SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — There was relief at the arrivals hall of San Francisco International Airport as one of the first flights from Puerto Vallarta back to the Bay Area landed Monday night.
“A lot of people’s flights were canceled yesterday and folks that were canceled yesterday were hearing that they might not be able to get out until Thursday or even into the weekend,” said traveler Doug Leighton.
Many people ABC7 Eyewitness News spoke with say much of Puerto Vallarta is still reeling after violence erupted following the killing of a prominent Mexican drug cartel leader.
San Francisco resident Josef Pipoly said he was on vacation just outside Puerto Vallarta when he and his friends heard the news.
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While eating at a restaurant, Pipoly says the manager suddenly rushed up to their table.
“Says ‘we can’t serve you. You have to leave. Leave right now.’ We said, ‘Why?’ ‘The cartel’s coming,'” said Pipoly.
Pipoly says he saw members of the cartel putting up road blocks around the city, as well as smoke and flames from burning cars.
An experience he says felt surreal and, at times, downright scary.
“For me, I’m a diabetic. And so I had enough insulin for a couple days, but I’m like if this lasts a couple more days,” said Pipoly.
MORE: Bay Area residents stuck in Puerto Vallarta amid unrest after killing of drug lord ‘El Mencho’
The fallout has been quick.
Cruise lines are canceling stops in Puerto Vallarta. Travel experts say this is a sign that shows the damage happening to Mexico’s tourism economy.
“Already we’re seeing deals that we weren’t seeing before in part because demand has dropped,” said The Points Guy’s Clint Henderson. “So you can see an instant reaction in travel bookings looking ahead.”
Pipoly says he still has friends in the city waiting to come home.
But for all the fear tourists have, he says it’s also important to recognize the experience of people living there.
“What really became real was when I saw the fear in their eyes and on their faces,” he said. “It’s a subtle reminder that this is the life that they live.”
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