Southwest’s New Destinations – Where to Stay Using Points in Mexico

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    Update: One or more card offers in this post are no longer available. Check our Hot Deals for the latest offers. Update:   Thanks to Million Mile Secrets readers for sharing their thoughts about hotels in Mexico.  Emily and I haven’t been to many of these destinations, so it’s helpful when our readers add their experiences!  We hope these guides can save folks time when searching for hotels, and that our readers continue sharing their feedback and advice.

    In response to the news that Southwest will start flying to Belize, Million Mile Secrets reader Julianna commented:

    Someone should do a post on points and rewards hotels in Belize…just sayin’.

    I’m taking this a step further and checking out which hotels are available using points in all of Southwest’s new international destinations!

    Let’s start by looking at Southwest’s new destinations in Mexico:

    Planning a Trip to Mexico on Southwest? I’ll Show You Where to Stay!

    In some cities you’ll have lots of choices, and in others just a few.  I’ll explain!

    Southwest’s New Destinations – Where to Stay Using Points Index

    Southwest Flies to Mexico – Here’s Where to Stay!

    Link:   Hotel Award Charts

    I used AwardMapper to help quickly find hotels in each city.  It’s a great tool that shows most (not all) major chain hotels on a map, and the number of points required for an award night!

    Award Mapper Is a Useful Tool for Finding Award Nights in Unfamiliar Cities
    Note:   Some of these hotels are away from the main tourist areas, for example near the airport or downtown instead of the beach.  So check the location before you book!

    1.   Cancun

    Located on the Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun is known for its party atmosphere and white sand beaches.  It’s not far from the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza and Tulum.

    For folks looking for a more tranquil experience with cute shops, independent restaurants, and terrific snorkeling, take the ferry to Isla Mujeres.

    Isla Mujeres: Snorkeling, Swimming, and Gigantic Iguanas!
    Choice Hotels
    Comfort Inn Cancun Aeropuerto – 8,000 points per night
    Hyatt
    Hyatt Zilara Cancun (All-Inclusive) – 25,000 points plus 12,500 points per additional person, per night Hyatt Playa del Carmen – 20,000 points per night
    IHG
    Intercontinental:  Presidente Cancun Resort – 25,000 points per night Holiday Inn Express:  Cancun Zona Hotelera – 15,000 points per night Holiday Inn:  Cancun Arenas (All-Inclusive) – 35,000 points per night
    Relax by the Pool at the Holiday Inn Cancun Arenas
    Holiday Inn Express Playa del Carmen – 15,000 points per night
    Marriott / Ritz-Carlton
    Courtyard Cancun Airport – 10,000 points per night The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun – 50,000 points per night JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa – 40,000 points per night CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resort – 35,000 points per night
    Starwood
    The Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas & Spa, Cancun – from 10,000 points per night (Top Pick!)

    I’d like to try this hotel because the villas are fully equipped, it’s a reasonable number of points, and it’s very highly rated on TripAdvisor!

    The Villas at The Westin Lagunamar Include Kitchenettes, Dining Areas, and Washer / Dryers – Great for Families
    Aloft Cancun – from 4,000 points per night The Westin Resort & Spa, Cancun – from 7,000 points per night Four Points by Sheraton Cancun Centro (Opening February 1, 2015) – from 4,000 points per night
    Wyndham
    Ramada Cancun City – 10,000 points per night

    2.   Mexico City

    Mexico City is the nation’s capital and the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world.  It’s a cultural and financial center, with museums, shopping, and Aztec ruins nearby at Teotihuacan.
    Mexico City’s Zona Rosa Is Well-Known for Its Nightlife and Shopping
    Best Western
    Best Western Majestic – 20,000 points per night Best Western Estoril – 20,000 points per night Best Western Royal Zona Rosa – 16,000 points per night
    Club Carlson
    Radisson Hotel Flamingos – 15,000 points per night Radisson Paraiso Hotel Mexico City – 28,000 points per night
    Choice Hotels
    Comfort Inn Ciudad de Mexico Santa Fe – 20,000 points per night
    Hilton
    Hampton Inn & Suites Mexico City – 10,000 points per night Hilton Mexico City Reforma – 30,000 points per night Hilton Mexico City Airport – 50,000 points per night DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Mexico City Airport Area – 40,000 points per night Hilton Mexico City Santa Fe – 50,000 points per night
    The Hilton Mexico City Santa Fe Has a Modern Rooftop Pool
    Hyatt
    Hyatt Regency Mexico City – 15,000 points per night
    IHG
    Holiday Inn Express:  Mexico Reforma – 25,000 points per night Holiday Inn:  Mexico Buenavista – 20,000 points per night Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites:  Mexico Zona Rosa – 15,000 points per night Holiday Inn:  Mexico Dali Airport – 20,000 points per night InterContinental:  Presidente Mexico City – 30,000 points per night Crowne Plaza:  Hotel de Mexico – 20,000 points per night Holiday Inn Express & Suites:  Mexico City at the WTC – 20,000 points per night Holiday Inn:  Mexico City – Plaza Universidad – 20,000 points per night Holiday Inn:  Ciudad de Mexico – Trade Center – 10,000 points per night Holiday Inn:  Mexico Coyoacan – 15,000 points per night Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites:  Mexico Media Sur – 20,000 points per night Crowne Plaza:  Mexico Norte Tlalnepantla – 20,000 points per night Holiday Inn Express:  Mexico Santa Fe – 20,000 points per night InterContinental:  Presidente Santa Fe Mexico – 25,000 points per night Holiday Inn:  Ciudad de Mexico Perinorte – 10,000 points per night
    The Crowne Plaza Hotel de Mexico is Located Next to Mexico City’s World Trade Center
    Marriott / Ritz-Carlton
    Mexico City Marriott Reforma Hotel – 20,000 points per night JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City – 30,000 points per night (Top Pick!)

