Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico Map (Most Up-To-Date)
Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico is a single U shaped, adults only beachfront tower in Flamingos, with three distinct pool zones, quiet and entertainment wings, and direct access to Bucerias along the sand. Key decisions are which wing and floor to book, how close to the activity pool to be, and how often you will walk or taxi off site.
| Area / Zone | Best For | Key Tip | Watch Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lobby Atrium and Central Bar | Quick orientation, evening drinks, meeting points before heading out | Use the lobby bar as your main navigation landmark inside | Can feel busy and noisy, especially around pre dinner cocktail time |
| North Wing Quiet Side | Quiet rooms, relaxed pool vibes, guests avoiding nighttime theater or party noise | Aim for higher floors overlooking the quiet pool for calmer soundscape | Inland facing rooms lose ocean views but gain more acoustic insulation |
| South Wing Entertainment Side | Guests who prioritize quick access to shows, sports bar and activity pool | Choose higher floors or outer facing rooms to soften entertainment noise | Inner curve lower floors are loudest, directly above party pool and theater |
| Pool Trio: Relax, Social, Activity | Switching between quiet sunbathing, social swim up bar time and activities | Base yourself near the pool matching your preferred noise and energy level | Swim up and activity pools fill early and stay busy through mid afternoon |
| Flamingos Beachfront | Long flat walks, sunset watching, casual swimming and beachside vendors or massages | Walk north toward Bucerias for local restaurants, markets and small town feel | Afternoon surf and vendors increase; keep valuables minimal when walking to town |
| Front Road and Transport Access | Budget trips to Bucerias or Puerto Vallarta using buses or short taxi rides | Catch green Compostela or ATM buses from Av de los Cocoteros outside | Buses can be hot and crowded; confirm destination with driver before boarding |
2025 Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico Map + Printable PDF (Official 2020 Edition)
Since reopening after its late 2023 renovation, Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico has kept the same compact U shaped tower, three pool zones and Flamingos beachfront footprint, so current maps remain reliable. The main change is operational, not spatial: adults only targeting, Elite Club sections and refreshed interiors. Arrival, pool circulation, beach access and walking routes to Bucerias or the neighboring Riu properties still follow the described pattern.
2025 Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico Map Guide
Start by deciding which wing, floor and facing best match your priorities, since everything sits inside one tall U around the pool courtyard. Then trace your daily paths: lobby to buffet or Elite Club restaurant, room to preferred pool, and pool to the Flamingos beach or Bucerias walk. Finally, note transport touchpoints along Av de los Cocoteros for buses, taxis or pre booked golf and excursions
What is the internal layout of Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico, including buildings, pools, restaurants, and main facilities?
Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico is a single U shaped tower, with lobby central, dining north, theater and party pool south, opening to Flamingos beach.
The property uses one tall U shaped building that wraps around a central courtyard of three pools and then opens directly to the sand. The lobby and central bar sit at the base of the U, with Cappuccino just off this hub. Guest rooms stretch along both wings above, so every elevator ride brings you back to the lobby as the main navigation point.
The north (right) wing is the quieter culinary side, with La Peninsula buffet and the row of specialty restaurants on the ground floor and the quiet pool in front. The south (left) wing is the entertainment side, with the theater and 24 hour sports bar at the far end and the activity or party pool and swim up bar toward the beach. Spa, gym, pool grill and Elite Club areas sit within this same compact footprint, all reached by short walks from the lobby.
Where exactly is Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico in Nuevo Vallarta, and how is it positioned on the beachfront?
Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico sits in the Flamingos zone at Nuevo Vallarta’s north end, directly on wide Playa de Flamingos facing west southwest.
The hotel stands on Av de los Cocoteros in the Flamingos sub district, at the northern tip of the main Nuevo Vallarta hotel strip. The tower forms the north end of a three hotel Riu compound, just above Riu Jalisco and Riu Vallarta, and it is slightly closer to Bucerias than to Puerto Vallarta.
The U shaped building opens straight onto Playa de Flamingos with no road in between, so pools and terraces step directly down to a long, flat, swimmable beach that frames sunset views over Banderas Bay.
