Bungalows Princess is a quiet property with a relaxed atmosphere. The hotel attracts an eclectic mix of Mexican families and Canadian snowbirds -- the former come for weekend getaways, the latter rent bungalows for the entire winter. Not much goes on at Bungalows Princess, so it’s best suited for travelers who know how to make their own fun. Don’t expect activities teams or poolside DJs here. 

Like the rest of the property, the entrance to Bungalows Princess is simple. The reception building has a sky-blue painted sign with the hotel’s name, but is otherwise unadorned. Inside, the lobby resembles a drab office, with a white front desk and brown leather sofas. There’s an adjacent computer room with a couple of old desktop computers and a book exchange. 

Bungalows Princess is located in Bucerias, a scrappy beach town with loads of genuine Mexican charm. Bucerias is the type of place where Vallarta travelers come to shop at local street markets and eat authentic tacos al pastor. Though the town has a large seasonal expat population, it feels less commercialized than Puerto Vallarta or Punta Mita. Like Bungalows Princess, most hotels in Bucerias are small and have few amenities. However, the beach in Bucerias is arguably the nicest in all of Riviera Nayarit, and tends to be less crowded than beaches located further north and south. Bungalows Princess is located directly on the beach, but on the north side of town, so it’s about a 15-minute walk or seven-minute drive to the center, where most of the shops and restaurants are located. The hotel is a 35-minute drive from the Puerto Vallarta Airport, and a 45-minute drive from downtown Puerto Vallarta.  

Rooms at Bungalows Princess are dated and have bare-bones decor. Single Rooms, the hotel’s entry level category, look like they were recently vacated by tenants -- there’s no artwork on the walls, lamps on the tables, or curtains on the windows, and beds are covered by a single white sheet. The most noteworthy element is the wall-mounted flat-screen TV in every room. Guests looking for more space can upgrade to Junior Suites, which have full kitchens and separate living rooms, but still feature the same drab decor. It should be noted that Single Rooms and Junior Suites are located in a building across the street from the main property, so these rooms aren’t beachfront. 

The beachfront side of the property houses the two-story bungalows, the largest and most popular rooms at the hotel. On the ground level, bungalows have large living and dining spaces, full kitchens, and a full bathroom. The kitchens are dated, and most of the appliances and utensils are well worn. Guests will find things like rusty oven doors and spatulas with broken handles. Upstairs, bungalows have two bedrooms, a bathroom, and an outdoor balcony. Each bedroom has one queen-size bed and a closet, but there isn’t much else going on. 

Bathrooms across the property are tiny and dated. They feature small shower stalls, usually with beveled frosted glass doors, old tiles, and dirty grout. A few bathrooms have been updated with nicer tile and vanities, but they have a cheap, dingy look about them. 

Bungalows Princess is popular with Canadian snowbirds, who rent bungalows for the entire winter. Guests will see many bungalows with personalized touches, like Canadian flags or laundry hanging on lines. The snowbirds form a small community on the property, and are usually quite welcoming towards newcomers, offering suggestions or area recommendations. 

The greatest feature at Bungalows Princess is its beachfront location. From the property, guests only need to take a few steps to reach the unspoiled public beach, which seems to stretch for miles in either direction. This part of Banderas Bay is quieter than other areas further north and south, and guests often feel as though they have the beach to themselves. The water is calm and excellent for swimming and the sand is whiter than other Vallarta beaches. There are several palapa-style umbrellas set up along the beach, but no beach chairs. Instead, plastic lounge chairs are set up on the hotel property overlooking the beach. 

Bungalows Princess has two small outdoor pools that are located on either side of the restaurant. One pool has a waterslide and tends to be more popular with families, while the other is a bit quieter. The pools are surrounded by a few plastic lounge chairs and a couple of blue plastic tents to block the sun. The hotel’s open-air restaurant is located in between the two pools, and has a casual ambience. Though the restaurant doesn’t usually keep regular hours, it has separate breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus. Just don’t rely on it to be open all the time. Guests are better off heading across the street to the popular local establishment on the corner. 

Besides the pools and restaurant, Bungalows Princess has an outdoor basketball court and a small game room. The basketball court is wedged between a few bungalows, and actually has some of the nicest ocean views on the property. The game room is located in the building across the street from the main property, and has a pool table, a ping-pong table, and foosball. Wi-Fi is free and works well across the property. Parking is free in a front lot.