Cancún Still a Dream Destination While Puerto Vallarta Fights Back Against Violent Cartel Chaos – Should You Cancel Your Mexico Trip?

Published on February 26, 2026

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With spring travel season approaching, millions of travellers planning vacations to Cancún and Puerto Vallarta are watching developments in Mexico with concern as government authorities update travel advice amid rising security alerts after a major cartel leader was killed in a military operation. The situation has triggered official warnings and disruptions in some parts of the country, prompting questions about whether popular destinations remain safe and accessible for tourists.

Cartel Operation Sparks Nationwide Alerts but Doesn’t Directly Close Cancún

On 22 February 2026, Mexican security forces carried out a major operation in Jalisco state that resulted in the reported death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the country’s most powerful criminal groups. In the immediate aftermath, acts of retaliation included road blockades, vehicles set on fire, and other violent incidents reported across at least 15 states, including Michoacán, Guanajuato, Colima, Tamaulipas, Aguascalientes, Zacatecas and Sinaloa. Despite these events, Cancún, located in Quintana Roo on the Caribbean coast — over 1,100 miles from Jalisco — has not been directly affected by unrest related to this operation. Airports there continue normal operations, and authorities have not issued evacuation or closure orders for Quintana Roo’s tourism infrastructure. Official U.S. and Canadian travel advisories place the region at a Level 2 caution status — exercise increased caution — due to general crime risk, but do not list Cancún as an active conflict zone.

Puerto Vallarta and Western Mexico Suffer Real Disruption

In contrast to Cancún’s stability, parts of western Mexico — especially Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara in Jalisco state — experienced significant disruption. Road blockades and criminal activity linked to cartel retaliation prompted emergency advisories from the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, including shelter in place recommendations for American citizens in several states. Major carriers such as United, Delta, Southwest and Air Canada canceled or suspended flights to and from Puerto Vallarta as access roads were blocked and public transport halted.

The UK Foreign Office also updated its Mexico travel guidance, urging caution in regions including Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Guanajuato and Michoacán, noting transport disruptions and temporary shelter‑in‑place alerts in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Authorities warned travellers to avoid non‑essential travel within affected states and confirm road and flight conditions before departure.

Why Cancún Residents and Visitors Are Not Caught Up in Violence

Cancún’s geographic location has helped shield it from recent unrest. Situated in southeastern Mexico’s Quintana Roo state, the city lies far from Jalisco’s western Pacific coast where the CJNG’s stronghold is based. Official travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State distinguish between general safety warnings for all of Mexico and specific restrictions or caution for certain regions. Quintana Roo’s threat level remains lower relative to Western states directly affected by violence. Moreover, tourism officials and local authorities in Cancún continue to report normal airport and resort operations, and there have been no verified closures or evacuation orders for Cancún and the Riviera Maya linked to the recent unrest. Local security forces are on heightened alert for general safety, but incoming flights and visitor services remain fully functional.

Official Travel Advisories: How Governments Frame Current Risks

Government travel advisories are deliberately broad to encompass potential risks across large territories, which can sometimes drive misleading impressions about conditions in specific tourist cities.

• United States State Department Travel Advisory: Urges visitors to exercise increased caution throughout Mexico due to crime and kidnapping risk, but does not restrict travel to Cancún. It recommends enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for alerts and updates.

Government of Canada: Expanded its advisory after recent violence but noted that airports in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara have since reopened and flights resumed, while roads have been reopened following the lifting of shelter‑in‑place orders.

UK Foreign Office: Listed specific states with heightened warnings, including Jalisco, which includes Puerto Vallarta, but did not classify Quintana Roo as an active emergency zone linked to current unrest. These government advisories aim to inform travellers of ongoing conditions and residual risks without singling out destinations that have not been directly threatened or impacted.

Travel Industry Response and Airline Updates

Major carriers operating flights to western Mexican cities were among the first to adjust schedules after unrest began. Many airlines initially canceled routes to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara International Airport due to access road blockages and safety concerns for crew and passengers. As roads and security conditions improved and authorities cleared major highways, flight operations began returning to normal by 23‑24 February, with carriers reinstating services and issuing rebooking policies for affected travellers.

What Travellers Should Do Now

For travellers with plans to go to Cancún and Quintana Roo, the current verified status indicates no immediate cause to cancel travel solely due to unrest in distant regions, but visitors should:

• Monitor official advisories such as the U.S. State Department and Government of Canada travel pages for updates.

• Stay informed about local security and weather conditions.
• Ensure travel insurance covers emergency changes or cancellations.

Tourists headed for Puerto Vallarta or western Mexico may want to reassess trip timing until travel conditions fully stabilise and reliable transport access is confirmed.

Final Word: Stay Smart, Stay Informed

Cancún remains open and welcoming to visitors this season, while Puerto Vallarta and several regions in western Mexico continue to navigate the after‑effects of recent security incidents. Travellers are advised to check official government advisories, keep airline contacts handy, and adjust plans based on factual, verified updates from government sources rather than panic‑driven headlines — ensuring safe and enjoyable travel whether venturing to the turquoise waters of the Caribbean or other parts of Mexico