Is Puerto Vallarta Safe?

A common question we hear from friends and family is, “is Puerto Vallarta safe?”

Our answer is an unequivocal YES, Puerto Vallarta is incredibly safe. As fascinated as I am by ALL things mob and cartel, we would never ever live somewhere where we are in danger. This post explains why we believe Puerto Vallarta is a safe place to travel (and live), tips for protecting yourself, and some useful personal security items.  

Are Cartels in Puerto Vallarta?

Is there a cartel presence in Puerto Vallarta? Maybe. Probably. I mean, they don’t exactly wear team jerseys, so it’s hard to tell. The truth is, there is likely gang or cartel activity in every city. The average person just doesn’t see it. 

Puerto Vallarta is located in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The US Dept of State ranks Jalisco as “Level 3 – Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.” That sounds SO scary, doesn’t it? If you read a little closer, you will notice the following statement: 

“There are no restrictions on travel for US government employees to: Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta (including neighboring Riviera Nayarit), Chapala, and Ajijic.” 

That statement is a good reminder that Mexico is a large country. Horrible violence in certain areas doesn’t make the entire Nation unsafe.

Crime Statistics for Puerto Vallarta

For the sake of comparison, I pulled some survey numbers from numbeo.com. I was pleasantly surprised to see Puerto Vallarta is considered safer than most of the cities I reviewed.

Note: the lower the Crime Index number, the safer the city.

What are the most common crimes in Puerto Vallarta?

Of the relatively small amount of crime in Puerto Vallarta, the bulk of it can be categorized as petty theft. Basically, if you have something of value, assume it will be stolen if it is not protected. The most common crimes we hear about are purse snatching, pick-pocketing, and the mustard trick. 

Have you heard of the mustard scam? In a nutshell, the criminal preys on a distracted person who has a purse or wallet that is easy to steal. They squirt the victim with a mustard-like substance that looks a lot like poop. The criminal then goes up to the victim, alerts them of the mustard-poop, and begins to help clean it off their clothes. It is during the clean-up process that items are lifted. 

From what I have read, these thieves aren’t looking for an altercation. They just want to pull a job for some quick cash. If this ever happens to me, I plan to scream “NO!!!” at the top of my lungs. I’m hopeful that my approach of wearing a fanny pack + resting bitch face will ward off the delinquents. 

One of my favorite purse swiping stories happened near one of our favorite restaurants. The waiters saw it happen and took it personally. How DARE someone do that near their restaurant?! Bad for business. They chased the guy down, retrieved the purse, then held him on the ground until the police arrived. Citizens arrest! 

What can you do to protect yourself from petty theft in Puerto Vallarta? 

1. Wear a fanny pack or crossbody bag that zips.

This is good advice for travel in any big city. Puerto Vallarta is so friendly and quaint that people forget it is a large city. The general rule is if it is hard to grab, the average thief will move on to an easier target. I have both of these and they’re great.

2. Never, EVER leave your purse hanging on the back of your chair. 

Hanging a purse on the back of your chair while at a restaurant or bar is like a flashing neon sign that says, “steal my stuff.” It is quite common for restaurants in PV to have a purse tree to hold your belongings. These are great as long as they are beside you.

3. Do not leave your cell phone sitting on your table at a restaurant.

Tables get chaotic with plates and drinks. It is super easy for an unscrupulous person to pick up your cellphone without you noticing. I don’t know about you, but I’d be lost without my phone.

4. Keep valuables in a safe.

Most accommodations have a room safe where you can lock up your passport and any valuables. It’s not a bad idea to bring a travel safe if you have one. We have used these for past travels and they work well.

5. Use Uber, Didi, or similar ride-share services.

We have used hundreds of taxis in Puerto Vallarta and only had one minor hiccup with a driver. Fortunately, Brad was in the front seat and shut it down quickly. All the same, if I am riding by myself, I feel safer knowing a bad driver can easily be reported if something goes wrong.

6. Stay aware of your surroundings.

Puerto Vallarta has some colorful characters; most are charming and/or harmless. As with any place, there are also a handful of creeps. Trust your gut. If you feel a bad vibe, throw them your best RBF and go somewhere else.

Final thoughts on Safety in Puerto Vallarta

I haven’t traveled alone to PV, but I would be perfectly comfortable doing so. My girlfriends and I have taken girls trips to Puerto Vallarta several times and were never scared. Applying common sense and following your instincts are all you need to stay safe.

By and large, everyone you meet in Puerto Vallarta is loving, peaceful, and wants you to be happy. Stay alert, but always assume the best!