Safety & Scams in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (5 Tips)

[@lawndee4332]

I’m going to PV next month and this video was very helpful. Thanks 😊

[@debbiebrazzale988]

Headed to PVR in 3 weeks. Have watched many of your videos. Thanks for all the tips

[@StephenMP2]

I've traveled there every Feb for 11 years, what she says is exactly correct, very safe, just know your surroundings, I love PV

[@iamsamrafoss]

This is great. You're right on with your tips. Love PV.

[@kylekatsumi]

Your videos on Puerto Vallarta have been super helpful, especially this one! About to visit PV for the first time, so thanks for sharing your experiences!

[@oceansmile9]

I’ve found your videos so helpful, we are going to an all inclusive in PVR in February. Thanks!

[@annetteblackmon9578]

Thank you for sharing

[@frankstevens-y6p]

Like your vids Aly . Love PV

[@raniagian8167]

I love your videos and the vibezzzz

[@sugjavier5197]

Great video! Hope you make a top 5 or top 10 best budget all inclusive resorts

[@alysmalls]

Thanks for the idea!

[@ricardomartinez4341]

@@alysmalls Mexico is North America also my friend The World Cup for 2026 will be held in the 3 North American countries 🇺🇸 🇲🇽 🇨🇦 The North American Free Trade of Commerce is held by Mexico USA & Canada The richest free trade in the world The 3 North American countries held a summit in Mexico City last week The American atlases put Mexico in North America. Centroamérica starts in Guatemala & Belize if you're going south and it ends in Panama Just enjoy PV It's a beautiful beach city Saludos desde Santa Monica California

[@steven-backpack-cycle]

Excellent video and valuable information...thanks

[@GonzE1993]

I love your videos! so many good tips! Im planning a trip to PV in May:)

[@designAnn]

Honestly thanks!! No one else says anything about the sidewalks and this is something I really need to know!

[@MikeHinshawNomadicTexan]

The sidewalks have popped up sections where tree roots are beginning to surface. It is a fairly large issue, especially with older people like me. After living here for about 2 years I agree this is one of the largest safety issues. I don't know anyone who has had a Mustard trick pulled on them either. If you practice common sense in most cases, you won't have many issues. BTW not ALL Tequila places offering free shots are in the Time-Share business. My friend runs the Tequila Pancho Pistolas on calle Morelos 276A and always hands out free shots, trying to sell his various Tequilas. Puerto Vallarta is much safer than most cities in the US. I love it and will more than likely pass on here, since I will be 73 in February. Cannot beat the Mariscos here! 🌴🌊🌅🌴🦀🦞🦐🦑🦪🌴🌊🌅🌴

[@1a2b3c4.]

@@MikeHinshawNomadicTexan Thank you for your comment, it's nice to see all these videos but it's so hard to get a hold of anyone.

[@WendyVallarta]

Very good video!

[@jilesnstyle]

Thank you for the information.

[@paveljakimowski2886]

Thank you very much !❤

[@jasminelee979]

Great videos Aly, thanks for sharing. This is also on my bucket lists👌❤️

[@TheRayInPV]

I've been living in PV for over 20 years and have never heard or know of anyone who's had the "mustard scam" used on them. New to me, but the timeshare folks are annoying. The facebook rental is a serious issue, I know of atleast one person who was scammed with a rental. Don't give anyone money up front through facebook or directly.

[@myphd-myprisonhistorydiplo691]

It happened by my house in 5 deciembre but in low season. The guys knew the scam and did not fall for it. But that is the only time.

[@FatTonyTheSkipper]

Do you know who/what company to go for to get a legit rental in Puerto Vallarta? Looking for a 1BDR apartment with living room/kitchen. Ideally under 800USD per month.

[@lesliewhitlock8300]

We just got back and I did feel safe stayed at a really nice resort but had money stolen from the safe in my room the 2 rooms next to us did also. So take your valuables everywhere with you

[@edgars8947]

Please share your experience at the hotel google map place so they do something about it! Can I know the name of the hotel?

