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Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta vs Riviera Maya vs Acapulco

Oakland, California
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30 posts
21 reviews
21 helpful votes
Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta vs Riviera Maya vs Acapulco
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My husband and I will be traveling this upcoming November to Mexico and are trying to decide between the Grand Mayan in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Maya, and Acapulco. We are in our 30s, we are fairly active (snorkeling, paddle boarding, kayaking, sightseeing), and I've read the Vidante properties are massive but I think we're adventurous enough that we up to finding our way off site at least a few days. It also sounds like because Vidantes are so huge, we'll be able to find swim up bars, pool activities, and more quiet areas if that's what we need.

I've been to Cabo San Lucas multiple times over the past 20 years and most enjoyed my stay at Villa la Estancia. For this upcoming trip we do have the option to stay at Villa del Palmar in Puerto Vallarta, Cancun, Flamingos, or Islands of Loreto. However, I would like to try the Grand Mayans for a different experience because the Villa brand is more familiar. Any recommendations on which Grand Mayan to choose? Any insight would be much appreciated.

Okanagan Falls...
Destination Expert
for Riviera Nayarit
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16,480 posts
158 reviews
377 helpful votes
1. Re: Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta vs Riviera Maya vs Acapulco
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Much better for swimming in NUevo than Cabo!! Flights tmes should count..

Not the white sand like Mayan,Cancun ,Playa del Carmin.

Hugh resort.. Time share Sharks!!!!!, Lots of add on costs.

Reviews do help.,or do a Search, or scan posts.

Oakland, California
Level Contributor
30 posts
21 reviews
21 helpful votes
2. Re: Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta vs Riviera Maya vs Acapulco
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Thank you

I may have over researched, if that's a possibility. It's become somewhat of a hobby, planning this trip. I've read tons of reviews and forum discussions on all 3 properties, which is how we decided on the Grand Mayan. That search function is awesome. I just can't make up my mind about which one of the three. I'm leaning towards Nuevo Vallarta and Riviera Maya.

Martinez, California
Destination Expert
for Nuevo Nayarit
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24,207 posts
232 reviews
381 helpful votes
3. Re: Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta vs Riviera Maya vs Acapulco
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Fullmoon ---- we live near Oakland. We've been to Cabo, Cancun ---- but our regular visits to Mexico are to Puerto Vallarta and we often stay for a week in Nuevo every other year or so. We've been to Vidanta (twice), Villa del Palmar Flamingos once to stay (but many times, as I own there and our Annual Meeting is held there).

We've also been to Villa del Palmar PV over a dozen times. It sounds like you are also a Villa Group owner, with mentioning many of the properties.

I know zero about Acapulco. Can't comment on that.

To address your issue regarding the Grand Mayan. We do not own at Vidanta. We stayed at the Mayan Palace for a week recently (we like to get all over the place). We are staying at the Grand Mayan Nuevo in early December (right after you) ---- we did explore the Grand Mayan property while at Mayan Palace, but were not allowed to use the pools/gyms, as Grand Mayan is higher on the tier than Mayan Palace. We walked through there daily and ate at restaurants there and walked up the beach from there, to get off property.

From our experience (and we research intensively like you do), the Grand Mayan is FULL of families with kids. It would be the same at any Grand Mayan. Not just Nuevo.

It was very loud there (and active with the little ones, from about 5 to 15) in the water areas, the beginning of December. We met people who were staying at the Grand Mayan who wanted some relief from loud kids while swimming, who moved to the Mayan Palace pool.

We are staying at the Grand Mayan in early December to do a "scouting trip" for my grandkids next year (8 and 6 now).

All the activities you want are available on Vidanta property BUT ---- as you know ---- it is complicated and time-consuming to get off property, as it's massive and they would prefer to keep you there. As "veterans", we know how to do it, but keep in mind that it may be a little frustrating on your first try, until you get "the lay of the land."

As above, since we live near you, our choices are often formed by distance and price of airfare. We fly to Mexico (PVR --- which serves Puerto Vallarta to the south and Nuevo Vallarta to the north) on Southwest Airlines or Alaska ---- so we always go to Vallarta.

The Mayans (Vidanta) will be similar in both areas.

Hope that helps.

Martinez, California
Destination Expert
for Nuevo Nayarit
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24,207 posts
232 reviews
381 helpful votes
4. Re: Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta vs Riviera Maya vs Acapulco
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Took time to read your previous posts. Welcome to the forums and congratulations on your wedding/honeymoon.

We just got married earlier this year, so you definitely want to find a place that fits for you (even though it's not your official honeymoon but you're still in "newlywed" mode).

Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta are like "home" for us (not a honeymoon --- more like our second home) so, if you end up there --- being close to where you live and easy to get to ---- please feel free to ask additional questions later. Not just about the place you stay, but the area.

