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

Is Mexico safe to visit right now? With the recent events in northern Mexico (Sinaloa), let’s talk about safety in Puerto Vallarta, including scams you should watch out for. This video covers important safety tips, scams and rip offs visitors and tourists should know about before visiting.
Puerto Vallarta is very safe to visit, but just like any other city, you should still keep your wits about you and no go looking for trouble.
Read the full list of scams here:
likewhereyouregoing.com/puert...
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READ MORE:
Using Uber in Mexico: Safety Precautions & Tips (2023 Update)
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Puerto Vallarta First Time Visitors Guide (Essential Information)
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Cabo vs. Puerto Vallarta: Here’s Which One You’ll Love Better
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All Puerto Vallarta posts:
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About me - Aly Smalls:
I'm the CFF (Chief Fun Finder) of my travel website - Like Where You're Going.
likewhereyouregoing.com/
A former Tourism Development Officer who now makes fun and easy to follow travel itineraries for your next trip. Wherever your travels take you, I'll help make sure you like where you're going!
My free travel and destination guides focus on unique & fresh itineraries - showcasing Canada, USA, Mexico and a bit of Europe.
Facebook Page:
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Instagram:
/ alysmalls_yt
#mexico #puertovallarta #mexicosafety
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[@debbiebrazzale988]

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

[@jasminelee979]

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

[@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!

[@iamsamrafoss]

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

[@CADbaguette]

Thanks for the video, going to visit soon!

[@oceansmile9]

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

[@steven-backpack-cycle]

Excellent video and valuable information...thanks

[@billmackenzie422]

Very good advice and very helpful!

[@WendyVallarta]

Very good video!

[@jilesnstyle]

Thank you for the information.

[@raniagian8167]

I love your videos and the vibezzzz

[@seanhunter4297]

Thanks for the info, Aly!

[@lawndee4332]

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

[@jeremysoutooradventures4141]

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

[@alysmalls]

Have fun!

[@annetteblackmon9578]

Thank you for sharing

[@GonzE1993]

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

[@user-ui8fd1nx1t]

Like your vids Aly . Love PV

[@michaelmccord5764]

Thanks a lot!

[@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

[@jessiejoseph1093]

Thank you

[@williammatthews4491]

thank you.

[@wadeparis4420]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@k5007]

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

[@alysmalls]

Thank you :)

[@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.

[@f4llenstarr]

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.

[@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.

[@Timetravel1111]

Yess 🩴 cheap you could have nuisance

[@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

[@toolrocks10]

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

[@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!

[@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

[@SatishKumar-mz8du]

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

[@1a2b3c4.]

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

[@daisyapontehavenmemoriestr8552]

I hate the timeshare. But I can handle it now

[@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!

[@DougPVlogs]

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

[@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😮

[@adrianlea8396]

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

[@bryguy0111]

Always felt super safe in PV

[@christopherpalmer2529]

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

[@sabrinajohn6023]

When is the rainy season and worst time to travel?

[@user-vd1yu5yg3i]

JUNE TO OCTOBER

[@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

[@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 ??

[@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

[@mateolopezorta6496]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@runnalls]

Do a video from Pitillal.

[@alysmalls]

Good idea, will look into it :)

[@hanidarwiche7477]

is pitillal dangerous?

[@campydtv2890]

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

[@luislona8756]

Whats your favorite country ?

[@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..

[@ShopMarijuana]

Occasional tripping hazards? Occasional? LoL .... I've had several nears wipeouts 😎

[@runnalls]

Ahhh the walk of shame.

[@jean-baptiste9230]

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

[@taoeml]

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

[@itsalex7229]

Lol what? What makes you think that?

[@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.

[@ChristaArts]

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

[@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

[@leahl7352]

none of this is new. smh

[@ItsMe-lt5dq]

Look, I'm a US citizen and have been in PV for 3 years now and I love it. But... Lol, The "occasional" tripping hazard??? (As she calls it) No, it's the constant tripping hazard!!!😱 Mexico is not handicapped friendly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you are in a wheelchair, walker, cane, or are any kind of fall risk at all and your planning on staying at a big fancy all inclusive resort vacation then you will likely be fine.

[@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.

[@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.

[@VSS32542]

No hablo inglés

[@Anyone553]

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

[@khernan2010]

Only Mexican people can say about our country !!

[@edgars8947]

Jajaja decerebrada!

[@campydtv2890]

Chill out it’s just a review

[@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