Pollution in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Went to el Tuito today on bus throat cleared immediately on arrival. Back in Pv. 3 hrs later Soar throat return ed immediately. Might try it again this week. Before
Going home. Will have to make a decision then

We have visited Puerto Vallarta for 10 years now. We come down for 2 weeks the same time every year. Last week of Feb and first week of March. I have noticed that alot of the Trees are in bloom. PV is a beautiful place with great people but... alas this is the fifth Winter vacation where I have been stuck in a hotel room. We are cutting this stay 2018 March 2 short by 8 days... and flying back to Canada. I cannot wait to see my Dr. Each year about Day 3 into vacation I start with sneezing, water eyes, then an intense cough that lasts for weeks. I did a complete allergy test with a Specialist back in Canada last year before we came down but he said I had NO allergies? At a loss, don't know if its the pollution (traffic in old town, something different in the Milk, or Pollen) This year just as in others --- I am retiring him sick and will need a vacation from not having a Vacation and recovering with one or two visits form my Dr. NO MORE PV. MEXICO for me.

My husband, me, and a friend from Hawaii went to PV for a week. On the third day, we all came down with bronchitis. My friend and I just couldn't shake it and had to take antibiotics. I am presently on Day 9 and am still in bed with no appetite and deep fatigue.

When we were in Mexico City last month my husband and I both caught colds. Mine hung on for weeks.

Is it the air quality? I certainly suspect so!

This the 5th year in PV area for me and the smoke, which also smells like trash being burned, is 100% worse than last year. I moved out to Nuevo the last 2 years as I couldn't handle the exhaust stench in downtown PV. I have to close my doors and windows every evening and only open them up later in the morning. I definately won't be returning here to holiday next year unless, by some miracle, it clears up. Do the not realize that they are suffocating the goose that lays the golden egg?

I just got back from 2 weeks in Old town. Last year went down for the same 2 weeks for the first time. I lucked out last year as it was still rainy season (Hurricance Patricia just missed PVR 3 weeks before I arrived and another tropical storm came and it rained 2 days). Rainy season I heard the pollution isn't as big of a problem as it rains and is windier so the pollution doesn't sit all day over the town and bay area as much. This year was less humid, not as windy and no rain (assuming the normal weather for the peak tourist season). The air quality was much worse and Day 3 I came down with a sinus infection. Luckily I wasn't staying in a place with A/C and had lots of fresh fruit juice and tea and was over the worst of it in 4 days but effects still lingering. I was a bit run down before I left this year which also contributed to getting sick.

The worst sinus infection I got was on a bus tour in Europe (triggered in Barcelona, similar topography to PVR) and the A/C on the bus kept me sick for 3 weeks.

I loved PVR (food, people, sights & activities) but will definitely hold off on going back I think.

I agree with Jeff about the buses and cabs. PVR has similar topography to Los Angeles and Barcelona where the air sits all day long. According to Numbeo the PVR air pollution is similar as those two cities. What the main difference is with PVR is the population isn't even 1/4th of either of those cities and half the economy is tourism based. I would guess the per capita # of cars on the road in PVR is also less than LA or Barcelona. I didn't see any big industrial areas flying into the city so part of the problem must be poor emission controls or regulations on the cars and buses (especially the buses!). Now these controls would drive prices up which could keep tourists away but so will the smog for those who are affected by it. All the buses are probably 30 years old and a lot of the cabs are 10-15 years.

It would be great if a small hotel or airport tax is introduced to pay to get these upgraded.

Especially for the residents of the city who live there year round.

I hold a Doctorate in Chemistry and a have Master's Degree in Engineering. I have worked for the United State EPA for 26 years before I recently began teaching as a University Professor. I was told about the Heavy Air Pollution in Puerto Vallarta Mexico by some US Citizens who have visited Puerto Vallarta numerous times over the years. They told me about the Puerto Vallarta Air Pollution concerns.
I was asked to visit Puerto Vallarta as their special guest several times last year. They wanted to know the Truth about the Air Pollution in Puerto Vallarta. While I was in Puerto Vallarta I completed numerous Air Pollution tests. The Good news is that the Air Pollution is not as Bad as Mexico City. The Air Pollution test results did indicate very clearly that the Air Pollution in Puerto Vallarta today is nearly as bad as the Air Pollution in and around Los Angeles California today.
I showed my Puerto Vallarta Air Pollution results to several city & several state Politicians
in both Puerto Vallarta and in that state Capital. I also showed them my US EPA Credentials.
I was treated with a great deal of Respect. I was also offered a Nice Cash Reward by several Mexican politicians if I would discard my Puerto Vallarta Air Pollution test results. I said I would think about it. I then quickly departed Mexico with all my test results. My advice to every one who lives in Puerto Vallarta today, is relocate to another city in Mexico ASAP where there is NO serious air pollution, if you can find a city in Mexico without any serious air pollution. The Air Pollution in Puerto Vallarta is extremely unhealthy and dangerous to all humans visiting or living in Puerto Vallarta. It will get much worse as time goes on.

Robert, I have to agree with your assessment of the air quality in PV. I have been coming to PV for over 15 years and I believe that the air quality is getting worse. Previous to last year, I never had health problems here.

Last year I got a bad cough and bronchitis, had to see a doctor. This year it only took me about 2 weeks to get what appears to be a cold, runny nose and a cough. Then it disappeared, only to re-appear again two weeks later.