Puerto Vallarta Forum (PV Bulletin Board)

Well not only am I scared to death of flying, now all this hype about traveling in Mexico. I went last year and had a blast, but was completely unaware of all the violence, however, I'm seeing that the violence in Mexico is no different now then a year ago. I'm traveling with a well seasoned PV traveler, he has been there many many times. I'm still concerned about my safety. Just how safe is PV? Should I be overly concerned? I know that with any traveling I need to keep my thinking cap on and not be oblivious to my surroundings.... Just need some extra advise and a nudge to get me more excited about going I kinda lost that umph! I would hate to go and worry constantly about getting stabbed, robbed, or kidnapped... oh wait did I just say that, hell, I feel that way daily living in the US, maybe I've just answered my own question!!! Wish me Luck and Keep those Prayers coming for us adventurous travelers! But seriously, we are going to be safer then if we were doing the border thing - right?

PV is much safer that a Mexican border town. I'm really not sure how a bunch of strangers can re-assure you of the safety, though. You will get two opinions on how safe PV REALLY is. Since you are going with "a well seasoned PV traveler", ask him to reassure you. Chuck...

Thank you.... I'm sure we will be fine - just a little jittery because of all the negative press. LIke I said I had a blast the last time I was there and looking forward to another visit. Thanks so much for your thoughts... every little thought counts!!!

Take Care!

My friend, it is not "negative press". It is factual reporting of happenings. Mostly the border towns, both Mexico's Northern and Southern borders, but some stuff in Cancun, Mexico City and Monterrey. As far as Mexican cities go, PV is pretty safe. Chuck...

pack and bring your common sense with you and you should be fine.

Actually read somewhere that Puerto Vallarta is the city in Jalisco (the state) with most incidents per capita, more than Guadalajara that is a 5 million plus city. Now, considering I've traveled over 30 times to Vallarta without incidents and have lived in Guadalajara over 11 years without a hitch (that includes my friends and acquaintances)... well, I can say both places are very safe by US standards.

Certainly you can get into issues if you frequent less glitzy parts of town, be that in GDL, PVR or LAX, so as long as you use your common sense, avoid getting stinking drunk or high and stagger along a dark street in the rotten part of town, I guess you'll be among the thousands that come by and have no issues at all and keep coming back.

Greetings

Mogens

As I stated in an message back in Oct/Nov...there was a really large police presence in PVR when we were there this fall (riding around in the backs of pickups with guns, etc). I feel pretty safe there knowing that they have taken steps to increase the security. As others have said, use your common sense and you should be fine. I was in the military for 20+ years and was taught to constantly be aware of my surroundings. If something doesn't feel right, it probably isn't and you should probably get away from that situation. Go and have a good time, but continue to be aware of your surroundings while having fun.

(riding around in the backs of pickups with guns, etc).

They have been doing that for years. That is what they do in Mexico and alot of other Latin American countries. They stand in banks with BIG GUNS too . Makes it hard to have a thought even flash through your head about robbing the bank.

Certainly you can get into issues if you frequent less glitzy parts of town, be that in GDL, PVR or LAX, so as long as you use your common sense, avoid getting stinking drunk or high and stagger along a dark street in the rotten part of town, I guess you'll be among the thousands that come by and have no issues at all and keep coming back.


EXACTLY...WELL SAID (or typed).

Morgans,

Where is: dark street in the rotten part of town located? I want to be sure to avoid it!

thanks,

Patty

Patty,

You will know it when you find it!

That part of town is where the Boogie Man is! Chuck...

A short video on why it is safer to travel in groups !


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBnvGS4u3F0&eurl=

ok.. well I better find some penguins quick... lol.. heading down on my own for 5 weeks... in 44 sleeps! woohoo... its my 28th maybe 29th time.. should be ok for the FIRST TIME on my own I know the hood well.

salut!

Patty