Published on : 25 Feb 2026
🟢 RECOVERY UPDATE | Published: February 25, 2026 | Last Updated: February 25, 2026, 8:00 AM EST
Previous Alert: US Embassy Security Alert issued Feb 22 — Shelter-in-Place across 14 Mexican states Current Status: ALL shelter-in-place directives LIFTED ✅ — US Embassy Update 6, February 24, 2026 Cancún / Quintana Roo: ✅ FULLY CLEARED — normal operations since Feb 23 Puerto Vallarta (PVR): ✅ Flights resuming — extra services Feb 24 — nighttime curfew still in effect for US govt staff Guadalajara (GDL): ✅ Flights normalized Feb 24 — nighttime curfew still in effect for US govt staff Tijuana / Baja California: ✅ Normal operations restored Remaining Restriction: Nighttime curfew for US government employees in GDL, PVR, Ciudad Guzmán, Tijuana — does NOT apply to private citizens Airline Waivers: Active — United through March 4, Delta through March 7 Cruise Lines: Norwegian Bliss, Royal Princess, Holland America Zuiderdam — PVR calls CANCELLED this week Carnival Panorama: March 3 PVR call — UNDER REVIEW Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas: March 13 PVR call — UNDER REVIEW Airbnb: “Major Disruptive Events” policy ACTIVE in Jalisco — penalty-free cancellations for guests AND hosts
The chaos is over. The alerts are lifted. Mexico is open again — but with important caveats, active waivers still to be used, cruise itineraries still being reshuffled, and an ongoing security picture in western Mexico that every traveler needs to understand before their next trip.
US citizens are no longer urged to shelter in place. That sentence — confirmed in the US Embassy Mexico’s Update 6, issued February 24, 2026 — closes three days of the most dramatic Mexico travel security event since the pandemic. The US Embassy removed its shelter-in-place directives for Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara on Tuesday, after pulling them for all other Mexican cities and regions earlier.
But “lifted” does not mean “over.” This article gives you the complete, verified picture — what has changed, what hasn’t, which flights are running, which waivers are still available and how long you have to use them, which cruise ships are still skipping Puerto Vallarta, and what the next 30 days actually look like for Mexico travel.
Understanding the full arc of this event is essential for travelers, travel agents, and anyone trying to assess Mexico’s current safety status. Here is the complete official timeline, drawn directly from US Embassy alerts:
Sunday, February 22, 2026 — Update 1 (Original Alert): US Embassy issued shelter-in-place orders across Jalisco State, Baja California, Quintana Roo, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Michoacán, Oaxaca, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas following cartel roadblocks, burning vehicles, and criminal activity after the Mexican Army killed CJNG leader El Mencho in Tapalpa, Jalisco.
Sunday, February 22, 2026 — Update 2: Orders expanded. US government staff in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Ciudad Guzmán, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Reynosa, Tijuana, and Michoacán directed to shelter in place Monday February 23. All airports confirmed open but roadblocks impacting operations with most domestic and international flights cancelled in both Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta.
Sunday, February 22, 2026 — Update 3 (10:54 PM CST): Shelter-in-place orders firmed and extended. US government staff travel to Mazatlán prohibited through Wednesday February 25.
Monday, February 23, 2026 — Update 4: Situation returned to normal in Quintana Roo, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas. Shelter-in-place for GDL, PVR, and Ciudad Guzmán remained active.
Monday, February 23, 2026 — Update 5: Situation returned to normal across Baja California, Quintana Roo, Colima, Guanajuato, Estado de Mexico, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, and Zacatecas. Shelter-in-place remained active only for Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Ciudad Guzmán in Jalisco state.
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 — Update 6 (CURRENT): US citizens are no longer urged to shelter in place. Flight schedules have returned to normal in Guadalajara and many airlines have extra flights planned for February 24 in Puerto Vallarta. Both airports are secure and amenities are available. US government staff in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Ciudad Guzmán, and Tijuana are subject to a curfew during nighttime hours. US government staff in Jalisco State and Monterrey have been directed to remain inside their metropolitan areas.
