spirited travel

Spirit Airlines offers new nonstop from Houston to favorite Mexico beach

This plane is headed for the beach.

Courtesy of Spirit

There's a new nonstop going out of George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to one of the most popular vacation destinations in Mexico. Spirit Airlines is continuing its international expansion by adding Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) in Puerta Vallarta to its route map starting July 1.

Spirit Airlines is continuing its international expansion by adding Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) in Puerta Vallarta to its route map starting July 1.

There'll be flights from the airport to three U.S. cities: Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Los Angeles. Yay us.

The airline will offer daily flights between Puerto Vallarta and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Service to and from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) will operate three days per week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.

Spirit Airlines VP of Network Planning John Kirby says in a release that "offering convenient flights to beautiful destinations and spectacular beaches is what Sprit Airlines is all about, which makes Puerto Vallarta the perfect new market to connect to major cities in our network."

"We’re delighted to add the great culture and warmth of Mexico’s Pacific coast to our variety of destinations across Mexico, including Cancun and Los Cabos," Kirby says.

Let's do Spirit Airlines' new service to Puerto Vallarta in bullet form:

Houston (IAH) - 3X Weekly
Los Angeles (LAX) - daily
Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) - 3X Weekly

Spirit will also add nonstop service between LAX and Los Cabos, Mexico starting May 5. It'll be Spirit's first international service from Los Angeles, which will be joined by Puerto Vallarta when it launches the following month.

Raúl Revuelta, CEO of Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico, says in a staement that it's all about the beaches.

"Passengers are looking for destinations that offer the characteristics of Mexican beaches, such as Puerto Vallarta, and that are relatively close to their destination of origin," Revuelta says.

Obligatory COVID nod
Spirit's commitment to Safe Travels includes a multi-layered safety approach that requires all customers and staff members to wear masks or face coverings. Every plane uses state-of-the-art, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters that capture 99.97 percent of particles and filter the air for contaminants every three minutes.

Between each flight, enhanced cleaning procedures focus on high-touch areas such as tray tables and armrests. Spirit also uses two EPA-registered fogging treatments. The first applies a safe, high-grade disinfectant that's effective against coronaviruses. The second uses an antimicrobial product that forms an invisible barrier on all surfaces that kills bacteria and viruses on contact for 30 days.

Spirit Airlines claims to be the leader in customizable travel options starting with an unbundled fare. You pay only for the options you choose such as bags, seat assignments and refreshments.

vacation transportation

camping awards

Waterfront resort outside Houston named best large campground in Texas

Photo courtesy of Lagoon Ranch Luxury RV and Cabin Resort

Lagoon Ranch Luxury RV and Cabin Resort is the best large campground in Texas for 2026.

Let's TACO 'bout it: The Texas Association of Campground Owners has awarded Lagoon Ranch Luxury RV and Cabin Resort in Onalaska a new title as the best large campground statewide for 2026.

The 54-year-old trade association currently represents over 430 Texas campgrounds, RV parks, and resorts. In 2024, the organization launched its annual TACO Awards to "recognize the hard work of campground owners" throughout the Lone Star State.

Awards are presented in three categories: Small Park of the Year (under 125 sites), Large Park of the Year (125-plus sites), and Glamping Resort of the Year. The 2026 winners were announced at the TACO Annual Spring Meeting and Trade Show on April 21.

Lagoon Ranch is a fairly new campground that opened in April 2025 just an hour outside Houston, and boasts a 1,000-foot shoreline along Lake Livingston. There are 24 custom cabins and 194 RV sites for visitors to camp at the resort, and entertainment opportunities span a basketball and pickleball area, a fitness center, a dog park, and an on-site Texas barbecue restaurant called Pit Row Pit Stop on the Lake.

The resort's most impressive amenity is a 180,000-gallon lagoon-style pool, complete with a swim-up bar, hot tub, spacious lounge areas, and a kid-friendly splash-and-play area.

Lagoon Ranch is an oasis for those who love spending time on the water.Photo courtesy of Lagoon Ranch Luxury RV and Cabin Resort

TACO's Small Park of the Year, River's Edge Campground in Johnson City, is a more distant destination from Houston. The resort is about an hour outside Austin, and about three-and-a-half hours from Houston.

River's Edge is a 100-acre park that offers 57 different sites for campers to enjoy the scenic Hill Country and the Pedernales River. Solo campers, families, and large groups alike can take their pick between tent sites, covered wagons, fully-furnished cabins, and more.

Being in nature is one of the biggest perks of doing a camping trip, and River's Edge encourages visitors to explore the park's two-mile hike and bike trail or go swimming or fishing in the river. The park also provides a nine-hole disc golf course, multiple sport courts for sand volleyball, basketball, pickleball, and cornhole, and a large playground for children.

Texas' best glamping resort
Camp Quitcherbichin (you read that right) in Lake Bridgeport, a camping and RV resort located 90 miles northwest of Dallas, was named the Glamping Resort of the Year.

In addition to RV sites, Airstream trailers, and fully-furnished cabins, resort also has 10 futuristic "Area 51" vessels that look like they came straight out of a sci-fi comic — think space station pods with floor-to-ceiling windows, electronic skylights, modern finishes, and luxe amenities like smart mirrors and heated floors.

Camp Quitcherbichin in Lake Bridgeport "Area 51" vessel The "Area 51" vessels are futuristic tiny homes.Photo by Jeff Crider Photography

Water-based activities are the main entertainment at Camp QYB with pontoon boat, kayak, paddle board, and pedal boat rentals for guests to take advantage of the property's one-mile stretch of waterfront lake access. Night fishers will appreciate the resort's guided night bow fishing tours, and animal lovers can visit the on-site petting zoo to spend time with miniature donkeys, horses, goats, pigs, and a turkey.

Weekends are often packed full of organized activities like scavenger hunts and foam parties for kids, or poker and music bingo nights for adults.

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