All-Inclusive 4-Star Resort on Beach Near Puerto Vallarta

Included in all options:

• Round-trip airfare from Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco , San Diego, Portland, Las Vegas, Seattle, Chicago or New York
• Alternate departure dates/gateways may be available for additional fee
• 5- or 7-night all-inclusive Deluxe Platinum room accommodations at Hard Rock Vallarta
• $1,500 resort credit per stay for each room for 5-night stay, $1,800 resort credit per stay for each room for 7-night stays 
• Unlimited meals and drinks

The Hard Rock Vallarta has all the trappings you might expect from a hotel with “hard rock” in its name, including nightly entertainment, in-room liquor dispensers containing whiskey, rum, tequila and vodka, and music-inspired décor. While the scene tends to draw a younger crowd, there’s also an array of family-friendly amenities onsite such as a kids’ pool and casual dining options. Set on a stretch of white-sand beach in Nuevo Vallarta, an upscale neighborhood 20 minutes outside Puerto Vallarta, the hotel offers dazzling views of Banderas Bay. This less-crowded location means you’ll enjoy more privacy while strolling the beach or exploring downtown.

Much of the action takes place by the resort’s two free-form pools, and guests often get up early to nab lounge chairs in the sun. Float over to the poolside bar for a margarita, or grab a quick bite at the outdoor pizza oven. With six on-site restaurants, the resort has more formal dining options available as well: the Asian bistro Zen serves sushi rolls and teppanyaki-style dishes, and you can enjoy grilled Brazilian meats in the outdoor dining room at Ipanema.

Deluxe platinum rooms are bright and contemporary, with flat-screen TVs, music-inspired artwork, and double jetted tubs located bedside. There are also private french balconies with views of the ocean or the resort gardens (some rooms have partial views).

As part of the all-inclusive package, you can go kayaking, snorkeling, and windsurfing free of charge. The $1500 resort credit included in this deal means you can also take advantage of exciting tours ranging from a swim with the dolphins excursion, to zip-lining through the tropical rainforest. For a more relaxing afternoon, use your credit towards a facial or massage at Rock Spa.

Nuevo Vallarta, Mexico: Surfer’s Paradise Outside Cosmopolitan City

Nuevo Vallarta lies about 10 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, where you’ll find expansive beaches, trendy restaurants, and cobblestone streets leading to beautifully preserved 19th-century churches. Like its sophisticated neighbor to the south, Nuevo Vallarta is a hotspot for tourists, thanks to its ultramodern hotels and fine-sand beaches. You can play golf on the Jack Nicklaus-designed Mayan Palace course, swim with dolphins in the Pacific Ocean, and enjoy some of the world’s best surfing in Banderas Bay.

For nightlife and authentic Mexican food, make the short drive to the center of Puerto Vallarta. The city draws a diverse crowd of vacationers who relax during the day and live it up at night, bouncing between the city’s numerous dance clubs and bouncy castles. It’s been called “the most gay-friendly city in Mexico” by Frommer’s. A 16-block boardwalk known as the malecón offers unobstructed ocean views as it extends from the city center, past fountains and a famous 9-foot-high statue of a boy riding a seahorse. In Viejo Vallarta, also known as Old Town, artists peddle shawls and piñatas, while mariachi bands serenade couples dancing on Plaza Principal.

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