Releasing sea turtles onto the beach and watching them scuttle into the Pacific Ocean was one of my most fulfilling travel memories to date.

I did it in a place on Mexico’s Pacific Coast: home to luxurious resorts, beaches that look like they’ve been designed specifically for a postcard, and a vibrant party scene that makes it one of THE places to be in Mexico.

This is Puerto Vallarta, the jewel in Mexico’s Pacific crown.

It’s famous for being one of the safest places in the country. The 2026 Jalisco cartel violence, which I’ll cover later, was an exception in an otherwise-peaceful place. It didn’t stop me from coming back, and it shouldn’t stop you either.

I revisited Puerto Vallarta recently and updated this guide with current safety insights.

At-a-Glance Safety Snapshot

At-a-Glance Safety Snapshot – Safety in Puerto Vallarta
Overall safetyOne of the safest spots for tourists in Mexico outside of Quintana Roo.
Main risksPetty theft, pickpocketing, scams and water (only swim where you see green flags).
Violent crimeVery rare for tourists, even when Puerto Vallarta hit global headlines in 2026 for cartel violence, which mostly ignored tourists.
Police presenceVery high, with a drastic increase seen since the 2026 cartel violence.
Solo travelI went here solo and found it very safe. Stick to the popular areas, get around with Uber, and only take tours with reputable companies.
Family travelFamilies will be best off staying in Zona Hotelera which is a little calmer than Zona Romantica, and has many all-inclusive resorts. Marina Vallarta works too.

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Is Puerto Vallarta Safe to Visit Right Now? 

Yes, Puerto Vallarta is a safe place to visit right now, especially if you stick to the tourist hotspots. It’s super popular, with over 6 million tourists coming through the airport each year, and many of them enjoying Puerto Vallarta with mostly trouble-free experiences. Think it’s dangerous? Well let’s just say you won’t be seeing those numbers coming through Mogadishu’s airport any time soon.

Violent crime and cartels are usually people’s biggest worry in Mexico. Though, unless you’re actively looking for trouble, it’s very unlikely it will come to you, despite Puerto Vallarta being within Jalisco (a state with a strong cartel presence). Cartels leave tourists alone as tourism = money for them.

street-style-puerto-vallarta
Paradise doesn’t have to be hard.

Besides petty theft, like pickpocketing, bag snatching, and common travel scams, tourists are very rarely affected by crime in Puerto Vallarta. If you apply your usual travel common sense, you should be fine. 

The Pacific Coast can become pretty volatile in hurricane season, which runs from June to November. This is something to be aware of if you’re traveling to the area, whilst swimming can be dangerous due to strong currents and even jellyfish.

Puerto Vallarta is similar to Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Puerto Escondido. It’s super touristy, not so susceptible to Mexico’s biggest problems, and has a higher police presence than most places.

Puerto Vallarta Travel Advisories

Travel advisories can often look big and scary. But they often apply to entire states or countries, which isn’t necessarily representative of the bigger picture. Jalisco has its dodgy spots for sure, but Puerto Vallarta isn’t one of them.

If you look at this US advisory map for Jalisco, you’ll see that Puerto Vallarta is far from the sketchier places.

Since it’s a major tourist hub, it benefits from extra protections from the police. The government don’t want tourists harmed, as it will hammer their income. And you know what? The cartels want the tourist dollars to keep flowing too, so they leave us alone and terrorise locals/other cartels/authorities instead.

Puerto Vallarta Safety
Welcome to our Puerto Vallarta Safety Guide!

What a lot of people don’t understand with tourist advisories, is that they generalise too much, and they’re overly cautious. I’ve also found them to be slow to update in the past.

To stay safe, you should stick to safe neighbourhoods (Zona Hotelera, Zona Romantica, Marina Vallarta, Nueva Vallarta), and use Uber to get between places at night. Do this, and you’ll be chill.

