The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico updated guidance this week and lifted all restrictions on U.S. government staff in the country, signaling a return to more typical operating conditions after several days of disruption tied to unrest in Jalisco.
In its updated message, the embassy said commercial air service had largely stabilized, while advising travelers to confirm itineraries directly with carriers. It also noted that passengers whose nonstop flights to the United States are canceled may want to consider rerouting via another city in Mexico or the United States. The embassy added that it had “no reports of road closures directed by local authorities” at the time of the update, while still urging travelers to monitor local information for changes.
Travel conditions can change quickly in a country as large as Mexico, and the embassy’s update focused on immediate logistics, flight status checks, extra time at airports, and the possibility of last-minute schedule changes, rather than offering a blanket assessment of nationwide security conditions.
Puerto Vallarta Says Operations Are Normalizing
Local officials in Puerto Vallarta, one of the best-known resort destinations on Mexico’s Pacific coast, reported that flights and hotel operations were continuing normally as broader travel disruptions eased. A spokesperson for the area’s tourism department stated that flight schedules had returned to normal locally and that hotels were operating as usual.
The update comes after a period in which travelers reported uncertainty around airline operations and ground transportation in parts of western Mexico. While the embassy’s notice emphasized that aviation schedules were recovering, it also implicitly acknowledged the risk of continued volatility by encouraging travelers to plan for contingencies such as rebooking and alternate routings.
For travelers, the practical takeaway is that “normal operations” can be destination-specific: airports and hotels may operate as usual in major tourist centers even when nearby regions face heightened security measures or disruptions linked to local events.
State Department Advisory Remains Level 2, With State-by-State Differences
Even as operational restrictions on U.S. government personnel were lifted, the U.S. Department of State continues to list Mexico under a nationwide Level 2: “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory, while warning levels differ significantly by state.
According to the State Department’s map, several states are categorized at Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”), including Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. Meanwhile, Jalisco, where the weekend violence referenced in the report took place, is listed at Level 3 (“Reconsider Travel”), a category that also includes Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Morelos, and Sonora.
Popular Caribbean destinations Cancún, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen sit in Quintana Roo, which the State Department places at Level 2, with specific cautions that include heightened vigilance after dark and staying within well-lit, tourist-focused areas. Only Campeche and Yucatán fall under the lowest Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”) category, according to the same breakdown.
Practical Guidance for Travelers, Including STEP Enrollment
U.S. officials and travel-safety guidance emphasize preparation steps that are less about predicting events and more about improving responsiveness if conditions change. One widely promoted tool is the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), described by the State Department as a free service that provides email alerts and updates from U.S. embassies and consulates to travelers abroad.
The State Department also encourages travelers to review active advisories before departure and to understand entry requirements and other trip-planning basics through its official travel resources. In Mexico, where advisory levels vary by state, that approach helps travelers tailor decisions, such as routing, ground transportation plans, and nighttime movement, to the specific region they will visit, rather than relying on a single nationwide label.
