Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta vs Secrets Vallarta Bay — Which Resort for Your Wedding?
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta and Secrets Vallarta Bay are the two most-considered all-inclusive wedding resorts on Mexico's Pacific coast — and the decision between them is less obvious than it first appears. Both sit on Banderas Bay with Pacific sunsets. Both serve the same 15–30 minute corridor from Puerto Vallarta International Airport. Both have a range of venues, packages, and complimentary options. The differences come down to four things: setting (private cove vs Malecón-adjacent city access), atmosphere (family-friendly vs adults-only), signature venue (Sky Penthouse Terrace vs Terraza La Vista), and one unique advantage each holds over the other that genuinely doesn't exist at the other property. This page covers all of it — every venue with confirmed capacities, every package with confirmed pricing, the Mon–Wed vs Thu–Sun cost differential at Hyatt Ziva, free-flow access at Secrets, and the specific scenarios where each resort is the clear answer.
Updated August 2026 · Puerto Vallarta · Jalisco · Mexico · CST #2002477-40
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At a Glance·
Head-to-Head·
All Venues·
Pricing·
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Unique Advantages·
Mixed-Age Groups·
Which Resort?·
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At a Glance — The Core Difference
Family-Friendly · Private Cove · 30 min Malecón
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
- Setting: Mismaloya Beach private cove — the most intimate, boutique all-inclusive setting on Mexico's Pacific coast
- Atmosphere: Family-friendly throughout · adults-only swim-up pool area for the couple
- Signature venue: Sky Penthouse Terrace — 100 guests, 360° panoramic Pacific and jungle views, newly renovated
- Largest venue: Beach 500 guests · cove framed by mountains
- Unique to this resort: Whale watching Dec–Apr from the resort · SA-certified coordinators · private cove character
- Price advantage: Mon–Wed $500–$1,000 less per package than Thu–Sun
- City access: 30 min drive to El Malecón and Old Town
- Airport: 20 min from PVR
VS
Adults-Only 18+ · City-Adjacent · 5 min Malecón
Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta
- Setting: Banderas Bay beachfront, Hotel Zone — city on the doorstep, 5 min from El Malecón
- Atmosphere: Adults-only 18+ throughout · Preferred Club butler service + private lounge
- Signature venue: Terraza La Vista — ~150 guests, elevated, covered, panoramic, best sunset photo position in PV ($700 venue fee)
- Largest venue: Ballroom 724 reception capacity · beach 350 guests
- Unique to this resort: Only casino in Puerto Vallarta · free golf (Marina Vallarta + Vista Vallarta) · free-flow to Dreams (13+ restaurants) · Preferred Club butler
- Price advantage: Wedding in Paradise complimentary — no day-of-week restriction
- City access: 5 min drive to El Malecón and Old Town
- Airport: 15 min from PVR
The shortest version: Choose Hyatt Ziva if the setting is the wedding
— a private Pacific cove where no other resort is visible, whale watching in season,
and a Sky Penthouse Terrace that is the most dramatically panoramic venue of its kind
on the Pacific coast. Choose Secrets if the city and the adults-only atmosphere are the
wedding — El Malecón and Old Town Puerto Vallarta walkable in 5 minutes, the only casino
of any all-inclusive in PV, and complimentary golf at two of Mexico's most scenic courses.
Head-to-Head — Nine Decision Rounds
1
Setting & Physical Character
Hyatt Ziva
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
A protected natural cove on Mismaloya Beach — the same stretch where John Huston filmed
The Night of the Iguana in 1963 and where Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor
honeymooned. The resort sits inside the cove with no other property visible from the beach.
Jungle-covered Sierra Madre mountains descend to the water on both sides. Five infinity pools
cascade toward the Pacific. This is not a standard hotel-zone beachfront — it is a
geographically distinctive private cove with genuine intimacy. The physical setting is the
resort's strongest single advantage and has no equivalent anywhere on the Caribbean coast.
Secrets Vallarta Bay
Banderas Bay beachfront in the Hotel Zone — conventional beachfront in a well-located
stretch of Puerto Vallarta, but in the hotel-zone corridor rather than a private cove.
