by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 4:55 PM ET, Tue February 24, 2026
UPDATE: February 24
The U.S. Embassy issued a new update for Mexico, stating the following:
"Public transportation and businesses continue to return to normal operations following a law enforcement operation that took place on February 22. U.S. citizens are no longer urged to shelter in place. U.S. government staff in Guadalajara (Jalisco), Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco/Nayarit), Ciudad Guzman (Jalisco), and Tijuana (Baja California) are subject to a curfew during nighttime hours. U.S. government staff in Jalisco State and Monterrey (Nuevo Leon) have been directed to remain inside their metropolitan areas."
Airports in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara are back to normal operations, with US airlines resuming flights to the region.
Original Text
Gang violence in the Mexican state of Jalisco, where Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara are located, in retaliation for the Mexican military’s killing of a major cartel leader, has led to shelter-in-place warnings by the U.S. Embassy in Mexico this past weekend and increased travel safety concerns for Americans.
Yet what about Cancun and other major tourist destinations on the other side of Mexico?
According to the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico’s advisory for Americans issued February 23, the situation “has returned to normal” in Quintana Roo, the state where Cancun, Cozumel, Tulum and Playa del Carmen are located, along with Sinaloa and Tamaulipas.
U.S. government staff in Monterrey have been advised to remain in Monterrey, and not to travel to Mazatlan through Wednesday, February 25.
Riviera Maya News reported that February 22, gang retaliation sparked fires at several grocery stores and inside cars parked in parking lots in Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Tulum.
While these were managed and the state security forces were put on high alert, the region did not issue any shelter-in-place warnings or warn of increased threats for travelers.
According to the embassy alert, the states of Jalisco, Baja California and Nayarit, are the most impacted: the U.S. embassy advises Americans in these regions, which include the destinations of Nuevo Vallarta, Ensenada, Tijuana and Puerto Vallarta, to continuing sheltering in place, along with U.S. government staff.
Flights remain disrupted in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, but most other airports throughout Mexico remain operational and undisturbed. United Airlines announced on Monday afternoon it has resumed service to both airports, but notes there may still be some disruptions.
The airline is still allowing for free changes and fare differences for those wishing to change their flights between now and February 28, 2026. The tickets must go to the same destination in Mexico as previously booked and must be flown before March 7, 2026 to apply for the free change waiver.
Mexico remains at a Level 2 in the U.S. State Department travel advisory database, encouraging travelers to exercise increased precautions, though some states have higher Level 3 or Level 4 warnings due to their safety risks.
Lori Swinderman, President Travel By La Buena Vida and Owner-Founder of Mexico & Caribbean FamTrips, warns travelers not to believe everything they see on Facebook or TikTok, but to seek out reputable news for factual information.
“I strongly encourage travelers to be mindful of where they’re getting their news and information. A significant amount of misinformation is circulating, including AI-generated photos and videos depicting situations that simply have not occurred. In moments like this, accuracy matters,” said Swinderman.
“This is exactly why working with a trusted travel professional is so important,” she continues. “We travel frequently, stay informed in real time, and maintain strong relationships with vetted tour operators, hotel partners, and local professionals within each destination. Relying on a Facebook poll or a TikTok comment thread for critical travel updates is simply not the best source of information.
“Regarding yesterday’s incident in Puerto Vallarta: Officials in the Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Riviera Maya areas increased police presence as a precaution. There were no airport closures, transportation shutdowns, or interruptions to tourism services. As of today, it is business as usual throughout the region.”
Travelers who are currently in Mexico are advised to remain alert, continue checking the U.S. State Department or U.S. Embassy in Mexico websites, monitor local news, and comply with safety recommendations if the situation spreads to other regions.
Those heading to the impacted regions should monitor both safety advisories, news reports and airline communications in case their flight is also cancelled or delayed.
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