Adults-Only Puerto Vallarta & Nuevo Vallarta Wedding Resorts 2026 — Secrets Vallarta Bay vs RIU Palace Pacifico
Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta have exactly two adults-only all-inclusive wedding resorts in the VFL portfolio — and they represent genuinely different propositions. Secrets Vallarta Bay is a Pacific-coast Secrets (the only one) with the only casino of any PV all-inclusive, complimentary golf at two championship courses, a Ballroom that holds 724 for receptions, and El Malecón 5 minutes away by taxi. RIU Palace Pacifico is on Flamingos Beach in Nuevo Vallarta (Nayarit) with confirmed package pricing up to Caprice $8,999 including professional photography and full bridal beauty services, three-resort nightlife access, and the most published package transparency of any adults-only property in the corridor. This page covers both in full — all venues, all package pricing, group benefits, the Secrets peninsula free-flow chain, the Nuevo Vallarta vs PV proper geography factor, and the mixed-age solutions for each.
Updated August 2026 · Puerto Vallarta · Jalisco & Nuevo Vallarta · Nayarit · Mexico · CST #2002477-40
Adults-Only in Puerto Vallarta — Two Properties, Two Distinct Propositions
Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta have two adults-only all-inclusive wedding properties in the VFL portfolio — both genuinely distinct. Secrets Vallarta Bay (Jalisco, PV proper) is the city-adjacent Secrets with the most amenity variety of any PV all-inclusive. RIU Palace Pacifico (Nayarit, Nuevo Vallarta) is the most luxurious RIU in the Riviera Nayarit with the most confirmed and transparent package pricing in the corridor. Choosing between them comes down to four factors: geography preference (city proximity vs resort zone), venue scale needed (Secrets' 724-capacity ballroom vs RIU's 130), package transparency (RIU confirmed vs Secrets confirm with VFL), and whether the casino and free golf at Secrets outweigh RIU's included professional photography at the Caprice tier.
Secrets Vallarta Bay — Only Secrets on the Pacific · Casino · Free Golf · 5 min Malecón
Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta
Why Secrets Vallarta Bay is the broadest adults-only offer in Puerto Vallarta
Secrets Vallarta Bay is the only Secrets resort on Mexico's Pacific coast — and the only all-inclusive hotel in Puerto Vallarta with an on-site casino. All 271 suites face Banderas Bay, the legendary Pacific sunsets set directly over the water from every west-facing venue, and the resort is 5 minutes from El Malecón boardwalk and Old Town Puerto Vallarta. The Ballroom at 724 reception capacity is the largest indoor venue of any Secrets property on the Pacific. Free-flow to adjacent Dreams Vallarta Bay brings the combined dining inventory to 13+ restaurants and 10+ bars — the most of any PV all-inclusive complex.
- Beach (350 guests, 10:30 PM curfew) — Banderas Bay beachfront; Pacific sunset directly behind the couple; widest outdoor ceremony venue at the property
- Terraza La Vista (~150 guests, $700 venue fee) — elevated, covered, open-air; panoramic Banderas Bay views; the best Pacific sunset photography position of any venue in the PV all-inclusive portfolio; sun sets directly behind the couple
- Ballroom / Convention Center (up to 724 reception) — the highest indoor capacity of any Secrets on the Pacific; no beach curfew restriction; full AV, staging, dance floor; rain-proof
- Pool Area (250 guests) — infinity pool terrace with Banderas Bay views; cocktail receptions and evening events with pool reflections as backdrop
- Wedding Gazebo — beachfront dedicated structure; architectural focal point with Pacific backdrop
- Secrets Deck (50 guests) — hard surface; ideal for private dinner receptions for closer family and the wedding party; open-air with bay views
- Lobby 3rd Floor (~75 guests) — open-air elevated space; bay and mountain views; hosts live entertainment nightly; unusual ceremony space
- Only casino of any PV all-inclusive — on-site; wedding-week evening activity without leaving the property; no cover charge for guests
- Complimentary golf — Marina Vallarta + Vista Vallarta — two of Mexico's most scenic courses (Vista Vallarta designed by Nicklaus + Weiskopf); green fees included for all Secrets guests; no equivalent at RIU Palace Pacifico
- 14,000 sq ft eco-spa — built from reclaimed wood; hydrotherapy circuit; serenity cabins; most ecologically designed spa in PV portfolio
- Preferred Club: butler service + private lounge as room-rate upgrade; closest Secrets comes to full butler service
- Free-flow to Dreams Vallarta Bay — 13+ combined restaurants; family guests with children can book Dreams while couple and adults stay at Secrets
- Wedding in Paradise ($0 complimentary): 7 qualifying nights or 5 rooms × 3 nights; no day-of-week restriction
- Group benefits: 10 rooms × 3 nights · 1 comp room per 10 paid · $100 resort coupons per person · 1-hr welcome reception (50 guests, open bar + hors d'oeuvres) · hospitality desk