The bay and mountain views are genuinely beautiful, and the west-facing orientation
means Pacific sunsets are front and centre. But adjacent properties are visible,
and the setting is urban-adjacent rather than nature-immersive. For couples for whom
the city being 5 minutes away is the point — not the trade-off — this is exactly right.
But for the most dramatic natural setting, Hyatt Ziva holds the advantage.
2
City Access — El Malecón & Old Town
Secrets
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
30 minutes drive from El Malecón boardwalk and Old Town Puerto Vallarta — in the
opposite direction from the Hotel Zone. The cove setting that makes Hyatt Ziva
special comes at the cost of city proximity. For a wedding group wanting to walk
to the cobblestone streets, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, local restaurants,
and gallery districts during the stay, the 30-minute taxi each way adds up over a week.
Excursion-oriented groups who plan organized day trips from the resort are less affected.
Secrets Vallarta Bay
5 minutes from El Malecón boardwalk and Old Town — the most city-accessible all-inclusive
in the Puerto Vallarta corridor. Wedding groups can walk to the Malecón from the taxi
drop in 5 minutes. Local restaurants, bars, galleries, and the famous church are all within
a short cab ride. For groups who want to spend evenings in Puerto Vallarta's restaurant
scene rather than exclusively at the resort, Secrets is the only all-inclusive that makes
this practical without a major logistics commitment. No other VFL PV all-inclusive comes
close to this city proximity.
3
Signature Elevated Venue
Tie — Different Advantages
Hyatt Ziva — Sky Penthouse Terrace (100 guests · newly renovated · no venue fee stated)
The newly renovated Sky Penthouse Terrace is the most dramatic elevated venue of any Hyatt Ziva
property — panoramic 360° views of the Pacific Ocean and jungle mountains in every direction.
Up to 100 guests. The physical setting combines ocean on one side and the wild Sierra Madre
on the other, creating the "Sky Wedding" experience that no flat beach venue can replicate.
Ideal for intimate receptions, cocktail hours, and rehearsal dinners where the view is the
centrepiece. Venue fee: confirm with VFL at time of inquiry.
Secrets — Terraza La Vista (~150 guests · covered · $700 venue fee · best sunset position)
The Terraza La Vista is a covered, open-air elevated terrace with panoramic Banderas Bay views —
and it holds the best Pacific sunset photography position of any venue in the Puerto Vallarta
portfolio. The sun sets directly behind the couple during a ceremony on this terrace.
Approximately 150 guests — larger than the Sky Penthouse Terrace — and covered, which means
a light shower during the ceremony doesn't end the event. The $700 venue fee is the only
extra cost, and for the photographs it produces it is the most cost-efficient venue upgrade
in the PV portfolio.
4
Adults-Only Atmosphere
Secrets
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
Family-friendly throughout — children are welcome everywhere except the adults-only swim-up
pool section. The resort has dedicated kids programming and family suites. For couples
who want an AO atmosphere for themselves but have family guests with children — the adults-only
pool section gives the couple a private retreat while families are accommodated elsewhere
in the resort. Wedding groups with mixed demographics are a natural fit. But if an AO
atmosphere throughout the entire property is a priority, Hyatt Ziva doesn't offer this.
Secrets Vallarta Bay
Adults-only 18+ throughout — no children in any area of the resort, pool, beach, or
restaurant. For all-adult wedding groups, this creates a consistently sophisticated
atmosphere that family-friendly properties cannot replicate. Preferred Club guests
additionally get butler service and a private lounge — the closest Secrets comes to
the full butler experience. No under-18 guests means the pool, beach, and restaurants
maintain an exclusively adult ambiance for the entirety of the wedding week.
5
Large Beach Ceremony Capacity
Hyatt Ziva
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta — Beach 500 guests
Mismaloya Beach holds up to 500 guests — the highest outdoor ceremony capacity
of any VFL all-inclusive in the Puerto Vallarta corridor. For large groups of
100–500 guests wanting a Pacific beach ceremony with the private cove and mountain
backdrop, there is no equivalent at Secrets or any other PV all-inclusive. The
Rios Ballroom adds 400 banquet / 600 theater for indoor reception capacity at
the same resort, making large-wedding logistics manageable without splitting venues
across properties.
