Oh jeez. I have to immediately inform my 83 year old parents who've been going to Mexico for over 35 years that it's not safe and they have to stop going!!! They spend a month there sometime during Jan/Feb.
Puerto Vallarta is still safe, imho. I haven't been there for 4 years but have gone there three times with them, they know the town, the locals know them by name (the guy on the pier with the restaurant passed away recently, but he knew my father on sight and always had tequila shots ready).
I've enjoyed each trip and the locals have always been very friendly. Make an effort to learn some of their language and they tend to be more friendly yet.