“The one question everyone seems to ask is ‘Is it safe?’ With all the negative publicity about drug lords in Mexico, people are understandably concerned about traveling there. If I were going to a border town or one of the cities known for drug problems, my answer might be different. However, I have traveled alone to Puerto Vallarta and Yelapa four times in the past year and felt totally safe. On my last two trips, I spent a lot of time in non-tourist areas of PV to shop for furniture and other items for Casa Irene. Other than braving turbulent ocean waters in a small boat loaded down with construction materials during a major rain storm, I never felt in danger in any way! Yelapa is remote, reachable only by a water taxi or private boat and access points are very public. There is not much there of interest to drug cartels! As anywhere in the world, there is some theft, but keeping an eye on your property and locking it in the ‘bodega’ is all that is recommended. The people are generous with their help and with a large population of ex-pats in the area, people are accustomed and gracious to visitors from around the world. So, my answer to this question is always an emphatic ‘yes’.” - Judy