Secrets Vallarta Bay — Beach 350 guests (10:30 PM curfew) · Ballroom 724 reception
The beach at Secrets holds 350 guests — fewer than Hyatt Ziva's 500, and with a
10:30 PM curfew that requires a venue change if the reception extends past that time.
The Secrets Convention Center ballroom at 724 reception capacity is the largest
indoor venue of any Secrets property on the Pacific, giving Secrets an indoor
advantage. For groups wanting the late-night reception, the ballroom is the answer.
But for the open-air Pacific beach ceremony at 100–350 guests, Hyatt Ziva's 500
capacity and no stated beach curfew is the more flexible setup.
6
Package Pricing & Value
Hyatt Ziva (Mon–Wed)
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta — confirmed 5-tier pricing + Mon/Wed discount
All five packages have confirmed published pricing: Just for Two $999 (or complimentary) ·
Dreams of Love $1,499/$1,999 · Intimate Romance $2,799/$3,299 · Lavish & Opulent $4,799 ·
Ultimate Elegance $8,999 (DJ + fireworks + custom florals). Mon–Wed ceremonies run
$500 lower than Thu–Sun across the entry-level tiers — a meaningful saving for flexible couples.
The Lavish & Opulent ($4,799, 20 guests) is the best mid-tier value in the PV portfolio —
includes cocktail hour, dinner reception, sound system, hair and makeup, and an anniversary night.
Secrets Vallarta Bay — WiP $0 complimentary · Secrets of Love + Ultimate confirm with VFL
Secrets Wedding in Paradise is complimentary with no day-of-week restriction (7 qualifying
nights or 5 rooms × 3 nights) — simpler qualification than Hyatt Ziva's Mon–Wed-only
complimentary condition. Secrets of Love and Secrets Ultimate pricing must be confirmed
with VFL — post-Hyatt acquisition, published pricing is no longer current on the live page.
Preferred Club adds butler service for the couple at an additional room-rate premium without
a separate package line charge.
7
Evening Entertainment & Nightlife
Secrets
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
Nightly live entertainment including themed beach parties, live music, and cultural
performances — solid for a standard all-inclusive evening program. But the resort
is 30 minutes from Puerto Vallarta's city nightlife, so off-property evenings
require organised transportation. On-property entertainment is well-regarded;
there is no casino. For groups who want the nightlife to be part of the wedding
week experience, the city's proximity matters — and Hyatt Ziva's cove location
works against it.
Secrets Vallarta Bay
Three layers of evening activity available simultaneously — on-property bars (Rendezvous
deck bar open to 1 AM, Manatees swim-up, Sugar Reef poolside), the only on-site casino
of any all-inclusive in Puerto Vallarta, and El Malecón boardwalk and Old Town bars and
restaurants 5 minutes by taxi. This is the richest evening entertainment portfolio of any
PV all-inclusive. The casino alone is a meaningful differentiator — a wedding-week
evening at the casino without leaving the property is unavailable at Hyatt Ziva or
any other PV all-inclusive.
8
Group Benefits & Complimentary Rooms
Depends on Season
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
Two seasons: Peak (Jan 4–Apr 15) — 11th room free (1 per 10 paid) · max 3 comp rooms ·
min 3 nights. Shoulder (Apr 16–Dec 15) — 6th room free (1 per 5 paid) · max 3 comp rooms ·
completed by Dec 20. Plus: 1 room upgrade per group, welcome drink on arrival,
welcome amenity for couple's suite, group check-in for 15+ rooms. Blackout dates:
Christmas/New Year (Dec 21–Jan 3), Presidents' Day weekend, Easter Week, July 4th week.
