Bougainvilias PV

[blakefamily]

Hello,
I am looking at booking via RCI at Bougainvilias Puerto Vallarta. A couple questions.
1. 1 bedroom units... Do they have a balcony? Hard to tell from their website what 1 bedroom on RCI will be.
2. How are the pools?
3. How is the food?
4. Walkable to Malecon or other sights?
We have never been to PV.
Will be husband and myself , both in early 40s.
Any tips and info are appreciated!

Thank you

 

[Passepartout]

We did that last year. Our 1 BR was on ground floor and did not have a patio or balcony, but the deck around the pool was just steps away. We were in an older building. There are several pools that had waterfalls and swim-up bars. Because it's a 'family' resort, expect some kids.
We found the food 'pretty good', but comparatively expensive (by Mexico standards). The resort is on a major road, so there is frequent bus service to the Romantic Zone/Malecon area, and taxis are ubiquitous and (mostly) reasonable. Always agree to the price before you get in. There is a sign at the bell desk with fairly accurate prices. Also- for modest shopping/drinks, the lobby shop is not TOO bad- for more there are supermarkets. but you'll need to taxi there.

To get to the resort- depending on how much luggage you have- to avoid the union controlled taxis at the airport. Walk out of the airport, turn left and walk to the end of the building and cross the pedestrian bridge. You can get an UBER there. Also Tacos Marlin there has good food at a good price- what you save on taxi fare will buy your lunch.

If you need pesos on arrival, hit a BANK ATM near the baggage claim in the airport. Beware of non-bank ATMs.

Jim

 

[easyrider]

Hello,
I am looking at booking via RCI at Bougainvilias Puerto Vallarta. A couple questions.
1. 1 bedroom units... Do they have a balcony? Hard to tell from their website what 1 bedroom on RCI will be.
2. How are the pools?
3. How is the food?
4. Walkable to Malecon or other sights?
We have never been to PV.
Will be husband and myself , both in early 40s.
Any tips and info are appreciated!

Thank you

I think all RCI exchanges get placed in the older building with no balcony. Instead of a balcony you have a very large sliding window that makes the room seem larger in a way. It definitely isn't the most opulent 1 bed unit but it is comfortable.

The pools are pretty good. The Bunganvillias Pool is off limits to the convention center guests but the convention center pool allows Bunganvillias guests. The grounds of the Bunganvillias are really nice.

The food is ok. The sushi place and sports bar are in the Bunganvillias building.

Yes, walking to the Malecon was our favorite thing to do. We usually did this in the evening. It's a safe walk at night but Uber rides are cheap. The 40ish people in our group would be at the Malecon clubs at night. They didn't drink much but did have a fun time.

Bill

 

[Eric B]

1. 1 bedroom units... Do they have a balcony? Hard to tell from their website what 1 bedroom on RCI will be.

Some of the 1 BR units have balconies. Those are the 1 BR units in Tower A; those in the other towers generally do not. You are more likely to get a unit in Tower A if it's not during the high season. Customer service/reservations are quite responsive and will try to accommodate your requests. The number from US/Canada is 877-475-2927. Much more information is available on their website, https://buganviliasclub.com/. (Note the proper spelling of the resort name.)

2. How are the pools?

The pools are decent. You have the same chair hogging issues as many resorts do, but they were policing it fairly well last time we were down there (March '25). As noted by @easyrider, guests at the vacation club can use the hotel pool.

3. How is the food?

Meh. Much better in town a short walk away and less expensive. El Patron, three blocks or so inland from the hotel driveway is quite good, but you'll need to get there early. Ocho Tostadas is another good one. Lots of great places to eat in PV.

4. Walkable to Malecon or other sights?

Quite walkable. I would recommend the food tours done by Vallarta Eats if you want to try out some great local spots. "PVEats" is a discount code for the tours on their website. Art walk is on Wednesday evenings from November through May.

To get to the resort- depending on how much luggage you have- to avoid the union controlled taxis at the airport. Walk out of the airport, turn left and walk to the end of the building and cross the pedestrian bridge. You can get an UBER there. Also Tacos Marlin there has good food at a good price- what you save on taxi fare will buy your lunch.

Maybe we're just way cheaper - we turn left out of the airport exit, walk straight to the bus stop, and take a local bus to the hotel zone/centro after verifying with the driver that they go by Sheraton Buganvilias. We generally only travel with carry on luggage (e.g., backpacks) so it's simple and it only costs 10 pesos per person to get there. Means you have to have some small coins or bills, of course.

 

[blakefamily]

Some of the 1 BR units have balconies. Those are the 1 BR units in Tower A; those in the other towers generally do not. You are more likely to get a unit in Tower A if it's not during the high season. Customer service/reservations are quite responsive and will try to accommodate your requests. The number from US/Canada is 877-475-2927. Much more information is available on their website, https://buganviliasclub.com/. (Note the proper spelling of the resort name.)


The pools are decent. You have the same chair hogging issues as many resorts do, but they were policing it fairly well last time we were down there (March '25). As noted by @easyrider, guests at the vacation club can use the hotel pool.


Meh. Much better in town a short walk away and less expensive. El Patron, three blocks or so inland from the hotel driveway is quite good, but you'll need to get there early. Ocho Tostadas is another good one. Lots of great places to eat in PV.