Getting Insured BEFORE Visiting Puerto Vallarta

Before you go on any type of trip, the best way to cover yourself is by getting insurance. When you’re planning to visit Puerto Vallarta, make sure that you get good travel insurance for Mexico – that covers the type of trip you want to have.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Top 4 Safest Places to Stay in Puerto Vallarta

Like most secure places in Mexico, the Puerto Vallarta safe zones are generally tourist destinations. Tourism is important here, the country, and many people that live here, need the tourism industry to survive. So the Mexico security forces are working hard to ensure that the visitors are safe.

That being said, these neighbourhoods in Puerto Vallarta are more susceptible to petty theft. So visiting these tourist areas in Puerto Vallarta is safe, but pay particular attention to your valuables. While you’re away from home, still use common sense and exercise a little extra precaution.

Here are some of the safest places to stay in Puerto Vallarta:

Let’s go to Nayarit.

Marina Vallarta

🏙️ Vibe: This is an upscale part of the city frequented by those with deep pockets. It’s one of the more relaxing places here from my experiences. I’m a fan as I’m far too old to hang around the nightlife spots!

🛡️ Safety level: Where you find wealth, you also find security. One of the safer places in one of Mexico’s safest cities.

👥 Best for: Anyone looking for a more chilled stay, with more upmarket facilities. Broke backpacker friendly? Mmm, perhaps not so much, but “expensive” in Mexico still isn’t THAT bad.

🏨 Accommodation style: Expensive. You’re looking at a minimum of $100 for a place here for quality. You can find a tiny number of cheaper pads to sleep in, just don’t complain about the standards…

🚶 Walkability: It’s easily walkable, and that includes reaching both the Hotel Zone and airport from here. Zona Romantica is however, is a couple of hours away on foot, likewise Centro.

Marina Vallarta is just south of the airport, making it a great base for at least the first night if you’re shattered after a lengthy flight. It’s close to the Hotel Zone, but you’ll need Uber to reach the tourist hotspots from here. You can also look into a rental car – compare rates on DiscoverCars before you land.

You can chill in the wide range of cafes, restaurants and bars, and see how the other half live with their yachts in the harbour. Otherwise, this is more of a nice residential spot than a wild tourist area.

It’s different from the other spots here because it’s a little more flashy, a lot safer (most importantly for this guide), and it’s more laidback.

Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera)

🏙️ Vibe: Similar to Marina Vallarta really, it’s more upmarket here. The main difference is that it’s full of flashy chain hotels offering all-inclusive packages.

🛡️ Safety level: Very high. Again, where there’s wealth, there’s security. When I come back as a slightly-less-broke backpacker, I’ll stay here or in Marina Vallarta.

👥 Best for: The same things as the marina really. Safety, posh vibes, good amenities. The main difference is that there are more all-inclusive hotels here.

🏨 Accommodation style: All-inclusive and upscale hotels are the order of the day in Zona Hotelera. You can find a few spots for $80 a night though.

🚶 Walkability: Easily walkable. It’s safe, and you won’t have any problems getting around here.

It’s by both Marina Vallarta and the beach. A little further from the airport, but a little closer to Zona Romantica and Centro than Marina Vallarta is.

You can hit the bars here, munch the night away at some top class restaurants, or go for a dip in the sea. To continue the Marina Vallarta comparisons, it’s more about luxury than things that specifically scream “Puerto Vallarta” to you.

The main draw of Zona Hotelera is the all-inclusive vibes. It’s a bit quieter on the beaches here, which is another plus if you don’t like large crowds.

Romantic Zone (Zona Romantica)

🏙️ Vibe: Now we’re talking a little more “broke backpackerish”. It’s lively, the parties are wild, this is where you can really feel a backpacker buzz in the air and meet fellow gringos and locals alike.

🛡️ Safety level: It’s reasonably safe, but gets quite lively after dark. Take care when you’re necking Modelos out here, because there’s always going to be some chancer looking to swipe your wallet.

👥 Best for: Couples, as the name suggests. Solo travellers and budget backpackers will also prefer this spot. Younger people too.

