If you plan to travel to Mexico, be aware of the civil unrest that began Sunday, Feb. 22 after the reported death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG). Violence followed in parts of Jalisco, including Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, prompting a temporary U.S. Department of State “shelter in place” recommendation for U.S. citizens in those areas. By press time the shelter-in-place advisory had been lifted, airports reopened and flight schedules largely resumed, but heightened risk and the potential for further incidents remain.
Security outlook and advice
– Short-term risk: Matthew Carvalho, regional security manager for the Americas at Healix International, warns retaliatory attacks by CJNG members cannot be ruled out in the next day or two in Jalisco, Michoacán and Nayarit.
– Medium-term risk: El Mencho’s death could fuel cartel fragmentation and infighting over the next one to six months.
– Practical steps: Consider delaying travel to Jalisco, Michoacán and Nayarit until the situation stabilizes. At minimum, book flexible flights and hotels that allow changes or cancellations.
Is it safe to travel to Mexico now?
– Mexico has 32 states; this week’s main unrest was concentrated in Jalisco on the western Pacific coast, though disturbances were reported elsewhere (including isolated incidents as far as Cancún).
– The U.S. State Department overall rates Mexico as “Level 2 — Exercise increased caution.” Baja California (including Tijuana) and Jalisco are at Level 3 — “Reconsider travel.” Those advisories were not upgraded this week, but travelers should heed them.
– Enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so you can be reached quickly in an emergency and receive updates.
Jalisco (Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta)
– The Jalisco Ministry of Tourism reported mobility in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta operating at 100%, with public transport, taxis and ride-share services functioning and restaurants and shops open.
– Tourist zones have not been targeted, but surrounding volatility makes Jalisco the most affected major tourist region currently. Travelers should reconsider visiting the area for now.
Cancún, Mexico City, Oaxaca and other areas
– Quintana Roo (Cancún, Riviera Maya) has not seen significant violence beyond a few vehicle burnings; roughly 10,000 federal, state and municipal personnel were deployed as a precaution. Travel to Cancún and Riviera Maya should not be broadly affected at present.
– Mexico City reported little to no disruption and no major blockades or violence.
– Firsthand reports from TPG’s contributor in Oaxaca and Chiapas indicate no visible unrest and that those areas feel secure.
Airports and flights
– Guadalajara International Airport (GDL) and Puerto Vallarta’s Licenciado Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport (PVR) experienced significant delays and cancellations earlier in the week. At press time, international operations have resumed, though intermittent delays and cancellations may continue.
– Confirm flight status and airport access conditions before you travel to the airport. If you have flights to PVR, GDL or nearby airports, contact your airline about waivers and rebooking options. Recent airline responses included:
– American Airlines: rebooking with fees waived for PVR/GDL tickets between Feb. 22–26 for travel through March 7.
– Southwest: rebook or travel standby for PVR tickets between Feb. 22–26 with fees waived; refunds may also be available.
– United: PVR/GDL tickets from Feb. 22–March 31 eligible for rescheduling with waived change fees for travel through March 31.
– Delta: rebooking with fees waived for PVR/GDL tickets between Feb. 22–26 for travel through March 7.
– Alaska: change/cancellation fee waivers for PVR, GDL or ZLO tickets from Feb. 22–28 until March 7.
– Aeromexico: rescheduling with waived fees for selected Pacific airports for tickets between Feb. 22–26 for travel through March 7.
– Contact your airline directly for the latest waivers and rules, as details and windows may change.
Cruises
– Several major cruise lines canceled or rerouted Puerto Vallarta calls this week; maritime tourism activity has otherwise resumed per Jalisco tourism officials.
– Caribbean ports like Cozumel are unaffected and operating normally. Some itineraries substituted Cabo San Lucas or Mazatlán for Puerto Vallarta this week. If you’re uncomfortable, consider disembarking or embarking at an alternate port if feasible.
Hotels and resorts
– Hotels across Mexico are operating as usual. Resorts in Puerto Vallarta’s coastal areas reported normal operations; for example, Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa confirmed business as usual at its property. Still, verify conditions with your property before arrival.
Travel insurance and coverage
– Whether you’re covered depends on your specific policy, purchase date and how insurers classify the event. Most standard policies do not cover cancellation for civil unrest alone. If you already are traveling and flights are delayed or canceled, some plans may provide benefits such as travel delay, trip interruption or, in select policies, political/security evacuation.
– Important: once violence was publicly announced, it became a known or foreseeable event. If you bought a policy after the event was reported, standard trip cancellation benefits for that event are typically excluded.
– Potential coverages to look for:
– Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR): allows cancellation before travel for partial reimbursement (usually 50–75%).
– Interruption for Any Reason: can reimburse a portion of unused prepaid trip costs if you feel unsafe after departure.
– Trip Delay: covers meals and accommodations if flights or ground travel are disrupted.
– Travel Medical and Evacuation: important if you become ill or injured abroad.
– Major credit card issuers sometimes include trip delay insurance if you booked through the card, but protections vary widely for civil unrest — check with your issuer.
Bottom line
– Travel to Mexico is not universally off the table: government responses have helped stabilize the situation and restore operations in many areas.
– Still, reconsider travel to the regions most affected this week (notably parts of Jalisco) and prioritize flexible bookings so you can change plans if conditions shift. Enroll in STEP, monitor updates from the State Department and your airline, and review your travel insurance and credit card protections before departure.