The critical distinction: The nighttime curfew for US government staff is NOT a travel advisory for private citizens. It is an internal operational restriction on federal employees. American, Canadian, British, and Australian tourists are free to move throughout Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara during daylight and evening hours. Standard situational awareness remains advisable.
The US Embassy lifted its shelter-in-place directive for Cancún and the broader Quintana Roo region on February 23, just 24 hours after the initial alert. The all-clear confirmed the security situation had returned to normal. Cancún’s State Department travel advisory sits at Level 2 — the same rating currently applied to France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. That designation did not change as a result of this week’s events.
Cancún airport is operating normally. All airlines are running full schedules. All resorts, transfers, and tourist facilities in the Hotel Zone are fully operational. If you are booked to Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or Cozumel in the coming weeks — there is nothing to rebook or change.
Flight schedules have returned to normal in Guadalajara and many airlines have extra flights planned for February 24 in Puerto Vallarta. Both airports are secure and amenities are available.
Airports in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara are open, domestic flights resumed on February 23, and international flights resumed on February 24. Shelter-in-place orders have been lifted. Travel to the airport only if you have a confirmed flight, and it is safe to do so.
Airlines including Air Canada, Porter, WestJet, American, Delta, and United have all resumed or are resuming PVR services. Extra flights have been added to clear the backlog of stranded passengers. If you are heading to PVR in the next few days — confirm your flight is active before travelling to the airport.
Flight schedules have returned to normal in Guadalajara. International flights resumed February 24. The airport is fully secure with military presence on-site. Multiple flights are operating at both Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara airports.
Normal operations have been restored. The CBX Cross Border Xpress San Diego–Tijuana connection is operating. Baja California state is fully cleared.
The US Embassy’s prohibition on staff travel to Mazatlán was through Wednesday February 25. That restriction has now passed. Mazatlán airport is operating normally.
This is the most time-sensitive section of this article. Several airlines still have active waivers that give you penalty-free rebooking rights — but they expire within days. Here is the exact current status of every major carrier’s Mexico waiver:
Delta’s waiver covers Puerto Vallarta (PVR) and Guadalajara (GDL). Original travel dates covered: February 22–26, 2026. Rebooking deadline: New travel must be rebooked and begin by March 7, 2026. Delta is waiving change fees and fare differences, provided travelers stay within the same cabin of service. If a flight is cancelled and no acceptable alternative is found, travelers are eligible for a full refund to their original form of payment.
Action: You have until March 7 to rebook or travel under this waiver. If you postponed a PVR or GDL trip this week, this is your window to rebook penalty-free for late February or early March.
United’s waiver covers Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. “You can reschedule your trip and we’ll waive change fees and fare differences. Your new flight must be a United flight departing between February 22, 2026, and March 7, 2026.” Tickets must be rebooked for travel before March 4.
American Airlines has a waiver for travel through GDL and PVR through February 24, allowing customers to rebook without change fees. American’s waiver window is the tightest — if you have an American ticket affected by this event, act today.
Southwest’s offer covers travel through February 25. Southwest’s waiver expires today. If you have not yet used it, contact Southwest immediately.
Air Canada is running flights into Puerto Vallarta from Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, and Guadalajara from February 24–25. Air Canada’s waiver terms apply to original bookings made before the crisis — check aircanada.com for your specific ticket status.
WestJet announced that flights to Puerto Vallarta will operate as scheduled, with the safety of guests and partners remaining the top priority.
Porter restarted flights to PVR on February 24 with modified schedules — passengers should verify flight times before travelling to the airport.
Summary waiver deadlines:
| Airline | Waiver Expires | Covered Cities | Book By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | TODAY Feb 25 | PVR, GDL | TODAY |
| American Airlines | Feb 26 | PVR, GDL, MZT | TOMORROW |
| United Airlines | March 4 | PVR, GDL | March 4 |
| Delta Air Lines | March 7 | PVR, GDL | March 7 |
| Air Canada | Check aircanada.com | PVR, GDL | — |
| WestJet | Check westjet.com | PVR | — |
The aviation recovery is moving faster than the cruise industry. Here is the complete status of every affected cruise line:
Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam was supposed to call at Puerto Vallarta on February 23, 2026. The cruise line’s security team cancelled the planned visit to prioritize passenger and crew safety. The Zuiderdam subsequently proceeded to Ensenada on February 26 and returned to San Diego for debarkation February 27. This call is concluded — no further impact.
