Jose Clemente Orozco 131, Puerto Vallarta, JAL, 48300, Mexico
resort comparison guide

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

Choosing between Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort and Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit? This in-depth comparison breaks down location, vibe, rooms, food, nightlife, price & more so you can decide which resort is the best fit.

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort resort
Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort
All-Ages • Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone • Beachfront All-Inclusive

Best for families, couples and groups who want a straightforward beachfront all-inclusive in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone with a relaxed, activity-friendly feel.

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit resort
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Luxury All-Inclusive • Riviera Nayarit • Upscale Beach Resort

Better for travelers who want a more polished luxury all-inclusive experience in Riviera Nayarit with elevated suites, dining and service.

Quick Verdict: Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

If you want a casual Puerto Vallarta beachfront stay with included food, drinks, kids’ club, pool activities and easy Hotel Zone convenience, Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort is the more practical pick.

If your priority is a higher-end Riviera Nayarit resort with a more refined atmosphere, stronger luxury positioning and a more upscale vacation feel, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the better fit.

Bottom line: choose Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort for a relaxed, value-minded Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive; choose Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit for a more luxurious, service-forward beach resort experience.

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – At a Glance

Category Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Overall Vibe Casual, all-ages beachfront all-inclusive with family programming, pool-and-beach activities, and a convenient Puerto Vallarta Hotel Zone setting. Upscale luxury all-inclusive with a more refined Riviera Nayarit atmosphere, stronger service focus, and a polished resort feel.
Location Directly on Las Glorias Beach in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone, close to the city’s shopping, dining and nightlife areas. In Riviera Nayarit, offering a more resort-focused beach setting north of Puerto Vallarta.
Rooms & Suites Comfortable accommodations for travelers who plan to spend most of the trip around the beach, pool and included resort activities. More luxurious suite-style accommodations, better for travelers who want the room experience to feel like a major part of the vacation.
Dining All-inclusive dining includes a main buffet, specialty dinners, pizzeria, snacks, ceviches, a food truck, late-night snacks and bars. Known for a more elevated all-inclusive dining experience, ideal for travelers who care more about cuisine, presentation and service.
Pools & Beach Beachfront infinity pool, swim-up bar, hot tub, children’s/wading pool, Las Glorias beach access and daily pool/beach activities. More polished beachfront resort scene with a calmer luxury-resort feel and a stronger emphasis on comfort and service.
Kids & Family Kid’s Club for ages 4–12, children’s facilities, playground access and daily activities make it a solid all-ages option. Family-friendly luxury option that works well for travelers who want a more upscale stay without giving up an all-ages resort environment.
Price & Value Best value for travelers who want beachfront Puerto Vallarta, included meals and drinks, and family-friendly amenities without paying luxury-resort rates. Best value for travelers who will fully appreciate a premium all-inclusive experience, upgraded service and a more refined Riviera Nayarit setting.

Rooms & Suites: Practical Beach Base vs Luxury Suite Experience

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort – Room Style

Rooms at Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort are best approached as a comfortable base for a beachfront, activity-focused all-inclusive vacation in Puerto Vallarta.

  • Good fit for travelers who prioritize beach, pool and included resort amenities
  • Works for families, couples and groups looking for a casual all-ages resort
  • All-inclusive plan includes food, beverages, activities, gym access, Jacuzzi access and kids’ club

Plaza Pelicanos is the better pick if you want a simpler, more budget-conscious beach stay where the resort experience matters more than room luxury.

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – Room Style

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit delivers a more upscale suite experience, better suited to travelers who want their accommodations to feel polished, spacious and indulgent.

  • More luxurious room feel and a higher-end resort atmosphere
  • Better for special occasions, couples and families seeking a premium stay
  • Best for travelers who want the suite experience to be part of the splurge

If you want a more refined room experience and a luxury-resort standard, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the stronger choice.

Dining & Drinks: Casual All-Inclusive Variety vs Elevated Culinary Focus

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort – Restaurants & Bars

Dining at Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort is practical and varied for a casual all-inclusive, with buffet meals, specialty dining, snacks and bar service spread through the day.

