Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, July 27, 2026 – Five beach zones remained off limits to swimming Monday as municipal lifeguards kept red and purple flags at two river mouths and three locations along the Marina Vallarta hotel corridor. Ten other monitored beaches carried yellow flags, allowing water entry only with caution.
The strongest restrictions covered the mouth of the Cuale River, the mouth of the Pitillal River beside Playa Holi, and beaches near the Westin Regina, Marriott and Boca Negra.
A red flag prohibits recreational entry into the sea. A purple flag marks the presence of wildlife considered hazardous. When both colors appear, swimmers should remain out of the water rather than treating the warning as a general call to use greater care.
The locations remained unchanged from the restricted zones identified in Puerto Vallarta’s July 24 beach report, extending a warning that has repeatedly concentrated around river mouths and the Marina hotel beaches during the rainy season.
The Cuale restriction followed the capture of a second crocodile from the river within ten days. Municipal personnel removed a 1.41-meter crocodile Saturday after reports of several animals near the Emiliano Zapata neighborhood and relocated it to the protected El Salado estuary.
Yellow flags were posted Monday at Palmares, Conchas Chinas, Olas Altas, Los Muertos, Burros, the Malecón beach, Camarones Sur, Camarones Norte, Flamingos and Playa de Oro.
Those beaches were not closed, but lifeguards advised swimmers to enter carefully, follow instructions at each location, and stay away from any adjoining red-flag zone. Los Muertos remained under yellow caution on the same day that Mexican Navy rescue swimmers brought a tourist ashore after strong surf carried her away from the beach.
The yellow warnings also coincided with elevated Pacific conditions. Mexico’s National Meteorological Service expected waves of two to three meters along the Jalisco coast Monday and Tuesday.
Beach conditions can differ from one stretch of shoreline to another and may change during the day. The flag displayed at each beach and instructions issued by the lifeguard on duty remain the immediate guidance governing water access.
Anyone who sees a crocodile or other potentially dangerous wildlife should remain at a distance and report the sighting through 911.
