Scores of hotels in Baja California have opened in recent weeks, betting that thousands of Americans are ready to head south. Airlines are adding Baja flights too, even as Canada and much of Europe have banned U.S. tourists, and the U.S. has banned tourists from much of Europe.
Here’s how four hotels in Baja have gone about reopening during the pandemic. All closed between March 23 and April 1. All have opened since June 15. And all are operating under a state government recovery program that calls for maximum average occupancy of 30%.
These hotels say they have loosened their cancellation/rebooking policies; rearranged furniture to allow more distancing; begun to require guests to wear masks when not in their rooms; and boosted cleaning efforts. Typically, guests have their temperatures taken on arrival.
The state of Baja California Sur includes La Paz, Loreto, Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo (together known as Los Cabos). That area’s pandemic situation was classified in early August as “red” — the most serious category — by Mexican federal officials.
The state of Baja California, which includes Tijuana, Ensenada and Mexicali, was classified as “orange” — one step less severe — which permits less stringent restrictions on hotels, restaurants and other public spaces.
The information is based on answers supplied by hotel representatives.
