Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta Wedding Resort Review (Mexico)
- Jodi Schlichting
- Jun 13
- 15 min read
Updated: Jun 27
As a destination wedding travel specialist, I’ve stayed at a lot of all-inclusive resorts—and I’m always on the lookout for ones that offer something truly special for wedding couples and their guests.
During my recent stay at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta, I was especially impressed by the resort’s unique setting, scenic beach, and relaxed yet upscale vibe. If you’re thinking about having your destination wedding on Mexico’s Pacific Coast, this resort is definitely one to consider.
Here’s a firsthand look at what it’s really like to stay here—and what makes it a strong contender for couples planning a wedding in Puerto Vallarta.
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Layout + First Impressions
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta is built into a hillside on a small cove—meaning the setting is truly stunning and offers more privacy and natural beauty than many other resorts. Because of the hillside location, most rooms have partial or full ocean views.
The resort has two room buildings: the Main Tower is where you’ll find the standard non-club rooms, while the Club Tower has upgraded suites and access to a private lounge. The lobby and several restaurants are located in the central area between the two towers. In the photo above, the Club Tower is on the right and the Main Tower is on the left.
Getting around is easy—no golf carts or shuttles needed—and the beach is always just steps away. The setting has a dramatic, almost cinematic quality to it with waves crashing against rocky cliffs on either end of the cove.
I personally really love that you get both ocean and mountain views—it’s something you don’t see as often at beach resorts, and it makes the scenery feel extra special.
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta Wedding Resort Overview
-30 minutes from the Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR)
-Tucked between lush hillsides on a secluded beach
-Only 10 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta
-5 dining options with cuisines like Italian, Asian, and Mexican
-4 bars/lounges including a swim-up bar, a beach bar, and a sports bar
-5 pools with an adults-only pool and multiple oceanfront infinity pools
-Spa and beauty salon
-Fitness center with cross-training equipment and stretching classes
-Kids club for children 4-12 years old
-24-hour room service
-Complimentary WiFi
My Room + Check-In Experience
My check-in experience was smooth and quick. I was greeted with a cold towel and a refreshing ice popsicle (flavors like mango or lemon). You can choose a standard room key or opt for a wooden bracelet that doubles as a key for $10. I thought that was a fun touch!
I stayed in an Ocean View King Room in the Main Tower (room # 1320 on the third floor). All of the non-club rooms like mine have been recently renovated so my room felt fresh and updated.
I really liked our room view—it overlooked the Las Palmas Terrace with palm trees and a view of the ocean. I could even hear the waves from my room, which was awesome.
Insider Tip: The Ocean View King room category doesn’t have a balcony—just a sliding glass door with a railing. Many of the room types in the Main Tower do not have a full balcony, so if having one is important to you or your guests, be sure to choose a room category that specifically mentions a balcony in the description.
The bed in my room was firm and comfortable, and the minibar was stocked with bottled water, Dos Equis, Coke, Diet Coke, Fanta, and apple juice—plus a small bag of Doritos and Oreos.
The bathroom had two double sinks with lots of counter space and a walk-in shower with great water pressure, plus the option to use either the rainfall shower head or handheld one.
There were also sliding doors that separated the bathroom vanity area from the main part of the room, which was nice for a little added privacy when getting ready.
You can click here to see a room tour of the Club Ocean View Suite from my previous visit if you want a closer look at the upgraded club level rooms, which come with added perks like personalized concierge service and access to an exclusive lounge. Club rooms are also more spacious at 704 square feet compared to 473 square feet for non-club rooms.
Pools
There are five pools at the resort: four oceanfront infinity pools and one smaller pool tucked a little farther back.
Moving left to right when facing the ocean, you’ll find the adults-only pool near the Club Tower, then the activities pool (with a little kiddie pool beside it), the main pool, the upper adults-only pool area with a swim-up bar, and finally, the Palmas pool, which is nestled near Las Palmas Terrace and the Main Tower.
Having a variety of pools to choose from means all of your weddings guests—from your college friends to your parents—can find a space that suits their vibe.
All of the pools are heated during the winter months (typically mid-December through early March), which made a big difference during our stay in January—some of the days were unseasonably cool with highs only in the upper 70s, but the pools still felt great.
You'll also find multiple jacuzzis throughout the property. We especially loved spending the early evening in the hot tub near the adults-only pool, which was nice and warm (between 95°F and 100.4°F) and the perfect way to wind down before dinner.
In general, there were loungers available throughout the day, but many of the best spots along the pool edge are reserved for cabanas, which you’ll need to rent in advance. If having a prime poolside location is important to you—or you just don’t want to worry about saving a spot early in the morning—I definitely recommend renting a cabana for at least one day.
