By Bill Bell | October 13, 2026
Storm information based on NOAA’s 09:00 UTC advisory, October 13
Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit begin Tuesday with an offshore hurricane still demanding attention, while the airport operator has brought forward its reopening schedule.
Hurricane Simon remained a Category 1 hurricane in NOAA’s early Tuesday advisory, with maximum sustained winds of approximately 145 km/h (90 mph). Its centre was near 20.6°N, 107.2°W, moving slowly northwest.
NOAA continued a hurricane warning for Islas Marías and a hurricane watch for part of western Mexico’s coast. The forecast kept Simon offshore in the near term, with a possible approach to the mainland later this week. Heavy rain, flooding, mudslides, dangerous surf and rip currents remained concerns. Source: NOAA/National Hurricane Center, Discussion 24.
What this means for Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit
The offshore position is encouraging for communities concerned about the hurricane’s strongest winds. Our assessment is that the immediate focus should remain on coastal water conditions, local flooding and safe access, rather than treating the storm’s distance from shore as an all-clear.
Conditions can differ considerably between communities. An airport reopening does not establish that every beach, road or neighbourhood is safe.
Puerto Vallarta airport: reopening brought forward
Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico announced a two-stage reopening, replacing its earlier plan to keep the airport closed until 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Official aircraft operations resumed at 2:30 p.m. Monday, with opening to all flights, including commercial services, scheduled for 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. Individual airline schedules remain subject to confirmation. Passengers should check directly with their airline before travelling to the terminal. GAP’s reopening announcement; La Jornada’s report detailing the timetable.
San Blas: coastal flooding reported
N+ reported Monday that storm-driven seawater flooded at least three neighbourhoods in San Blas. That report underlines why communities farther north along Nayarit’s coast must continue following local instructions even as attention shifts away from Puerto Vallarta. Source: N+, October 12 report.
Roads and local services
We have not verified a comprehensive reopening notice for the coastal road network. Travellers should confirm their particular route before departure and should never drive through floodwater or around a closure.
Likewise, earlier school, beach and business restrictions should not be assumed lifted without a new local announcement.
For residents and visitors, the practical message remains: confirm flights, check local access, respect coastal restrictions and continue monitoring official updates. Simon remains an active hurricane.