Why book?
For exceptional all-inclusive value in a little pocket of paradise—and the kind of deep relaxation that feels like sorcery.
Set the scene
Perched on a peaceful bay within a bay, the Hyatt Ziva is sandwiched between sharp jungle peaks and the soft buttery sand of its own private beach. The resulting effect is a resort that feels completely cut off from the rest of the world—despite sitting just a 10-minute drive from the cobbled streets of Puerto Vallarta’s picturesque old town.
The beach—a glorious 1,000 yard stretch of golden sand lapped by the soothing waves of Banderas Bay—is the undisputed star of the show, but the property also has five ocean-facing pools to choose from, including one with a spirited swim-up bar.
The crowd here is a rich variety of ages and backgrounds, from couples and multi-generational families to large friend groups in their 30s—plus plenty of wedding parties. Guests are overwhelmingly American, with a strong showing from New York, California, and Texas.
The backstory
The resort became a Ziva, Hyatt’s all-inclusive family brand, in 2014. But its history stretches all the way back to 1969, when it opened as the original Camino Real—a glamorous blip on the radar of the international jet-set. Over the decades it’s hosted plenty of famous faces, from Richard Nixon to Sophia Loren, while Arnold Schwarzenegger lived here for an entire month while filming Predator in the surrounding jungle. In 2024 an ambitious multi-million-dollar renovation was completed, focusing on the lobby, main tower guest rooms, and a new high-end Asian restaurant, Tamari.
The rooms
All 335 rooms are big and airy, with even the smallest able to pass as a suite in Manhattan. Thanks to the elongated design of the resort, each room boasts an ocean view—framed by floor-to-ceiling windows and a generous balcony. The decor is clean and breezy: think muted whites and creams with elegant wood accents and splashes of color via tasteful woven art on the walls.
The beds are low to the cool tiled floors but incredibly comfortable, while the recently updated AC systems are smooth, silent, and simple to operate—the all-important trifecta in a place with reliably hot temperatures.
Amenities include a free mini bar replenished daily with snacks, soft drinks, and local beers, plus C.O. Bigelow toiletries in the generously sized bathrooms. For an extra splash of luxury (and bonus social media kudos), request one of the 22 rooms with swim-up access.
Food and drink
You’re truly spoiled for choice here, with enough restaurant options to keep you sated for an entire week’s vacation. Top of the bill is Tamari, the new Asian offering which opened in 2024 and includes two teppanyaki tables for additional flame-filled flair (don’t sit too close to the chefs if you value your eyebrows). Further options include the seaside grill BlaZe (at Ziva, they like to emphasise the “Z”), cozy Italian trattoria MelanZane (don’t miss their twist on the traditional oven-baked lasagna), and daytime all-you-can-eat hotspot VivaZ—a cut above your standard all-inclusive buffets.
Mexican eaterie Casa Grande is another winner, showcasing local Jalisco flavors including some unforgettably moreish pork tacos. A welcome daytime diversion is Fresco—a thatched beach hut serving smoothies, small bites, and healthy poolside snacks, including ceviche. In a nutshell, it’s impossible to not eat well here—your only comestible concern will be self-control.
The spa
One of the biggest spas in Puerto Vallarta, VitaMar goes way beyond the basics, with a menu longer than most of the on-site restaurants. Highlights include the (insanely relaxing) organic coconut deep tissue massage and the Mayan ritual body scrub, a superb means of scouring away stresses at the start of your trip. The spa’s hydrotherapy circuit —finishing in an infinity pool overlooking the ocean—is an excellent way to spend an hour, and can be enjoyed solo or with a sensei-like guide (the latter is advised, if only to avoid chickening out of the all-important cold plunges). Services start at $160, but the smart money is on the “Special Reserve”—a couple’s package involving four treatments each for $620.
The neighborhood/area
The days flow seamlessly within the natural edges of the resort and few guests leave until it’s time to return to the airport. If you have a hankering for history or culture, though, Puerto Vallarta’s pretty ‘Zona Romantica’ is well worth a visit. A short taxi or Uber ride away (expect to pay around $12), must-sees here in the old town include the iconic Church of our Lady of Guadalupe, a sweeping oceanfront malecón, and a colorful flea market stuffed with affordable art and one-of-a-kind gifts.
The service
Impeccable. Ziva prides itself on “service from the heart,” which is reinforced by staff members tapping the left of their sternum when they greet you. The quality of care goes way beyond simple gestures though, with staff outnumbering guests by 20%, resulting in attentive, ever-present service. Many of the employees have been here for decades which leads to smooth, happy professionalism, while the unusually high number of repeat guests reflects that positivity back.
For families
The resort is safe, easy to navigate, and very child friendly, with a dedicated family pool and permanent kids corner of food options at the main buffet. The onsite Kidz Club will look after children aged 4–12 during working hours, entertaining them with everything from cooking classes and bracelet making to card games and kite flying. For older offspring there’s an adrenaline-spiking smorgasbord of energy burning options, from kayaking and snorkeling to beach volleyball and evening music shows.
Eco effort
The resort has officially banned a long list of items with potential to harm the surrounding environment, from Styrofoam to straws. Water dispensers across the property encourage guests to refill their bottles and automated washbasins minimize waste. The headline initiative, however, is a sea turtle preservation program, with a protected area for eggs to hatch and juveniles closely monitored.
Accessibility
The resort is essentially one long line, with access ramps and elevators making navigation smooth throughout. There are two dedicated ADA-compliant rooms with full access, while most standard rooms feature grab bars in the showers.
Anything left to mention?
The resort’s secluded beach is so beautiful that renowned Mexican singer Juan Gabriel once composed a hit song about the view from his suite, “La Guirnalda.” If you want to check out the coastline yourself (for songwriting purposes or otherwise), Hyatt Ziva has a webcam attached to its beachfront grill, BlaZe, which is accessible through the hotel’s website.
High season here is November to April, with most guests staying Thursday to Sunday, so for the best prices, look to book Sunday to Thursday between May and October. There should be plenty of flight deals available from mid-2026 too, when Puerto Vallarta’s shiny new airport terminal opens, doubling capacity.
Finally, any Predator fans should book a tour to nearby Eden, where the legendary 1986 movie was filmed. Props from the set still survive in the jungle and are now complemented by zipline and ATV tours (but sadly, no choppa to get to… yet).
Carretera a Barra de Navidad, Km. 3.5, Zona Hotelera, Puerto Vallarta, 48390
Mexico
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/mexico/hyatt-ziva-puerto-vallarta/pvrif
+52 322 226 5000