How Safe is Puerto Vallarta for Travel Right Now?!

So here’s the timeline: I wrote an article on where “Southern Charm” stayed in Puerto Vallarta on February 20th.  Two days later, on February 22nd, cartel violence erupted in the city following the death of drug boss, “El Mencho.”  Meanwhile, I had a trip scheduled for March 1st-7th (to take care of some dental work + get some sunshine), but now this trip was up in the air!  Prior to traveling, I did as much research as possible, to determine if it was safe.  Ultimately, I ended up going.  I know many people have upcoming travel plans, so I’ll do my best to answer the question: how safe is Puerto Vallarta for travel right now??! 

All photos in this article were taken during my trip last week, from March 1st-7th, 2026.

 

 

How Safe is Puerto Vallarta Right Now?

I think the best way to get a feel for how safe it is in Puerto Vallarta right now, is to see photos of what it looks like there RIGHT NOW.  Or, last week.  As I show you photos, I’ll also give you a timeline of my trip: & tell you where I found the best massages, the best food, the best VIEWS, & of course, the best pina coladas! 

Also, as an aside: I can’t tell you how many Canadians I met who traveled to Puerto Vallarta ~ not just for sunshine, but for dental work!  I was clearly not alone in this.  There are apparently a ton of great dentists in Puerto Vallarta, who speak great English (like mine did). 

And the cost savings can be in the THOUSANDS. 

Views from Hotel Boutique Luxury Patio Azul

I arrived at Puerto Vallarta’s International Airport at 5PM Sunday, & immediately Uber’ed to my first hotel: Hotel Boutique Luxury Patio Azul.  The Uber cost $15, & took about 25 minutes.  Sitting up on top of a hill in an area called Conchas Chinas: the views from here are STUNNING.  Since I’d never been to Puerto Vallarta before, I knew I wanted to start my trip by getting a lay of the land, with panoramic ocean views in all directions.  

I loved staying at Patio Azul, & their rooms are beautifully-designed, spacious, & totally modern (I was in the Frida Kahlo room): but you can’t really walk anywhere from the hotel. 

 

For the rest of the week, I wanted to be at a hotel that was walkable to all kinds of shops & restaurants…

 

Staying in the Zona Romantica…

Next up, I took a 5-minute cab ride downhill to the charming, cobblestoned Zona Romantica.  I ended up falling in love with this area!  It was just what I was looking for: great beaches, perfect water to swim in, great walkability, & great pina coladas (at Hotel Tropicana’s poolside bar).  And while my room at Hotel Tropicana was more basic, less luxurious than Patio Azul’s: the view from my room was STUNNING!! 

For around $100 US/night: it’s pretty hard to beat.

Two great brunch places right by Hotel Tropicana: The Porch, which is right across the street, & only accepts cash ~ & my favorite, Coco’s Kitchen, which has amazing green juice + delicious omelettes! 

I had one of the best massages of MY LIFE at the female-run, beautiful Los Arcos Spa: which sits right on the Malecon, just north of Muelle de Playa Los Muertos. A 90-minute massage cost $100 US, & was BEYOND worth every penny!  Selina was my masseuse, & absolutely excellent. 

 

I ate at several restaurants nearby ~ & never had a bad meal. The super-happening La Piazzetta Italian restaurant was my favorite though….great atmosphere + food to DIE FOR!

 

What’s the Puerto Vallarta Airport Like?

The airport isn’t crazy big: but there’s plenty of food + coffee inside, general stores where you can buy souvenirs or toiletries/phone chargers, etc.  And there are TWO pharmacies (farmacias) inside the terminal as well!  In case there’s anything you need to stock up on. 

I got to the airport 90 minutes before my flight, carried on my bag, & had about 45 minutes to spare.  It was pretty painless, & things were definitely “back to normal.” 

Armed federal guards stood outside the airport on both sides, so it’s definitely being protected.

 

What Did Other Travelers Say About the Cartel Violence?  

I spoke with nearly everyone I met about the cartel violence that occurred on February 22nd, 2026.  One couple, who’s been traveling to Puerta Vallarta for 35 years, said this was the most unusual situation they’ve ever seen in Puerto Vallarta.  But that it didn’t last long: about a day.  Some OXXO’s were torched, some buses & cars: but no civilians hurt.  Everyone seemed to understand that the cartel’s intention wasn’t to hurt civilians or tourists. 

They said that people stayed inside for the most part, on Sunday & Monday; shared food with neighbors if necessary, & they said that the hotel staff (at nearly all hotels) went out of their way to make sure that hotel guests were taken care of.  Many received free rooms for at least a night or two, particularly if their flights had been cancelled.

And then on Tuesday, it sounds like people cautiously started going back outside; my dentist concurred with this.  No one I spoke to was overly concerned, or even that afraid: including the 80-year old man who sat next to me on a United flight back to Denver.  His exact words: “It wasn’t that big of a deal.”  To which I started laughing! 

So I would say: if you have travel plans to Puerto Vallarta in the near future: check the State Department’s website.  Check with your hotels & airline, to make sure everything is stable.  Check with people who are currently in Puerto Vallarta, if possible. 

But based on my recent travels, it was absolutely tranquilo & relaxed in Puerto Vallarta ~ especially in the Zona Romantica. When I walked further north, into 5 de Diciembre: you could see a bit more damage. But they are already working to fix it, re-paint, etc.

 

I would absolutely go back to Puerto Vallarta.  It’s a gorgeous place, filled with life.

Happy Exploring!

xoxo Noelia

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