Along the wide beaches of Riviera Nayarit, where family-friendly resorts line the Pacific and long stays revolve around pool days and ocean views, one of the destination’s most familiar hotels has quietly returned — larger, brighter, and more deliberately built for today’s family traveler.
RIU Hotels and Resorts has officially reopened the Riu Jalisco following the completion of a sweeping renovation and expansion that reshapes the resort’s accommodations, dining, and outdoor spaces. The project adds both scale and flexibility to the property, reinforcing Riviera Nayarit’s position as one of Mexico’s most popular all-inclusive destinations for multigenerational travel.
As part of the expansion, the Riu Jalisco added 120 new rooms in a newly constructed section of the resort, bringing the total to 820 fully renovated guest rooms. All rooms now feature a contemporary, light-filled design, and the hotel has introduced a new room category that can accommodate up to six guests, aimed at families traveling together or groups seeking more space under one reservation.
The reopening also marks the second major RIU launch in the destination in just over a month, as we reported. It follows the recent opening of the new Riu Ventura, underscoring the company’s accelerated investment cycle in Riviera Nayarit and its focus on refreshing and expanding its Pacific coast portfolio.
A Redesigned Pool And Family Zone
Much of the transformation centers on the resort’s outdoor areas. The Riu Jalisco now features six swimming pools, including four beachfront family pools and two pools designed specifically for children. One of the main pools includes full bar service, while another offers a swim-up bar. Additional pools are geared toward relaxation and light sports activities, creating distinct zones across the property.
For younger guests, the hotel has built a new children’s area that includes a splash pad with slides and interactive water features. The RiuLand kids’ club has also been renovated, expanding supervised play options and reinforcing the resort’s family-first focus.
Expanded Dining And Social Spaces
The newly built extension is home to several additions to the resort’s food and beverage lineup, including a new Sports Bar and two dining concepts now being introduced across refurbished RIU properties. The American Country restaurant focuses on classic comfort dishes, while the Candy ice cream parlour adds a casual, family-friendly stop throughout the day.
These new venues complement the resort’s established dining options, which include the Don Gabriel buffet and four specialty restaurants offering steakhouse, Asian, Mexican, and Italian cuisine. More informal choices remain part of the experience, including the Pepe’s Food grill station and the Tiki Taco stand. With the addition of the Sports Bar and ice cream parlour, the resort now features eight bars across the property.
Entertainment And A Broader Investment Strategy
Entertainment programming continues to play a central role at the Riu Jalisco, with weekly RIU Party events held every Friday. The events feature themed shows and music designed to appeal to families as well as adult guests, reinforcing the resort’s lively, social atmosphere.
The reopening reflects RIU Hotels & Resorts’ broader investment strategy in Riviera Nayarit. In recent years, the company has also completed major refurbishments at the Riu Vallarta and the Riu Palace Pacifico, strengthening its footprint along Mexico’s Pacific coast. Together, these projects position RIU with a modernized portfolio that aligns with evolving travel trends while maintaining its long-standing presence in one of the country’s most established resort regions.
Caitlin Sullivan
2025-12-22 19:32:00