[@louloulou5894]

I had 2 friends get robbed from their room safe in Mexico as well. One of them had all her family's passports stolen. Never leave your most valuable stuff in the hotel rooms and if you do then make sure you have a camera in there so you can report the hotel worker theives to the policia

[@hanj5049]

Omg that's scary

[@kevbofrenchbaguette]

Thanks for the video, going to visit soon!

[@jeremysoutooradventures4141]

Thanks for the info Aly, can't wait to go next month

[@alysmalls]

Have fun!

[@wadeparis4420]

Thank you . I am visiting in Feb 2024 ,2nd visit. Thanks for all the info.

[@k5007]

You are extremelly nice and as a Mexican I appreciate very much how you describe your visits - Good luck!

[@alysmalls]

Thank you :)

[@michaelmccord5764]

Thanks a lot!

[@sdtind1897]

I am pleasantly surprised by PV Centro and Zona Romantica. Good tacos. Fun vibes. And safe too. Glad I didn’t do AI 30s man solo traveller, Canada

[@jessiejoseph1093]

Thank you

[@idk9127]

Am going to puerto Vallarta on spring break, glad to hear it’s safe from all that shit going down the in other areas

[@toolrammsteindeftones]

June will be our third time going. First two times we had no issues and felt safe walking day or night. But I thank you, I will make sure not to trip on the rockie roads. Lolol

[@yvonnerosenbloom1982]

We went to Puerto Vallarta a couple of years ago and we booked an Off-Road Adventure with a reputable company into the beautiful Sierra Madres. Our open air vehicle was held up by 2 masked men with machetes and a BB gun. They attacked the driver and tour guide and took money from all of us. I find it hard to recommend Puerto Vallarta.

[@alysmalls]

That's crazy, I'm sorry that happened to you. Is the company still in business? Do you think the driver and guide were in on it?

[@yvonnerosenbloom1982]

@@alysmalls At first we thought that too, but absolutely not. The men took money from all of us and cut one person on the arm who took a little too long. They ran off and the tour guide called the police. We were escorted to the Mexican consulate where they refunded the money that was stolen, plus the price of the tour, and gave us the choice of a free tour. We chose a private tour the next day with the same tour guide. The guide was just as shaken up as we were and it was nice to spend the day commiserating and talking things out. It really helped.

[@Dennis-kj9qx]

We after 23 years of P.V. visits only once have we talked to a crime victim. Flashing money is bad to do, Anyware! The woman got on a city bus(not advised, Take a cab). The person behind her wiped something off the back of her shirt (with chalk on her hand). When the woman got off the buss they grabbed her purse. Easy avoidable incident !! The people here are wonderful. Stay in the tourist areas and respect the privacy of the locals.

[@LSmith-tj5fu]

​@@yvonnerosenbloom1982😮

[@michellereeves2480]