Royal Princess was slated to call at Puerto Vallarta on February 25. The 142,229 gross-ton Royal Class ship skipped the port. “We’ve made the decision to no longer call to Puerto Vallarta on Wednesday, February the 25th. Rest assured that this decision has been made with the safety and security of you — our guests — and of course the crew as our top priorities,” a loudspeaker announcement on the ship informed passengers. Royal Princess is proceeding to Cabo San Lucas and returns to San Pedro, California on February 28.
Passenger compensation: Princess Cruises is offering onboard credit to affected passengers as compensation for the missed port call. Check the Guest Services desk on board for your individual compensation details.
“The safety and wellbeing of our guests, crew and the communities we visit are always a top priority. Due to ongoing security operations and the recent US travel warning issued for select areas in Mexico, Norwegian Bliss’s scheduled call to Puerto Vallarta on February 25, 2026 has been cancelled. We are closely monitoring the ongoing situation and any additional itinerary updates for ships scheduled to call to Mexico in the near future will be communicated directly with impacted guests.” Norwegian Bliss headed straight for Mazatlán as her second port of call instead. Without an alternative port available, she likely spent Wednesday at sea.
MSC Cruises USA said sailings to Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico, are currently operating as planned, but that shore excursions may be adjusted or cancelled. MSC’s eastern Mexico itineraries were unaffected — Quintana Roo has been cleared since February 23.
Royal Caribbean said it doesn’t have ships currently in the affected areas, but some of its excursions in Ensenada, Mexico, were affected. Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas is scheduled for Puerto Vallarta on March 13. No changes have been announced. Cruise lines will continue to monitor and evaluate each ship’s visit individually.
Carnival Panorama is scheduled for Puerto Vallarta on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. At this time no changes have been made. Cruise lines will continue to monitor the situation in Puerto Vallarta and will only stop at the port when it is safe to do so.
The March watch list: Any cruiser with a Puerto Vallarta port call between now and March 20 should monitor their cruise line’s official app and website daily. The security situation has normalized but the underlying volatility from post-El Mencho CJNG leadership succession means “pop-up” incidents remain possible. Cruise lines are making individual go/no-go decisions for each ship on a rolling basis.
This is a critically important development that most travel coverage has completely overlooked.
Airbnb told CNBC it had activated its “major disruptive events policy” in Jalisco state and other affected regions. That policy overrides the host’s individual cancellation policy, allowing travelers and hosts to cancel reservations without consequences. “We are monitoring this situation carefully and are focused on supporting guests and hosts in impacted areas,” an Airbnb spokesperson said.
What this means practically:
For guests: If you have an Airbnb booking in Jalisco state (which includes Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Chapala, and surrounding areas) with check-in dates during the covered period, you can cancel and receive a full refund — regardless of what the host’s individual cancellation policy says. The “major disruptive events” policy overrides a strict, non-refundable, or super-strict policy entirely.
For hosts: You can cancel guest reservations without the normal penalty to your Superhost status or star rating. If you are a host in Puerto Vallarta or Guadalajara who had guests cancel, your host performance metrics are protected.
How to claim: Open the Airbnb app, go to your reservation, and select “Cancel” — the system should automatically detect the policy activation and process a penalty-free cancellation. If it does not, contact Airbnb Support directly and reference the “Major Disruptive Events” policy for Jalisco, Mexico, February 22–February 24, 2026.
Note: This policy has specific covered dates. If your booking falls outside those dates, standard cancellation policies apply. Verify your specific booking window with Airbnb Support if you are uncertain.
The shelter-in-place is lifted. The flights are running. But for travelers planning Mexico trips over the next 90 days — especially spring break and World Cup — understanding what comes next is essential.
