Puerto Vallarta and Anaheim, home of Mickey Mouse, are approximately the same size in population. They are great cities for comparison because they both serve a large amount of tourists and are located on the west coast.
In Anaheim you are more likely to be raped or robbed than in Puerto Vallarta, in fact twice as likely. You are four times more likely to be a victim of burglary in your hotel, and nearly the same chances of homicide. Is it safe to visit Mickey Mouse?
Forget that vacation to Jamaica, you are ten-times more likely to be murdered there than in Puerto Vallarta, four times more likely to be murdered in the Bahamas.
If crime statistics don’t convince you, maybe the opinion of the US State Department who was extremely harsh in its latest advisory for travel in Mexico, but still took the time to clarify that our area is not part of their travel warning.
“There is no recommendation against travel to Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. There is also no recommendation against travel on principal highways in Jalisco between Guadalajara including the portions that cross into the southern portions of the state of Nayarit.”
In 2011, 2012, and 2014 the city of Puerto Vallarta hired a US based firm to conduct a series of safety investigations and reports in the area, the latest report was completed in July 2014 and like previous years the city passed the safety inspections.
In general, the researchers found that Puerto Vallarta provide its visitors, locals and expat populations a safe setting where people feel comfortable walking around town without perceived fear. Puerto Vallarta is a place where storefronts show their merchandise without need for much security and where some still feel comfortable with leaving their doors unlocked.
We won’t play down the challenges that Mexico faces with cartel violence, kidnappings, and corruption. These are realities in Mexico that impact many of the Mexican people, however most of these activities reported happen approximately 1000 miles from Puerto Vallarta at the Mexico / US border states. It’s the same as avoiding Washington DC because of crime in Miami, FL.
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Puerto Vallarta is dedicated to the safety of its tourists and residents. There is a noticeable presence of security, police, and Special Forces throughout the city. The city is patrolled on foot, bike, horse, and Segway. Because of the city’s dedication to safety it has remained one of the safest destinations in Mexico, and popular Caribbean destinations. Let’s not to be forgotten, Puerto Vallarta is even safer than most cities of its size in the United States.
So if you are wondering; is Puerto Vallarta, Mexico safe? We hope you have found your answer.
Like any place you visit, there is a requirement to use common sense for safety.
- Don’t walk down dark streets.
- Don’t be “flashy” with jewelry or overdressed in expensive clothes (flaunting wealth).
- Don’t walk alone at night.
- If you have been drinking, take a taxi back to your hotel, even if it’s just a few blocks away at night. Intoxicated people make easy targets.
- Don’t carry excessive amounts of cash.
- Use common sense.