Expect:

  • Pergolas buffet with Mexican specialties and international cuisine
  • La Flor de Calabaza specialty dinner restaurant, plus pizzeria, food truck, snacks and late-night tacos
  • Poolside Calandria snack bar, swim-up/aqua bar and adults-only Sky Lounge Bar on the 9th floor

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – Restaurants & Bars

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the stronger dining pick for travelers who want the food and beverage experience to feel more upscale and central to the trip.

  • More refined all-inclusive dining atmosphere
  • Better for couples and celebration trips where meals matter
  • Ideal if you want a more polished culinary experience from an all-inclusive resort

If dining quality and a more elevated restaurant experience are top priorities, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is usually the better fit.

Pools & Beach: Puerto Vallarta Activity Hub vs Polished Riviera Nayarit Beach Resort

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort – Pool & Beach Scene

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort has a lively beachfront setup on Las Glorias Beach, centered around its infinity pool, swim-up bar and daily pool and beach activities.

  • Beachfront infinity pool with swim-up/aqua bar and poolside snacks
  • Hot tub, children’s/wading pool and Jacuzzi access included
  • Best for travelers who want a casual, social pool-and-beach atmosphere

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – Pool & Beach Scene

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers a more polished beach-resort experience, with a calmer luxury feel and service-forward atmosphere.

  • Better for travelers who want a more refined beachfront setting
  • Strong choice for couples, families and special-occasion trips
  • Better for guests who prefer comfort, service and relaxation over a busier activity scene

If you want a livelier Puerto Vallarta pool scene, pick Plaza Pelicanos; if you want a more upscale beach-resort atmosphere, choose Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit.

Kids & Family: Included Kids’ Club vs Upscale All-Ages Luxury

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort – Family Programming

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort is an all-ages resort with clear family-friendly amenities, including a Kid’s Club and children’s facilities alongside adult-oriented spaces.

  • Kid’s Club for children ages 4–12 included in the stay
  • Children’s/wading pool, playground access and daily activities
  • Good for families who want an easy, casual Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – Family Programming

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is better for families who want a more upscale all-inclusive stay and are willing to pay more for a refined resort experience.

  • Family-friendly luxury atmosphere
  • Better for multi-generational trips with higher comfort expectations
  • Stronger fit when parents want the resort to feel elevated as well as kid-friendly

If you want straightforward family value, Plaza Pelicanos is the practical choice; if you want a luxury all-ages vacation, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the upgrade.

Price & Value: Which Pacific Coast All-Inclusive Feels More Worth It?

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort – Value Snapshot

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort offers the most value when you want a beachfront Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive with included meals, drinks, kids’ club and activities.

  • Best for travelers who want a more affordable all-inclusive beach base
  • Great if you’ll use the pool, beach activities, buffet, snacks and kids’ club
  • Strong value for families, couples and groups who want convenience over luxury polish

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – Value Snapshot

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the better value if you are specifically shopping for a premium all-inclusive and will appreciate the higher-end service, dining and resort atmosphere.

  • Best for travelers who want a luxury Riviera Nayarit experience
  • Stronger for special occasions, couples and families seeking upscale comfort
  • Worth it if dining, service and resort polish matter more than keeping the trip budget lower

Who Wins? Best Puerto Vallarta / Riviera Nayarit All-Inclusive by Travel Style

Best for Casual Family Value
Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort resort

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort

Choose Plaza Pelicanos if you want a casual beachfront all-inclusive in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone with family-friendly amenities, daily activities and practical value.

Best for Luxury All-Inclusive Travelers
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit resort

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the better pick for travelers who want a more luxurious all-inclusive experience with a polished Riviera Nayarit resort feel.

Best for Puerto Vallarta Convenience
Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort resort

Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort

For families, couples or groups who want included meals, drinks, kids’ club access and a lively beachfront pool scene, Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort makes more sense.

Best for Dining, Service & Resort Polish
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit resort

Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

If you want elevated dining, more refined service and a resort that feels like a true luxury splurge, Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the stronger choice.

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Plaza Pelicanos Grand Beach Resort

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