Is Puerto Vallarta Safe to Travel to in 2025?
Is Puerto Vallarta Safe to Travel to in 2025?
Hi guys! I’m Nick, I’ve been living in Puerto Vallarta for about a year now and I wanted to touch on this topic because I wanted to make sure you knew about this before visiting Puerto Vallarta.
Just like any city in the world, things can happen, but when you are armed with the knowledge that you will need to go anywhere, you will be fine.
Just a bit of background on me, I have lived in both Los Angeles and New York City. Two of the biggest cities in the United States. While, I can’t speak for every city in the world — but I can say I have felt more safe in Vallarta than in those cities.
And don’t even get me started on New Orleans, I am from Louisiana and got robbed there — in a touristy area! I was not in my right mind, and that is why it happened. I have learned from that, obviously, and I want you to be safe when you’re on your visit to this beautiful city. So make sure you read this post in its entirety before hopping on that plane and getting over to PV.
As of 2025, PV has generally been considered a very safe and welcoming place. In fact, the crime rate is generally lower than most of Mexico. When searching, you may see that the state of Jalisco is under a U.S. travel advisory, “"Reconsider Travel" advisory. But like I said, that’s the STATE. Not actually PV.
The current US Administration is kind of a mess, so it’s really hard to believe anything they say. But, just so you know, as of August 2025, the State Department has said Mexico as a whole is in “Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution” travel advisory level.
You can check out a detailed map of the restricted areas here and you can see that Puerto Vallarta isn’t included in that:
The latest National Survey of Urban Public Safety, released by the national statistics agency INEGI on Thursday, revealed that the residents of Puerto Vallarta, in the state of Jalisco, view their city as very safe, with just 21.4% of the population raising security concerns.
Survey respondents viewed Mexico as a whole to be less safe than last year, with 63.2% of over-18-year-olds surveyed saying they considered it unsafe to live in their area, compared to 59.4% in June 2024.
While the overall security perception has worsened, the average daily number of murders decreased by 21, to 65.6 in June, compared to 86.9 in September 2024, the last month of former president Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s term in office, according to the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System. Read more here.
How does that compare to the US? Well, in 2024, Puerto Vallarta's crime index of around 35 was significantly lower than other major tourist cities like Miami (53) and New York (57).
That should put you at ease if you’re coming from the United States.
Most reported incidents are non-violent and consist of petty theft and scams. These can often be avoided by taking basic precautions.
Here’s what to be aware of when it comes to non-violent crime in Puerto Vallarta, that you should be aware of. But before I list these off, I want to emphasize, this can happen ANYWHERE. As I previously stated, crime is everywhere these days and its not to be said that it doesn’t just happen only in Mexico, because it does indeed, happen EVERYWHERE.
So, now that I got that out of the way here are some things to watch out for:
Petty theft: Pickpocketing can occur in crowded areas. Secure your belongings and avoid flashing large amounts of cash or expensive jewelry. The best thing you can get is a cross-body bag. I typically use one and I love it, you can check out these from Amazon or a fanny pack.
Scams: Tourists may encounter scams from vendors or taxi drivers attempting to overcharge. Confirm prices in advance, use reputable services, and be cautious of pushy salespeople. I always ask “how much will this ride be?” or in Spanish, “¿Cuánto cuesta?” That way there is no question how much they’ll receive once I get to my destination. But truly, I take Uber everywhere I go. If you don’t have Uber, and would like to sign-up, you can sign-up and use my code: 7nujnj16wbtz to get 80% off 3 Uber trips while you’re in town! I highly recommend this route that way you know the driver, license plate information, and you’ll be good to go!
Timeshare traps: Salespeople will often aggressively push timeshare presentations on tourists. A firm, but polite, "No, gracias" is the best way to avoid them. Once you land, you’ll want to get your bags, and GTFO of the airport. They will hound you and they will try to get you to sign up. Trust me on this one, you don’t want it, just get your bags and get out of that trap. :) Thank me later!
Swimming safety: The Pacific Ocean can have strong waves and dangerous rip currents. Always pay attention to beach flags, avoid swimming alone, and do not swim after drinking alcohol. Hurricane season can be especially bad and you’ll want to look for the flags. If there are red flags on the beach, please don’t enter the ocean. Trust me, that ocean is NOT to be played with. Its not the same little ocean you have been accustomed to in America, trust me.
Contaminated alcohol: There have been reports of tourists falling ill after consuming tainted or unregulated alcohol at resorts and bars. Only drink from sealed bottles and be wary of accepting drinks from strangers. Always, always, always, WATCH YOUR DRINK. Don’t ever take your eyes off of it. Simple.
Roads outside tourist areas: If traveling outside the city, be cautious on roads, particularly at night. Stick to toll highways and well-lit, populated areas.
I want to emphasize that its also a great place to travel solo. I have lived here solo for nearly a year and before that I traveled here quite a bit solo.
But do know that you may be considered more of a target if you are alone. I never let this really bother me but just increase precautions.
If you feel weird about something or someone, just get away from them or let bar people know. They will help you! Everyone wants you to enjoy your time here but of course, there are bad actors everywhere. Here are some tips that can help you out:
Stay in safe neighborhoods: The most secure areas for tourists include the Hotel Zone, Marina Vallarta, Downtown (Centro), and the Romantic Zone (Zona Romantica). If you’re looking for a good place to stay check out this link (it is an affiliate link, I may earn a little commission on it, and its a great way to support the blog).