What attractions and activities are near Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico, especially family-friendly spots, golf, and walkable areas?
Nearby highlights include Bucerias beach town, Aquaventuras water park, Flamingos Golf and quick taxi links to marinas and theme parks.
The area clusters a walkable beach town, water activities and several golf courses within short taxi or bus rides.
- Bucerias town center – walk the beach north for markets, casual seafood spots, local bars and the Kissing Bridge area.
- Aquaventuras Park and Dolphin Discovery – short taxi south for waterslides, lazy river and marine life encounters.
- Flamingos Golf Club – closest course inland, with mature fairways a very short drive from the lobby.
- El Tigre and Vidanta Golf – additional courses a bit farther south for golfers wanting variety.
- Marietas Islands tours – boats commonly depart from nearby marinas in Nuevo Vallarta or La Cruz.
How does Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico’s location and beachfront compare with nearby Riu resorts and Dreams Villamagna?
Pacifico sits at Flamingos’ quieter north end with the same wide swimmable beach but newer, adults only hardware than nearby Rius and Dreams.
| Resort | Position on strip | Beach character | Location take |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riu Palace Pacifico | Northern tip of Riu compound, Flamingos | Wide, flat, swimmable Playa de Flamingos | Quieter feel, adults only, easy walk to Bucerias, newest plant |
| Riu Jalisco | Middle of compound | Same continuous Flamingos beachfront | Livelier, budget family hub, heavier foot traffic along shore |
| Riu Vallarta | Southern end of Riu trio | Same long walking beach | Mid range, active vibe, slightly busier surroundings |
| Dreams Villamagna | Farther south in Nuevo Vallarta corridor | Similarly wide, swimmable Nuevo Vallarta | Family focused, good beach but older physical plant than Pacifico |
All share the same strong, swimmable bay, but Pacifico couples a relatively calmer stretch and Bucerias proximity with the most modern adults only setup.
Which room locations at Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico offer the best and most consistent ocean views?
For the steadiest ocean views, choose high floor oceanfront suites on the U tips or inner wing rooms from floors 4 to 9 above the palms.
The view hierarchy starts with true Oceanfront Suites, located on the seaward tips of both wings and at the center curve closest to the beach. These units look straight out to water with minimal pool foreground and give the widest panoramas, especially on higher floors. They are often tied to Elite Club inventory, so availability can be limited.
Next best are inner facing Junior Suites along the U’s arms on floors 4 to 9. Here you look across the pool complex with a clear ocean band beyond. On floors 1 to 3, palm canopies and roofs partially block the water, while outer facing rooms look inland toward mountains or neighboring resorts rather than the bay.
What are the main ways to get from Puerto Vallarta Airport (PVR) to Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico?
From PVR you can use licensed airport taxis, cross the pedestrian bridge for Uber, or prebook a private shuttle straight to the hotel.
The hotel sits about 13 to 15 km from PVR, so every option is a simple road transfer.
- Authorized airport taxi – Pay at the official counters after customs, then ride directly to the lobby; fixed zone rate for Nuevo Vallarta and Flamingos.
- Uber or rideshare – Exit, walk left to the pedestrian bridge, cross to the highway side and call your car; usually cheaper than airport taxis.
- Private shuttle service – Prearranged companies meet you with a sign, then drive straight to Flamingos; pricing is similar to or slightly above taxis.
Is the beach in front of Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico generally swimmable, and what are typical water conditions?
The Flamingos beach here is usually swimmable with a gentle sandy entry, moderate bay waves and conditions posted daily by a flag system.
The hotel sits on Playa de Flamingos, where sand is wide and flat and the seabed slopes gradually, so guests can wade out slowly before it gets deep. Banderas Bay is naturally protected, so wave action is moderate rather than rough like open Pacific beaches, and most days are comfortable for casual swimming and water play.
Lifeguards use a colored flag system to signal each day’s safety level. Mornings usually bring calmer water, while afternoons often see stronger chop as winds pick up.