Security analysts warn that the “fragmentation” of the CJNG could lead to weeks of localized conflict as rival factions vie for control of the multi-billion dollar trafficking corridors. For the traveler, this means that even if the roadblocks are cleared today, the threat of “pop-up” violence remains elevated in western Mexico.
The specific areas of ongoing concern are concentrated in western Mexico — Jalisco, Nayarit, Michoacán, Colima, and Guerrero — where CJNG’s territorial influence is most direct. Eastern Mexico tourist destinations — Cancún, Riviera Maya, Tulum, Cozumel, and the Yucatan Peninsula — are structurally less exposed to CJNG succession violence. The State Department Level 2 advisory for Quintana Roo (same rating as France and Italy) did not change and is not expected to change.
The World Cup dimension: Guadalajara is scheduled to host FIFA World Cup matches in June and July 2026. With Guadalajara preparing to host matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June, the sudden destabilization of the region raises serious questions about long-term security. The Mexican government and FIFA have significant mutual incentive to ensure stability in host cities — but the post-El Mencho landscape is genuinely unpredictable in the near term.
The practical spring break verdict:
Thousands of travelers were stranded at resorts in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara during the shelter-in-place — unable to leave for the airport and unable to rebook flights that weren’t running. Here is what they are owed and how to claim it:
Hotels in Puerto Vallarta are working closely with airlines to accommodate travelers who need to adjust their travel plans. Many properties are honoring airline-issued waivers and allowing guests to change their booking dates without penalty. If you had to extend your hotel stay because flights were cancelled, contact your hotel directly and reference the US Embassy security event. Most major resort properties are offering one-to-one date transfers without penalty for guests stranded during February 22–24.
If your airline cancelled your flight during the crisis and you do not wish to rebook: under US DOT regulations (for US-based travelers) and similar rules for Canadian and European carriers, you are entitled to a full cash refund to your original payment method. Do not accept a travel credit unless you genuinely prefer it.
If you have trip cancellation or trip interruption insurance, the US Embassy shelter-in-place order for the February 22–24 period constitutes a covered “government-issued travel advisory” event under most comprehensive travel insurance policies. Contact your insurer now — do not wait until you return home. Most insurers require claims to be filed within 30 days of the triggering event.
If you have Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage: you can cancel any upcoming Mexico bookings and recover 50–75% of non-refundable costs regardless of whether the specific advisory applies to your destination.
Passengers on Holland America Zuiderdam, Princess Royal Princess, and Norwegian Bliss whose Puerto Vallarta port calls were cancelled are entitled to onboard credit as compensation for the missed port. Amounts vary by cruise line. Check with Guest Services on board or contact the cruise line’s customer service post-voyage.
See the dedicated Airbnb section above. Penalty-free cancellations under the Major Disruptive Events policy are available for Jalisco-area bookings during the covered period.
| Destination | Embassy Status | Flights | Cruises | Tourist Facilities | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cancún (CUN) | ✅ CLEARED Feb 23 | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal | ✅ Fully open | ✅ Travel normally |
| Playa del Carmen | ✅ CLEARED Feb 23 | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal | ✅ Fully open | ✅ Travel normally |
| Tulum | ✅ CLEARED Feb 23 | ✅ Normal | N/A | ✅ Fully open | ✅ Travel normally |
| Cozumel | ✅ CLEARED Feb 23 | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal | ✅ Fully open | ✅ Travel normally |
| Cabo San Lucas | Never affected | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal | ✅ Fully open | ✅ Travel normally |
| Puerto Vallarta (PVR) | ✅ CLEARED Feb 24 | ✅ Resuming | ⚠️ Some ships skipping | ✅ Mostly open | 🟡 Allow 5–7 days |
| Guadalajara (GDL) | ✅ CLEARED Feb 24 | ✅ Normalized | N/A | ✅ Mostly open | 🟡 Allow 5–7 days |
| Tijuana (TIJ) | ✅ CLEARED Feb 24 | ✅ Normal | N/A | ✅ Open | ✅ Travel normally |
| Mazatlán (MZT) | ✅ CLEARED Feb 25 | ✅ Normal | ✅ Normal | ✅ Open | ✅ Travel normally |
| Riviera Nayarit | ✅ Area cleared | ✅ Via PVR | N/A | ✅ Open | 🟡 Monitor closely |
If you cancelled a Mexico trip due to this event and want to rebook: Use Delta’s waiver (through March 7) or United’s waiver (through March 4) to rebook penalty-free. These are your best windows — wider dates and longer booking windows than American or Southwest. Book now before spring break inventory tightens further.
