yanksrule

I was getting ready to reserve plane tickets and hotels for these 2 cities. I was looking at recent news that there has been many dangerous situations in both cities the last week. I also heard that cruise ships have cancelled stops in Puerto Vallarta and travel advisories for both places. Does anyone think the situation at this present moment is not to safe to go. An example of where i Live, I live in Brooklyn ny In a very safe area , However other parts are known for gang activity. Is this similar for these 2 cities in which both tourist sites in these 2 cities are safe and other areas outside of these two cities is where you have to use extreme caution. Any comments from anyone who knows about these 2 cities would be apreciated.

suze

I read daily on the Puerto Vallarta forum at Trip Advisor. No one on the ground there now (tourists or residents) are reporting any problems.

The protests on May 1st effected banks, gas stations, and busses didn't run for a day.

I've been to PV 20+ times and would get on a plane today if I could. Everyone has to make their own calls on stuff like this, but I personally would not be concerned.

How are you getting between the two cities? I have always been cautious about road trips so don't have experience with that. I always fly in to Vallarta directly from Seattle.

yanksrule

if i go i will be going by plane bet both cities, i would not want to go by road. If anyone that has been there withing the last week or is currently there let me know how safe does it look at this moment.

cabron

I live here in PV full time, all I knew about the incident on May 1st. was what I saw online and TV, Oh! and they stopped the busses for a few hours. Otherwise I wouldn't have noticed a thing, like everything with a bit of drama, the media will exaggeration it.
Come on down, the water's fine

dlaredo

We spent 8 days in PV, ending on May 3rd. (Trip report to follow.) We stayed at the Westin, and did see some of the activity.

The Fed police were VERY much out in force, on streets and flying overhead in helicopters. We drove in a taxi by one of the mall locations that had been hit and lit ablaze. The next day there was no indication of any commotion, and life appeared back to usual.

We did not curtail any activities in town, but I would not have felt comfortable going far afield.

We had a great time, and never felt in jeopardy. Would I book a return visit right now... given the news reports, I think not. Better to be prudent than sorry.

dlaredo

suze

What happened is past. There are no reports of trouble in Puerto Vallarta after the incidents back on May 1st.

yanksrule

I would like to thank everyone who responded to my post. you all were right, no major concerns. everything went fine on my trip in June. The only Concern was when the water from the puerto vallarta malecon rose up and landed on my camera. camera was fine.

I went 3 days to Puerto Vallarta, 3 days to Guadalajara, 3 days to Mexico City and 2 days to Guanajuato. All by plane. What a wonderful Country.

I actually plan on going to Mexico city and Guadalajara either for this thanksgiving or take 4 to 5 days early next year. Great trip. I would just advise anyone who goes to use precaution like anywhere else.

MichelleY

Yanksrule - please write a quick trip report. Would love to hear more.

suze

thanks for checking back in. Glad to hear the trip turned out well. You saw a lot in a short period of time. Good to know that can be done.

Stewbear

A great combo for a first trip. Did this my self after 2 weeks at Los Quarto Vientos in PV I spent 5 days at The Mendoza just off the main plaza in Guadalajara.
That was 30 years ago & still is a delightful memory.
PS Never had a problem in either city after dozens of visits!

Rohelio

As yanksrule said here above; I would just advice anyone who goes, to use precaution like anywhere else. And again... as diaredo also said here above ;Would I book a return visit right now... given the news reports, I think not. Better to be prudent than sorry ¡
Please, dont get me wrong... I love Mexico, as a matter of fact we own a condo on the Riviera Maya and spend most of our winters there every year.
This said,I feel it is important to note these situations and outbursts need to be noted so as to be well aware of present day situations. To bury our heads in the sand and pretend, is unfair to yourself and to those who seek information on this site.

The city of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara are currently under a red alert and maximum security. At this time gas stations have been closed for service in Puerto Vallarta.

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel is one of the most recent and fastest-growing drug-trafficking criminal groups in Mexico. They are currently fighting the Knights Templar Cartel and Los Zetas for control of the cities of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta in the state of Jalisco and the states of Michoacan and Veracruz. The CJNG also operates in the states of Nayarit, Colima, and Guanajuato. While this cartel is best known for its fights against the Zetas, it has also been battling La Resistencia for control of Jalisco and its surrounding territories.

It is sad to say but I do believe that PV is going the same way as Acapulco !
For those who choose to look at the this through rosy coloured glasses and say that it is now in the past, is in my eyes , wrong !
I can just hope to be proven wrong ...as I have been to PV on several occasions and would like to think that we can return to share once again it's glorious location and warm and accommodating people.

cabron

"The city of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara are currently under a red alert and maximum security. At this time gas stations have been closed for service in Puerto Vallarta."

Rubbish! totally wrong, please don't post incorrect information !
You may have visited PV but I live here and have for over 22 years.

Rohelio

I am sorry if you feel that way cabron, it was not my intention or hurt to publicize false information, truth be told, you cannot disregard the dozens of reports, pictures and advisories that are readily available, something you can't deny wether you live there or not !
By the way, the quote mentioned here above does not come from me but directly from a reputable source on the internet alongside pictures and detailed information. Please take time to search for a multitude of articles written to this effect May 1st 2015.
Thank you.

suze

<The city of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara are currently under a red alert and maximum security.>

NOT true!! It was a one day, May Day, event happened earlier this year that you are incorrectly quoting as being the current situation.

cabron

"reputable source on the internet" there's your problem, just because something is published doesn't make it true!
Nothing beats eyewitness, like from someone on the ground! Like me for example.
Better than spreading false information.

mac52

http://travel.state.gov/content/pass...l-warning.html

Jalisco: Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta,

and Lake Chapala are major cities/travel destinations in Jalisco – Exercise caution throughout the state, particularly in rural areas and when using secondary highways. Violent clashes between criminal organizations and government authorities, and related disturbances including barricades of burning vehicles blocking major roads and highways, are ongoing concerns that typically occur without notice. Defer non-essential travel to areas of the state that border the states of Michoacán and Zacatecas. The security situation along the Michoacán and Zacatecas borders continues to be unstable. U.S. government personnel are authorized to use Federal toll road 15D for travel to Mexico City; however, they may not stop in the town of La Barca for any reason. U.S. government personnel are prohibited from personal travel to areas of Jalisco that border Zacatecas, and are prohibited from intercity travel at night.

cabron

I prefer 1st hand reports, than from some desk in the State Dept,

suze

<Defer non-essential travel to areas of the state that border the states of Michoacán and Zacatecas.>

mac52~ But that's not where Puerto Vallarta is located anyway.

Rohelio

If you need first hand reports, then why choose to disregard diarrfôs comment on this same page who mentions having witnesed helicopters and blazes from his own taxi then goes on to say that they did not venture from their hotel after this. You say not having heard of this and you live there... Hey, there are crimes commited in my very own city that I have not heard or read of or heard first hand reports... Does that mean that they did not happen !!! If a traveller bothers to write and shows concern about a particular event, that person deserves to hear from all sides wether you have heard about it or not, and that is not rubbish!!!

worldtraveler69

it's best to speak with someone on the ground if possible. there are a few really good expat forums on fb where the folks living here are constantly talking about conditions. generally speaking those of us living here think the danger is far overblown but we've also learned how to blend into society. for example when you come to the big cities like gdl or mexico city don't wear shorts, try to learn some basic spanish, always pay in local currency, enjoy the tequilla jajaja.