Mexico's Third Safest City: Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination in the state of Jalisco, continues to be perceived as one of the safest cities in Mexico. According to the latest National Survey of Urban Public Safety (ENSU) by the national statistics agency INEGI, only about 21-27% of the local population view their city as unsafe, which is significantly below the nearly 70% average nationwide.
The survey results highlight several factors contributing to Puerto Vallarta's safety. The city boasts a strong police presence, especially in tourist and central areas, enhancing walkability and local safety. Effective security measures in popular resort and tourist zones help keep violent crimes rare within these areas. The city's family-friendly environment and good infrastructure also support public safety. Notably, the incidence of violent crime is low, with petty theft being the most common issue, typically in crowded spots rather than residential or tourist areas.
These factors have helped Puerto Vallarta consistently rank among the top safest cities in Mexico. The city's safety perception rebounded into the top five safest Mexican cities in the latest data, with perceived insecurity rates around 21-27%, underlining its continued reputation.
In contrast, Culiacán, the capital of Sinaloa, has seen a significant deterioration in its security. According to the survey, 90.8% of residents feel unsafe, making it Mexico's most dangerous city. The ongoing war between the "Los Chapitos" and "Los Mayos" factions of the Sinaloa Cartel has contributed to this deterioration.
Other cities with a low perception of insecurity include San Pedro Garza García, the wealthiest municipality in Mexico, and Piedras Negras, Coahuila. Both cities reported low percentages of residents viewing them as unsafe, at 11% and 16.9%, respectively.
The survey also revealed that 25.4% of participants expect crime and insecurity in their city to worsen over the next year, while 25.1% think it will improve. Interestingly, 32.5% expect it to remain equally bad.
However, there is a significant gender gap in the perception of safety in urban areas, with 68.5% of women reporting insecurity compared to 56.7% of men.
A notable development in the drug war landscape was the alleged kidnapping and transfer of Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, to the U.S., where he was arrested in July 2024. The average daily number of murders decreased by 21, to 65.6 in June, compared to 86.9 in September 2024.
The survey did not provide specific data on the gender gap in the perception of safety for individual cities or municipalities. Nonetheless, the data underscores the importance of continued efforts to improve safety in urban areas across Mexico.
[1] Source: National Survey of Urban Public Safety (ENSU), 2025 [2] Source: Jalisco Tourism Board, 2025 [3] Source: Coahuila State Government, 2025 [4] Source: Puerto Vallarta Municipal Government, 2025 [5] Source: INEGI, 2025
- Despite having one of the lowest perceived insecurity rates in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta's local news often covers politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice to maintain transparency and ensure citizens stay informed.
- In contrast, the high crime rate and insecurity in Culiacán, frequently reported in the local news, has resulted in a negative impact on Sinaloa's politics and overall image, casting a long shadow over the state's north region.
