I stayed in Nuevo Vallarta (Riu Jalisco) and the water was amazing! We swam all day long, there were fun waves to body surf and it was never too rough/wavy to be in the water. Also there was some good surfing in that area as well. Really enjoyed my time there but I don't have any Caribbean experience to compare it to.
FWIW, I went to the Pacific side because the water is more fun (surfing, body surfing etc) and that is a huge thing for me
_____ASP______
current ski quiver:
park, all mtn 181 ON3P Kartel 98
park,all mtn: 181 Armada AR7
big mtn, pow: 185 Armada JJ