Mexico's Baja and Puerto Vallarta to reopen: Here's what you need to know
Two of Mexico's most popular vacation destinations have reopened for tourism. Here's what you need to know about visiting Puerto Vallarta and Baja California Sur.
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What to expect
The U.S.-Mexico land and sea border remains closed for non-essential travel through July 21. However, travelers are allowed to enter by air, provided they meet travel requirements.
The city of Puerto Vallarta in the Mexican state of Jalisco has been under total quarantine since early March. Since then, Puerto Vallarta has undergone a multi-phase reopening process that adhered to local and international protocols.
The Mexican state of Baja California Sur is home to several tourist destinations including Cabo San Lucas, capital city La Paz, and Loreto.
Puerto Vallarta:
Puerto Vallarta is implementing strict sanitation and hygiene protocols throughout the city, including in hotels, public transportation, and public spaces.
Restaurants must keep all patrons and their tables at a safe physical distance, while establishments must place disinfectant mats at entrances. There will also be antibacterial hand sanitizer distributed throughout public spaces. Travelers should also anticipate temperature checks from local officials.
The Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) implemented rigorous safety protocols that earned the airport a "Safe Travels” stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). (The state of Jalisco also earned a separate "Safe Travels" stamp from the WTTC.)
PVR airport employees are practicing social distancing, and airport entrances and exits are loaded with disinfectant mats, while thermal cameras within the immigration zone are tracking travelers for elevated temperatures.
All residents and visitors are asked to maintain social distancing practices when outdoors, and wear face masks when social distancing is not possible. Stores, public roads, and businesses are allowed to operate at 50 percent of capacity. Select businesses that do not generate crowds and adhere to social distancing guidelines are permitted to open.
Puerto Vallarta’s Malecon waterfront promenade is still undergoing phased reopening, with limited access to restaurants and shops. Bars remain closed for the time being.
Baja:
La Paz-area hotels and restaurants may now operate at up to 30% capacity, golf courses and sportfishing operators may resume service and designated beaches may open with limited capacity.
Social distancing, face mask requirements, and strict safety and hygiene protocols remain in place.
Additionally, establishments must adhere to a countrywide mandate on safety and sanitation practices.
La Paz, the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, also holds the WTTC "Safe Travels" stamp of global safety, which indicates destinations that meet the WTTC's global standard for health and hygiene protocols.
However, the state recently closed Baja California Sur beaches again, following a 128% spike in new coronavirus cases after a soft reopening — the region's highest COVID-19 rate thus far. The only exception is Los Cabos, where beaches remain open.
Related: 4 Caribbean ports to explore in a day, including Antigua
How to get there and where to stay
Airlines
Puerto Vallarta:
A number of airlines have resumed flights into PVR, including:
US airlines
- Alaska Airlines — two daily flights from Los Angeles; one weekly flight every Saturday from San Francisco.
- American Airlines — two daily flights from Dallas beginning July 7; one daily flight from Los Angeles; and one daily flight from Phoenix.
- Delta Airlines — one daily flight from Los Angeles
- United Airlines — one daily flight between Houston
Mexican airlines
- Aeromar — Two weekly flights from Puebla; three weekly flights from Guadalajara
- Aeroméxico — one daily flight from Mexico City
- Interjet — 2 weekly flights between Mexico City
- TAR Aerolíneas — three weekly flights from Aguascalientes; three weekly flights from Guadalajara
- VivaAerobus — beginning July 13: three weekly flights from Guadalajara; two weekly flights from México City; three weekly flights from Monterrey
- Volaris — one daily flight from México City except on Saturday; one daily flight from Tijuana.
Flights average $250 round trip from Los Angeles for all dates between July through September, on all four U.S. airlines.
Baja:
The best airport for accessing Baja California Sur is the Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). Prices into SJD are comparable to flight prices into Puerto Vallarta: $250 round trip from Los Angeles for almost all dates between July and September.
Hotels
Puerto Vallarta:
Puerto Vallarta has opened more than 45 hotels to incoming travelers at a maximum of 30% occupancy with modified access to on-site restaurants, pools and beaches. Additional hotels will open for the summer sometime in the month of July, with the remaining properties reopening toward the end of the year.
The Puerto Vallarta hotels that are currently operating under COVID-19 protocols include:
- Velas Vallarta
- Garza Blanca
- Crown Paradise Club Puerto Vallarta
- Flamingo Vallarta Hotel & Marina
- Villa Mercedes
- Blue Chairs
- Emperador
- Container Inn
- Villa del Mar
- Villa del Palmar
- Mousai
- Pelicanos Club
- Pelicanos Grand
- Hotel Rosita
- Las Palmas by the Sea
- Almar Resort
- Fiesta Inn La isla
- Sheraton
- City Express
- Friendly
- Mío
- Holiday Inn Express
- Comfort Inn
- The One
- Crown Paradise Golden Hotel
- Mar Sereno
- Posada de Roger
- Hotel Eloisa
- Fiesta Americana Puerto Vallarta
- Vamar Vallarta
- Grand Fiesta Americana
- Costa Club
- Marriott — Category 5
- Westin
- Costa Sur
- San Marino
- Krystal
- Buenaventura Grand
- Villa Premiere
- Sunscape Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
- Playa Los Arcos
- Hacienda Buenaventura
- Las Alamandas Resort
- Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta
- Now Amber Puerto Vallarta
- El Pescador
- Meliá
- Hilton
The Hilton Puerto Vallarta all-inclusive resort is available in late July for $246 per night in cash, or 55,000 Hilton Honors points per night.
The Category 5 Marriott Puerto Vallarta costs $98 per night in late July, or 35,000 points per night.
Baja:
Currently opened hotels include the Costa Baja Resort (rates from $100/night), Seven Crown Hotel (from $135/night) and Marine Waterfront Hotel (from $70/night).
Baja hotels are allowed to open pools, tennis, golf and other activities offered on property, but group tours are not yet allowed to resume operations.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.