Three men have been ordered to stand trial after being caught with an endangered Vallarta Casquito mud turtle and homemade traps near a Puerto Vallarta wetland. The arrest marks a major step in protecting this rare species, found only in the Banderas Bay region.
More than 800 students at Solidaridad Elementary School in Ixtapa now have direct access to clean drinking water following the installation of a new school drinking fountain. Mayor Luis Munguía and SEAPAL Director Carlos Ruiz joined students for the inaguration.
Quick action by police and alert bystanders led to the arrest of a 20-year-old man who snatched a purse from two California tourists in downtown Puerto Vallarta. Officers recovered all stolen items and handed the suspect over to local prosecutors for legal processing.
Puerto Vallarta’s Free, Clean, and Certified Beaches Commission presented its 2025–2026 report, highlighting the collection of more than 21.8 tons of waste from beaches, rivers, canals and other waterways. The commission also reported progress toward Blue Flag certification for eight local beaches.
SEAPAL Vallarta has begun the second phase of drainage improvements in the Parque Las Palmas neighborhood, replacing an existing sewer line with a larger one to increase wastewater capacity. The six-week project aims to address longstanding drainage problems and improve services for local families.
Following preventive shutdowns to protect municipal infrastructure from Hurricane Simon, SEAPAL Vallarta has restored potable water service across the city. Utility officials advise residents to keep household reserves ready as weather monitoring continues.
Puerto Vallarta will present 28 experiences as part of Jalisco’s second annual Festival de las Ánimas, a statewide Día de Muertos celebration featuring nearly 350 free activities. From October 31 to November 2, the city’s program will connect traditional festivities with its Pacific coastline and fishing heritage.
Dr. Leslie Korn’s first feature-length documentary, BreakPoint: The Untold Story of the Constitution Express, is bringing a powerful chapter of Indigenous history to film festivals across North America this fall, with screenings in Calgary, Los Angeles, Richmond and beyond.
Puerto Vallarta is strengthening its efforts to protect stray dogs and cats through the new CERR program, a joint initiative with Rescatando Amor AC that focuses on sterilization, safe recovery, and returning animals to their communities while encouraging broader public participation.
Vallarta Cares has received first place in the interior of Jalisco at the 2026 Premio a la Generosidad Jalisco, recognizing its continued work providing food, health care, education and disaster relief to vulnerable people and families here in Puerto Vallarta.
