Puerto Vallarta Widens Capacity for Visitors Seeking a Lively Getaway to Mexico
Puerto Vallarta Tourism boosts operations at hotels and resorts as travel surges
With the recent announcement that the Mexican State of Jalisco is easing restrictions on pandemic-related lodging occupancy limits, Puerto Vallarta is expecting a summer travel surge.
Hotels and resorts in Puerto Vallarta can now operate at 80% capacity — a jump from the 66% capacity limit imposed in April. In addition, restaurants, bars, retailers, and cultural and entertainment spaces are now permitted to operate for longer hours and at greater capacity.
The destination’s hotel occupancy rate, which averaged 55.8% in April, rose to 58% in May and at press time was expected to exceed 60% in June. Luxury villas in Puerto Vallarta and Punta Mita continue to see growing occupancies as well.
Puerto Vallarta is also seeing an uptick in passenger arrivals and new and reinstated flights from the United States, Canada and the U.K. Puerto Vallarta International Airport welcomed 92,750 passengers in May — a 10% increase over April’s arrivals. As of press time, that number is projected to approach 100,000 in June.
Airlines announcing new service to Puerto Vallarta from the United States are Spirit Airlines, which is inaugurating flights from Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth and Los Angeles starting this week, and American Airlines, which has announced a new route from Austin starting Nov. 2. Mexico’s Aeromar launched flights from McAllen, Texas, in June.
In addition several Canadian carriers — Air Canada, Air Transat, Sunwing, Swoop and WestJet — have launched or announced new or reinstated service; and TUI Airways has announced it will launch flights from London-Gatwick this fall.
New tourism-friendly developments also are taking place in Puerto Vallarta, including Mar y Vino, a rooftop, seafood-focused restaurant and bar at Playa Los Arcos Hotel Beach Resort & Spa that overlooks the Malecon and serves barefoot guests at tables set in a shallow pool.
And next year, Grupo Vidanta is set to launch VidantaWorld in nearby Nuevo Vallarta, with three “dream parks” spanning 2,500 acres for couples, families and groups of friends. The parks will be interconnected via SkyDream, an aerial gondola. The first phase of construction is an immersive, jungle-themed park with shops, dining and a lake show featuring animation, fountain jets and musical performances. Later phases will include a water park and a Cirque du Soleil residency.
