Chaos in Puerto Vallarta puts the spotlight on Americans retiring abroad

The blizzard hammering the East Coast might have you dreaming of a beach paradise. The reality could be a nightmare.

Locals and tourists in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, are dealing with ongoing violence after the killing of a Mexican cartel boss.

Located on Mexico's Pacific coast in Jalisco, Puerto Vallarta isn't some off-the-beaten-path spot for adventurous vacationers. It's a mainstream tourist destination that also has its fair share of American retirees.

These photos show the destruction and chaos that have taken place across Mexico. Satellite images also show the seriousness and extent of the violence, including fires, roadblocks, and burning cars.

And problems weren't contained to Mexico. Dozens of flights were forced to divert as a result. Check out our map on the flight disruptions here.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said there is "peace, security and normalcy" across the country. However, on Monday afternoon, the US Embassy and consulates in Mexico issued a shelter-in-place order for US citizens in Jalisco, Baja California, Nayarit, and some other areas across the country

The chaos in Puerto Vallarta isn't just affecting US citizens in town for a beachside vacation.

Plenty of Americans have put down more permanent roots in the coastal city thanks to its low cost of living, which has also made it a hot spot for retirees.

Some Americans BI spoke to aren't going anywhere. Steve Polito, 49, who splits his time between New York and Puerto Vallarta, said he wants to stay to support the local community.

"I've experienced it firsthand and that's what keeps it going. People persevere here," he said.

Linda Armijo, 70, has been a regular visitor to Puerto Vallarta for 25 years. She's in the middle of a three-month stay and still feels safe in the city. She is most concerned about the locals missing out on their wages due to the shutdown.

"It's a minor inconvenience not being able to leave, but my biggest emotions are sadness and concern for the people of Puerto Vallarta," she said.

It's unclear if others will stay as committed to Puerto Vallarta as Polito and Armijo. BI spoke to one couple who cancelled an upcoming trip and is unsure whether they'll try visiting later.

The economic savings from living outside the US might be too good to pass up.

That's especially true for the millions of Americans struggling with retirement security, which sometimes means working into their 80s.