Is Puerto Vallarta safe? What's the crime rate in general in Puerto Vallarta?
Armando Contreras - Galvan Real Estate and Services
Puerto Vallarta is really, really, really safe. It had some hiccups relevant to safety, but that happens just like anywhere else in the world. The Puerto Vallarta area and the Riviera Nayarit area (just north-west of Porto Vallarta) are both tourism-based and tourism very important to us and for the government, so it is important for all parties to keep crime down. A couple of months ago, during the election period, there was an issue that happened in Jalisco (a...
Puerto Vallarta is really, really, really safe. It had some hiccups relevant to safety, but that happens just like anywhere else in the world. The Puerto Vallarta area and the Riviera Nayarit area (just north-west of Porto Vallarta) are both tourism-based and tourism very important to us and for the government, so it is important for all parties to keep crime down. A couple of months ago, during the election period, there was an issue that happened in Jalisco (a state in Mexico where Puerto Vallarta is on the far northern edge), where some parties in the government were shooting at each other. The news spread to other parts of the globe but even that has not affected the tourism in Puerto Vallarta in any way because it did not happen in Puerto Vallarta and it was not relevant to the tourism but it was a complication within the government. It didn’t affect anybody here; not even the locals. The expats who actually already live here are telling everybody not to worry because it was nothing against them or tourists.
In recent years, there were some robberies that happened in Puerto Vallarta, which are more of crimes of opportunity as opposed to violent crimes. Another thing that happens here in Puerto Vallarta is when people get a little bit drunk and they get overly excited after partying a little too much. Sometimes, it is the tourists that start the fights in the clubs. These usually involve younger foreigners but if you are just the typical expat, walking down the streets of Puerto Vallarta, it is highly unlikely that you will get physically assaulted. Also, the security here in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit has been made stronger in the last 3 years so you wouldn’t experience walking down the streets at night without a security guard standing close by. That is another reason why crimes do not happen a lot anymore in these areas. I personally feel secure walking down the streets all by myself.
One risk for children in other cities in the country of Mexico is when they walk down the streets by themselves. In the Lo de Marcos area (where I am, in Riviera Nayarit), the kindergartners and even elementary school students walk to school by themselves. That tells you how secure this area can be.
(Pictured: On the Malecon, the boardwalk along the Pacific Ocean in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, active with locals and tourists any time of the day or night enjoying the artisans selling their crafts, the shops and amphitheater.)
Posted January 13, 2016
Barb Goodhart
It is extremely safe in Puerto Vallarta more so than in the United States. The only area of concern is to make sure you don't flash around a lot of cash or jewelry or you might be the victim of a theft just like anywhere else. Also some Gringos have been victims of scams because they weren't thinking or being aware of their surroundings. Once again these things happen anywhere, There are tourist police all over in the town to make sure the...It is extremely safe in Puerto Vallarta more so than in the United States. The only area of concern is to make sure you don't flash around a lot of cash or jewelry or you might be the victim of a theft just like anywhere else. Also some Gringos have been victims of scams because they weren't thinking or being aware of their surroundings. Once again these things happen anywhere, There are tourist police all over in the town to make sure the tourists are well taken care of so as a result very little crime. Also there is no terrorism, or racism making for a much better quality of life, (In the town of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, pictured.)
Posted January 18, 2016
Paul Mayer - Vallarta Food Tours
Yes, it’s definitely safe in Puerto Vallarta. They don’t report the crime rates here like they do in the States, so you just have to go by what you sense or how you feel. Obviously, just like anywhere else in the world, Puerto Vallarta is now becoming a major city so you still have to have common sense. Don’t be walking around at 3 in the morning drunk and falling asleep on the side of the road. That is usually when you hear about somebody getting mugged. The crimes...Yes, it’s definitely safe in Puerto Vallarta. They don’t report the crime rates here like they do in the States, so you just have to go by what you sense or how you feel. Obviously, just like anywhere else in the world, Puerto Vallarta is now becoming a major city so you still have to have common sense. Don’t be walking around at 3 in the morning drunk and falling asleep on the side of the road. That is usually when you hear about somebody getting mugged. The crimes that happen here are almost all crimes of opportunity. So if you leave your car window open and you leave your laptop in there, it’s going to get taken. Apart from that, we don’t see any violent crimes or anything like that. I have lived in a lot of places in the US like Miami, Chicago, and Atlanta but I feel safer here in Puerto Vallarta. When I lived in Atlanta, I lived in downtown because I like urban living a lot. Here in Puerto Vallarta, you just don’t feel unsafe. I have a friend who came here from Atlanta and his wife said that it was amazing that we lived here because they were scared.
We kept telling them to go to various beaches maybe just an hour away, which they did. They were on the beach in this little town and they think to themselves that it looks a little weird. Then they realize that everyone is smiling and waving at them. Their guard went down and they realized that these people are so nice.
Obviously, you keep your guard up a little bit like anywhere in the world but you won’t sense anything bad to happen to you here in Puerto Vallarta. My wife is from Portland but she feels safe walking around by herself without me. I don’t think I would want her walking at midnight but I wouldn’t want her to do that in Chicago, either. She goes out with her friends and comes home on her own and it’s totally fine.