We booked cabana # 5 at the adults-only pool and loved it. It came with a Bali bed, two loungers in the pool, and personalized wait service throughout the day.
There are several cabana packages that include different bottles of liquor, but we chose the simplest option for 1,665 pesos (about $80) and just ordered whatever drinks we wanted.
We also tipped our server in the afternoon to bring us an ice bucket of beers and ordered lunch from a special cabana menu, which was delivered right to us at our cabana.
Insider Tip: If you’re looking for a more relaxed vibe, the adults-only pool is a great choice. For something livelier, go with a cabana at the main pool near the swim-up bar.
One other small but nice detail worth mentioning? The beach and pool towels were always very well-stocked, and I liked that the resort doesn’t use towel cards—just grab what you need and enjoy your day.
Beach
The beach itself is set on a private cove, which makes it feel very peaceful, and it’s widely considered to be one of the nicest beaches in Puerto Vallarta. This is a swimmable beach, but the waves can get strong at times.
If you or your guests are used to beaches on the east coast of Mexico, like in Cancun or the Riviera Maya, just keep in mind that the beaches on the Pacific Coast have a different look—the sand is more of a golden or brown color and the water is more of a dark blue instead of turquoise.
One major plus? The west coast of Mexico isn’t affected by seasonal sargassum (basically a specific type of seaweed), which can impact beach conditions along the Caribbean side—especially in the warmer months from spring through fall. While seaweed can still occasionally wash up here, there wasn’t any during my stay.
Because of the way the beach is tucked between cliffs, there are very few vendors here. The resort allows just a small handful of vendors to occasionally approach guests on the beach or in the oceanfront pools, so you won’t be bombarded by people trying to sell you something like you might be at some other resorts.
The resort offers complimentary kayaking tours, and there is also parasailing and jet skiing available through vendors on the beach (not affiliated with the resort).
If you visit between December and March, be sure to keep your eyes on the ocean—you might spot humpback whales breaching in the distance, like I did. Soo cool!!
And no matter when you go, the sunsets here are incredible! The resort faces west, so you’ll get front-row views of beautiful sunsets each evening.
Food + Drinks
The food at Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta was good overall—especially for an all-inclusive resort. I tried a variety of dining options during my stay and here were some of my favorites:
Blaze was my favorite restaurant, hands down. The oceanfront setting is really unique, and the food didn’t disappoint. From the lunch menu, I loved the tuna ceviche and shrimp tacos (so fresh and flavorful!). At dinner, the shrimp salad and clam chowder were also hits.
Tamari, the resort’s Asian restaurant, offers a hibachi experience at the teppanyaki table that’s perfect if you’re looking for something interactive and fun—it was a great dinner option one night.
At Melanzane, the Italian restaurant, I ordered the risotto with shrimp and asparagus, which was creamy, well-seasoned, and delicious.
Fresco is a newer addition located between the activities pool and adults-only pool—perfect for quick, fresh options when you don’t want to miss out on pool time. This healthy spot offers a menu that ranges from vegan ceviches to wraps and poke bowls.
The Deli/Coffee Shop is a convenient grab-and-go spot with a surprisingly wide variety—muffins, croissants, mini-sandwiches, yogurt, fruit, pastries, and even ice cream cones. I’m not a coffee drinker myself, but I heard from several guests that the specialty coffee drinks were really good.
I also appreciated the room service options for a relaxed meal in the room—favorites included quesadillas, nachos, french toast, a club sandwich, and a classic BLT.
For breakfast, the buffet had a fantastic variety, including a smoothie station, tons of fresh fruit (the most I've seen at a resort), a crepe station, and two different egg stations—one for omelets and another for dishes like eggs benedict or ham and fried egg on toasted bread.
Insider Tip: You can make dinner reservations after you arrive by stopping at the concierge desk, located just to the right of the front desk in the lobby. If you like having set dinner plans (and having shorter wait times), I recommend doing this as soon as you can after check-in since you can reserve up to two nights in advance.
As for drinks, all of the cocktails I had were tasty—dirty monkeys, mojitos, gin and tonics, and more.
The wait service at the restaurants and bars was prompt and friendly, and the drink service at the pools and beach was very attentive—we never had to wait long for a refill.
Exploring Puerto Vallarta
One of the things that makes Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta such a great option for destination weddings is its location. While the resort feels secluded and peaceful, it’s actually less than 10 minutes from the heart of the Romantic Zone in downtown Puerto Vallarta—giving you and your guests easy access to all kinds of fun off-resort activities.
Insider Tip: You can arrange a taxi at the front desk to take you to town (100 pesos, or about $5 USD), or take the public bus into town for just 10 pesos (roughly $0.50 USD).
