Puerto Vallarta travel advisory: Info for Americans amid Mexico violence

Why It Matters
What To Know
What People Are Saying
What Happens Next

Why It Matters, What To Know, What People Are Saying, What Happens Next

Americans in Puerto Vallarta have been told to shelter in place as cartel violence continues to rock Mexico after the killing of Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes.

The U.S. Mission to Mexico said in an update on Monday that all American citizens in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding coastal communities spanning Jalisco and Nayarit should stay put “until all blockades are cleared.”

Why It Matters

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico’s most visited beach destinations, and the shelter-in-place guidance will affect many American travelers and embassy staff as authorities respond to road blockades, arson and flight disruptions tied to the fallout from Cervantes’ death.

The State Department lists varying risk levels by state, with Jalisco at Level 3—reconsider travel—while other states face Level 4—do not travel—advisories.

What To Know

The U.S. Embassy Consulates said their staff in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Ciudad Guzmán, Tijuana, Chiapas, and Michoacán were sheltering in place until blockades were cleared and urged U.S. citizens in those locations to do the same.

The alert specifically listed Jalisco state—including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara—and Nayarit state—including the Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta area near Puerto Vallarta—among areas where Americans should remain indoors due to security operations, road blockades, and criminal activity.

In Puerto Vallarta, flights continued to face disruption due to crew availability, as of Monday, even as most other Mexican airports operated normally, the embassy said, advising travelers to check directly with airlines for status updates.

The violence followed a Mexican military operation in Tapalpa, Jalisco, in which Cervantes was wounded and later died, prompting coordinated roadblocks and arson across multiple states.

Burned cars are seen in the parking lot of a Costco retail store in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco state, Mexico, on February 23, 2026.

What People Are Saying

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico said in their security alert: “Due to ongoing security operations and related road blockades and criminal activity, U.S. citizens in a number of locations in Mexico are urged to shelter in place. U.S. government staff in Guadalajara (Jalisco), Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco/Nayarit), Ciudad Guzman (Jalisco), Tijuana (Baja California), Chiapas, and Michoacan are sheltering in place until all blockades are cleared, and U.S. citizens are urged to do the same.”

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said: “There is absolute coordination with the governments of all states; we must remain informed and calm…In the vast majority of the national territory, activities are proceeding with complete normality.”

What Happens Next

The U.S. Mission will continue updating guidance as blockades are cleared and security operations evolve, and travelers will be advised to monitor local media, follow instructions from authorities and keep relatives informed until conditions stabilize.

Airlines will adjust schedules as crew availability improves and road access to airports normalizes.

Passengers are encouraged to verify flight status and consider rebooking through alternate Mexican cities if departures from Puerto Vallarta or Guadalajara are canceled, according to U.S. guidance.

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