Fiesta Americana is a smaller, older resort that still manages to be one of the best upscale all-inclusive resorts in Puerto Vallarta. It stands out for having one of the nicer stretches of beach in the North Hotel Zone, as well as superior customer service, with many guests raving about their favorite staffers. This is an extremely family-friendly resort, with a kids' and teens' club, plus playgrounds, water sports, and fun activities such as cooking classes. The heated pool is sprawling and has a swim-up bar and kiddy area, and food is good for this caliber of resort, with multiple a la carte options and no reservations required. Velas Vallarta is another great kid-friendly all-inclusive and has larger rooms, but it's a bigger property, the beach isn't as long, and it's in the marina area, farther from town.

The mid-range Villa Del Palmar Beach Resort & Spa is the more affordable, and less upscale, sister to Villa Del Palmar Flamingos Beach Resort & Spa -- though this property has the more central location, right in the Hotel Zone and close to downtown. It caters to families with its 395 spacious rooms (including one- and two-bedroom options with kitchens), small waterslide, kid-friendly activities at the pool and beach, and cheesy evening shows. There are three pools -- one for activities, one for kids, and one for quiet -- as well as a simple day spa (opt for the beachside massages) and a spacious fitness center. There are four restaurants, though the all-inclusive option may not be worth it as the a la carte prices are reasonable. Rooms have modern, colorful decor as a result of a 2014 makeover, but while some do overlook the beach, others overlook the parking lot and highway. Despite the updates, the resort still feels older throughout.

Though it isn’t on the beach, Hacienda Buenaventura Hotel Spa & Beach Club is an excellent bang-for-your-buck all-inclusive close to the airport. The hotel is meant to resemble a traditional Mexican village, and its manicured grounds and colonial architecture deliver. The guests rooms, done up in pink bedspreads and dark wood furniture, can feel a tad dated, but some bathrooms have been renovated with ornamental travertine vanities and glass-enclosed showers. The property is centered around its freeform pool, but guests who want to hit the beach will have to walk five-minutes to the hotel’s off-site beach club. Buenaventura Grand Hotel & Great Moments All Inclusive provides a beachfront option, though its rates are pricier. 

With a fabulous beach, several pools, and an inexpensive day spa offering a wide array of treatments, the Krystal has the potential to be a great budget pick. However, mediocre food, dated rooms (except for the contemporary Deluxe Rooms in the Tower building), and inconsistent maintenance make this a less desirable hotel than some of the neighboring properties in the same price range.

This 207-room lower-middle-range resort offers two pools and three restaurants in a convenient location steps from the beach. This section of beachfront has a somewhat industrial feel, however, with the muddy river water streaming through and an abandoned hotel next door. On the very southern end of the Hotel Zone, Costa Club is walking distance to the restaurants and shops of the town, though many guests choose to partake in the resort's all-inclusive plan. The rooms and suites are bland but spacious, and overall the hotel has a lively atmosphere for kids. For families on a very tight budget, this resort could offer value – as long as you’re not expecting to be wowed by the beach.