We do have bars on our windows. I don’t know if that is just the way it is or if there was a purpose for setting up the windows that way but everyone else has bars on their windows too so maybe that’s how they do it. In the States, there are home invasions that are a little more violent in nature but in Mexico when a home gets broken into, usually there is nobody home. They come in and grab whatever they can that has value. It is more of a crime or opportunity.
When we first moved here, we moved to the second floor so I didn’t think anybody could go up and get in but they managed to get in through the window. They took the money out of my wallet (but left the wallet) and left through the same window. It’s usually things like that but you wouldn’t hear about any crime that is violent in nature. The bigger cities have more issues with crime obviously just like any big city but here in Puerto Vallarta, as long as you keep everything locked, and you are always aware of your surroundings, you won’t worry about crime.
(Three story house in Perto Vallarta, Mexico, pictured.)
Posted July 13, 2016
Sheryl Novak - SOLutions Mexico Furniture Store
Puerto Vallarta is safe compared to any city in the United States or in Canada. Puerto Vallarta has far less crimes than they do in the US and in Canada. However, if you are looking to get into trouble, you can get involved in drugs, and if you’re looking for problems, you’re going to find them. I don’t feel unsafe here in Puerto Vallarta. I live in the town of Bucerías, which is just north of Vallarta, and I feel safer...
Puerto Vallarta is safe compared to any city in the United States or in Canada. Puerto Vallarta has far less crimes than they do in the US and in Canada. However, if you are looking to get into trouble, you can get involved in drugs, and if you’re looking for problems, you’re going to find them. I don’t feel unsafe here in Puerto Vallarta. I live in the town of Bucerías, which is just north of Vallarta, and I feel safer walking at night by myself in Bucerías than I would ever feel in a city in Canada. Just like anywhere else, you have to know where not to go. There are bad parts in every city and in every town, and you’ll always have to practice safe behaviors in this day and age no matter where you are. I haven’t had any issues with safety in Puerto Vallarta. I haven’t had anything stolen or had my house broken into. I’ve never felt unsafe in Puerto Vallarta, but I also am not a person who takes unnecessary chances.
I’ve been here for 8 years and I feel safe walking at night by myself. I wouldn’t walk down a dark side street with no lights by myself. I wouldn’t do that anywhere, and I choose not to do it here. I will walk down a street that’s well-lit, or that I know has other people. It’s not a matter of “Is it safe?” or “Is it not safe?” It’s safe if you choose to behave in a manner in which you are watching out for yourself.
(Wooden door in Vallarta Nayarit, Mexico, pictured.)
Posted February 2, 2017
Ron Morgan - Ron Morgan Properties
Puerto Vallarta is safer than any city in the United States with a population of 200,000 or more people. I came from Midland, Texas, which has a population of around 100,000 people. Midland probably has double the crime rate of what Puerto Vallarta would have; both violent crimes and crimes against property. However, these comparisons would not be appropriate because Midland Texas is in the middle of West Texas oil country with an oil economy base and...
Puerto Vallarta is safer than any city in the United States with a population of 200,000 or more people. I came from Midland, Texas, which has a population of around 100,000 people. Midland probably has double the crime rate of what Puerto Vallarta would have; both violent crimes and crimes against property. However, these comparisons would not be appropriate because Midland Texas is in the middle of West Texas oil country with an oil economy base and Puerto Vallarta has a tourist economy base.
There is always a lot of press and media on the drug bases in Mexico, which is driven by the American economy. You have those issues that will never change in our lifetime. However, it's been more controlled and quieter here in the last 10 years.
It's not quite as sensational having someone murdered in Juarez, Mexico as having 60 people murdered in Chicago over the weekend.
I feel much safer in Puerto Vallarta. I don't take my key out of the car and I don't lock my house.
(Condo pool at Punta Negro, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, pictured.)
Posted May 19, 2017
Peter F Gordon, MD - Lake Medical Group
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Puerto Vallarta is a very safe area and nice place to live. The crime rate of Puerto Vallarta is proportionate to the crime rate of a small city in the United States. The biggest concern of people and what they often hear about are drug-related crimes, drug lords, and gangs. Puerto Vallarta is not an area where drug-related and gang-related crimes occur. There are areas where gangs are more concentrated, whether they're growing, manufacturing, or selling drugs. There...
Puerto Vallarta is a very safe area and nice place to live. The crime rate of Puerto Vallarta is proportionate to the crime rate of a small city in the United States. The biggest concern of people and what they often hear about are drug-related crimes, drug lords, and gangs. Puerto Vallarta is not an area where drug-related and gang-related crimes occur. There are areas where gangs are more concentrated, whether they're growing, manufacturing, or selling drugs. There are territorial issues between gangs. These issues are isolated within Mexico. Most of the resort areas are very safe. There are mafias everywhere, even in the United States and other countries. There are also mafias in Mexico, but they respect Puerto Vallarta.
My wife and I feel safe walking alone anywhere at any time of the day or night.
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My wife is from Chile. Her culture and background is very similar to the United States, although she speaks Spanish. We look at ourselves both as foreigners in Mexico and the culture is slightly different for both of us. The Mexican people are very friendly and outgoing. Something you find about Mexico in general is the very warm atmosphere. It's the same here in Puerto Vallarta.
(Comic book cosplay, a costume gathering in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, pictured.)
Posted September 29, 2017