Decameron El Pueblo & Convention Center vs Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Decameron All Inclusive vs Velas Resorts — Side-by-side resort comparison
Key Metrics
| Metric | Decameron El Pueblo & Convention Center | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Our Rating | 7.1 | 9.8 |
| Star Rating | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Room Count | 220 | 267 |
| Restaurants | 5 | 8 |
| Pools | 7 | 4 |
| Year Opened | 1982 | 2003 |
| Year Renovated | 2005 | 2015 |
Features
| Metric | Decameron El Pueblo & Convention Center | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| All-Inclusive | Yes | Yes |
| Adults Only | No | No |
| Beach Access | No | Yes |
| Spa | Yes | Yes |
| Kids Club | Yes | Yes |
Dining Comparison
| Metric | Decameron El Pueblo & Convention Center | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Venues | 13 | 9 |
| Included | 12 | 9 |
| Extra Charge | 1 | 0 |
Room Comparison
| Metric | Decameron El Pueblo & Convention Center | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Room Categories | 3 | 12 |
| Suite Categories | 1 | 11 |
Activities Comparison
| Metric | Decameron El Pueblo & Convention Center | Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit |
|---|---|---|
| Total Activities | 22 | 23 |
| Included | 18 | 21 |
| Extra Charge | 4 | 2 |
Pros & Cons
Decameron El Pueblo & Convention Center
Pros
- Seven pools for an inland resort is exceptional — there's always a quiet option.
- The Andean village architecture is genuinely unique among all-inclusives worldwide.
- Peruvian specialty dining (ceviche bar, Polvos Azules) that you won't find at Caribbean chains.
- Strong family program with multiple supervised kids' activities.
- Close to Lima's international airport — roughly 30 minutes, no long transfers.
Cons
- Hot water outages reported across multiple reviews — not occasional, but frequent enough to be a pattern.
- Insect issues (ants, cockroaches) noted in rooms; a real concern in a garden-heavy resort.
- Check-in can be chaotic during peak arrivals — delays of 2+ hours have been reported.
- Nightly shows in the main plaza run until 2 AM and are audible from nearby rooms.
- No beach, no ocean — guests seeking coastal access need to look elsewhere.
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit
Pros
- AAA Five Diamond and Forbes Five-Star simultaneously — one of the most decorated all-inclusive resorts in Mexico
- Suites start at 1,000 sq ft with private terraces, ocean views, and 24-hour butler concierge — the entry level here exceeds most competitors' premium categories
- Premium spirits, wines, and 24-hour room service are fully included — not standard at most all-inclusives, even premium ones
- Banderas Bay is swimmable — actual ocean swimming possible, unlike Los Cabos Pacific corridor properties
Cons
- Pool lounger competition peaks by 8 AM in high season (December through March) — early rising is required for preferred positions
- Some ocean view suites have partial obstructions from palm trees or the Selva del Mar restaurant building — ask at booking about specific suite positioning
- Piaf and Frida fill up during high season — book before arrival rather than assuming walk-in availability
Summary
Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has a higher guest rating, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit has more restaurants, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit is the larger property, while Decameron El Pueblo & Convention Center has more dining venues, while Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit offers more activities.