Sharing many amenities and activities with sister property Villa del Mar next door, the Villa del Palmar in Puerto Vallarta’s Hotel Zone is also a good budget option for families. The rooms are quite dated (and not all have ocean views), there isn’t a ton of space on the beach, and there’s no swim-up bar; but the resort offers a strong fitness center, good overall service, an on-site grocery store, a nice spa, a sports bar and grill, an ice cream shop, and high quality tennis courts. Catering well to families, the property’s brightly colored, spacious suites come with full kitchens and private balconies or terraces, and can accommodate up to six guests. Activities include beach volleyball, ceviche and guacamole making classes, wine and tequila tastings, and water sports in the immediate vicinity (including jet skiing, scuba diving, kayaking, and fishing). An excellent selection of off-site shops and restaurants is available at La Isla Shopping Village right next door.
On-site COVID-19 antigen testing is available for guests prior to returning to the United States, but it isn’t complimentary (although guests will receive a resort credit equal to the cost of the test, which they can spend at the resort during their stay). In the event of a positive test, the guest can extend their stay for up to 14 nights at a discounted rate.