What was meant to be a typical vacation at Puerto Vallarta quickly shifted for Tampa resident Raymond Garcia.
Days spent sightseeing and nightlife with friends turned chaotic when cartel-related violence broke out Sunday after the capture and death of a Mexican drug lord in a town east of the getaway destination.
“We didn’t know if it was going to get any worse. We didn’t know how long this was going to last,” Garcia said. “I think that was the scariest part.”
Garcia is one of many American tourists left wondering how long the situation may affect their visit and if it would hinder their departure plans back home. Some have already reported being stuck.
More than 70 people died in the attempt to capture Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes and the aftermath, authorities said Monday.
Garcia said he first noticed smoke that became tough to ignore. Sights of charred vehicles and burned-down businesses would then follow.
A day later, while the immediate chaos had calmed, he described Puerto Vallarta as noticeably quieter, with several businesses still closed and fewer dining options available.
The violence also impacted travel plans. Airlines canceled flights in and out of parts of Mexico over the weekend. However, Mexico’s president has since stated that flights are expected to be fully restored.
Garcia is scheduled to return to Tampa and hopes his flight proceeds as planned.
The U.S. Embassy is still urging Americans in parts of Mexico including Puerto Vallarta to shelter in place as of its Monday update.
With spring break around the corner, TravelWorld president Don Oneal said the biggest mistake travelers make is canceling out of fear. Oneal urges travelers heading out in the coming weeks to monitor advisories, purchase travel insurance that includes emergency evacuation, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which allows the Department of State to accurately and quickly contact travelers in case of emergency.
“Air travel is a little up and down, but most of the problems are in northern Mexico — more than a thousand miles from Cancun,” he said. “Cruise lines are not going to sail a hundred-million-dollar vessel into an area where they think there’s a problem.”
Meanwhile, Tampa-based Grey Bull Rescue says it has launched “Operation Condor Reach,” positioning teams inside Mexico to assist Americans who may become stranded or unable to travel safely.
Despite the disruption, Garcia said the experience would not deter him from returning in the future.
“Don’t be afraid to travel because things can happen domestically or internationally,” Garcia said.