PUERTO VALLARTA — Puerto Vallarta is back on stream, with hotels and beaches reopening last week following quarantine measures that began in early March due to COVID-19.
More than 45 hotels have reopened their doors to visitors with a maximum 30% occupancy, and are offering modified access to on-site restaurants, pools and beaches. A second group of hotels will open this month, while the remainder are expected to open in the last trimester of the year for the winter high season.
The latest list of hotels to reopen include: Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta (July 1); Now Amber Puerto Vallarta (July 1); El Pescador (July 1); Casa Velas (July 1); Grand Miramar (July 1); Meliá (July 1); Hilton (July 1); and The Hacienda by Hilton (July 1). Reopening soon are: Hyatt Ziva (July 15); Grand Park Royal (July 15); Hotel Tropicana (Aug. 1); Barceló (Nov. 1, 2020); and Sunset Plaza Beach Resort & Spa (Dec. 1).
Puerto Vallarta’s multi-phase reopening process is being led by local officials and follow state, federal and international protocols. The process ultimately contributed to the State of Jalisco obtaining the Safe Travels stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) last week.
Safety measures begin right at the point of entry, at Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport. These include social distancing practiced by airport workers, thermal video cameras, electronic documentation, and disinfectant mats at all entrances and exits.
In addition to airport precautionary measures, the city is requiring extensive and continuous sanitization in hotels, public transportation and public spaces. Restaurants must maintain physical distance between tables and patrons, and all establishments must place disinfectant mats at entrances. Local officials are also distributing antibacterial gel and conducting temperature checks.
While hotels have begun to gradually reopen, Puerto Vallarta’s iconic Malecon waterfront promenade has yet to fully open to the public, only access points to restaurants and shops. Bars remain closed until the destination completes its current phase of the reopening process.
Canadian airlines are still awaiting approvals from the Canadian government to resume service to Puerto Vallarta. As of now, service is tentatively scheduled to resume with the following airlines: Air Canada (September 2020); Air Transat (fall-winter 2020); Sunwing (fall-winter 2020), and WestJet (fall-winter 2020).
For a current list of reopened hotels and safety protocols go to visitpuertovallarta.com/covid19.php.