    Another top-rated hotel on TripAdvisor, the JW Marriott Mexico City is centrally located in a very safe area.

    TripAdvisor Reviewers Like the JW Marriott for Its Safe, Convenient Location
    Courtyard Mexico City Airport – 10,000 points per night JW Marriott Hotel Mexico City Santa Fe – 10,000 points per night
    Starwood
    Le Meridien Mexico City – from 10,000 points per night Four Points by Sheraton Mexico City, Colonia Roma – from 4,000 points per night Sheraton Maria Isabel Hotel and Towers – from 7,000 points per night The St. Regis Mexico City – from 20,000 points per night W Mexico City – from 12,000 points per night The Westin Santa Fe, Mexico City – from 10,000 points per night Sheraton Santa Fe, Mexico City – from 10,000 points per night
    Wyndham
    Wyndham Garden Mexico City Polanco – 16,000 points per night Ramada Reforma Mexico City – 10,000 points per night Ramada Aeropuerto Mexico – 16,000 points per night

    3.   Puerto Vallarta (Starting June 2015)

    Southwest will begin flights to Puerto Vallarta in June, 2015.  It’s a well-known vacation spot for Mexicans and tourists from the US and Canadian West coast.

    Old Puerto Vallarta Has a Quaint, Rustic Feel
    Best Western
    Best Western Plus Suites Puerto Vallarta – 16,000 points per night
    Choice Hotels
    Comfort Inn Puerto Vallarta – 12,000 points per night
    Hilton
    Hilton Puerto Vallarta Resort – 50,000 points per night
    Hyatt
    Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta (All-Inclusive) – 20,000 points plus 10,000 points per additional person, per night (Top Pick!)

    One of Hyatt’s newest resorts, the Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta may cost more points than other hotels (it’s all-inclusive), but you get what you pay for!  Folks say they love the private beach, views, and excellent food.

    Treat Yourself to an All-Inclusive Stay at the Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
    IHG
    Holiday Inn Resort:  Puerto Vallarta – 30,000 points per night Holiday Inn Express:  Puerto Vallarta – 20,000 points per night
    Marriott / Ritz-Carlton
    CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa – 30,000 points per night
    Starwood
    Sheraton Buganvilias Resort and Convention Center – from 10,000 points per night The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta – from 7,000 points per night The St. Regis Punta Mita Resort – from 20,000 points per night

    4.   San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos)

    Southwest flies to San Jose del Cabo, but the area known as Los Cabos is actually 2 towns – San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas.  On the Baja California peninsula, Los Cabos is popular for eco-tourism, sport fishing, and scuba diving.

    Note:   Los Cabos was hit by Hurricane Odile in September and some resorts remain closed due to damage.  So your choices are more limited.
    Visit El Arco, a Famous Rock Formation at the Tip of the Baja Peninsula
    Best Western
    Best Western Aeropuerto – 24,000 points per night
    Hilton
    Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort – 40,000 to 70,000 points per night (not accepting reservations until June 1, 2015)
    Hyatt
    Hyatt Place Los Cabos – 8,000 points per night (re-opening April 1, 2015) Hyatt Ziva Los Cabos (All-Inclusive) – 20,000 points plus 10,000 points per additional person, per night (re-opening April 30, 2015)
    IHG
    Holiday Inn Resort:  Los Cabos All-Inclusive – 35,000 points per night (maximum 3 people per room) (Top Pick!)

    Three people can stay all-inclusive for 35,000 points per night at the Holiday Inn Resort:  Los Cabos All-Inclusive.  It did get damaged during the hurricane but it’s back up and running, and folks like that it’s located right on the beach.

    For 35,000 Points You Could Enjoy an All-Inclusive Night at the Holiday Inn Resort Los Cabos
    Holiday Inn Express:  Cabo San Lucas – 20,000 points per night
    Marriott / Ritz-Carlton
    Fairfield Inn Los Cabos – 7,500 points per night
    Starwood
    The Westin Resort & Spa, Los Cabos – from 10,000 points per night (closed until June 2015) Sheraton Hacienda del Mar Golf & Spa Resort, Los Cabos – from 10,000 points per night
    Wyndham
    Wyndham Cabo San Lucas Resort – 16,000 points per night

    Collecting Points for These Hotels

    If you don’t have enough points, here are some ways to quickly increase your point balances!

    Best Western

    Club Carlson

    Choice Hotels

    Hilton

    There Are Lots of Credit Cards That Earn Hilton Points!

    Hyatt

    IHG

    Marriott / Ritz-Carlton

    Starwood

    Wyndham

    Bottom Line

    Southwest now flies to Mexico, including Cancun, Los Cabos, Mexico City, and Puerto Vallarta (beginning June 2015).

    You’ve got plenty of choices from most of the large hotel chains if you want to use points for award nights in these cities.  Including several all-inclusive resorts!

    Keep in mind that Los Cabos sustained a lot of damage from the hurricane in September, 2014.  So many resorts and hotels remain closed.

    Stay tuned for hotel options in Southwest’s other international destinations!

    Have you used points for award stays in Mexico?  Which hotel is your favorite?

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)
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