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After cartel chief Rubén Oseguera Cervantes was killed, violence in Puerto Vallarta sparked cancellations on the standard LGBTQ+ vacation spot.
Is it secure to journey to Mexico? See what specialists mentioned.
USA TODAY’s Eve Chen spoke with former CIA brokers and safety specialists in regards to the present state of affairs in Mexico after “El Mencho’s” loss of life.
- Violence broke out in Puerto Vallarta after a robust cartel chief was killed in a Mexican navy operation.
- The unrest prompted journey disruptions and cancellations for native companies that depend on tourism.
- Puerto Vallarta is a well-liked and welcoming journey vacation spot for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood.
Danyol Leon woke as much as fires in Puerto Vallarta over the weekend.
By the next day, on Feb. 23, he mentioned burned vehicles and buses have been being eliminated after violence broke out following the killing of a robust cartel chief in Jalisco, Mexico. But Leon’s day-cruise enterprise, Tamale’s Tours – billed as LGBTQ+-inclusive “for everybody and every body” – had already had 5 cancellations from vacationers who didn’t really feel secure visiting (although some additionally rescheduled).
“And I can only support that, because if they’re not safe, I don’t want them to come here,” the 56-year-old, who additionally goes by his former drag title Tamale Ringwald, advised USA TODAY. Still, about half the clientele is made up of vacationers.
“PV is very strong – especially the queer community is very, very strong, and relies on tourism,” Leon mentioned.
Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, referred to as “El Mencho,” led the Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación and was killed throughout a Mexican military operation. Unrest adopted, disrupting flights and prompting instructions for vacationers and locals to shelter in place.
“If you’re traveling to Mexico this week, you are taking a higher risk than you would if you had gone six months ago, for reasons that are beyond your control,” mentioned Doug Patterson, a former CIA officer who’s now an intelligence advisor and teacher. “For anybody who canceled the trip, I wouldn’t judge them for canceling it. For somebody who went, I wouldn’t judge them for going. Everybody has to go through their own decision calculus to figure out how much risk they’re willing to take on in this time of increased potential risk.”
While Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo mentioned the state of affairs had “calmed down” throughout a Feb. 23 information briefing, the weekend’s occasions raised questions on their affect on journey to town on the nation’s Pacific coast – and its position as a haven amongst LGBTQ+ vacationers.
Why is Puerto Vallarta an LGBTQ+ journey vacation spot?
Nick Guillory was staying in Puerto Vallarta when the occasions unfolded. The 39-year-old, who runs the Black Gay Boy Abroad weblog, mentioned that whereas Feb. 22 was “very, very sad” – and he remained in his house the entire time – he has usually felt secure there since his first go to three years in the past.
“I have gone to major U.S. cities as a gay Black man, and I have not felt safe,” he mentioned. “I have not felt welcomed. I’ve not felt secure … And I haven’t felt that energy here.” He famous residents typically greet him with smiles and chuckle with him.
Leon, who has lived in Puerto Vallarta for six-and-a-half years, added that town has lengthy been a vacation spot for LGBTQ+ vacationers, reportedly fueled by actress – and extensively regarded homosexual icon – Elizabeth Taylor’s visits. “It’s very welcoming,” he mentioned. “You know, they call you amigo for a reason, because honestly, when they first meet you, you’re their friend.”
Puerto Vallarta’s official tourism information has an entire section devoted to LGBTQ+ guests. “For more than 60 years (the city) has established itself as one of the LGBT community’s favorite places,” the web site reads. The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
“Puerto Vallarta is perhaps the most popular destination for the LGBTQ+ visitor to Mexico,” The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) mentioned on its website. “The city’s Romantic Zone is a popular spot for LGBTQ+ people during the day with its panoramic sunset views of the bay. After the sun sets you can enjoy vibrant nightlife nearly every night of the week at its many popular bars and clubs where both locals and tourists mingle.”
LoAnn Halden, IGLTA’s Vice President of Communications, advised USA TODAY town’s “popularity is rooted in its heart.”
“It’s a city that has spent decades building a reputation as a place where the community and local government work together to ensure everyone feels welcome,” she mentioned in an e-mail. “That visible, collective effort to prioritize inclusivity creates a strong sense of belonging that keeps LGBTQ+ travelers returning year after year.”
‘The metropolis could be very sturdy’
The potential affect on the native journey economic system, together with amongst LGBTQ+ vacationers, stays to be seen.
“I don’t want it to affect tourism, obviously, but it probably will a little bit,” mentioned Leon, who additionally co-owns Tunnel Bar in Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica. He felt a few of what he’d seen within the information and on social media had been sensationalized and really helpful vacationers search out authorities sources, respected media shops or contact native companies straight.
Halden echoed that, urging vacationers to seek the advice of updates from native tourism authorities and “cross-referencing social media with these official briefings to ensure an accurate reflection of the situation on the ground.”
Guillory famous that proper now could also be too quickly to go to. “But when the time is right, come here, open your wallet, spend money and support businesses, because they’re going to need it,” he mentioned. IGLTA maintains journey guides, together with for Mexico, with lists of really helpful companies starting from inns to cruise traces.
“We anticipate a period of caution as the region stabilizes,” Halden mentioned. “However, the long-term bond between the LGBTQ+ community and this region is incredibly resilient.”
Leon’s cruise enterprise operates on Fridays from November by May, and he expects to set sail as deliberate later within the week.
He famous that drug-related violence within the space has made worldwide information earlier than. “And it affected tourism for a while,” he mentioned. However, he added, “The city is very strong, and it bounces back.”
Contributing: Eve Chen, USA TODAY
Nathan Diller is a shopper journey reporter for USA TODAY primarily based in Nashville. You can attain him at [email protected].
This web page was created programmatically, to learn the article in its unique location you’ll be able to go to the hyperlink bellow:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/2026/02/24/puerto-vallarta-mexico-lgbtq-travel/88829639007/
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