We have lived here 8 years. While I like to be positive let’s not be naive. Things are getting sketchy. Many robberies. Many scams. We had our car stolen. The security at Peninsula is crooked. They allowed this robbery to happen. They also allowed the locks of the condo we were renting to change the locks with all our things in it. It was apparently owned by a guy who is into money laundering and wanted it back so he waited until we were gone. Don’t bother filing any reports, the police and justice system will not do anything. Never hire an attorney, they are all scams. This place is lawless. When traveling back 3 years ago between Aguascalientes and Guadalajara we were hijacked and ran off the road by 8 men with high powered rifles in two vehicles. They became scared and left, stole my husband’s phone. Do not visit the clubs. Our sons visited the clubs downtown and they were offered drugs and prostitution. I would advise to not go to these clubs ever. Many tourists report having their drinks drugged and then robbed. We are told they make a special iced that is drugged for people they see are alone or with a small crowd. Not worth going out at night at all. Do your research on a cartel called New generation of Jalisco. They are infiltrated through many business in Vallarta. Oh and about those scams… search on KZbin for a video on the New Generation cartel and timeshare scams. Puerto Vallarta has always held a place in my heart for 20 years so much that we have made it a second home. Most recently in Marina they have these young gangsters calling themselves new generation. They watch vulnerable people and try to get their attention and cover their mouths with a rag with sedative and then rob them and the person does not have a memory of what happened. I have heard so many sad stories from people at the airport. One guy from Canada reports coming to visit his brother and went to a bar to have some drinks after getting comfortable in the neighborhood. He reports his drink was drugged and he found himself on the street passed out and had been robbed and he did not have a memory of what happened. He believes the bar tender laced his drink. Other stories of med being targeted after drinking at clubs lured in taxis to strip joints and then held hostage to pay thousands of dollars for time spent with prostitutes. Stories of older couples getting scammed out of rentals but agent scams. Not sure how much longer we will want to stay here. It makes me so sad to say this

[@nancysabourin7297]

The "mustard scam" happened to my hubby, (it was bbq sauce that they had sprayed on his shirt back" This happened at Walmart when we were on a cruise there. One guy pointed it out and his partner "helped" hubby in the bathroom. Lost credit cards, but weirdly, not the wallet. Never noticed until we were back in our cruise cabin. For sure it happens. Lived and learned.

[@crazycool905]

This is common in a lot of places. I been to europe and someone tried doing it on me. Luckily i saw both guys and knew something was up. So I walked away then turned around. They werent able to take nothing. Always got to be vigilant. My advice is when there is more than TWO or more people asking to "help" you or "borrow your phone" always assume something is up.

[@flaskapp2294]

Good info! Just what I needed. Thank you. I was thinking about bringing my drone there from the USA. Did you have any issues with flying it there or with customs? I have a small one under 250g for recreational purposes.

[@Timetraveler1111MN]

Yess 🩴 cheap you could have nuisance

[@bryguy0111]

Always felt super safe in PV

[@daisyapontehavenmemoriestr8552]

I hate the timeshare. But I can handle it now

[@christopherpalmer2529]

What about driving 45 minutes north through the countryside to the resort?

[@DougPVlogs]

I have been vlogging from Mexico for over a year for my KZbin channel and have never had any trouble .

[@seanhunter4297]

Thanks for the info, Aly!

[@myphd-myprisonhistorydiplo691]

Yeppppp cobblestone! The taxis love it😂I live in PV and i tell people you have to be physically fit to live here!

[@lorelaigermain7708]

Thank you for the video! is there a way to buy a sim card at the PV airport so we can have wifi right away on our cellphone? thank you!

[@Dennis-kj9qx]

It's simple...JUST GO ! 27 times visited. One time only we met a lady that flashed her money and got on a public bus (never do that, Take a cab) on the bus a woman sitting behind her told her something was on her coat and brushed it off. When she got off, someone grabbed her purse and ran off... she put chalk on her as a marker. No person should ever touch you..

[@runnalls]

Do a video from Pitillal.

[@alysmalls]

Good idea, will look into it :)

[@williammatthews4491]

thank you.

[@SatishKumar-mz8du]

Really ausome experience within few minutes..😈😎👀🙏💐

[@sabrinajohn6023]

When is the rainy season and worst time to travel?

[@RobertMiller-g2b]

JUNE TO OCTOBER

[@adrianlea8396]

What happens after a storm and all the toilets back up and flow downhill into the sea?

[@1a2b3c4.]

How can I get a hold of you prior to going down there?

[@rafaelbrena1180]

Hey how about the Scam of Swapping Menus at the end of a Meal , mostly on In Front of the Beach Restaurants ?? What it is , once you arrived at the restaurant they give you a Menu with prices , and then they charge you more and if you notice and ask to see the Menu , they show you a different menu , with yanked up prices .! That happens in ACAPULCO and in CANCUN Areas , Its a pretty bad Scam !! Do this happens in Vallarta ??

