My friend Ventura Orozco made a great video interviewing tourists and locals here in Puerto Vallarta, in order to combat all negative misinformation you have probably seen on your TVs.

There appears to be a lot of paranoia north of the border about safety in Puerto Vallarta. The media is full of reports and, from what I've seen, 99.9 % of it is inaccurate, (I'll bet the reporters have never been here). The people who believe what they see on TV will tell you all sorts of stories, they are stupid, sorry a harsh term, but true. These same people have never even been here. Check out the Internet forums, like Trip Advisor and see what people, who have traveled here, have to say, nothing like first hand accounts.

The Local Police do a great Job

There is even a special force of male and female "Tourist Police" recognizable by their uniforms of white shirt, shorts and blue caps , like the two in this picture, Policía Turística, or sometimes with a Policia Municipal in a blue uniform. The members of this force all speak English, so if you need any help, even just directions, they are there to serve you. There are other officers in black caps that are the traffic police (Transito).

Puerto Vallarta has the, justly deserved reputation, for safety and security. It's quite safe to stroll back to your hotel at 3am without any hassle at all, but don't go to the beach at that time and take normal precautions, while we have very little crime for the size of the town, things do happen occasionally.

Then there are also Federal and State Police, plus several others, you'll see around, well armed, and also the army and marines will drive around with their guns, this is just the way it is in Mexico. Remember, also, that the system of law in Mexico is Napoleonic Law. In this system you are guilty until proven innocent. Don't get caught on the beach smoking weed, the beach is a federal jurisdiction and it will put a big dent in your wallet.