- 15 min from PVR airport · 5 min from El Malecón
Considerations
- Secrets of Love and Secrets Ultimate pricing not published post-Hyatt transition — confirm with VFL
- Beach venue 10:30 PM curfew — late-night dancing requires move to ballroom
- Terraza La Vista carries $700 venue fee
- No whale watching from the resort (Nov–Mar whale tours are excursion-only from PV)
- No SA-certified coordinators (Hyatt Ziva PV has this)
- Preferred Club butler is an upgrade cost, not standard
The Secrets Vallarta Bay Peninsula Access Chain — How Free-Flow Works
Secrets Vallarta Bay
All GuestsDreams Vallarta Bay
Free-Flow · All GuestsRIU Palace Pacifico — Adults-Only · Flamingos Beach · Caprice $8,999 · Confirmed Pricing
RIU Palace Pacifico
The defining AO advantage — most published package transparency + included photography + bridal beauty at top tier
RIU Palace Pacifico is the most luxurious RIU property in the Riviera Nayarit — recently refurbished, adults-only (18+), on Flamingos Beach in Nuevo Vallarta (Nayarit state), surrounded by Banderas Bay and Sierra Madre Mountain views. Unlike Secrets Vallarta Bay where mid-tier and top-tier package pricing requires confirmation with VFL due to post-Hyatt acquisition changes, RIU Palace Pacifico publishes confirmed pricing for all four tiers — Free $0 through Caprice $8,999 — making it the most transparent package pricing of any adults-only property in the PV corridor. The Caprice tier at $8,999 is the only AO PV package with professional ceremony photography (20 digital images) and full bridal beauty services (hair, makeup, and a couples massage) explicitly included at a confirmed price.
- Free Collection ($0, up to 10 guests) — $0 ceremony with 5+ rooms × 3+ nights; standard entry-point; coordinator, bouquet, boutonniere, semi-private dinner, cake, sparkling wine, room décor
- Caprice Collection ($8,999, up to 60 guests) — the only confirmed AO PV package with professional ceremony photography (20 digital images), full bridal beauty (hair + makeup + couples massage), live music both ceremony and reception, 30% spa discount, romantic breakfast in bed, room upgrade, and late checkout
- Beach venue (up to 100 guests) — Flamingos Beach Pacific shoreline; primary outdoor ceremony venue; Banderas Bay and Sierra Madre Mountains as natural backdrop
- Gazebo (up to 20 guests) — intimate structured ceremony space on resort grounds; elopements and very small ceremonies
- 2 Indoor Event Rooms (130 combined) — fully climate-controlled; larger receptions; rainy-season weather backup; dance floor and AV configurable
- 445 rooms · Elite Club by RIU top tier (super king, aromatherapy, premium dispenser, large terrace with sea views, preferential service)
- 3 pools including swim-up bar and Jacuzzi · Renova Spa + beauty salon · fitness center with sauna and steam bath
- 5 restaurants including themed à la carte; made-to-order dishes combining Mesoamerican and European traditions
- Free nightly access + drinks at Riu Vallarta and Riu Jalisco discotheques — three resorts' worth of nightlife from one room rate; nightly without restriction
- On-site golf course with shared cart access · Flamingo Golf Club 2.2 miles away
- 2026 Resort Discount Credits: $520 (3–6 nights) / $630 (7+ nights) usable at Renova Spa, Weddings by RIU, Scuba Caribe, Alamo Rent-a-Car, Paparazzi Photography
- Group benefit: 6th person free (1 comp per 5 paid rooms/night) · 1 upgrade per 10 rooms · semi-private dinner 40 guests · VIP arrival gift
- Marietas Islands UNESCO biosphere 30 min · Sayulita surf village 30 min · whale watching Nov–Mar (Banderas Bay)
- 10 miles from PVR airport (~20–25 min) · longtime favorite for California couples given shorter West Coast flight times
Considerations
- Nuevo Vallarta (Nayarit) — 25+ min from El Malecón and Old Town PV; no city-adjacent location
- Smaller venue capacity than Secrets — Beach 100 vs 350, event rooms 130 vs Ballroom 724
- No Terraza La Vista equivalent — no dedicated elevated covered sunset terrace
- No on-site casino (unlike Secrets)
- No complimentary championship golf (Flamingo Golf Club is 2.2 mi, on-site course with cart access)
- Free Collection capped at 10 guests included; Classic capped at 20; Royal at 40; Caprice at 60 — hard caps at each tier
- Confirm RIU Party schedule and Riu Jalisco access for your travel dates post-renovation period
RIU Palace Pacifico — Three-Resort Nightly Access Explained
RIU Palace Pacifico
Primary · Adults-OnlyRiu Vallarta
Nightly Disco AccessRiu Jalisco
Nightly Disco AccessImportant note: The free nightly access to Riu Vallarta and Riu Jalisco is specifically to their discotheques — not full-property restaurant and beach access as in the Secrets ↔ Dreams free-flow model. Guests at Riu Palace Pacifico dine and access pools and beach exclusively at Riu Palace Pacifico during the day; the cross-property access is evening/nightlife-oriented.
