Safety and crime in Puerto Vallarta
Summary
- Puerto Vallarta is a very safe destination for international travelers, although tourists should obviously exercise caution, just as they would in their own countries.
- It is recommended to stay in well-lit, crowded places after dark and avoid drugs and dark alleys.
- Puerto Vallarta has implemented various security measures, and local authorities are working to make the city safer.
- Crime rates in Puerto Vallarta have decreased in recent years due to the initiatives taken by city authorities and community members.
With the ongoing issue of the COVID-19 virus, the feasibility and safety of traveling to Puerto Vallarta varies from week to week and sometimes from day to day. We recommend contacting our expert in the destination, Leonel at information@puertovallarta.net to obtain adequate and up-to-date advice.
Is it safe to travel to Mexico and Puerto Vallarta?
“Unequivocally, yes,” said Peter Greenberg, a well-known travel expert and Travel Editor for CBS’s “The Early Show” in an interview with Consumer Affairs.” [source]
This is what the US State Department has to say about travel to Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco (Guadalajara). They tend to be extremely cautious (sometimes a bit absurdly so) when it comes to their travel warnings, maybe they are scared of being sued or something like that… On their most recent Official Mexico publication regarding Jalisco. the state that includes Guadalajara and PV, they say:
“There are no restrictions on travel for U.S government employees to: Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Riviera Nayarit (including Puerto Vallarta), Chapala, and Ajijic.”
(Travel Advisory December 17, 2019)
It is important that readers understand that the violence you might hear of in Mexico-USA border towns and cities is not at all representative of what happens in the rest of Mexico, especially tourist destinations like Pto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas or Cancun and that the main area of conflict is some 1200 and 700 miles away (Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and Laredo). It’s like thinking that the whole of the USA is as violent and dangerous as Detroit, Chicago, Washington DC or New Orleans.
Popular Tourist Destination Homicide Rates
PV’s Tourism Board hired a leading global investigative and security firm, Thomas Dale and Associates, in 2011 to review safety levels in the city, this year the company followed up with a 2012 report.
The city of Puerto Vallarta has approximately the same population as Anaheim, California (ie. Disneyland), which also has a high number of visitors to many attractions and numerous hotels. Anaheim and PV are both located on the Pacific Coast and are vacation destinations. This offers a credible and clear comparison for both cities and the real vs. the perceived risk:
| Anaheim | Puerto Vallarta | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 327357 | 325000 |
| Homicide | 9 | 29 |
| Rape | 80 | 42 |
| Robbery | 419 | 186 |
| Aggravated assault | 465 | 406 |
| Burglary | 1251 | 419 |
| Auto theft | 1029 | 450 |
The company mentions vulnerabilities, such as the surrounding areas that are used for hiking, bird watching, photography and other sports and activities, increase your risk of unforeseen events, both natural and man-made, as was the case of the group of 22 tourists in El Nogalito (1.5-hour drive from Vallarta) that were robbed in Feb. 2012, there were no injuries. The reports mention that Methamphetamine will be the future drug issue and has to be contained.
Puerto Vallarta Police
TDA also mentions positive trends and actions that have helped improve the local safety, for example, the city has twice the national average of policemen required by the Mexican Federal Government. Another worthwhile program is the Taxi Safe alert system, read more here.
TDA mentions that Puerto Vallarta is one of the safest destinations for international visitors and is also very safe and preferred by expats too, something that is also backed up by the numbers provided by SECTUR, which mention that occupation in 2017 has been up around 20% compared with 2011.
Consumers and media have given the city numerous awards.
So then, is Puerto Vallarta safe? Yes, without a doubt!
The numbers back it up, more than 5 million happy visitors in 2019 and with a projected 20% increase in cruise ship passenger arrivals for 2020, even after a record-breaking year in 2019. Studies support this too and, furthermore, the fact that no official travel warnings include the city also drives the point home.
But don’t take our word for it, use some of the resources we offer below and read for yourself.
Have a great trip to Puerto Vallarta!
Those looking for information safety and crime in Nuevo Vallarta, considering this travel destination is 6 miles North of the PV Airport, any rules that apply for Puerto Vallarta, apply for that destination too.
Resources
- Compare Mexico & USA on crime stats: http://www.nationmaster.com/compare/Mexico/United-States/Crime
- Consumer Affairs April 2013: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/is-it-still-safe-to-go-to-mexico-040113.html
- Crime, the USA vs. Mexico: http://www.mexicoonmymind.com/crime-usa-vs-mexico
- Crime in Mexico: Is Puerto Vallarta unsafe for travelers?
- Foreign Travel Advice México, UK.Gov
- How safe is Mexico? http://howsafeismexico.com
- In the Capital – More likely to get murdered in Washington DC, than Mexico City.
- Is Mexico Safe: A great blog with useful information on safety in all of Mexico.
- Retiring to Mexico, is it safe? AbroadDreams.com
- Travel Market Report (Feb 21, 2019)
- US citizens safer in Mexico than at home – Lonely Planet
- US Department of State Travel Warnings for Mexico
- World Nomads (Feb 11, 2019)
More information:
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Puerto Vallarta is widely regarded as one of the safer destinations in Mexico for visitors, and millions of people visit every year without trouble. Use the same sense you would at home: watch your belongings, use licensed taxis or ride apps, and avoid flashing valuables. Check your government’s travel advisory for Jalisco before you travel.
Puerto Vallarta’s main tourist zones are generally safe for visitors, and violent crime against ordinary tourists is rare. Isolated incidents involving Americans or Canadians, such as a few dating app related cases in 2025, have happened, but they are not the norm. The US State Department keeps Jalisco at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) but places no travel restrictions on Puerto Vallarta or the neighboring Riviera Nayarit (advisory of May 29, 2026). Standard precautions, like using reputable transport, staying in well-trafficked areas and not meeting strangers in private, keep the already low risk to a minimum.
Yes, at the state level. The US State Department rates Mexico as a whole at Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) and Jalisco at Level 3 (Reconsider Travel), but it lists no travel restrictions for Puerto Vallarta, including neighboring Riviera Nayarit (advisory dated May 29, 2026). Global Affairs Canada publishes its own advisories by state. Levels change, so check the current wording on both official sites before you go.
Most visitors stay in the Romantic Zone, Downtown along the Malecón, the Hotel Zone, Marina Vallarta, Conchas Chinas or Nuevo Vallarta, all busy tourist areas with steady foot traffic. Each has a different feel, so choose by what you want: nightlife, quiet beaches, or resort comfort.
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