Puerto Vallarta in Mexico has become a focal point for Canadian tourists as an outbreak of violence led to the cancellation of numerous flights to and from the area. This has left many travelers, including B.C. resident Ryan Voutilainen, uncertain about their travel plans.

Ryan Voutilainen, who is staying in the Zona Romantica district of Puerto Vallarta with his partner, noted that their last night before departure felt completely normal. “Last night was a normal night. It was supposed to be my last night here in Puerto Vallarta,” he shared, adding that their evening was spent enjoying time with friends, completely unaware of the chaos that would unfold.

Upon waking, the couple learned about the unrest only when someone from home inquired if they were safe. Ryan explained that he didn’t hear anything unusual during the night, as their Airbnb had no outward-facing windows. “It was a friend of my partner and mine that was actually messaging us saying, ‘Hey, do you know what’s going on?'” he recounted, realizing in that moment the gravity of the situation.

As they began checking social media, they discovered reports of cars being set ablaze not only in Puerto Vallarta but across the state of Jalisco, where the town is located. “Only to find out later that this was something that was actually happening in multiple different locations across the city,” Ryan explained. To get a better view, he went to the rooftop of his Airbnb. What he observed was unsettling: “There’s nobody out there, there’s no car traffic, there’s no pedestrians. There’s no sign of any police enforcement.” He also witnessed a group set a car on fire in an intersection, a scene corroborated by accounts from locals he knew.

Throughout the day, the atmosphere grew tense as police presence increased alongside helicopters and smoke from burning vehicles. Ryan shared updates on social media, cautioning people not to be misled by sensationalized images suggesting widespread devastation. “I know I’ve seen a couple of pictures of where I’m staying, showing that the whole area’s on fire, and that’s certainly not the case, at least not at this point,” he remarked.

Despite the chaos, Ryan felt relatively safe in his secure building, though he expressed concern over their lack of supplies since they hadn't planned to extend their stay. “So that’s going to be now the thing, about if we’re going to, later on today, be able to leave and actually get something to eat,” he shared, noting that they were running low on available water. Ryan confirmed he was in communication with Airbnb to ensure they could stay an additional night, stating, “We’re good until tomorrow, at least at this point.”

As the situation unfolded, Ryan received a cancellation notice for his flight from Air Canada and minimal information from authorities. "All I have seen is something from Federal Affairs just telling that there’s a travel advisory now in place,” he said. Much like others in Puerto Vallarta, he and his partner registered with the Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) for updates in case the situation deteriorated.

Ryan described the experience as “interesting” but acknowledged the unexpected stress of being in such a volatile environment. “Never thought I’d be here,” he concluded, as he and his partner now wait to see how the next 24 to 48 hours unfold.

Canadians in the area are encouraged to register with ROCA for real-time updates and safety guidance during this troubled period.