All Adults-Only PV Wedding Venues — Confirmed Capacities
| Venue | Property | Capacity | Fee | What Makes It Distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beach | Secrets | 350 | Confirm | Banderas Bay beachfront · Pacific sunset exposure · widest outdoor Secrets PV venue · 10:30 PM curfew |
| Terraza La Vista | Secrets | ~150 | $700 | Elevated covered open-air · panoramic Banderas Bay views · best Pacific sunset photography position in PV portfolio · sun sets behind couple |
| Ballroom / Convention Center | Secrets | 724 reception | Confirm | Highest indoor capacity any Secrets Pacific · no beach curfew restriction · full AV and dance floor · rain-proof |
| Pool Area | Secrets | 250 | Confirm | Infinity pool terrace · Banderas Bay views · pool reflections as evening backdrop · cocktail and dinner receptions |
| Secrets Deck | Secrets | 50 | Confirm | Hard surface · private dinner receptions for wedding party · open-air · bay views |
| Wedding Gazebo | Secrets | Confirm | Confirm | Beachfront dedicated structure · architectural focal point · Pacific backdrop |
| Lobby 3rd Floor | Secrets | ~75 | Confirm | Open-air elevated · bay and mountain views · hosts live entertainment nightly · unusual ceremony space |
| Beach (RIU) | RIU Palace Pacifico | 100 | Confirm | Flamingos Beach Pacific shoreline · Banderas Bay and Sierra Madre backdrop · primary outdoor ceremony venue |
| Gazebo (RIU) | RIU Palace Pacifico | 20 | Confirm | Intimate structure on resort grounds · elopements and very small ceremonies · defined ceremony space |
| Indoor Event Rooms ×2 | RIU Palace Pacifico | 130 combined | Confirm | Two climate-controlled rooms · receptions and dinners · rainy-season weather backup · AV and dance floor |
Secrets Vallarta Bay RIU Palace Pacifico
Wedding Packages & Pricing — Confirmed vs Confirm with VFL
Secrets Vallarta Bay — Package Tiers
RIU Palace Pacifico — All Confirmed Pricing
Mixed-Age Groups — Solutions for Each Property
Secrets Vallarta Bay is adults-only 18+ throughout. For mixed-age groups, the solution is the adjacent Dreams Vallarta Bay — family-friendly, free-flow access between both properties for all guests throughout the stay. Adults at Secrets enjoy full AO atmosphere. Families at Dreams access kids club, family pools, and family suites. All guests share restaurants, beach, pools, and the casino across both properties.
What works: Split room block — couple and all-adult guests at Secrets, families with children at Dreams. VFL manages both contracts simultaneously.
Key rule: Dreams rooms do not count toward your Secrets group benefit threshold. Minimum Secrets rooms needed: 5 rooms × 3 nights (WiP) or 10 rooms × 3 nights (group benefits).
RIU Palace Pacifico is adults-only 18+. Neighboring Riu Vallarta and Riu Jalisco are family-friendly properties on the same Flamingos Beach stretch — families with children can book at either while the couple and adults stay at Riu Palace Pacifico. All guests get nightly disco access across all three properties; daytime beach and pool access is at each guest's booked property.
Important distinction: The RIU cross-property access is nightlife/disco-oriented — not the full daytime restaurant, beach, and pool free-flow that Secrets ↔ Dreams offers. Daytime wedding events are hosted at Riu Palace Pacifico; families at Riu Vallarta or Riu Jalisco join for evening events and the disco.
Key rule: Riu Vallarta/Jalisco rooms do not count toward your Riu Palace Pacifico group contract. Confirm current family-friendly capacity and availability at neighboring properties with VFL.
