Airport arrival lounges tend to be located at busy business airports and open to only airlines most premium passengers. Arrival lounges are common in business heavy cities such as London, where nearly every major airlines offer a lounge for premium passengers. Etihad arrival lounge in Abu Dhabi, offers a place for premium guests to shower and have a light bite before heading into town. They use to even offer free shaves or hair cuts upon arrival. Most arrival lounges are after customs, and operated by the airline. In Puerto Vallarta though, the VIP lounge network which operates two airside departure lounges has opened an arrival lounge.
The Puerto Vallarta arrivals lounge is exactly what it sounds like. A place to lounge and relax after a flight and after clearing customs. The lounge is open every day from 10am to 6pm and is accessible to both those flying an international or domestic routes. There are two entrances to the lounge, one near the exit from customs and immigration and a second near the coffee shop near the main arrivals door.
The Puerto Vallarta arrivals lounge is a priority pass lounge or one can buy a day pass. It is also the only lounge available when arriving, as arriving passengers are released into a secured area, separate from departures. Puerto Vallarta is not set up for connecting passengers, not even when flying domestically in Mexico.
The lounge
The Puerto Vallarta arrivals lounge is basic. It’s EXTREMELY basic. Calling it a lounge is pushing it. The lounge is actually smaller than my master bedroom in my house. The lounge is literally just one open room. Approximately 250 square feet. A big open box. There is a check-in counter near the door and a bar in the corner. There is also a bathroom located in the lounge.
The bar is open/self serve, but the lounge attendant working the door will gladly mix a drink for you. There is also snacks, which are almost exactly the same as the departure lounge offerings.
Inside the lounge there are several chairs, each with power. If I am counting correctly, the lounge actually only had 8 chairs total! Not a lot of space, nor room for that many people. Yet then again, this is Puerto Vallarta. Why hang out at the airport when you can be at a beach!
Final Thoughts
I am not sure how long this arrival lounge will last. When I visited it though, there were about 4 other people utilizing the lounge. If you are meeting friends or waiting on someone, the Puerto Vallarta lounge is great. Do not go out of your way for this lounge, though. Skip it if you can. You’re in Mexico, get out and enjoy the city and beach!
