Over a month following incidents of drug cartel violence in the state of Jalisco and the popular tourist destination of Puerto Vallarta, both the region and the city assert that operations have fully resumed. This stands despite the U.S. State Department maintaining a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” advisory for Jalisco.
Luis Villaseñor, CEO of the Puerto Vallarta Conventions & Visitors Bureau, confirmed the return of all cruise ships and airlines. “For Spring Break, we observed a significant influx of visitors from the U.S. and Canada,” Villaseñor noted. He added, “We have been actively collaborating with our travel partners to inform people about the region and its safety.”
Supporting these claims, the State of Jalisco Tourism Office reports complete operational mobility across the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area and Puerto Vallarta. Public transportation, taxis, and ride-sharing services are all fully active. Tourist boat excursions are running on their regular schedules, and hotel operations remain stable and fully functional.
Furthermore, restaurant and commercial activities are proceeding normally in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. Event venues are open and operational, though some events have seen their dates adjusted.
The area boasts some of Mexico’s premier golf courses, including the renowned Vista Vallarta Club de Golf. Located approximately 30 minutes from downtown Puerto Vallarta, Vista Vallarta offers challenging layouts designed by legendary golfers Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf.
While the Nicklaus course provides stunning views of the city’s marina, the Weiskopf course on the property’s west side is particularly noteworthy. Weiskopf masterfully crafted a design featuring narrow fairways that wind through dense jungle and dramatic deep ravines.
According to Villaseñor, many hotels in Puerto Vallarta are experiencing high occupancy rates due to reservations for the upcoming June World Cup matches in Guadalajara. Guadalajara is conveniently located less than an hour’s flight or about a three-hour drive away. Mexico’s other World Cup host cities, Mexico City and Monterrey, are also within easy flying or driving distance from Puerto Vallarta.
“We anticipate that the World Cup will encourage more visitors to discover Jalisco and Puerto Vallarta,” Villaseñor expressed. “This region offers excellent value and a wealth of activities throughout the year. The majority of our residents are from this area, and we are always proud to share our culture and extend a warm welcome to visitors.”