Secrets Vallarta Bay
Secrets group benefits at Vallarta Bay: 10 rooms × 3 nights threshold · 1 comp room per
10 paid · $100 resort coupons per person (spa, dining, wine) · 1-hour welcome reception
for up to 50 guests with open bar · hospitality desk throughout. Max 3 comp rooms + 2
upgrades per group. Blackout: May 1–31, Dec 24/25/31, Jan 1. Note: rooms at Dreams
Vallarta Bay booked by other guests do NOT count toward your Secrets group threshold —
even though guests have free-flow access.
9
Unique Advantages — What Each Has That the Other Doesn't
Each Wins Its Own
Hyatt Ziva — exclusive advantages unavailable at Secrets
Whale watching from the resort (Dec–Apr). Humpback
and gray whales migrate through Banderas Bay directly in view of Mismaloya cove — visible
from the beach and pools. Private boat tours depart from near the resort.
No Caribbean property and no Secrets property offers this.
SA-certified coordinators on staff. Formally trained in South Asian multi-event programs. One of the Pacific coast's only SA-certified all-inclusives. Mandap, Sangeet, Mehndi, Baraat coordination available.
True private cove setting. No other resort visible from the beach. Jungle mountains on both sides. A genuine boutique atmosphere that Secrets' hotel-zone setting cannot replicate.
SA-certified coordinators on staff. Formally trained in South Asian multi-event programs. One of the Pacific coast's only SA-certified all-inclusives. Mandap, Sangeet, Mehndi, Baraat coordination available.
True private cove setting. No other resort visible from the beach. Jungle mountains on both sides. A genuine boutique atmosphere that Secrets' hotel-zone setting cannot replicate.
Secrets — exclusive advantages unavailable at Hyatt Ziva
Only casino of any PV all-inclusive. A full
on-site casino — the only one at any all-inclusive hotel in Puerto Vallarta. Wedding-week
evening activity without leaving the property.
Complimentary golf — two championship courses. Marina Vallarta Golf Club and Vista Vallarta (Nicklaus + Weiskopf designs) — free green fees for all Secrets guests. No equivalent free golf offer at Hyatt Ziva PV.
Free-flow to Dreams Vallarta Bay (13+ restaurants). Combined dining access across both adjacent properties — the most restaurant variety of any PV all-inclusive. Family guests with children can stay at Dreams while the couple and adults book Secrets, all sharing meals and beach access.
Preferred Club butler service. Butler service + private lounge available as a room upgrade — not standard, but available. Not offered at Hyatt Ziva PV.
Complimentary golf — two championship courses. Marina Vallarta Golf Club and Vista Vallarta (Nicklaus + Weiskopf designs) — free green fees for all Secrets guests. No equivalent free golf offer at Hyatt Ziva PV.
Free-flow to Dreams Vallarta Bay (13+ restaurants). Combined dining access across both adjacent properties — the most restaurant variety of any PV all-inclusive. Family guests with children can stay at Dreams while the couple and adults book Secrets, all sharing meals and beach access.
Preferred Club butler service. Butler service + private lounge available as a room upgrade — not standard, but available. Not offered at Hyatt Ziva PV.