🏨 Accommodation style: A bit more rugged and cheaper by Puerto Vallarta’s standards. Still pretty expensive when compared to Mexico overall though.

🚶 Walkability: You can walk around the cobbled streets here with no problems, unless you’re wearing high heels and have enjoyed a few too many shots of tequila. Then you’ll find it a little less walkable…

Zona Romantica is just south of Centro. It’s also known as the slightly less amorous “Old Town”, which is generally the name given to a city’s most lively and interesting spot. And it certainly lives up to that hype.

You can hit up the clubs on Los Muertos Beach, stagger along the beach after too many Tecates, munch tacos at the markets, or hit up some of the art galleries here. The only thing you won’t find is boredom!

It’s different to the previous places mentioned, because it’s more budget-friendly, less luxurious, and attracts more party-loving degenerates over well-heeled holidaymakers.

Nuevo Nayarit

🏙️ Vibe: Another upmarket spot where you don’t get much of a backpacker buzz, but you at least feel secure around here.

🛡️ Safety level: As with all the posh spots, I felt as safe as I ever have done in Mexico here.

👥 Best for: Families, and anyone else looking for a spot of comfort and luxury over the gritty and loud vibes of Centro or Zona Romantica.

🏨 Accommodation style: Once again, we’re looking at more high-end resort accommodation here, rather than budget-friendly hostels.

🚶 Walkability: It’s super easy to walk around here, and enjoy the biodiversity on offer along the Pacific Coast.

Puerto Nayarit, as the name may hint at, is in the neighbouring state of Nayarit. It used to be called Nuevo Vallarta, but the name was change to avoid confusion with Puerto Vallarta. It’s located just north of the airport, and is the furthest spot in this guide from the activity hubs of Centro and Zona Romantica.

You can try your hand at becoming the next Tiger Woods at El Tigre Golf Club here, or loosen up at some of the nearby beach clubs, of which you have several to choose from.

It’s different from Zona Romantica, but similar to the other two neighbourhoods we’ve covered as it’s full of resorts where you can enjoy a nice relaxing holiday without a care in the world. Personally I prefer a little more adventure, but it’s a good spot if that’s what you enjoy. Plus, it’s very safe.

Read our detailed where to stay guide for Puerto Vallarta so you can start your trip right!

Places to Avoid in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is pretty safe overall, but it’s still a Latin American city, and that means that your tranquil tourist bubble may be just a 20-minute drive away from some genuinely dangerous places.

The places to avoid are the likes of Valle Dorado, Ixtapa, El Pitillal, Infonavit, San Jose, and Altavela. These are all impoverished neighbourhoods in residential areas where you won’t find tourists, only locals. And unlike the cobbled streets of Zona Romantica, these spots are anything but romantic.

Drug dealing is a regular occurrence in these rougher parts of the city, whilst muggings, thefts and assaults aren’t unheard of. As a foreigner, you’d stick out like a sore thumb, so stay away.

If you absolutely have to go to one of these places, go with a trusted local, wear a secure money belt, and keep your phone in your pocket at all times.

The Puerto Vallarta crime rate varies across the state a lot. As a general rule, the further away from the tourist areas you go, the higher the rate of violent crime is. 

Though – please note – tourists have very little to see in these areas anyway. You really won’t miss anything anyway. Also remember that anywhere outside the touristic places should be avoided at night.

What Travelers Should Actually Watch Out for in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is one of the “safer” areas of Mexico to travel to. But then again – it’s still Mexico. 

Puerto Vallarta
Apply basic safety precautions and have the best time in Puerto Vallarta!

Things like petty theft exist and you always have to apply travel common sense and general safety tips. To help you out, we’ve put together some of our best travel tips that apply specifically to Puerto Vallarta, based on what we’ve witnessed here ourselves, so you can have an awesome time here.

Airport & Taxi Pricing Confusion

Taxi drivers are scumbags at the best of times. More often than not they’ll harrass you and try to trick you into paying ridiculous amounts, sometimes 5-10x what you should pay, for transport. This problem is often amplified in airports, and it’s definitely an issue in Puerto Vallarta.