We spent an afternoon exploring the Malecón, Puerto Vallarta's beachside boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and public art. Some of the must-see spots along the way include:
The Los Arcos stone arches
The colorful Puerto Vallarta sign (perfect for photos)
The Vallarta Dancers statue
The historic Our Lady of Guadalupe church
One of the highlights of our visit was a guided Mexology food and cocktail tour through the Romantic Zone. We stopped at several spots to try different tacos and drinks (all delicious), but my absolute favorite was the Al Pastor tacos at Sonorita Olas Altas. Highly recommend this experience for couples or groups looking to get a taste of the local food scene.
A few more spots we loved in the Romantic Zone:
Margarita Grill - an open-air restaurant with live music and a laid-back vibe. Click here to check out a video I took of the band playing the night we were there.
Pancho Takos - a super popular taco joint—cash only, and usually a line, but totally worth it.
Andale’s - a lively restaurant with multi-level, open-air seating and balcony views overlooking a street strung with colorful flags. We even caught an impressive breakdancing performance just below us while sipping on margaritas!
Resort Activities + Atmosphere
I would say Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta has a relaxed vibe, but there’s still a good mix of activities and entertainment to enjoy throughout the day and night.
During the day, the entertainment team does a nice job with daily activities like poolside games, dancing, and water aerobics.
In the evenings, there are nightly shows held on the terrace by the main pool, including a mariachi band, Latin dancing, fire performances, and more.
Highlightz Sports Bar was a fun spot in the evening—they had karaoke one of the nights, and there is typically a DJ and dancing each night. The setup of the sports bar is great for groups who typically bring their own party, and there’s a huge screen for watching sports during the day.
There’s also a spa and a small fitness center with ocean views for guests who want to stay active during their stay.
I booked a massage at the spa, which was really nice—but my favorite part was the hydrotherapy circuit beforehand (see photo below), which is complimentary when you book a spa service. We spent part of it relaxing in outdoor hot tubs with a beautiful view of the ocean, sipping tea while a spa attendant placed cool cucumbers on our eyes and gave us shoulder massages. It was heavenly—and this one of the times I spotted whales offshore!
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
There are very few things I didn’t love about this resort—but if I had to point out some potential downsides, here’s what I’d mention:
The cabanas by the pool can block the ocean view for guests sitting in loungers behind them.
Not all rooms have a full balcony, so if that’s important to you or your guests, be sure to double check the room category.
While the beach is swimmable and scenic, it’s not great for really long walks because of the cliffs on either end.
Our room didn’t have a ceiling fan, which I personally prefer to help with air movement (non-club rooms in the Main Tower don’t include ceiling fans, but upgraded club-level rooms in the Club Tower do.).
Like most resorts in Puerto Vallarta, there’s no waterpark for kids, which means it leans more adult-oriented—but it’s still family-friendly overall.
The resort has a more compact layout compared to some larger properties, which many guests actually love. It’s easy to get around on foot, and everything—from the beach to the restaurants—is just a short walk away. But if you're looking for a large-scale resort with sprawling grounds and lots of places to wander and explore, this one may feel a bit too small.
Final Thoughts
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta isn’t your typical big-resort experience—and that’s exactly what makes it so special. It’s cozy without feeling cramped, scenic without feeling overbuilt, and the service feels genuinely warm and personal.
While it might not have the long, walkable beach or sprawling size of some mega resorts, it more than makes up for it with natural beauty, a relaxed atmosphere, and a one-of-a-kind setting.
If you’re drawn to the idea of an oceanfront wedding in a quiet cove with both ocean and mountain views, this is one to keep on your short list.
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta Wedding Venues
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta has an excellent selection of ceremony venues to choose from: multiple beach locations, a charming terrace with ocean views, an oceanfront gazebo, and even a sky rooftop terrace. Whether you’re dreaming of a toes-in-the-sand ceremony or an elevated terrace with panoramic views, there’s a beautiful backdrop to match your vision.
Click here to see even more photos of the wedding venues beyond those below (hover over "Wedding Spots" and then select the venue you're interested in—note that the gazebo photos aren’t updated yet for its new orientation directly facing the ocean).
A few things to note:
The resort has a brand-new wedding showroom (see photo above) with a large 7-person planning table and a cozy lounge area—perfect for meeting with the wedding team to finalize the details of your celebration.
There is not a separate bridal suite on property to use for getting ready; hair and makeup services are available at the spa and then the bride and her bridesmaids can either get dressed at the spa or back in their room(s), depending on the desired photos/experience.
All outdoor reception venues have a curfew of 10:00 p.m. and the ballrooms have no curfew.
Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta hosts a maximum of three weddings per day, depending on venues for each event.
A romantic candlelight dinner is included with wedding packages (you can click here to see a video I took of the setup).
Ceremonies start at 10:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m.