All Venues — Confirmed Capacities Side by Side
| Venue | Resort | Capacity | Fee | What Makes It Distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mismaloya Beach | Hyatt Ziva | 500 | Confirm | Private cove · no other resort visible · Pacific sunset backdrop · mountain jungle frames horizon · largest outdoor PV capacity |
| Rios Ballroom (3 rooms) | Hyatt Ziva | 400 banquet / 600 theater | Confirm | Largest indoor venue in the PV portfolio · 635 sq m · 3 divisible rooms · unique Mexican décor · full AV |
| Sky Penthouse Terrace | Hyatt Ziva | 100 | Confirm | Newly renovated · 360° Pacific and jungle mountain panoramic · most dramatic elevated venue of any Hyatt Ziva · rehearsal dinner ideal |
| Palmas Terrace | Hyatt Ziva | 100 | Confirm | Garden terrace · dedicated pool · 241 sq m · lush tropical setting with Pacific views · cocktail hours and smaller dinners |
| Oceanfront Gazebo | Hyatt Ziva | Intimate | Confirm | Most photographed structure · Pacific as full backdrop · the classic intimate Hyatt Ziva ceremony venue |
| Arboledas Breakout Rooms (×5) | Hyatt Ziva | Flexible | Confirm | 5 rooms + landscaped Foyer · Mehndi · Sangeet · welcome breakfast · rehearsal dinner · morning-after brunch |
| Beach | Secrets | 350 | Confirm | Banderas Bay beachfront · Pacific sunset exposure · largest outdoor Secrets PV venue · 10:30 PM curfew applies |
| Terraza La Vista | Secrets | ~150 | $700 | Best sunset photography position in Puerto Vallarta · elevated covered open-air · panoramic bay views · sun sets behind the couple |
| Convention Center / Ballroom | Secrets | 724 reception | Confirm | Highest indoor capacity of any Secrets Pacific property · full AV · dance floor · staging · no beach curfew restriction |
| Pool Area | Secrets | 250 | Confirm | Infinity pool terrace · Banderas Bay views · pool reflections as evening reception backdrop · cocktail and dinner receptions |
| 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 both sides · naturally breezy · unusual architectural ceremony space |
Hyatt Ziva PV Secrets Vallarta Bay
Wedding Package Pricing — Confirmed vs Confirm with VFL
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta — Confirmed Pricing
Just for the Two of You
From $999 or complimentary
Couple only · complimentary: 7 nights, min Junior Suite, Mon–Wed 9AM–1PM, 6 months advance
Dreams of Love
$1,499 Mon–Wed | $1,999 Thu–Sun
Couple · + 15% spa discount
Intimate Romance
$2,799 Mon–Wed | $3,299 Thu–Sun
Up to 10 guests · + couples massage · romantic dinner · wine in suite
Lavish & Opulent
$4,799
Up to 20 guests · cocktail hour · dinner reception · sound system · hair & makeup · anniversary night
Ultimate Elegance
$8,999
Up to 50 guests · DJ + dance floor + fireworks · custom florals · anniversary night
Secrets Vallarta Bay — Confirm with VFL
Wedding in Paradise
$0 complimentary
7 qualifying nights or 5 rooms × 3 nights · no day-of-week restriction · coordinator · ceremony · bouquet · cake · sparkling wine
Secrets of Love
Confirm with VFL
Up to 20 guests · cocktail hour Silver Menu · 3hr dinner reception Silver Menu · minister · hair + makeup · 36 photos + album
Secrets Ultimate
Confirm with VFL
Up to 20 guests · live mariachi · Gold Menu cocktail + dinner · full venue décor · 50 photos + album · 30-min video · spa for two
Preferred Club: butler service + private lounge as room-rate upgrade. Confirm add-on cost with VFL. Not available as standard (unlike Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall where butler is standard in every room).
The Mon–Wed pricing advantage at Hyatt Ziva: Booking a Monday, Tuesday,
or Wednesday ceremony saves $500 on the Intimate Romance package ($2,799 vs $3,299) and
the Dreams of Love package ($1,499 vs $1,999). For the Lavish & Opulent and Ultimate
Elegance tiers, pricing does not show a published day-of-week differential — confirm
with VFL. Flexible couples with a weekday window can access this saving without any change
to the resort, venue, or package content. Secrets WiP has no day-of-week restriction
for the complimentary package.