Secrets Vallarta Bay vs RIU Palace Pacifico — Side by Side
| Feature | Secrets Vallarta Bay | RIU Palace Pacifico |
|---|---|---|
| Location | PV proper (Jalisco) · 5 min Malecón | Nuevo Vallarta (Nayarit) · 25 min Malecón |
| Age Policy | Adults-only 18+ | Adults-only 18+ |
| Largest Outdoor | Beach 350 guests | Beach 100 guests |
| Largest Indoor | Ballroom 724 reception | Event rooms 130 combined |
| Signature Elevated Venue | Terraza La Vista ~150 · $700 · best sunset PV | No equivalent elevated terrace |
| Casino | Yes — only in PV · no cover | No |
| Complimentary Golf | Marina Vallarta + Vista Vallarta (Nicklaus + Weiskopf) | On-site + Flamingo 2.2 mi (cart access) |
| Free Package | WiP $0 · 7 nights or 5×3 · no day restriction | Free Collection $0 · 5 rooms × 3 nights |
| Mid-Tier Pricing | Confirm with VFL | Classic $2,099 · Royal $5,499 (confirmed) |
| Top Tier | Secrets Ultimate · confirm with VFL | Caprice $8,999 confirmed · 60 guests |
| Pro Photography Included | Not in published packages | Yes at Caprice · 20 digital images |
| Bridal Beauty Included | Hair + makeup at Secrets of Love (confirm) | Yes at Caprice · hair + makeup + massage |
| Live Music | Mariachi at Secrets Ultimate | Live music at Royal + Caprice |
| Cross-Property Access | Dreams free-flow · 13+ restaurants · full daytime | Riu Vallarta + Riu Jalisco · nightly disco only |
| Family-Friendly Adjacent | Dreams Vallarta Bay · full free-flow | Riu Vallarta · Riu Jalisco · disco access |
| Suites / Rooms | 271 suites · all ocean views | 445 rooms · Elite Club by RIU |
| Eco-Spa | 14,000 sq ft · reclaimed wood | Renova Spa + beauty salon |
| PVR Transfer | ~15 min | ~10 mi / 20–25 min |
| Best For | Casino · golf · city access · Terraza La Vista · Ballroom 724 · large AO groups | Confirmed pricing · Caprice with photos + beauty · 3-resort nightlife · smaller groups · California couples |
Which Adults-Only PV Resort for Your Wedding?
More Puerto Vallarta Wedding Planning Guides
All PV Resorts
All 4 properties including Hyatt Ziva and Dreams. Geography guide. Full venue table.
Hyatt Ziva vs Secrets PV
Private cove vs city access · whale watching · Sky Penthouse vs Terraza La Vista · full decision guide.
PV Budget Guide
Full cost ladder · Mon–Wed savings at Hyatt Ziva · three couple cost examples · pricing comparison.
Getting Married in PV
Jalisco blood test · 3-day residency · apostille · Jalisco vs Nayarit jurisdiction · same-sex legal.
← PV Hub
Overview of all Puerto Vallarta destination wedding resources and planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Couples Say
What Our Couples Say About Their Destination Wedding
Real weddings planned with Vacations For Less
Amanda & Michael
Dreams Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort · Mexico
Teresa and the team at Vacations For Less made our destination wedding an absolute dream. With over 350 guests traveling, their organization and attention to detail made everything seamless. From the ceremony to the reception, every moment was flawless.
Lisa & Danny
Dreams Playa Mujeres Golf & Spa Resort · Mexico
Coordinating travel for our beach wedding group was effortless thanks to Teresa from Vacations For Less. She handled all travel logistics, guest reservations, and details so everyone could relax and enjoy the celebration.
Kevin & Grace
Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres · Mexico
Teresa and Anna were incredible throughout our destination wedding planning process. They managed every reservation, transfer, and detail for our guests. Our wedding was absolutely perfect from start to finish.
Free AO Resort Matching — PV
Match Me to an AO Resort 1-800-200-2423Mon–Fri 9AM–5:30PM PT · Free · 24-hr response
Quick Decision Guide
- Best sunset photos · Terraza La Vista: Secrets
- 100+ guests · Ballroom 724: Secrets
- Casino · golf · city 5 min: Secrets
- Confirmed pricing upfront: RIU Palace Pacifico
- Photos + bridal beauty in pkg: RIU Caprice $8,999
- 3-resort nightlife: RIU Palace Pacifico
- Free ceremony smallest block: RIU 5 rooms × 3 nights
Confirmed RIU Pricing
- Free Collection: $0 · 5 rooms × 3 nights
- Classic: $2,099 · 20 guests
- Royal: $5,499 · 40 guests · live music
- Caprice: $8,999 · 60 guests · pro photos + bridal beauty
Secrets Pricing
- WiP: $0 · 7 nights or 5×3
- Secrets of Love: Confirm with VFL
- Secrets Ultimate: Confirm with VFL
- VFL provides current pricing within 24 hrs
Free Adults-Only PV Resort Matching
Tell us your guest count, whether confirmed package pricing or venue scale matters more, whether your date falls in whale watching season, and whether any guests under 18 need to be accommodated. We'll match you to the right AO PV resort — with current pricing — within 24 hours.
No agency fees · No obligation · 24-hour response · CST #2002477-40
Prefer to call? 1-800-200-2423 · Mon–Fri, 9AM–5:30PM PT