Use rideshare apps to get to the city. Uber, DiDi and InDrive are the ones that work here. InDrive is cheaper, and is cash-only, whereas Uber is more convenient (card payments possible), but susceptible to dynamic pricing where prices shoot up at busier times, and you’ll need to wait for cheaper rides.

Get a SIM card at the airport, or an eSIM in advance to make your life much easier, and avoid ripoff taxis. Oh, and there are timeshare scams here, but we’ll cover those in the next section.

Timeshare & “Free Gift” Sales Pressure

Shady salesmen often hang around Puerto Vallarta’s airport, and they’ll seem very nice to begin with. They’ll approach with a fake smile, and offer you freebies such as transport to the centre, free accommodation, activities, drinks or breakfasts.

mexico rosarito K-38 surf area
You’ll have to fight your way (not literally) through the Shark Tank before you reach paradise

The catch is that they’ll take hours of your time, and switch to aggressive tactics to force you into purchasing a timeshare. Fail to do so, and they can become quite pushy, and take back the freebies if you don’t walk into their trap. The hall where they approach you is known as “the shark tank”.

Beach Theft & Unattended Belongings

Puerto Vallarta is both a Mexican city and a beach city. These are two very good things for the most part, but combine them together, and you also have a place with high risks of theft…

Leave your belongings unattended on the beach, and locals will perform a little magic trick. Abra kadabra… poof! Your belongings are gone, never to be seen again. Always leave them with a friend, or bring nothing but a towel (and a room key which you keep on you at all times).

Nightlife & Over-Intoxication Risks

Get a little too tipsy and there will always be someone trying to take advantage of you. From the taxi driver who “accidentally” adds an extra zero to the real price, to scammers who rip you off with ridiculous hidden drinks charges.

Several bars in Centro are notorious scamfests where you’ll be forced to pay for drinks multiple times, pushed into 35% tips, or even have money stolen.

People drinking from a bottle at the club during a party night.
The bar scene is safe if you take precautions.
Photo: @sebagvivas

Zoo Bar, La Vaquita, Mandala, La Regadera, and Karaoke Liberty are all on the blacklist. They’re all within a few blocks of each other. This isn’t an exhaustive list either. Pore through reviews before you hit the clubs here. Zona Romantic is generally safer than Centro for the nightlife.

ATM & Card Security

Puerto Vallarta isn’t immune to the classic shady card tricks. If you see an ATM on the street, don’t use it. There’s a reasonable chance a skimmer has been attached to clone your card. Always stick to ATMs in banks and malls where they’re a lot more secure.

Oh, and not a scam, but always decline the conversion rate when you take money from an ATM. The ATM owner sets the rate and it’s ALWAYS a lot worse. Declining will save you money 100 times out of 100.

Transport Choices That Affect Safety

Would you get in the car of a random stranger at night in a shady part of town full of drunk revelers? If your answer is “no”, then why would you do it just because the driver says “taxi”?

This is a problem with street taxis. You don’t know who they are. Most of them won’t kidnap you (although a minority might do), but many will rip you off. Some will just be random chancers pretending to be real taxi drivers, and these guys are definitely not to be trusted.

Are taxis safe in Cancun
Always use Uber over street taxis | Source: Bull-Doser (Wikicommons)

ALWAYS use Uber where drivers are vetted for safety. And hey, this isn’t an Uber advert. DiDi and InDrive are fine too, Uber is just the more familiar one to us non-Latinos.

Weather & Seasonal Awareness

Tell your mother you’re off to Puerto Vallarta, and she’ll be horrified. “But what about the cartels!?” Well it’s not the cartels you need to worry about. It’s the weather and environment.

Swimming can be incredibly dangerous here. Swim only where you see a green flag. Waves and currents are brutal here, so never go far from the shore. Oh, and don’t be an idiot who goes for a dip after necking a ton of tequila. People die this way.

