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.
Sign up for TPG's daily newsletter to stay up to date on travel news
Related: Jamaica is open to tourists, but only if you follow all of these rules
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.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.