with a Baby Club for ages 1 to 3, a Mini Club for 4 to 12 and a Junior Club for 13 to 18. It also has a small water park for kids and a saltwater pool, and promotes itself as a family surf destination.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Lynx Burgos, CC BY-SA 3.0
Krystal Grand Nuevo Vallarta
Flamingos, Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta
For families with teens, with the Adventure Friends teens' club and direct beach access.
Best for: Families with teens
- Kamp Krystal kids' club
- Adventure Friends teens' club
- Direct beach access
More about this hotel
A Krystal resort on the long beach at Nuevo Vallarta with three pools, the Kamp Krystal kids' club and the Adventure Friends teens' club. Krystal puts it 10 to 30 minutes from the airport.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Harpqueen, Public domain
Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta
For families who want a lively resort, with the Roxity Kids Club and splash areas.
Best for: Families wanting a lively resort
- Roxity Kids Club
- Family splash areas
- Two-bedroom family suite
More about this hotel
A Hard Rock in Nuevo Vallarta with the Roxity Kids Club and splash areas built for families. Booking.com lists a two-bedroom family suite for bigger groups.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Fil.Al from Comox, Canada, CC BY 2.0
Best on a Budget in Nuevo Vallarta
Lower-tier resorts with a kids' club and a children's pool.
Hotel Riu Vallarta
Flamingos, Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta
For families on a budget, with a children's pool with slides and family rooms.
Best for: Families on a budget
- Children's pool with slides
- RIU Land kids' club
- Family rooms
More about this hotel
A family Riu on the beach in Nuevo Vallarta with four pools, including a children's pool with slides, and the RIU Land kids' club. Family rooms give parents and kids more space than a standard double.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Sofía Guzmán, CC BY-SA 4.0
Occidental Nuevo Vallarta
Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta
For families with young kids, with a Kids Club and calm water in front.
Best for: Families with young kids
- Kids Club
- Children's pool
- Calm water, per the hotel
More about this hotel
A Barceló-run Occidental resort in Nuevo Vallarta that bills itself as a family hotel, with a Kids Club and a children's pool. Barceló describes the water in front as calm, which suits younger swimmers.
Opens Booking.com with prices for your dates
Photo: Fil.Al from Comox, Canada, CC BY 2.0
Best Near Town
South of downtown, for families who want Puerto Vallarta's restaurants close by.
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
South hotel zone, Puerto Vallarta
For families who want Puerto Vallarta town nearby, with two kid-friendly pools under 20 minutes from the airport.
Best for: Families wanting PV town
- Two kid-friendly pools
- Supervised kids' activities
- Under 20 minutes from the airport
More about this hotel
A 335-suite Hyatt south of downtown Puerto Vallarta, less than 20 minutes from the airport, with two kid-friendly pools and supervised activities for children. It has family suites, and Hyatt calls its beach the most secluded in Puerto Vallarta.
Puerto Vallarta Family Resorts at a Glance
Prices change by date and room type, so check your own dates on Booking.com before you decide.
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Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & SpaRiviera Nayarit, near Punta Mita, Puerto Vallarta · Mid-rangeFamilies with toddlers or teensCheck prices -
Krystal Grand Nuevo VallartaFlamingos, Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta · Mid-rangeFamilies with teensCheck prices -
Hyatt Ziva Puerto VallartaSouth hotel zone, Puerto Vallarta · SplurgeFamilies wanting PV townCheck prices -
Hard Rock Hotel VallartaNuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta · Mid-rangeFamilies wanting a lively resortCheck prices -
Hotel Riu VallartaFlamingos, Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta · BudgetFamilies on a budgetCheck prices -
Occidental Nuevo VallartaNuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta · BudgetFamilies with young kidsCheck prices
| Hotel | Location | Price level | Best for | Prices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
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Grand Palladium Vallarta Resort & Spa
Family resort
|
Riviera Nayarit, near Punta Mita, Puerto Vallarta | Mid-range | Families with toddlers or teens | Check prices |
|
|
Krystal Grand Nuevo Vallarta
All-inclusive resort
|
Flamingos, Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta | Mid-range | Families with teens | Check prices |
|
|
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
Family resort
|
South hotel zone, Puerto Vallarta | Splurge | Families wanting PV town | Check prices |
|
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Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta
All-inclusive resort
|
Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta | Mid-range | Families wanting a lively resort | Check prices |
|
|
Hotel Riu Vallarta
Family resort
|
Flamingos, Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta | Budget | Families on a budget | Check prices |
|
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Occidental Nuevo Vallarta
Family resort
|
Nuevo Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta | Budget | Families with young kids | Check prices |
Hotel details checked on November 7, 2026.
When to Go to Puerto Vallarta With Kids
- Sea temperature: about 75 °F from January to March and about 86 °F from August to October.
- Rain: the rainy season runs from mid-June to mid-October, with most rain from July to September.
- Hurricanes: the Eastern Pacific hurricane season runs from May 15 to November 30.
- Whales: Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta notes seasonal whale watching from the resort.
Getting to Puerto Vallarta's Family Resorts
- Airport: fly into Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR).
- Nuevo Vallarta: Krystal gives 10 to 30 minutes to its Nuevo Vallarta resort.
- Riviera Nayarit: Palladium gives about 45 minutes to Grand Palladium Vallarta, and about 20 minutes from there to Punta Mita.
- South of downtown: Hyatt gives under 20 minutes to Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta; downtown itself is 15 to 25 minutes from the airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to help you choose where to stay.