Florida Hurricane weather
Would you go swimming in this?

Hurricane season (May-November) can be deadly too. Not because of hurricanes (the local geography prevents them from hitting hard), but the storms make swimming a big no-no. I mean, swimming in a storm is kinda dumb anyway, but just don’t do it.

Staying Safe at Night

My general Latam travel rule: do NOT go out at night. You want some good news though? Puerto Vallarta is safe after sunset, as long as you stick to the tourist spots. Zona Romantica, the Hotel Zona etc. are places where you can walk around at 9pm no problem.

Just don’t go down quiet alleyways or into residential neighborhoods, and get a rideshare taxi back to your accommodation to ensure no issues. Stick to the busy spots only.

How I Personally Stay Safe in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is definitely photogenic…

Yes, you can travel solo to Puerto Vallarta safely! I came here alone just weeks after the cartel violence that hit global headlines in 2026, and it was chill once again. I’ve faced far more danger in Belgium than I ever have in Mexico, and that includes a Jalisco without El Mencho.

I followed my golden rule of solo travel, something I’ve been doing since 2019: always take common-sense precautions, and never once felt threatened. Here are some of mine:

  • Don’t carry flashy jewelery or large amounts of cash. I stopped wearing a watch when I began to travel alone long-term, especially in places like Mexico with higher risks.
  • Keep your phone secure. If I need to check directions, I’ll hop into the nearest bar/cafe/restaurant. Learned my lesson after almost getting mugged in Quito a few years back whilst looking at maps…
  • Use Uber or other rideshare apps to get around at night. Make sure you plan your route home.
  • Watch your drink in nightlife areas. Drink spiking isn’t unheard of. Ladies, you in particular need to be careful here, although men have been hit by this too (especially on Tinder dates).
  • Avoid wandering into quiet inland neighborhoods after dark.
  • Check beach flag warnings before swimming.
  • Make friends – There’s safety in numbers plus it cures any solo travel blues.
  • Don’t get too drunk – for obvious reasons. 
  • Let people know what you’re up to – We’re talking about people back at home. Keep your friends and family informed of what you’re doing and where you are. 
  • Know your limits – you don’t need to prove anything to anyone. Know when it’s time to call it a day.

For female travelers, you do need to be a little more cautious. I hate to say it, but women face dangers that men don’t at times. And you need to be vigilant to avoid these. Some tips for doing so from some of the ladies in our team include these:

  • Trust your spidey senses – if your gut says something is wrong then it probably is. 
  • Check out good hostels for women – read reviews, make friends with other solo female travelers, and share experiences and tips. Use female-only dorms if you prefer.
  • Don’t leave your drink or food unattended – drink spiking occurs.
  • Dress a little more conservatively – Mexico is still pretty conservative on the whole. Remember it’s their country, their culture. Don’t attract unwanted attention. 
  • Don’t feel like you have to get off the beaten path – we’re saying this especially if this is your first solo trip: it’s fine to stick to tourist areas. In fact, tourist areas are the safer areas of towns (generally) anyway.
  • You don’t have to be polite – or answer questions, or tell the truth. Saying “no” is always okay!
  • If someone does bother you, LET EVERYONE KNOW – Shout it loud and make a fuss.

Every single person I’ve met on the road since 2019 who ended up in a bad situation (mugged, attacked etc.), myself included, did something careless to end up in that situation. Just be streetwise and I’m 99% sure you’ll be fine.

Of course, you can never be 100% certain, even in the likes of Iceland or Singapore. But if you take actions to reduce risk, then you’re probably going to be okay.

Is Puerto Vallarta Safe for Families?

Yes, there’s loads of stuff to do and see in Puerto Vallarta for families, with child-friendly attractions for all ages. Mexican society is all about families, you’ll get a warm welcome here. Puerto Vallarta is an awesome place to immerse in Mexican culture where you won’t have to worry much about safety or crime levels.

If you stay at a resort hotel there will be kids clubs and family rooms. There’s fun stuff to do, such as ziplining. You can also book tours, easily done through your hotel.

