Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, June 16, 2026 – Federal Highway 200 reopened Tuesday morning after a fallen parota tree blocked both lanes near kilometer 137, between La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Sayulita.
The road closure was reported around 7:00 a.m. Civil Protection later reported that the highway reopened around 8:30 a.m. after crews removed the tree and cleared the pavement, according to an official public update.
The closure lasted about 90 minutes, affecting drivers moving between Bahía de Banderas, Puerto Vallarta, and the Riviera Nayarit coast.
Tree fell across both lanes near La Cruz
The parota fell across the highway between the La Cruz de Huanacaxtle junction and the Sayulita area, according to local reporting on the closure. Regional reports said emergency crews used chainsaws and heavy equipment to remove it.
During the closure, traffic was diverted toward Punta de Mita, Higuera Blanca, and Sayulita. That route is familiar to local drivers, but it can become slow when Highway 200 traffic shifts onto secondary roads.
The incident came during a wet stretch for the region. National forecasts for Tuesday indicated a high risk of rain in Nayarit, and local authorities have been monitoring roads, low-lying crossings, and unstable hillsides following recent storms.
Rainy-season road problems continue
Tuesday’s closure was cleared quickly, but it fits a common rainy-season pattern on local roads. Falling trees, flooded crossings, debris, and short-notice lane closures can develop fast after heavy rain.
Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas have already seen several rain-related mobility problems this month. PVDN reported this week that the Paso del Guayabo crossing is expected to remain closed through the rainy season, affecting drivers who use the route to avoid traffic on Federal 200.
South of Puerto Vallarta, crews have also been working on slope-risk and debris issues along Highway 200. PVDN reported last week that rockslide work continued south of Vallarta after rain loosened material near the roadway.
For drivers, the practical concern is timing. A road may be open in the morning and slow again later if rain returns, crews go back to work, or new debris reaches the pavement.
Check road conditions before longer drives
Federal Highway 200 was open again at kilometer 137 as of the latest Civil Protection update Tuesday morning.
Drivers heading between Puerto Vallarta, La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Sayulita, San Pancho, Punta de Mita, and nearby Riviera Nayarit communities should still check current road conditions before leaving.
Municipal Civil Protection pages, state traffic alerts, and current local reports are usually the fastest sources during road closures. Navigation apps can help with congestion, but they may lag behind the first closure notice.
Rainy-season drivers should allow extra time, avoid stopping near cleanup crews, and watch for branches or debris along tree-lined stretches of the highway. Wet soil can weaken roadside trees before visible damage appears.
