The recent unrest caused by the clash between the Jalisco cartel and the Mexican army made headlines. In this exclusive Q&A, Marival Group’s COO, Pietro Rizzuto, explains that their group—as did most, if not all, hoteliers in the area—responded quickly and decisively, ensuring their guests (your clients) were well taken care of every step of the way—and how everything is normalized.
1. Did the recent violence in nearby Puerto Vallarta and Jalisco affect daily operations, logistics and guest experiences at your Vallarta-Nayarit properties?
Our Marival Resorts properties in Riviera Nayarit and Punta de Mita have maintained uninterrupted operations and continued delivering full services throughout this period.
Our resorts—Marival Emotions Resort & Suites Riviera Nayarit by Mercure; Marival Distinct All-Suites & World Spa – Handwritten Collection; and Armony – a Marival Resort & Spa Punta de Mita – MGallery Collection—are located in the neighboring state of Nayarit, and the areas where our properties operate were not impacted by the recent incidents.
From a guest experience standpoint, some travelers encountered temporary inconveniences related to flight schedule adjustments. Our teams have been proactive in providing flexibility and on-the-ground support when needed.
All scheduled arrivals, including individual reservations, group programs, meetings, weddings, and events, have proceeded as confirmed, with on-site teams fully focused on guest comfort and continuity.
2. Can you tell us more about the collaboration between Marival Resorts and local/state authorities to ensure traveler safety and smooth transport between the airport and your resorts?
We remain closely aligned with official guidance and destination updates from local and state authorities. According to the latest communications, the Vallarta-Nayarit region is operating under safe conditions, supported by a strong federal and state security presence.
Puerto Vallarta International Airport is open and operational, flight schedules have normalized, and major highways and ground transportation services are functioning.
To support a seamless arrival experience, we encourage travel advisors to recommend pre-booked airport transportation through our preferred local partners, such as VIAGGIO and TRAFICTOURS, which helps minimize wait times and ensures dependable transfers into Riviera Nayarit and Punta de Mita.
3. What are you communicating to travel advisors and guests who may have safety concerns or are reconsidering travel to the region?
We understand that reassurance and transparency are essential when advisors are guiding their clients. Our communication focuses on sharing clear, timely updates and reaffirming that our Marival Resorts in Riviera Nayarit and Punta de Mita continue to operate normally with full services.
We also highlight that Puerto Vallarta remains open to tourism, with hotels, restaurants, beaches, and key attractions accessible to visitors.
To provide added peace of mind, we are offering guests arriving through March 1, 2026, the option to modify their travel dates without penalty, subject to terms and conditions. For later arrivals, standard cancellation policies apply. We also recommend pre-arranged airport transfers through trusted providers to further support a smooth arrival experience. For agents who do not yet have established provider relationships in the region, our team is available to support with recommendations and connections to vetted local partners.
4. How do you see tourism in Vallarta-Nayarit evolving in the coming weeks and months, particularly in light of Mexico’s efforts to reassure international visitors and stabilize the situation?
We are encouraged by the progress being communicated by authorities, along with the normalization of airport operations and transportation services, which together reinforce Vallarta-Nayarit’s position as a well‑established and resilient leisure destination. From our perspective, demand remains steady, and we’re seeing travelers continue to plan with confidence for the weeks and months ahead.
Looking ahead to the spring and summer travel season, we’re focused on highlighting the experiences that continue to draw visitors to the region—from family‑friendly programming and wellness offerings to culinary and cultural experiences that reflect the destination’s sense of place.
Our priority remains supporting travel advisors with timely, reliable information, operational consistency, and flexible solutions that allow them to sell the destination with confidence. We will continue monitoring developments closely and sharing updates as needed to ensure advisors and guests feel informed and supported.