How far is Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico from downtown Bucerias, and how long does it take to get there?
Bucerias town is roughly 1 km away, with 15 to 40 minutes on foot or about 5 to 10 minutes by taxi depending on destination.
The hotel sits just south of Bucerias, with the town center plaza about 0.6 miles, roughly 1 km, up the coast. Walking along the beach, you typically reach the first line of Bucerias bars and restaurants in around 15 to 20 minutes at an easy pace, then another stretch brings you into the main plaza and Kissing Bridge area in roughly 30 to 40 minutes total.
By road, a taxi from the hotel entrance to central Bucerias usually takes around 5 to 10 minutes, making it a quick trip if you prefer not to walk back after dark or in hotter midday conditions.
How are accessible rooms, ramps, and step-free routes laid out at Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico?
Accessibility clusters around a few ramps and elevators, with step free movement on the pool level and a limited set of adapted rooms.
The main lobby level sits slightly above the gardens, so four designated ramps connect this platform down to the pool and restaurant level. These ramps are not perfectly symmetrical; in places the only ramp is at one end of a wing, so wheelchair users may need to take longer routes across the U rather than descending directly where they stand.
Once you are on the pool deck, most paths between pools, beach edge, buffet, specialty restaurants and beachside restrooms are step free. Elevators link room floors to the lobby but are small and often crowded at meal peaks, which matters for scooters or larger chairs. A limited number of accessible junior suites include wider doors, grab bars and roll in showers, so early, explicit requests for ground floor or near elevator accessible rooms are important.
What transportation options are near Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico, such as bus stops, taxis, or car rentals?
Outside the entrance you have a taxi stand, local ATM and Compostela buses on Cocoteros, plus concierge arranged rentals and regional rideshares.
The main transport hub is Av de los Cocoteros directly in front of the lobby gate, where multiple options cluster within a very short walk.
- Local buses – Green Compostela or ATM buses stop on Cocoteros for cheap trips north to Bucerias, Sayulita or south toward Puerto Vallarta.
- Taxis – A staffed taxi rank waits at the hotel entrance, using posted zone based fares for Bucerias, marinas and Puerto Vallarta.
- Car rentals – Major agencies can be arranged through the concierge for self drive day trips farther up the Nayarit coast.
- App rideshares – Uber operates in the area and can serve the hotel, with airport style pickup restrictions applying only at PVR.
What do guests say about the convenience and overall quality of Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico’s location?
Guests rate the location highly for quiet Flamingos beachfront and Bucerias walkability, with minor complaints about distance to PV nightlife.
Guest reviews consistently describe the spot as a “Goldilocks” location. The resort sits directly on a wide, swimmable Flamingos beach, so walks are easy and sunset views are reliable. Being near the north end keeps things calmer than central Nuevo Vallarta, and the ability to walk along the sand to Bucerias for markets, tacos and bars is praised repeatedly.
Scores for location typically fall in the high range, with deductions mostly from people who want frequent nights out in downtown Puerto Vallarta. For couples and retirees prioritizing peace over club access, the mix of quiet setting, beach quality and simple off site options feels close to ideal.
Where are the quietest room locations at Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico, away from pools and nighttime noise?
For quiet, book high floor north wing rooms over the quiet pool or outer garden side, and avoid low south wing rooms facing the activity pool.
The key is to separate yourself from the activity pool, theater and sports bar while getting some vertical distance from the deck.
- North wing, outer facing rooms – Face gardens, mountains or neighboring resorts, blocking most pool and theater noise.
- North wing, inner facing floors 6 to 9 – Overlook the quiet pool and buffet roof, with softer sound and good ocean glimpses.
- South wing, outer facing higher floors – Quieter than inner curve rooms, since they face away from the activity pool sound.
- Avoid south inner curve, floors 1 to 4 – These sit directly above the party pool and sports bar, where music and bass carry late.
Archive Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico Maps
Below are all official map versions released for Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico between 2020 and 2010.
2020-2025 Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico Map + Printable PDF (Official 2020 Edition)
2010 Hotel Riu Palace Pacifico Map
