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:
Cancun
Mexico City
San Jose del Cabo (Los Cabos)
Puerto Vallarta (starting June 2015)
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
Part 1 – Mexico (Cancun, Los Cabos, Mexico City, and Puerto Vallarta)
Part 2 – The Caribbean (Aruba, The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Puerto Rico)
Part 3 – Central America (Costa Rica and Belize)
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
Transfer American Express Membership Rewards points
Sign-up bonus from the Barclays Best Western card (but you should choose your Barclays cards carefully!)
Buy Best Western points (call or email)
Club Carlson
Sign-up bonus from the Club Carlson Premier Rewards Visa card (and you’ll get your last night free on award stays of 2 nights or longer)
Buy Club Carlson points
Choice Hotels
Transfer American Express Membership Rewards points
Sign-up bonus from the Barclays Choice Privileges card (again, choose your Barclays cards wisely!)
Buy Choice Hotel points
Hilton
Transfer American Express Membership Rewards points
Transfer Citi ThankYou points
Sign-up bonuses from the American Express Hilton HHonors, American Express Hilton HHonors Surpass, Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve, or Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature cards
Transfer airline miles like Hawaiian Airlines or Virgin Atlantic
Buy Hilton points
There Are Lots of Credit Cards That Earn Hilton Points!
Hyatt
Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Sign-up bonus from the Chase Hyatt card
Buy Hyatt points
IHG
IHG Cash & Points Trick (cheapest option)
Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Buy IHG points
Sign-up bonus from the Chase IHG Rewards card
Marriott / Ritz-Carlton
Transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards points
Buy Marriott points
Sign-up bonus from the Chase Marriott Rewards Premier Credit Card
Sign-up bonus from the Chase Marriott Rewards Credit Card
Sign-up bonus from the Chase Ritz-Carlton Rewards card
Starwood
Transfer American Express Membership Rewards points
Sign-up bonus from the American Express Starwood Preferred Guest card
Buy Starwood points
Wyndham
Sign-up bonus from Barclays Wyndham Rewards card (be careful, again!)
Buy Wyndham points
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?
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Comments
At the all inclusive Hyatt resorts, do the initial 20,000 ... by matthewD
Heading to Cabo Jan 28th-Feb 1st. Flying SW on points and ... by Paul
Are there any good all inclusive resorts? by PL
Umm – you forgot Belize as originally requested? by Bill
A very useful post! Thank you. by StacyShine
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