Businesses in Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point, are urging visitors not to change their spring break plans after cartel violence in other parts of Mexico.
After the killing of Mexico’s most-wanted cartel leader by the Mexican military Sunday, retaliatory violence spread through many parts of the country. Some U.S. tourists found themselves stuck in the resort city of Puerto Vallarta after cartel members blocked roads and airlines cancelled flights.
But about a thousand miles away from the epicenter of Sunday’s violence, it’s business as usual in Puerto Peñasco. Except that some Arizona visitors are cancelling their spring break plans.
Local business owners like Will Dunn, who charters trips on his two-bedroom yacht, are working to calm tourists’ fears ahead of the busy spring break season.
“If a riot broke out in Florida, would us people in Arizona be concerned?” Dunn has been asking concerned customers.
Dunn has had one cancellation for safety concerns. Keith Allen with Encántame Resorts says their company has had around 80 cancellations since violence broke out in the Mexican state of Jalisco on Sunday.
“Hopefully people will come to their senses and realize the distance and the fact that it’s extremely safe here,” Allen said.
There have been no reports of violence or blocked travel on the stretch of highway between the Lukeville border crossing into Mexico and Puerto Peñasco.
The U.S. State Department has lifted all shelter in place recommendations for Mexico. Travel to and from the areas that experienced violence Sunday — including the cities of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta — has begun to resume.
In Puerto Peñasco, Allen is hopeful visitors who have canceled will change their minds.
“In Puerto Peñasco today it’s probably 72 degrees, sunny, no wind, beautiful beaches, everything is normal,” Allen said.
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