Puerto Bahía Villas & Spa, What Happened? 

Puerto Bahía Villas & Spa was once pitched as an exclusive getaway in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, nestled on the shores of Banderas Bay just across from Puerto Vallarta. The concept? A luxurious "private residence club" offering fractional ownership of high-end villas with spa access, an infinity pool, yacht privileges, and other luxury perks. It looked promising, at least on paper.

But what became of it? And more importantly, if you bought into it, how do you get out?

What Puerto Bahía Villas & Spa Claimed to Be

The resort was marketed as a high-tier alternative to traditional timeshares. Instead of buying a mere vacation slot, buyers were sold on fractional ownership, a slice of a luxury villa, supposedly with real estate rights, promising both investment value and five-star services. Amenities included:

• Spa and wellness services
• Infinity-edge pool
• Exclusive clubhouse
• Private yacht access
• Shuttle to a beach club
• Butler and concierge service

From the outside, it aimed to distinguish itself from lower-end timeshare options by affiliating with upscale travel networks like RCI’s Registry Collection.

The Reality Behind the Brand

Behind the luxury claims was a tangled web of sales entities, shell companies, and broken promises. The company behind the property, Ecoturismo de Bahía de Banderas S. de R.L. de C.V., operated through questionable sales channels. Buyers reported that sales were handled by companies like Platinum Resort Services and falsely affiliated with respected names such as RE/MAX Paraíso and First American Title, claims those entities later denied.

Names like "Barefoot Vacations" and "Global Vacations" were used in marketing materials, adding to the confusion. Some listings were even promoted via American Vacation Marketing and Vacation Services International, two platforms often mentioned in timeshare resale schemes.

Buyer Complaints and Red Flags

Unfortunately, the reality for many buyers was far from the dream they were sold. Hundreds of complaints online reveal the same pattern:

• False Promises: Buyers were led to believe they were investing in real estate, not being locked into restrictive timeshare contracts.
• Unfulfilled Guarantees: Pledges like guaranteed rental income, construction timelines, or trade-in options never materialized.
• High-Pressure Sales: Customers describe aggressive sales tactics and misleading information.

Some buyers were lucky enough to dispute the charges via credit card companies, recovering a portion of their money. Others weren’t so fortunate.

On forums like Timeshare Users Group (TUG), users recounted struggling to contact anyone from the company once contracts were signed. Some turned to PROFECO (Mexico’s consumer protection agency) or hired local attorneys to try to recover losses. One detailed review on Ripoff Report described the entire operation as a scam that never completed construction and refused to engage with customers afterward.

The Disappearance

Around 2013, Puerto Bahía Villas & Spa essentially vanished. The Facebook page hasn’t seen activity since then, and its websites went dark. There are no active listings for resale or rental today, and public records suggest the resort is no longer operational. Any remaining online footprints are primarily tied to forums and complaint boards.

Unlike trusted vacation clubs that deliver consistent service and value, Puerto Bahía's model proved unstable and unsupported. There is no evidence of other sister properties or a larger brand structure behind the resort. Most sales and marketing were run by loosely connected shell companies.

So, What Can You Do If You Bought In?

If you're still holding onto a contract from Puerto Bahía Villas & Spa, or worse, still being charged for something that no longer exists, you may need help from a reputable timeshare exit company.

Here's why:

• The resort is defunct. You likely can't use, rent, or resell what you bought.
• Legal complexities. Mexican contracts, shell companies, and misrepresented affiliations make exiting complicated.
• PROFECO and private legal routes can be daunting to navigate alone.

A solid exit company can help you sort through the paperwork, assess the validity of your contract, and push for resolution through legal or consumer protection channels.

Final Thoughts

Puerto Bahía Villas & Spa is a cautionary tale about how upscale branding and polished sales tactics can mask risky, even deceptive, timeshare schemes. The resort promised a luxury vacation lifestyle but left many owners feeling misled and financially stuck.

If you or someone you know is tangled up in a contract with Puerto Bahía Villas & Spa, it's not too late to seek help. Explore options through qualified timeshare exit specialists and consider professional advice to protect your rights and finances.