Free Package Options — Side by Side
| Condition | Hyatt Ziva — Just for Two | Secrets — Wedding in Paradise |
|---|---|---|
| Package cost | $0 complimentary | $0 complimentary |
| Qualifying stay | 7 nights minimum | 7 nights OR 5 rooms × 3 nights (more flexible) |
| Room category | Minimum Junior Suite | Any room category |
| Day-of-week | Mon–Wed only · 9AM–1PM window | Any day of week |
| Lead time | 6 months advance required | 30 days minimum |
| Guest count | Couple only · no additional guests | Up to 10 guests included |
| Key inclusions | Ceremony · bouquet · boutonniere · cake · sparkling wine · suite décor · specialist | Ceremony · coordinator · bouquet · boutonniere · cake · sparkling wine (10 guests) · late checkout · anniversary nights · 15% spa discount |
| Booking type | New bookings only | — |
| Verdict | Best for couples staying 7 nights with no guests — the most cost-accessible complimentary elopement package on the Pacific coast | More flexible qualification · includes up to 10 guests · no day-of-week or advance-booking restriction |
The One Advantage Each Resort Holds That the Other Simply Doesn't Have
Mixed-Age Groups — How Each Property Handles Guests Under 18
Hyatt Ziva — All Ages Welcome Under One Roof
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta is family-friendly throughout — guests under 18 are welcome everywhere except the adults-only swim-up pool section. All wedding guests, regardless of age, book at the same property. No split group contracts, no separate check-in points, no coordination between two properties. Kids and teen programming keeps younger guests occupied while adult guests use the adults-only pool and the couple has access to the swim-up suite section. The simplest logistical setup for a mixed-age wedding group.
Secrets — Split-Group: Adults at Secrets, Families at Dreams
Secrets Vallarta Bay is adults-only 18+ — guests under 18 cannot stay at or access the property. For mixed-age wedding groups, the solution is the adjacent Dreams Vallarta Bay: family guests with children book at Dreams (family-friendly), and free-flow access between both properties means all guests share restaurants, beach, bars, and the casino throughout the stay. Adults at Secrets enjoy AO atmosphere. Families at Dreams enjoy family programming. Everyone gathers at shared venues for wedding events. VFL structures the split group room block across both properties. More complex than Hyatt Ziva's single-property setup, but it preserves the AO atmosphere for all adult guests including the couple.
Which mixed-age solution is better? If simplicity is the priority —
everyone under one roof, one contract, one check-in — Hyatt Ziva wins. If the AO atmosphere
for every adult guest is the priority (and you're willing to manage two hotel contracts)
— Secrets + Dreams wins. VFL manages both configurations; the couple's preference for AO
purity vs logistical simplicity is the decision driver.
Which Resort for Your Wedding?
Most dramatic natural Pacific setting · private cove · no adjacent properties visible
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta. The Mismaloya cove is geographically distinctive — no other all-inclusive sits in a protected Pacific cove with jungle mountains on both sides and the Pacific horizon ahead. It cannot be replicated at Secrets or any other PV property. Choose Hyatt Ziva if the setting itself is the wedding.
Best Pacific sunset ceremony photography · Terraza La Vista elevated panoramic
Secrets Vallarta Bay — Terraza La Vista. The Terraza La Vista ($700 venue fee) is the best sunset photography position of any venue in the Puerto Vallarta portfolio — elevated, covered, panoramic, with the Pacific sunset directly behind the couple. Hyatt Ziva's Sky Penthouse Terrace is 360° panoramic and extraordinary, but Secrets' Terraza La Vista faces west into the full bay sunset in the way that produces the most dramatic ceremony photographs.
December through April wedding · whale watching as wedding-week highlight
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta. The Mismaloya cove is directly in the Banderas Bay humpback and gray whale migration corridor. For a winter or spring wedding date, seeing whales from the beach or on a private boat tour is an extraordinary group experience available at no other PV all-inclusive. If the date falls between December and April, this tips the balance firmly toward Hyatt Ziva.
City access matters · Old Town dining · El Malecón · local culture · evening flexibility
Secrets Vallarta Bay. 5 minutes to El Malecón. Local restaurants, bars, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, gallery districts, and the Malecón boardwalk culture are all accessible within a short taxi ride. For groups who want to spend evenings in Puerto Vallarta's actual city — not just the resort — Secrets is the only PV all-inclusive that makes this practical. Hyatt Ziva is 30 minutes away in the opposite direction.
Casino access · evening entertainment variety · complimentary golf
Secrets Vallarta Bay. The only on-site casino of any all-inclusive in Puerto Vallarta. Complimentary golf at Marina Vallarta and Vista Vallarta (Nicklaus + Weiskopf designs). Rendezvous deck bar open to 1 AM. Free-flow to Dreams adds 7 more restaurants and 5 more bars. Three layers of evening entertainment simultaneously without leaving the property complex. No equivalent at Hyatt Ziva.
