Puerto Vallarta is set for a busy February as 16 cruise ships prepare to dock at our port. This increase in maritime traffic compared to last year highlights the city’s growing status as a top cruise destination, promising a steady flow of international guests and strong support for local businesses.

With less than two months to go, preparations are nearly complete for the 2026 Puerto Vallarta Race. Starting February 26, an international fleet will leave San Diego Yacht Club on the demanding 1,000-mile offshore course to Banderas Bay, where strategy, endurance, and seamanship converge.

Construction of the Amado Nervo Bridge continues to advance, linking Bahía de Banderas and Puerto Vallarta across the Ameca River. With structural piles nearing completion and work active on both sides, federal officials project the landmark bridge will be finished by late July or early August 2026.

Jalisco authorities are reviewing a possible subsidy for the Puerto Vallarta–Yelapa ferry to lower fares and boost demand. Tourism officials say the measure, along with future route expansion in Banderas Bay, could improve maritime access for residents and visitors.

Following 24 confirmed measles cases in early 2026, the Jalisco Health Secretariat has administered over 11,000 vaccines. New sanitary cordons and mobile modules in Mojoneras and Puerto Vallarta aim to curb the outbreak through permanent surveillance and public outreach.

Puerto Vallarta continues to rank among Mexico’s safest cities, placing eighth nationwide and first in Jalisco, according to INEGI’s latest ENSU survey. While rapid growth has slightly shifted perceptions, the city remains well below the national average.

January & February mark the most active months for whale watching in Puerto Vallarta, as the concentration of humpback whales reaches its annual height. During this peak window, Banderas Bay offers visitors the highest probability of witnessing surface behaviors.

Federal authorities have launched a coordinated effort to strengthen security across the nesting grounds of the green macaw in Cabo Corrientes. The increase in surveillance follows the discovery of three looted nests earlier this year, an act that poses a significant challenge to the reproduction of this endangered species.

After a year that delivered more than 20,000 free medical consultations, Puerto Vallarta is expanding the Doctor Tucán program in 2026. Newly approved operating rules support added neighborhood clinics, enhanced mobile services, and expanded diagnostics, strengthening access to essential healthcare for families across the city.

Puerto Vallarta’s City Council has approved a resolution urging federal authorities to clarify the legal status of Los Arcos de Mismaloya and move forward with its designation as a Natural Protected Area, supporting community efforts to protect the ecosystem and public beach access.