An Update: Recent Security Assessment on Puerto Vallarta

Safety remains a big question for travelers who consider Puerto Vallarta as a destination for their holiday. I understand. And earlier this year I visited the seaside destination to spend a wonderful and very safe week holiday in Puerto Vallarta.

Yes, I found Puerto Vallarta safe and perfect for a holiday. But, I understand I am just a traveler, albeit an adventurous one, so I wanted to share findings from a recent security assessment.

source: TDA website

The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board hired  Thomas Dale & Associates (TDA), a leading global investigative and security firm, to assess the security status of the city. TDA concluded last year that Puerto Vallarta is a safe tourist destinations for international and national tourists and this year assessed specific aspects of the destination. The assessment, which took place from February the 19 to the 25th of 2012, focused primarily on potential and actual criminal vulnerability.

The study or security assessment applauded Puerto Vallarta for having twice the national standard of policemen (2.0 per 1000 Pop.) required by Mexico’s Federal Government and for increased police patrols in areas surrounding the popular destination. Another part of the study highlighted the city’s “Taxi Safe” notification system in which one hundred fifty businesses in and outside the tourist zone have signed up to participate and assist tourists.

Relax; that's what I do when I am in PV

TDA once again found that Puerto Vallarta continues to be one of the safest destinations for international visitors as well as for expatriates who have made the destination their home. And these findings seem to be in alignment with international travelers as according to the Mexican Ministry of Tourism (SECTUR) too. Hotel occupancy for the first 5 months of 2012 was up by 19% in Puerto Vallarta placing it as one of the most popular international destinations in Mexico.

So, Is Puerto Vallarta safe for tourists? It seems that yes it still is.

source: information provided by the PR firm working with the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board.

Craig travels around the world to write tales of travel aimed to encourage and inspire others to take and make adventure in their life. And after calling Mexico home for over a year, it secured a special place in his heart. He continues to return often and often considers it his second home. You can find more of his travels on his Stay Adventurous site and follow him on his Twitter: @stayadventurous..

Craig Zabransky

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Tagged as: 2012 Study, Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, Safety, Security Assessment, TDA, Thomas Dale and Associates