Traveling to La Ventana During COVID
Things changed this week with the CDC requiring all international travelers to have a COVID negative test result to enter the United States. Mexico does not require a negative result to enter, but you will now need to make plans for your test on your return. There are local services that drive you in to La Paz, translate for your, and help you get your results, e-mail us to book your COVID test.
Besides this change, there are definitely some other changes in La Ventana due to COVID, and we can go by parts:
Groceries:
Any super center, bank, or corporate store in La Paz takes your temperature and squirts hand sanitizer in your hand when you enter.
The Farmer’s Market in La Ventana still takes place. Vendors are very spread out and everyone must wear a face mask.
Oscarito has been great, remember to shop local and skip the OXXO.
Restaurants and Bars:
Restaurants take your temperature, servers wear face masks, and all guests are required to wear their own face masks until seated.
It is common to see locals outside of their homes, chatting with neighbors, and wearing face masks. Because it is not politicized, most men and women make face masks a part of their life and expect others to also wear them.
No, there is no real night scene this year. Baja Midnight is back, in all it’s glory. Bedtime in this town is around 9PM these days. Mimosas in the AM are about as crazy as we get these days. Our pizza delivery and pick-up have been popular this season too.
The restaurant and social scene has shifted to the mornings, since Baja midnight seems to be back. Playa Central now has a mimosa brunch on Sundays.
Who is in town:
First of all, it seems like everyone has been extending or canceling their return flight once they are here. Overall, people are staying for longer periods of time.
We miss our Canadian friends.
Yes, the wind is amazing and having nobody on the water really gives it an old school vibe to those of us who have been coming over a decade.
Kiteschools are busy.
About half of the homeowners did not make it down this year.
There are definitely more non-kiter city people who have moved here to work remotely, and and plan on staying into late spring.
Kids are here! With homeschooling becoming the norm, we have been delighted with the new families and young kiters!
Homeschooling has brought a lot of families to La Ventana, as people prefer to have their kids outdoors, and now have the flexibility.
Accommodations:
Hotels are legally required to keep a 50% vacancy, which has forced people to book houses.
Since homeowners did not come down as much, there have been homes rented for the first time this season that have never been rental homes before.
Families with children have been coming down for 1-4 month visits and renting whole houses. Balancing homeschooling and kiteboarding are the new topics of conversation around town. E-mail us to book yours.
With people staying longer, house rentals have been popular this year.
If you are able to make it to La Ventana, please be mindful about COVID protocols and the impact our tourism has on our environment. Besides possibly bringing the virus, your stay will also generate some sort of waste, especially with curb-side pick up and delivery preferences these days. When you can, take your Tupperware to pick up your To-Go food.
At Playa Central we offer vacation rentals, kite lessons, wingfoiling lessons, airport shuttle service, and other travel solutions, like getting your COVID test and results to travel. If we can give you information or help you book your La Ventana vacation, please visit our website, or call or WhatsApp us at +52.612.114.0267