If you are booked to Puerto Vallarta or Guadalajara this week: Confirm your flight is active before going to the airport. Extra flights have been added — your original flight may have been changed. Call or check the airline app the evening before departure.
If you have an Airbnb in Jalisco state: Check the Airbnb app for the “Major Disruptive Events” cancellation option. If your booking falls within the covered dates, process your penalty-free cancellation before the policy window closes.
If you are on a cruise with a future Puerto Vallarta call: Monitor your cruise line’s app daily if your ship visits PVR between now and March 20. Carnival Panorama (March 3) and Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas (March 13) are the next two ships to watch. Cruise lines will notify guests of any changes directly through the app and onboard announcements.
If you filed a travel insurance claim: Contact your insurer this week if you haven’t already. The triggering event — US Embassy shelter-in-place order, February 22–24, 2026 — is well-documented and officially confirmed. File within 30 days of the event.
If you are planning a spring break or summer trip to Mexico: Cancún, Cabo, and eastern Mexico are fully clear and unaffected. Puerto Vallarta is recovering — give it one more week before departure. Guadalajara city tourism — give it 7–10 days for full normalization. Western Mexico destinations adjacent to Jalisco — monitor State Department advisories at travel.state.gov.
| Resource | Contact |
|---|---|
| US Embassy Mexico official updates | mx.usembassy.gov |
| US State Department Mexico advisory | travel.state.gov |
| STEP enrollment | step.state.gov |
| Delta Air Lines Mexico waiver | delta.com/travel-alerts |
| United Airlines Mexico waiver | united.com/travel-advisories |
| American Airlines travel alert | aa.com/travel-alerts |
| Air Canada flight status | aircanada.com |
| WestJet flight status | westjet.com |
| Airbnb Major Disruptive Events support | airbnb.com/help |
| Canada government Mexico advisory | travel.gc.ca/destinations/mexico |
| UK FCO Mexico travel advice | gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/mexico |
| FlightAware PVR live status | flightaware.com/live/airport/MMPR |
| FlightAware GDL live status | flightaware.com/live/airport/MMGL |
For now, Cancún is open, operational, and welcoming visitors. So is Cabo. So is Tulum. So is Cozumel. Eastern Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations came through this event completely unscathed and are operating normally today.
Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara are recovering. Flights are back. Hotels are open. But cruise lines are still making day-by-day decisions on PVR port calls, airline waivers give you through March 7 to adjust your plans without penalty, and the underlying security picture in Jalisco state warrants close monitoring for the next two weeks.
Use your waiver now if you want to adjust. Travel to Cancún without hesitation. Give Puerto Vallarta one more week. Watch the March cruise watch list closely. And register with STEP if you are traveling anywhere in Mexico this spring — so the Embassy can reach you directly if the situation changes.
Mexico’s travel season did not end on February 22. It paused. And as of today, February 25 — it has resumed.
Published: February 25, 2026. Information sourced from US Embassy Mexico official Security Alert Updates 1–6 (February 22–24, 2026), Canadian government travel advisory for Mexico, Travel Weekly, TheStreet, CBS Atlanta, CBS Texas, CNBC, The Traveler, Travel Market Report, Cruise Hive, Cruise Fever, Cruise.Blog, FlightAware, and official airline travel advisory statements from Delta, United, American, Air Canada, Southwest, WestJet, and Porter. All figures accurate as of 8:00 AM EST February 25, 2026.
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Posted By : Vinay
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