Tourists across Mexico are being told to shelter in place as cartel violence erupts

• The US State Department urged American tourists in parts of Mexico to shelter in place on Sunday.
• Violence erupted across the country after the local government killed a cartel leader.
• The US warned tourists of violence in Puerto Vallarta, Cancún, Tulum, and elsewhere.

The US and Canada urged their citizens in parts of Mexico to shelter in place on Sunday as a Mexican cartel retaliated for the death of its leader.

In a post shared on X at 11:22 p.m. EST on Sunday, the Department of State Consular Affairs wrote that US government staff will continue to shelter in place on Monday.

In videos shared online, burning vehicles and plumes of smoke could be seen rising from Puerto Vallarta and other cities in Mexico.

The US Embassy in Mexico said in a statement on its website that no airports have been closed, but most domestic and international flights were canceled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta. All ride-sharing services are suspended in Puerto Vallarta, the embassy said.

Puerto Vallarta media reported that cars near a Costco and several other stores were set on fire. Costco did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Impact on airlines and travel

Flights already on their way to the region from the US turned around, and Air Canada said it was suspending operations to Puerto Vallarta on Sunday and Monday.

"While no airports have been closed, roadblocks have impacted airline operations, with some domestic and international flights canceled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta," the US State Department said. "Seek shelter and remain in residences or hotels."

Flights to Mexico City, Edmonton, Houston, Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Denver, Detroit, and Toronto were canceled on early Monday morning, per the Puerto Vallarta Airport.

Puerto Vallarta is one of Mexico's most popular tourist destinations for Americans and Canadians. The area gained fame from the 70s and 80s show "The Love Boat," which was often set there.

The town, which is more popular during winter months, received 232,200 foreign visitors in December 2025, according to economic data curator CEIC. It has been attracting more foreign tourists over the last 10 years.

As the violence spread, the State Department updated its travel warning to include other popular tourist destinations in Mexico, including Cancún and Tulum.

The region is slated to host two major tennis tournaments this week: the Women's Tennis Association's Merida Open in Merida and the Association of Tennis Professionals' Mexican Open in Acapulco. The two organizers did not immediately respond to questions from Business Insider about whether the games will still take place.

Retaliatory violence

The Mexican government said the retaliatory violence came after it killed Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, on Sunday.

The State Department announced last week that it had sanctioned Kovay Gardens — a Mexican timeshare resort — and 17 other companies and five individuals linked to "timeshare fraud schemes" organized by the Jalisco cartel.

"Many of these individuals and entities are based in or near Puerto Vallarta, a popular tourist destination that also serves as a strategic stronghold for CJNG," a press release from the Treasury Department said.

In 2024, the US State Department said it would pay a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Cervantes. The department said that under Cervantes, the cartel has killed rival trafficking groups and law enforcement.

If you are on the ground in Mexico and have a story to share, get in touch with our reporters via email: ccheong@insider.com (Charissa) and @rshahidi@insider.com (Roya).