Quite walkable. I would recommend the food tours done by Vallarta Eats if you want to try out some great local spots. "PVEats" is a discount code for the tours on their website. Art walk is on Wednesday evenings from November through May.


Maybe we're just way cheaper - we turn left out of the airport exit, walk straight to the bus stop, and take a local bus to the hotel zone/centro after verifying with the driver that they go by Sheraton Buganvilias. We generally only travel with carry on luggage (e.g., backpacks) so it's simple and it only costs 10 pesos per person to get there. Means you have to have some small coins or bills, of course.

Thank you very much !! I really appreciate your detailed response.

 

[blakefamily]

I think all RCI exchanges get placed in the older building with no balcony. Instead of a balcony you have a very large sliding window that makes the room seem larger in a way. It definitely isn't the most opulent 1 bed unit but it is comfortable.

The pools are pretty good. The Bunganvillias Pool is off limits to the convention center guests but the convention center pool allows Bunganvillias guests. The grounds of the Bunganvillias are really nice.

The food is ok. The sushi place and sports bar are in the Bunganvillias building.

Yes, walking to the Malecon was our favorite thing to do. We usually did this in the evening. It's a safe walk at night but Uber rides are cheap. The 40ish people in our group would be at the Malecon clubs at night. They didn't drink much but did have a fun time.

Bill

THANK YOU!!

I think all RCI exchanges get placed in the older building with no balcony. Instead of a balcony you have a very large sliding window that makes the room seem larger in a way. It definitely isn't the most opulent 1 bed unit but it is comfortable.

The pools are pretty good. The Bunganvillias Pool is off limits to the convention center guests but the convention center pool allows Bunganvillias guests. The grounds of the Bunganvillias are really nice.

The food is ok. The sushi place and sports bar are in the Bunganvillias building.

Yes, walking to the Malecon was our favorite thing to do. We usually did this in the evening. It's a safe walk at night but Uber rides are cheap. The 40ish people in our group would be at the Malecon clubs at night. They didn't drink much but did have a fun time.

 

[pittle]

The best thing about the Buganvilas is the location and ease of getting places.

I have been an owner/member since 2004. You can use both pools and the palapas in front of the hotel pool. My sons and their wives loved hanging out at the hotel pool instead of the "timeshare pool" that has old folks. I prefer the palapas.

You will most likely get one of the rooms that Eric described, but we originally owned 2 of those and loved them. You will be able to open the window and listen to tee waves and see the ocean and town. My brother and friends are staying there in November. Once we had 3 1-bedrooms in a row with family and had a blast! Every couple had their own space.

My last year is Thanksgiving 2026 and I will miss it, but I do still have other options to go to and am getting too old to commit to another 15 year contract.

I have compiled a list of restaurants close to the Buganvilias for friends who were using some of my bonus weeks at the Buganvilias this year. (see Attachment below.) The Spa Claudia price on my PDF is not correct. It is about $50-55 US for a 75-90 minute massage.

 

[Eric B]

My wife uses Spa Claudia, too. They have a discount for people staying at Buganvilias, so mention that you're staying there.

 

[pittle]

We did that last year. Our 1 BR was on ground floor and did not have a patio or balcony, but the deck around the pool was just steps away. We were in an older building. There are several pools that had waterfalls and swim-up bars. Because it's a 'family' resort, expect some kids.
We found the food 'pretty good', but comparatively expensive (by Mexico standards). The resort is on a major road, so there is frequent bus service to the Romantic Zone/Malecon area, and taxis are ubiquitous and (mostly) reasonable. Always agree to the price before you get in. There is a sign at the bell desk with fairly accurate prices. Also- for modest shopping/drinks, the lobby shop is not TOO bad- for more there are supermarkets. but you'll need to taxi there.

To get to the resort- depending on how much luggage you have- to avoid the union controlled taxis at the airport. Walk out of the airport, turn left and walk to the end of the building and cross the pedestrian bridge. You can get an UBER there. Also Tacos Marlin there has good food at a good price- what you save on taxi fare will buy your lunch.

If you need pesos on arrival, hit a BANK ATM near the baggage claim in the airport. Beware of non-bank ATMs.

Jim

There is an ATM by the elevator in the building with numbers ending in 67-80. The one with no balconies on the south side - mostly 1-bedrooms.

 

[Passepartout]

There is an ATM by the elevator in the building with numbers ending in 67-80. The one with no balconies on the south side - mostly 1-bedrooms.

Yes, I know. Iirc the rate is better than at the desk.

 

[Eric B]

Yes, I know. Iirc the rate is better than at the desk.

That ATM does give you the option of withdrawing cash based on the peso amount directly or the peso amount converted to dollars based on an exchange rate it discloses prior to the withdrawal. While the disclosed exchange rate might be better than the rate you can get at the desk, it’s generally worse than the interbank rate that withdrawing funds in pesos would result in. IIRC, there’s also a fee for using there conversion. We always compare the offered exchange rate to the interbank rate; can’t remember that comparison ever resulting in us taking the ATMs exchange rate offer - they aren’t in business to benefit you with an exchange rate better than their costs. It could happen if there is a very dynamic exchange rate, of course, so it’s always worth checking.