Use reliable transport: For taxis, either use a service like Uber or InDriver or agree on a price before getting in. When possible, opt for registered taxis or ride-share apps over hailing one off the street.
Be cautious at night: While popular areas are well-patrolled, avoid walking alone on isolated or dimly lit streets after dark.
Secure your valuables: Use your hotel's safe for valuables, and carry only the necessary cash and cards for the day. Be extra cautious at ATMs, and use machines inside banks or in populated areas. The best thing you can get is a cross-body bag. I typically use one and I love it, you can check out these from Amazon or a fanny pack.
Avoid illegal activity: Do not purchase illegal drugs. Getting involved with drugs, even casually, could lead to serious legal trouble and association with dangerous elements. Listen, at the end of the day you’re gonna wanna do what you want on this one, and that’s fine. But just practice responsible behavior. :)
Stay aware: Be mindful of your surroundings, just as you would in any city. If a situation or area makes you feel nervous, calmly leave.
Here are some frequently asked questions I get on this subject:
Is Puerto Vallarta safe in 2025? Most visitors report a positive experience with standard city precautions—petty theft and late-night risks are the main concerns. One time my friend’s mom was walking with the phone she had in her hand behind her back as she was walking up stairs (she has sense recovered but she realized this was dumb), and someone came up behind her and snatched it. That could have happened anywhere. But please don’t do that. Seriously, GET A CROSS BODY BAG! The best thing you can get is a cross-body bag. I typically use one and I love it, you can check out these from Amazon or a fanny pack.
Which areas are safest to stay in? Zona Romántica (Where I live, the bars and restaurants are all walkable here), Marina Vallarta, Hotel Zone, and nearby Nuevo Vallarta are popular with travelers. Generally you can walk around those areas pretty easily and won’t need a cab or taxi or Uber.
What scams should I watch for? Timeshare pressure, ATM skimming, and inflated taxi quotes—book trusted operators and use bank ATMs. I use the bank ATM at Santander bank by the river. Here’s where that is, in case you’d like to use it. There are A LOT of shady ATMs — I would stick to big name bank ones not just any little ATM in a dark corner. And, that’s anywhere!
Is Uber available in Puerto Vallarta?
Availability can vary; licensed taxis and app rides coexist—confirm price before you ride. Get Uber here, if you don’t have it, yet. If you don’t have Uber, and would like to sign-up, you can sign-up and use my code: 7nujnj16wbtz to get 80% off 3 Uber trips while you’re in town!Is Puerto Vallarta safe for LGBTQ+ travelers? Yes, especially in Zona Romántica with many LGBTQ+-friendly venues and events. Do exercise caution with the things I mentioned above and you’ll be fine.
When is hurricane season in Puerto Vallarta? Generally June–Nov; check forecasts and consider travel insurance.
Is it safe to walk at night in Puerto Vallarta? Stick to lit, busy streets; avoid isolated beach areas and alleys.
Do I need travel insurance? Highly recommended for medical care, delays, cancellations, and device theft. Listen, life is crazy these days and after reading this post you may want to put your mind at ease by just purchasing travel insurance. A lot of people get it and say it has saved them thousands. I personally use SafetyWing, and I like it because it keeps me at ease knowing that if something happens, I can fall back on insurance. I’m talking medical or even lost baggage or stolen. They cover EVERYTHING. Seriously look into it, and if you’re an avid traveler or just a lesiure one, a simple plan may be the one to get…
Now once you’re here in PV, you’re probably wondering, where do I eat? Please check out this blog for more on that and if you’re planning on move abroad check out this checklist that’ll get you thinking about everything you need to do before the move.
Make sure you SHARE with the group chat and bookmark this post so you have it and can refer to it later.
Below I will share numbers to reach out to if you should need!
For immediate emergencies:
911 (nationwide in Mexico)
Hospitals (24/7 or major private options)
Hospital Joya (Marina Vallarta) — +52 322 226 1010. Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio #2760, Zona Hotelera Norte. (hospitaljoya.com)
Hospital CMQ City Center (Zona Romántica) — +52 322 223 1919 (alt: 223-1137 / 223-1173). Basilio Badillo 365. (Hospital CMQ)
Hospital CMQ Premiere (Vallarta Villas) — +52 322 226 6500. (Main CMQ network info: 24/7, bilingual staff.) (cms.vallartalifestyles.com)
Vallarta Medical Center (Versalles) — +52 322 178 3000. (cms.vallartalifestyles.com)
Tip: If unsure which hospital to choose, call 911 first—they can dispatch an ambulance and route you to the nearest capable facility. (eena.org)
U.S. citizen help (PV is served by the U.S. Consulate General Guadalajara):
U.S. Embassy/Consulates emergency lines in Mexico:
From Mexico: 55-8526-2561 or 55-5080-2000
From U.S.: 1-844-528-6611
Use for after-hours emergencies and urgent U.S. citizen services. (Travel.gov)
Puerto Vallarta Consular Agency (location info): Paseo de los Cocoteros Sur #85, Paradise Plaza (Nuevo Vallarta). (General location reference; call the numbers above for emergencies/assistance.) (U.S. Embassy Mexico)
Roadside assistance (highways only)
Ángeles Verdes (Green Angels) — 078 (nationwide). Free bilingual roadside aid on federal/toll highways; you can also reach help via the official Green Angels app. (MexicoCovered.com)
Have fun and be safe!