Adults-only atmosphere throughout · Preferred Club butler service
Secrets Vallarta Bay. Adults-only 18+ throughout every area of the property. Preferred Club guests get butler service and a private lounge as an upgrade — the closest Secrets comes to the Hyatt Zilara Rose Hall standard (where butler is included for every guest as standard, not an upgrade). For pure AO atmosphere throughout, Secrets is the only answer. Hyatt Ziva's family-friendly character is its strength for mixed-age groups and a trade-off for AO-only couples.
South Asian multi-event program · SA-certified coordinator · Sangeet · Mehndi · Baraat
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta. SA-certified coordinators are on staff — formally trained in South Asian multi-event wedding programs. One of the Pacific coast's only SA-certified all-inclusives. The venue variety (Beach 500 · Rios Ballroom 400 · Sky Penthouse 100 · Palmas Terrace 100 · Arboledas Breakout Rooms ×5) accommodates a full 3–5 day South Asian wedding week with genuinely different settings for each event. Secrets has no published SA certification.
Mixed-age group · guests with children · logistical simplicity
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta. Family-friendly throughout — everyone books at one property, one contract, one check-in. Kids club, teen programming, family suites, and the adults-only swim-up section for adult guests. Simpler than the Secrets + Dreams split-group model. If the wedding group includes children and you want one hotel for everyone, Hyatt Ziva is the answer.
Mon–Wed ceremony date · cost-conscious mid-tier package
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta. The Mon–Wed pricing discount saves $500 on Intimate Romance ($2,799 vs $3,299) and Dreams of Love ($1,499 vs $1,999). For flexible couples who can book a weekday ceremony, these are the most cost-accessible confirmed-pricing packages at any family-friendly PV all-inclusive with a private Pacific cove and elevated sky terrace.
More Puerto Vallarta Wedding Planning Guides
All PV Resorts
All 4 properties compared including RIU Nuevo Vallarta and Dreams. Geography guide. Full venue table.
Adults-Only PV
Secrets Vallarta Bay + RIU Palace Pacifico compared. Terraza La Vista. Casino. Caprice $8,999.
PV Budget Guide
Full cost ladder. Mon–Wed savings. Three couple cost examples. Free package comparison.
Getting Married in PV
Jalisco blood test · 3 business days residency · apostille · Jalisco vs Nayarit jurisdiction.
← PV Hub
Overview of all Puerto Vallarta destination wedding resources and planning guides.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta better than Secrets Vallarta Bay for a wedding?
Neither is objectively better — they're optimised for different couples. Hyatt Ziva is better for: couples who want the most distinctive Pacific natural setting (private cove, no adjacent resorts visible), large beach ceremonies up to 500 guests, whale watching Dec–Apr, South Asian multi-event programs (SA-certified coordinators on staff), mixed-age groups under one roof, and Mon–Wed pricing savings. Secrets is better for: adults-only atmosphere throughout, the Terraza La Vista sunset photography position, city access (5 min Malecón vs 30 min), the casino, complimentary golf at two championship courses, and free-flow to Dreams for the most dining variety of any PV all-inclusive. The decision comes down to whether the natural setting or the urban-adjacent amenities matter more to the couple.
What is the Terraza La Vista at Secrets Vallarta Bay and why does it matter?
The Terraza La Vista is an elevated, covered, open-air terrace at Secrets Vallarta Bay with panoramic Banderas Bay views. It is considered the best Pacific sunset photography position of any wedding venue in the Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive portfolio. The terrace faces west — the sun sets directly over the bay behind the couple during a ceremony held there — creating the most dramatic possible golden-hour ceremony photographs. A venue fee of approximately $700 applies (confirm current rate with VFL). The terrace holds approximately 150 guests, is covered so a light shower doesn't end the event, and is elevated to give a bay-wide panorama unavailable at beach level. For couples for whom sunset ceremony photography is the single most important element of the day, the Terraza La Vista is difficult to surpass in Puerto Vallarta.