You can walk along the Malecon – a boardwalk near the beach with lots of local life, street vendors, and restaurants, too. Twenty minutes from here is El Pitillal, which is a decent local area where your kids can play in the street; no safety worries or tourist traps insight.

Is Puerto Vallarta safe to travel for families

There are a few things you’ll need to take into account here from a safety perspective, for example:

  • You should cover up from the sun and heat. The sun takes no prisoners here so make sure you max out on sun protection. Book a place with a swimming pool so you’ve got somewhere to cool off in. 
  • Swimming in the sea does have its risks for small children, just make sure you keep an eye on what they’re doing and where they are. Don’t let them leave your eyesight.
  • Remember to protect your family from mosquitos too. Insect repellent is essential to keep mosquitoes away
  • Beaches like Playa los Muertos are family-oriented, but there are some party establishments nearby that you can steer clear of that are not exactly family-friendly, mostly around Olas Altas street.

Generally, however, Puerto Vallarta is a safe place to travel with families – and all-round cool place to take your kids!

Getting Around Puerto Vallarta Safely

Driving in Puerto Vallarta is pretty straight forward. It’s easy to navigate: the sea is on one side, the mountains, the other. You will need an international driver’s license. 

Renting a car opens up the area for fun road trips. Though, Mexico is far from the safest place to drive with road accidents being one of the leading causes of death

The drivers around Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, and Banderas Bay are far from cautious. Pay extra attention to other drivers and pedestrians. Please be extra vigilant and AVOID nighttime driving. 

You can hire taxis easy enough. Ask your accommodation where your nearest taxi rank. Avoid hailing them off the street: using unofficial taxis is risky (more information coming on this). 

Better yet, Uber is safe in Puerto Vallarta. They’re usually cheaper and much safer than normal taxis. This is the case for pretty much anywhere when you travel in Mexico

Now… airport taxis. Inside the arrivals terminal, you can find licensed taxis. This is more expensive, but you’re guaranteed a licensed taxi. 

The public transport is safe in in Puerto Vallarta and is made up of two things: buses and boats.

If you want to get around town cheaply, hop on the local bus. You can get them all over the place. 

Is public transportation in Puerto Vallarta safe
Bus buddy.
Photo: Kurt Bauschardt (Flickr)

The buses run on loops roughly every five minutes. For long-distance journeys, make sure to only use first class bus companies. 

The other way to get around Puerto Vallarta are water taxis. These serve routes that run to the southside beaches. Usually, these depart from Playa de Los Muertos

When you grab a boat, make sure that it’s not overcrowded – and wear the lifejacket. No, lifejackets have always been cool. Cover up or wear a ton of sunscreen; these boats are the perfect recipe for some gnarly sunburn.

Scams in Puerto Vallarta

Scammers are active in tourist zones in Puerto Vallarta. So be prepared to expect all your standard travel scams and common sense will help with most of them. I’m going to give you a heads up on some of the most common scams. 

Taxi scams – these guys never stop. The most common scam is simply overcharging tourists. Ask your accommodation how much you should be paying roughly. Or better still, as I’ve said many times, use Uber!

Sometimes traditional taxi drivers try and take you on a tour (often without asking) then charge you for it. Only use official taxis and agree on a price before getting in. Official taxis are yellow and have the license displayed.

Don’t use large bills in taxis. This could honestly be too large for the drivers to give you change, but other times they might try to bamboozle you with shortchange. 

Mustard scam – or basically a distraction scam: someone spills some kinda sauce on you and a friendly stranger comes to your aid. A perfect way to quickly raid your pockets and be gone before you notice. 

It’s that simple.

Police bribes – there is a “zero tolerance” policy when it comes to police asking for bribes. If it does happen, you can report it to the police (of course).

Airport scams – sellers will over massively overprice services at the airport. You can politely decline: “no, gracias”. Organise your transport, services, and tours before you arrive in Puerto Vallarta or find reputable (and well-reviewed) companies. And don’t stop in the Shark Tank where timeshare guys offer “freebies”.