Tomahawk, Wisconsin
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516 posts
318 reviews
212 helpful votes
5. Re: Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta vs Riviera Maya vs Acapulco
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I own at GM in Nuevo. It is a great property. I have also been to the Vidanta property in Riveria Maya. We have been there twice and have been returning to the Nuevo property the last 7 years. It's our favorite , but, snorkeling and diving In the Riveria blows away snorkeling in PV. If snorkeling is tops on your list go to RM. I have dove and snorkeled their and it's awesome. If you take that out of your priorities PV is the place to be. The bus system is easy and cheap and there are so many places to go. Just for your information it is not difficult to get off the GM property. It's a 10 minute walk down the beach to restaurants, taxis, and buses. We are in our 60's and the kids issue is minor. The GM is the best property on the entire Nuevo Vidanta complex. Proof of its desirability is by the large quantity of Bliss and Luxe owners whom prefer to stay there. Any questions feel free to ask.

Edited: 6 years ago
Oakland, California
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30 posts
21 reviews
21 helpful votes
6. Re: Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta vs Riviera Maya vs Acapulco
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Thank you Marly, I appreciate such a thorough response. Congratulations on your marriage!

We are definitely still in newlywed mode. So I have been trying to figure out which resort would be the best fit for us. VdP Flamingos and PV have the great personalized service that I'm familiar with, but the Vidanta seems so much more grand! I'm really excited to see it and experience it.

Thank you Fossr. I think Nuevo is the place for us. Especially since as Marly pointed out, flights are just so much more affordable to PV from the SF Bay Area. We are actually considering changing the trip to the first week in December to take advantage of the Southwest sale prices. Flights with Virgin America are also similarly priced, but we would have to go to SFO which is a bit more inconvenient.

For excursions we are thinking about: Bucerías, Las Caletas, Puerto Vallarta, and a back of the house tour (my husband likes to geek out about that kind of thing), paddle boarding, and kayaking. We usually also devote some time to massages. In Cabo we've done the beach massages as well as the spa at Villa la Estancia, which was stunning. I think we'll check out spa prices at the Grand Mayan and decide once there if we want to splurge for some extra newlywed romance. I'll also be searching the forums for romantic places to do a beachfront dinner, my husband loves stuff like that.

Thank you for all of the feedback, this is really great and so helpful.

Martinez, California
Destination Expert
for Nuevo Nayarit
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24,207 posts
232 reviews
381 helpful votes
7. Re: Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta vs Riviera Maya vs Acapulco
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For a short one ---- yes, it's easier to get to the Vallarta area and you can't go wrong with activities in the area. Either place in Nuevo. Vidanta (HUGE) and also Villa del Palmar Flamingos. Next to Villa de Estancia (you mentioned), on the same beach.

We're at the Grand Mayan the first week of December ---- if you're there then, we will completely miss you, as it's so huge. Please laugh.

Anyway --- just wanted to wish a neighbor (you) and a fellow newly-wed the best. We are twice your age but we're still looking for our "best, most romantic" places, over 21 years together ...and my nearly 50 years of exploring Mexico.

The best advice I can give you, on your question about what to choose (being in romance and honeymoon-mode in upcoming travels) is:

ALL of the places you are considering (on both coasts) have HEAVY-DUTY timeshare sales tactics, performances, packages and sneaky sales routines, if you bite. At both the airport as well as when you check in.

If you and your husband want to have a wonderful vacation, just for the two of you ---- do NOT accept any of those offers. It would impact your vacation, and might make it less than romantic. Every place you've mentioned has them.

Once you get past all of that, Vidanta is huge and beautiful. Hard to escape though. VdPF is smaller, and you can walk to Bucerias We've been going to the area for 35 years (all over the place) so do feel free to PM me on additional information).

Good luck on your choice.

Arlington Heights...
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515 posts
5 reviews
4 helpful votes
8. Re: Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta vs Riviera Maya vs Acapulco
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Hi fullmoonstay

We have been heading to NV for the last 8 years over Thanksgiving and absolutely love it! Weather in PV area will be more stable then RM, November is tail end of normal hurricane season. Weather in PV in November becomes less humid and absolutely perfect, 86ish and sunny with a gentle breeze. Love to kayak in the mornings. While there are kids we have always found a spot or pool that is more quiet when we want it and have never found it to be over the top crazy! Grounds of the resort are beautiful, great for walking. We're heading down for 10 days this November and cannot wait!

Feel free to ask further questions

Oakland, California
Level Contributor
30 posts
21 reviews
21 helpful votes
9. Re: Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta vs Riviera Maya vs Acapulco
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We are booked to go to NV Grand Mayan for the first week of December! We are very excited. I'm going to start searching the forums and reviews to pin down some of the restaurants we definitely want to visit while at Vidanta as well as during our trips to PV and Bucerias. If you have any favorites or recommendations, let me know.

10. Re: Grand Mayan - Nuevo Vallarta vs Riviera Maya vs Acapulco

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