You can host all three events at any of the beach venues (ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception), but I would recommend having your ceremony and cocktail hour at Pureza Beach or Blaze Beach and then having your reception at Central Beach, which is a large space that's free of resort guests in the evenings.
Pureza Beach | Ceremony and/or Reception
Ceremony Max: 250 guests
Reception Max: 200 guests
NOTE: For wedding receptions at Pureza Beach, keep in mind that resort guests will be using the same stairs and walkway to visit the Pureza restaurant nearby during your reception.
Blaze Beach | Ceremony and/or Reception
Ceremony Max: 100 guests
Reception Max: 60 guests
Click here to see a reel I posted on Instagram of this venue.
NOTE: The Blaze Beach venue is located near Blaze restaurant and is the smallest of the three beach areas. During the winter months, the sun sets over the mountains in the background. The set up at this venue is a little bit closer to the ocean compared to Pureza Beach, and much closer than Central Beach which is set the farthest back.
Central Beach | Ceremony and/or Reception
Ceremony Max: 200 guests
Reception Max: 200 guests
NOTE: The Central Beach venue is the largest of the three beach venues and because it's set further back from the ocean, it's a better option during high tide. During the spring and summer months, the sun sets over the water in front of Central Beach. This is my personal favorite beach venue for receptions because it gives you the best view of the beach and mountains.
Las Palmas Terrace | Ceremony or Reception
Ceremony Max: 120 guests
Reception Max: 90 guests
Click here to see a reel I posted on Instagram of a ceremony at this venue, and click here to check out a reel of a reception at this venue.
Venue Fee: The Las Palmas Terrace venue has a $2500 fee (complimentary with the Luxury Wedding package).
NOTE: The Las Palmas Terrace is located right next to the Palmas Pool, but the resort staff block off this area during private events.
Sky Penthouse | Ceremony or Reception
Ceremony Max: 100 guests
Reception Max: 80 guests
NOTE: You can host either your ceremony and cocktail hour here or your cocktail hour and reception—you can't host all three events in this space.
Venue Fee: The Sky Penthouse venue has a $5000 fee which includes the following:
Fully private rooftop venue with panoramic ocean views
A clear dance floor platform over the pool for a special touch
Access to the penthouse suite at 10:00 a.m. on your wedding day, which makes the perfect space for the wedding party to get ready together—there are two bedrooms so the bride can use one with her bridesmaids and the groom can use the other with this groomsmen
The wedding couple gets to spend their wedding night in the penthouse
The Penthouse has an oversized corner balcony with two sliding doors where you could do something special like a photo booth, coconut stand, cigar bar, churros stand, etc.
The Sky Penthouse has its own bar so it's perfect for hosting your cocktail hour before proceeding outside to the terrace for your reception
You can even bring a USB drive with a photo slideshow to display on the TV in the living room area while guests are mingling
Insider Tip: If you want to continue the party in your room after the reception, you can head to the sports bar for at least about an hour to give staff time to remove the clear platform over the pool, and then it's all yours to enjoy until 12:00 p.m. the next day
Gazebo | Ceremony
Ceremony Max: 50 guests
NOTE: This venue used to sit at an angle facing to the right, but now it directly faces the ocean.
The Terrace | Ceremony or Reception
Ceremony Max: 200 guests
Reception Max: 130 guests
NOTE: The Terrace is a partially covered venue. This is the location where the resort used to host their nightly shows. It's on the 13th floor towards the back of the resort so it's a very private spot.
Highlightz Terrace | Ceremony or Reception
Ceremony Max: 40 guests
Reception Max: 30 guests
NOTE: The Highlightz Terrace is a covered venue, and it's a great spot for hosting a welcome cocktail hour (max 70 guests) or a smaller rehearsal dinner for your guests (max 30 guests).
Lobby | Ceremony
Ceremony Max: 70 guests
NOTE: The Lobby is a covered venue.
Arboles Foyer | Ceremony or Reception
Ceremony Max: 100 guests
Reception Max: 50 guests
NOTE: This is a beautiful indoor option to have as a back up in case of rain.
Ballrooms | Ceremony and/or Reception
Ceremony Max: 200 guests
Reception Max: 200 guests
NOTE: There are three ballrooms that can be combined into one (max 70 guests each).
Stress Less, Celebrate More
Planning a destination wedding should be exciting, not overwhelming. But with so many resorts to choose from, navigating group contracts, and ensuring your guests have a smooth travel experience, it can quickly become stressful.
That’s where I come in. As a destination wedding travel specialist, I help couples like you find the perfect all-inclusive resort for your wedding, secure the best group rates, and manage all guest reservations and airport transfers—so you can focus on celebrating, not stressing over logistics.
Let's Make It Easy
Ready to make your destination wedding feel effortless? Click here to schedule a complimentary consultation, and let’s bring your vision to life!
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