Velas Vallarta & Velas Resorts Scam

The Velas Resorts "Troubles"

Velas Vllarta lobby

Well well well............what can I say? The Velas are building some real nice resorts. Real swanky resorts no less. And they're all in beautiful Mexico. My first exposure  to them was at the Puerto Vallarta airport. It was my first time out of country, traveling by myself. I had just gone through customs and must have had a lost look on my mug because someone looked at me and asked where I was staying. I told him 'Lindo Mar' and he told me to go to a particular line at the counter and they would help me get a cab. OK, I thought. At the counter the nice girl offered me some tickets for things to do for a low price and would get me a cab to the Lindo Mar. Then she asked me if I'd be willing to attend a free brunch the next morning and attend a presentation. Since I didn't have anything in particular planned I agreed to be picked up outside my hotel.

The next morning she was there outside the Lindo Marwaiting for me in a cab. We arrived at the Velas Vallarta and she introduced me to someone else, who got me something to drink, I think, and we chatted for a minute or two and then went upstairs to the free brunch. The thing I remember about the event was he seemed somewhat in a hurry to get me done eating and get down to business. But I guess what do you expect for free. 

salesman Dean

When we did get down to business I told the guy up front that I couldn't afford anything like this.......that I was already with TrendWest. That's where he asked me 'what if I show you a way to pay for this by renting your weekes out'? It all sounded very intriguing. Using the formula he laid out I wondered how I could loose. After a while I agreed to buy in, based on what I was told. Then I had to join a third party called Regal. Another $600. When it came time to sign the paperwork a woman, an American, came out from the back and told me that normally Mexican law would allow me a 5-day right of recession. However, because this contract was previously owned the law didn't apply to me. OK. Who was I to question her?


When I got back to the Lindo Mar (a fantastic place to stay!) I laid on my bed with the fan going full force overhead, and the only thought in my head was 'what the f**k did I do'? And I knew I couldn't change my mind and go back and cancel the contract. The blunt American told me so. 

Well that was October 2006. I called Regal often to see if any of the weeks (up to six of 25 weeks available) were close to renting. But they didn't rent. So in March, 2009 I went back down to Puerto Vallarta to see about selling the contract back to them. At the airport was the same nice girl. She told me 'yes', that they could buy it back and she could arrange a meeting the next morning. OK, that would work. The next day she picked me up again and again I had a free brunch, this one a little less hurried, and we got down to business. After complaining that the weeks weren't renting the salesman, Dean (a Canadian) told me they won't rent. Nobody want a one bed room. If I upgraded the room would be easier to rent or sell, and that each week would now rent for $2900 instead of the $2200 previous. I had a friend with me this time and we both thought it sounded good. So I went ahead and upgraded. And again they told me it was a previously owned contract, and again the usual 5-day right of recession was void. But now, more that a year later, and now with Dreams instead of Regal, they still don't rent. I've now come to the conclusion the Velas Vallarta is all a great big (how can I say this without being sued?) ****!!! Along with Dreams, Regal, or any of the other Jokers they like to front.


For anyone planning to travel to Mexico learn from my mistake! The Velas are NOT!, in my opinion, an honest company. These people really seem to lack integrity. I don't blame them for trying to sell timeshares. And I can't blame anyone for buying one. The problem I have is when they try to run a rental program. Or sell you on renting your weeks out. And when they sit across the table from you and try to sell you on their program based on renting your weeks out, but KNOW they're not renting, then to me that's called *****!!! 


These guys are a real class act. And I am one of many suckers who have been robbed by these low lifes. Again, if only they would stick to selling to people who will actually USE their weeks and not even mention anything pertaining to renting weeks out to pay for it. And then lie to everyone about no 5- day right of recission. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT is maybe the only way to communicate with this kind of business. And to open their books to examination!

Video From the Malacom in PV

view of the beach from my Lindo Mar room

Lindo Mar Sunday brunch

So, if YOU might be thinking of going to Puerto Vallarta, ask yourself if this is the type of business you would like to give your money to. Is this the kind of business that you'd be willing to do ANY business with? I now wish I hadn't. And I'm not alone! If you want a nice place to stay, try the Lindo Mar. It may not be 5-star and all inclusive, but they're only a five minute 50 cent  bus ride to the heart of Puerto Vallarta and the Malacom. Not the half hour it takes from the Velas Vallarta. AND.......they have a fantastic restaurant and bar on the beach just outside the resort. And the mango margaritas are the best! The Lindo Mar is not oversized and does not give high pressure sales presentations.  


A 360 view from the beach of the Lindo Mar 

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