Catch up on the latest Puerto Vallarta news, including safety alerts, local security measures, wildlife updates, infrastructure milestones, and weather developments to keep you informed today.
Today’s Puerto Vallarta news roundup highlights key updates from June 4–5, 2025, covering a U.S. State Department safety alert, the city’s response to those warnings, an environmental update on the local whale population, progress on a major highway project, and early tracking of a potential tropical storm off the Pacific coast. Readers can expect details on crime prevention efforts, government actions to boost security, changes affecting wildlife and tourism, and infrastructure developments aimed at improving travel to and from Puerto Vallarta.
U.S. Consulate Issues Safety Warning on Dating Apps
The U.S. Consulate General in Guadalajara issued an alert on June 3, urging American citizens to avoid meeting strangers via dating apps in Puerto Vallarta and nearby Nuevo Nayarit, after multiple cases of U.S. nationals being kidnapped and extorted following dates arranged online. According to the consulate, victims were lured into private homes or hotels and held for ransom. Officials emphasized that these crimes are not isolated to one neighborhood and urged travelers to meet in public places, notify friends or family of their plans, and not hail nighttime taxis from the street.
Local Government Strengthens Security Measures
In response to the travel advisory, Puerto Vallarta Mayor Luis Ernesto Munguía confirmed that municipal authorities are coordinating with state and federal agencies to investigate extortion networks and bolster safety for both residents and tourists. The mayor announced additional funding for officer training, new patrol vehicles, and upgraded equipment. Checkpoints on key highways linking Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas have increased, and special investigative units are gathering evidence to dismantle the criminal groups involved. Hoteliers note that visible security efforts can help maintain occupancy rates, which hovered near 75 percent in May despite early summer fluctuations.
Whale Watching Season Ends With Concern After Accidents
Puerto Vallarta’s whale watching season officially concluded on June 4, but it ended on a troubling note: four whales were struck by boats in Banderas Bay over the past week, prompting concerns among marine conservationists. Local tour operators and environmental groups are calling for stricter enforcement of boating speed limits in designated whale zones to prevent further accidents. Although no fatalities have been confirmed, wildlife specialists warn that collisions can cause severe injuries and impact the recovery of the gray whale population that migrates through the bay each spring and early summer.
Tepic–Compostela Highway Nears Completion
Construction on the Tepic–Compostela Highway, a project set to connect Tepic to Puerto Vallarta in just 1 hour 25 minutes once complete, has reached 87 percent as of June 2, according to Mexico’s Ministry of Infrastructure. Currently, the trip takes about 3 ½ hours over winding mountain roads. The new two-lane toll highway includes 26 kilometers of mainline roadway, a 2.4 kilometer branch to Tepic’s airport, 10 bridges, two railroad crossings, 19 at-grade intersections, and a single interchange. Planners believe this route will redistribute tourist flow northward, easing congestion in Puerto Vallarta during peak season and boosting economic growth in Nayarit and Jalisco communities along the way.
NOAA Monitors Low-Pressure System With Chance to Become Tropical Storm Barbara
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports a 80 percent chance that a low-pressure system forming off southern Mexico will develop into Tropical Storm Barbara later this week. If it strengthens, Barbara would become the second named storm of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season 2025. While forecasts currently place the system well offshore, meteorologists advise mariners and beach operators to watch for increased swells and rip currents starting later this week.
Looking Ahead
Residents and visitors should remain alert to official advisories from the U.S. Consulate, local authorities, and NOAA. Whether planning a beach day, a highway trip, or a whale watching excursion, stay informed and follow safety guidelines. For continuous updates, follow Puerto Vallarta News on Google News and subscribe to local notifications.