[@campydtv2890]

I’m from Nyc vallarta is a cake walk comparing both

[@beenarboy]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@bradleykvermeulen]

Have you ever had a taxi driver, offer to give you a good price for a n excursion, and offering to help set it up with his friend

[@robertaishihara2770]

Hi Aly, we are bringing our chihuahua with us, will I be able to take her to most eateries....she has a stroller. Gracias!

[@alysmalls]

Yes there are lots of restaurants that are now dog friendly

[@luislona8756]

Whats your favorite country ?

[@racheljohnson1185]

I’m going to Puerto Vallarta in May. Both of us are 80 and do not speak any Spanish. Do you see any issues we may have? I’m concerned with the language barrier.Thank you for responding.

[@alysmalls]

You'll have no issue! Lots of English is spoken

[@ericeric463]

Make sure you use your lock box in your hotel

[@taoeml]

To be fair, Mexico rarely tracks its crime, so you can't compare stats.

[@michellereeves2480]

Many people do not report and those that do nothing happens so they can keep the stats

[@Katestravels]

Wearing flip flops on those cobbles could be dangerous lol

[@hanidarwiche7477]

is pitillal dangerous?

[@mateolopezorta6496]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@runnalls]

Ahhh the walk of shame.

[@maximilianogarcia48]

Actually Jalisco is very very dangerous, one of the most dangerous in Mexico. We used to have a time share there for 20 years but we don’t go there anymore.

[@sethother8012]

Hell, no! Ain’t no WAY I’m going anywhere where they offer me free tequila!

[@Roger_Ramjet]

The sidewalks should only pose a challenge to the clowns addicted to staring at their dumb phones.

[@alysmalls]

Many people over the age of 50 start to lose balance a lot easier, not to mention others with disabilities where this would pose a challenge.

[@jean-baptiste9230]

i think they tried stealing my cell phone in a tequila store...

[@petermalbin1629]

Good video. I don’t like visiting a place with dangerous tripping hazards and scams. Not for me!

[@retireearly7223]

Please don’t let this video convince you not to visit PV. We’ve been going there for 18 years (in mid-60’s now) and it truly is a magical, peaceful community where visitors are welcomed by the locals. Her point was that it’s so safe all you need to worry about is tripping!

[@mingledingle1556]

Do you need to be wrapped in bubble wrap and wearing a helmet to go to the grocery store too? Since you’re so scared of tripping on a rock after all 😂

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Hide under your bed then

[@ChristaArts]

So beautiful! Thank you! I wanna go. I wanna watch the whales, and drink coffee up on the hill/mountain. Lol 🐳💦🌈💓☕️🌸

[@leahl7352]

none of this is new. smh

[@Anyone553]

I still think it’s safe. Just use common sense. L.A. is much more dangerous

[@janesimmonds8845]

they did the muster one on me and got away with over CAD 6,000 on my credit cards took my VISA had to pay for a new one

[@James-lu4hb]

I don't believe it.

[@khernan2010]

Only Mexican people can say about our country !!

[@edgars8947]

Jajaja decerebrada!

[@campydtv2890]

Chill out it’s just a review

[@S36542]

No hablo inglés

[@jessicasisson9777]

#generaltraveladvice

[@heathertucker8479]

What resorts would you recommend in PVR, was there a year ago but would be looking at another resort. Love your vids😊

[@philipwalker5140]

What’s it like for people with disabilities? Using a wheelchair it is suitable Thanks Phil Belfast 🇬🇧

[@abdelkarimseffari9189]

Hello, how are you? I hope you are well. I want to ask you about some things related to travel I sent you a message on Instagram and Facebook. I hope you respond quickly. Thank you

[@billmackenzie422]

Very good advice and very helpful!