I've never stayed at an all-inclusive in Mexico. I have visited Mexico many times by cruise ship. I've done the Western Caribbean and the Pacific Coastal so I've seen both sides. I prefer a cruise ship because you only unpack once but see many different cities. I love the Entertainment and all the activities that a cruise ship has to offer. Many people I know enjoy the all-inclusive resorts.
Western Caribbean cruises going to Cozumel are docking. All tours to the mainland have been cancelled. I assume they feel the island of Cozumel is safe. One ship on the western side of Mexico cancelled Puerto Vallarta yesterday and spent an overnight at Cabo San Lucas. Cruise ships will never go anywhere where passenger and crew safety is at risk.
The problems in Mexico with the cartels are troubling. You wonder if they will recover to where tourists will find it a place they want to return. Time will tell.
Here is another post I read that was positive:
When the cartel chaos began in Puerto Vallarta, we weren’t at our condo. The street we were heading toward was one of the areas where the explosions were happening. Not knowing where else to go, we ran to the closest place — Secrets Vallarta Bay Puerto Vallarta.
They didn’t hesitate.
They brought the four of us in for safekeeping, welcomed us to enjoy their all-inclusive amenities, and gave us a beautiful room for the night. While chaos unfolded outside, they created calm inside.
What moved me most was this: their staff couldn’t leave because the Resort was looking after their safety — the resort’s top priority was everyone’s safety. Yet the next morning the staff were smiling, gracious, and treating us like honored guests… all while their own homes and families were unsettled.
That is leadership. That is heart. Management stood strong and supported their team — and the team showed up with dignity and grace.
For everyone asking if we feel safe — we do/we did!!
The helicopters overhead aren’t symbols of fear; they’re protection. The presence of Mexican military and security forces is reassuring. You feel watched over, not watched.
But beyond security, it’s the community that defines this place.
Restaurants reopening with limited supplies. Neighbors checking on neighbors. Strangers offering help without hesitation. There is no panic here — there is solidarity.
Puerto Vallarta isn’t broken. It’s united.
This is a place you return to — not just for the ocean and sunsets, but for the people. Loving. Kind. Resilient.
If anything, this moment has reminded us why we hold Puerto Vallarta so close to our hearts.
With deep gratitude, thank you to Secrets Resort and every single staff member who chose courage, compassion, and professionalism in a moment of crisis. You didn’t just give us a room — you gave us safety, dignity, and peace when we needed it most.
This is Puerto Vallarta ..... hospitality and kindness!!
If you are thinking of booking a trip to Mexico, check your travel insurance. This is what mine says:
Any medical condition you suffer or contract, or any loss you incur in a specific country, region or area while a travel advisory of “Avoid non-essential travel” or “Avoid all travel” is in effect for that specific country, region or area and the travel advisory was issued by the Government of Canada before your departure date, even if the trip is undertaken for essential reasons. This exclusion only applies to medical conditions or losses which are related, directly or indirectly, to the reason for which the travel advisory was issued.
If the travel advisory is issued after your departure date, your coverage under this insurance in that specific country, region or area will be restricted to a period of 10 days from the date the travel advisory was issued, or to a period that is necessary for you to safely evacuate the country, region or area, after which coverage will be limited to medical conditions or losses which are unrelated to the reason for which the travel advisory was issued, while the travel advisory remains in effect.
Regional Advisory - Avoid non-essential travel
Avoid non-essential travel to the following states due to high levels of violence and organized crime:
- Chiapas, excluding:
- the city and ruins of Palenque (and highway 186 leading there)
- the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez (and its airport and the main road leading there)
- the city of San Cristobal de las Casas (and toll highway 190D between this city and Tuxtla Gutiérrez)
- Chihuahua, excluding Chihuahua City
- Colima, excluding the city of Manzanillo only if accessed by air
- Guanajuato, in all areas south of and including highways 43D and 45D
- Guerrero, excluding the cities of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo only if accessed by air
- Jalisco, within 50 km of the border with Michoacán state
- Lagunas de Zempoala National Park in Morelos
- Michoacán, excluding the cities of Morelia and Patzcuaro
- Nayarit, within 20 km of the border with the states of Sinaloa and Durango
- Nuevo León, excluding the city of Monterrey
- Sinaloa, excluding the following areas, and only if accessed by air or sea:
- the city of Los Mochis
- specific areas in and around the city of Mazatlán:
- Centro Histórico south of Avenida Gutiérrez Najera
- the road connecting Centro Histórico to the airport
- the main coastal roads from Centro Histórico to Playa Delfines, including Zona Cerritos and Zona Dorada (the Golden Zone)
- the resorts on Playa Estrella del Mar and the road leading there from the airport
- Sonora, excluding the cities of Hermosillo, Guaymas/San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco
- Tamaulipas, excluding the city of Tampico only if accessed by air or sea
- Zacatecas, excluding the city of Zacatecas