What is the Sky Penthouse Terrace at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta?
The Sky Penthouse Terrace is a newly renovated elevated venue at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta holding up to 100 guests with panoramic 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean and the jungle-covered Sierra Madre mountains. It is described as the most dramatic elevated wedding venue of any Hyatt Ziva property. Unlike the Terraza La Vista at Secrets (which faces west into the bay sunset), the Sky Penthouse Terrace is panoramic in all directions — Pacific on one side, mountains on the other, and the entire cove below. It is ideal for intimate receptions, rehearsal dinners, and welcome cocktail hours where the view is the centrepiece experience. Confirm venue fee and availability with VFL at time of inquiry.
Is the Hyatt Ziva complimentary package really available for free?
Yes — the Just for the Two of You package at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta is genuinely complimentary when all qualifying conditions are met: minimum 7-night stay in at least a Junior Suite room category, ceremony scheduled on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday between 9 AM and 1 PM, booking made at least 6 months before the wedding date, and new booking only. The package is for the couple only — no additional guests are included. The Junior Suite minimum is the lowest qualifying room category of any Hyatt Ziva property, making Puerto Vallarta's complimentary package more accessible than Cancun or Los Cabos where a higher room category may be required. VFL confirms current qualifying conditions for your specific dates.
Can I have an adults-only reception at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta?
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta is a family-friendly resort — children are welcome at the property and in most areas. However, the resort has a dedicated adults-only pool and swim-up suite section where under-18 guests are not admitted. Reception and ceremony venues including the Sky Penthouse Terrace, Palmas Terrace, Rios Ballroom, and beach can be configured for adults-only events for the couple's specific wedding function, as wedding events are private bookings. The overall resort atmosphere during non-wedding time will include other families with children. For a consistently adults-only property atmosphere throughout the stay — not just during the wedding events themselves — Secrets Vallarta Bay is the correct choice.
How does the Secrets Vallarta Bay group benefit differ from Hyatt Ziva?
The two group benefit structures have different strengths depending on group size and season. Hyatt Ziva offers a generous shoulder-season benefit (6th room free — 1 per 5 paid rooms — Apr 16 to Dec 15) and peak-season benefit (11th room free — Jan 4 to Apr 15), with a maximum of 3 comp rooms per group. Secrets offers 1 comp room per 10 paid rooms per night, plus $100 resort coupons per person (usable at the spa, restaurant, and wine selections), a complimentary 1-hour hosted welcome reception for up to 50 guests with open bar and hors d'oeuvres, and a dedicated hospitality desk. The Secrets $100 per-person coupon and the welcome reception add meaningful group event value beyond just comp room nights. VFL tracks both structures and advises which is more advantageous for your specific group size, season, and room count.
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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.
Quick Decision Guide
- Private cove · whale watching · SA: Hyatt Ziva
- Best sunset photos · Terraza La Vista: Secrets
- City 5 min · casino · golf: Secrets
- Family-friendly · single property: Hyatt Ziva
- Adults-only atmosphere: Secrets
- South Asian program: Hyatt Ziva (SA-certified)
- Mon–Wed savings: Hyatt Ziva
Confirmed Package Pricing
- Ziva Just for Two: $999 or complimentary
- Ziva Dreams of Love: $1,499/$1,999
- Ziva Intimate Romance: $2,799/$3,299
- Ziva Lavish & Opulent: $4,799 · 20 guests
- Ziva Ultimate Elegance: $8,999 · DJ + fireworks
- Secrets WiP: $0 complimentary
- Secrets of Love + Ultimate: confirm with VFL
Full Property Guides
Free Consultation — Hyatt Ziva PV vs Secrets Vallarta Bay
Tell us your guest count, target dates, whether adults-only or family matters, and whether you're interested in a Mon–Wed date or whale watching season. We'll tell you which resort fits — and whether the Mon–Wed pricing saves you enough to justify the day constraint — 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