On February 22, 2026, the Mexican government, under President Claudia Sheinbaum, killed the prominent cartel leader, El Mencho.
Following his death, violence and unrest has sparked throughout the country, especially in the state of Jalisco, where Mexico’s second-largest city, Guadalajara, and the tourist hotspot of Puerto Vallarta are located.
With Spring Break just around the corner, many travelers have been anxiously wondering whether their Mexican getaway will be affected by the violence.
According to the U.S. State Department’s travel advisory map, Jalisco is marked as an orange-reconsider travel. Other popular tourist destinations, such as Baja California Sur (Los Cabos San Lucas) and Quintana Roo (Cancún and Tulum), are marked as yellow-exercise increased caution.
The unrest has caused many travelers to either delay their plans or cancel their trips altogether. Freshman Stephen De La Cruz, who was planning to visit his grandparents in Guadalajara, has since had to cancel his trip. “The airports and stuff are still open, but it’s super unsafe so we had to cancel. I’m kinda sad, but at least my family over there is safe,” De La Cruz said.
As authorities continue to monitor the situation, travelers are advised to stay informed about the latest news and pay attention to official travel advisories. With the safety of both residents and visitors in danger, the coming weeks will be crucial for the spring breakers planning trips to Mexico’s popular destinations.