Basically, tourists without a care in the world are easy targets for scammers. If someone seems overly friendly or too close in your personal space, that’s a red flag.

What To Do if Something Goes Wrong in Puerto Vallarta

Don’t be afraid, serious issues are very rare here, I’ve never met a tourist who’s experienced anything worse than a twisted ankle after hitting the margaritas too hard and stumbling on the cobblestones (hi Steve if you’re reading this). But here are my tips if the worst does happen:

  • If robbed, call the police. Some police can be corrupt, but the majority will try to help tourists.
  • If injured, head to hospital. Hospital CMQ Premiere is a private hospital with a great reputation. It’s a 20-minute Uber ride from the Romantic Zone.
  • Call the emergency hotline. Just as in the US, 911 covers all emergency services you may need here.
  • To report a crime, you can either call 911 and speak to the police (being a tourist hotspot, you should find English speakers easily), or head directly to the police station 10 minutes from Zona Romantica by Uber
  • Contact your embassy if needed. This is what embassies are for, to bail you out if needed. If the police or healthcare system are failing you, reach out to the embassy instead.

What to Pack For Your Puerto Vallarta Trip

Everyone’s packing list is going to look a little different, but here are a few things I would never want to travel to Puerto Vallarta without…

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Gifts for backpackers

Head Torch

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

SIM card

Jetpac stands as a premier eSIM service provider, catering specifically to the mobile internet needs of travellers.

GEAR-Monoply-Game

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Money Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

How to Have a Smooth Puerto Vallarta Trip

I was a little nervy coming back here after seeing what happened with the cartels in early 2026, but if truth be told, everything went smoothly and I never once felt in danger.

I stuck to the main tourist zones to begin with. Primarily around Zona Romantica, as the posh spots are a little outside my price range. And doing so ensured I didn’t run into any dodgy areas with few people around.

Oh, and I ALWAYS use Uber. InDrive can be fun as you set the price, and it’s up to drivers to accept or reject it. I like convenience though, so Uber is less hassle.

I’ll never leave a drink unattended at night, or trust someone I’ve just met, even if they seem super friendly. Paranoid? Maybe, but it’s the reason I’m writing this guide now and not lying in a hospital bed (or worse).

I don’t take unnecessary risks either. If the beach flag isn’t green, I ain’t getting in the sea. No way Jose. Some risks aren’t worth taking, especially those where you gamble and the “lose” option, is possible death. Not worth it.

I also respect local culture. Latinos are passionate and protect their own, so I’m not gonna be an arsehole who rocks up and starts mouthing off at some poor Mexican chap because I can’t handle my beer. Nah, that’s not cool at all. Respect the locals, and you’ll avoid hostile situations for the most part.

Puerto Vallarta isn’t risk-free, but it’s one of Mexico’s more comfortable beach destinations when you travel smart.

So, How Safe is Puerto Vallarta?

Yes, Puerto Vallarta is in Mexico. Yes, it may have a bit of petty crime here and there – pickpockets and stuff. And yes, there may be a bit of a party thing going on here. 

What it doesn’t have is the same levels of crime that Mexico, on the whole, has. What it also doesn’t have is the seedy atmosphere that comes with typical coastal party towns. Puerto Vallarta is a genuinely nice place!

I’d say this is the sort of place you come to and think, “oh yeah, this is why people want to come to Mexico…” It isn’t dangerous here. You won’t feel unsafe. 

We already said that, too. Basically what we mean is this: Puerto Vallarta is safe! The only way you’re going to potentially get into any trouble is by doing something stupid, like getting crazy drunk and being reckless; going swimming in the sea whilst off your head, or some other sketchy situation. 

The key thing to remember: keep your wits about you and don’t endanger yourself. With that, there’s no reason why you won’t have an unbelievably incredible vacation in Puerto Vallarta!

Final thoughts on the safety of Puerto Vallarta

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Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Do your own research. Enjoy your travels!