- Cartel violence erupted after reports of a leader’s killing.
- US tourists were told to shelter in place.
- Flights to Puerto Vallarta were suspended.
- Travelers described burning vehicles and heavy smoke.
- Many Americans remain stranded, awaiting updates
American tourists vacationing in western Mexico found themselves trapped in their hotels and rental homes after a sudden wave of cartel violence erupted Sunday (22).
The unrest followed reports that cartel leader Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes had been killed. In the hours that followed, gunmen allegedly linked to his criminal organization set buses and vehicles on fire, blocked major roads, and clashed with authorities. The violence spread across areas including Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara—destinations popular with international visitors.
In response, the U.S. State Department urged Americans in affected areas to “seek shelter and remain in residences or hotels.” Several US airlines suspended flights to Puerto Vallarta, leaving many travelers stranded and unsure when they would be able to return home.
Dallas resident Adryan Moorefield had been scheduled to fly home Sunday but woke up to alarming news reports and social media posts showing chaos across the city.
“It was such a complete shocker and it almost felt like being in the twilight zone,” Moorefield said. “We’ve been to PV before and thought that this would be a no brainer place to come and do a quick, easy beach vacation.”
Other travelers described scenes of panic and destruction. Jim Beck, another American tourist, said he stepped outside his hotel Sunday morning to get breakfast and saw vehicles burning.
“Taxi cabs blown up all over town, blocking the roads,” he said. “Then immediately, everyone was running down the street, screaming and yelling, and they told everyone to get back to their hotels.”
Authorities have not released an exact figure, but reports indicate that thousands of tourists are currently stranded in Puerto Vallarta and nearby areas following the sudden outbreak of cartel-related violence. Multiple flights were canceled or delayed after several U.S. airlines suspended service to the region, disrupting travel plans for a large number of American visitors.
With roads blocked by burning vehicles and security operations ongoing, many travelers have been unable to reach the airport or leave their hotels. Local officials have focused on restoring order and clearing major routes, but uncertainty remains about when normal flight schedules will resume. Hotels across the resort city are extending stays as guests wait for updates, while the US State Department continues to advise Americans to shelter in place.
Travel industry analysts say popular destinations like Puerto Vallarta typically host tens of thousands of visitors at any given time, meaning even partial airport closures can affect a significant number of people. For now, stranded tourists are relying on airline alerts, embassy guidance, and local authorities for information on when it will be safe to depart.
Mari, a visitor traveling with her young children, said her family remained inside their vacation rental as smoke filled the skyline.
“We have two little kids, and it’s really scary,” she said. “The entire bay was just covered in fire. For hours, there was just a billow of smoke, hovering. You could not see anything across.”
Another tourist, Travis Dagenais, said he initially thought the loud noises outside were construction work.
“We woke up this morning to a lot of what I thought was a building demolition,” he said. From his balcony, he later saw vehicles burning and what appeared to be looting at local businesses. “The city smells like burnt rubber at the moment,” he added.
Dagenais said many visitors are now dealing with major uncertainty, including how long shelter-in-place orders will last and when airport operations will resume.
An American woman visiting family in Tepic said she was temporarily separated from her teenage son due to safety warnings. She has traveled to Mexico for years and said she had never experienced anything like this.
Despite the fear and disruption, many tourists said they are trying to remain calm while waiting for clear guidance. For now, they remain indoors, hoping the violence subsides quickly and travel resumes safely.
