LGBT Getaways: Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is one of the favorite Mexican tourist destinations of the LGBT community. There are hotels, bars, nightclubs, beaches, and even drinks specifically for LGBT travelers, and due to the safety and welcoming environment for these guests, it is the first city in Mexico to receive the Gay Travel Approved distinction by GayTravel.com.

Every year Puerto Vallarta seems to become more popular as a gay vacation spot. With a great climate, beautiful ocean bay, beaches, mountains and lush tropical jungle as the setting, Puerto Vallarta is a small city devoted to serving the visiting traveler. While retaining much of its old style Mexican charm, Vallarta has over the years built up the infrastructure of a modern resort community. Internet cafes, ATM machines, fine restaurants, excellent airport, modern medical services, drinkable water supply, and a safe, tolerant environment are now all part of the Vallarta scene. So visiting a tropical paradise doesn’t have to be a choice between a modern but sterile place or the alternative of a quaint but primitive existence. Puerto Vallarta has all the quaintness, without compromising on any of the modern conveniences.

There is no shortage of epic gay clubs, laid-back cocktail bars, gay hotels or sexy hombres in the Zona Romantico, Puerto Vallarta’s Gay District – but today LGBT travelers will be welcomed almost everywhere in this tolerant and gay-friendly beachside town. In fact, Mexico, in general, is becoming increasingly gay-friendly as long ingrained cultural mind-sets change as evidenced by the bustling gay scene in cities like Guadalajara, Monterrey, Queretaro, and Puebla.

Affordable luxury, your global queer family, tropical heat and wild nightlife are just some of the highlights of Gay Puerto Vallarta, but there are many, many more. After all, there must be a reason why so gay travelers return here year after year after year.

Things to do in PV

Beaches

Just a few minutes walk from the Romantic Zone is the legendary Playa Los Muertos, an international party hotspot for gay boys who love to frolick in the turquoise seas or relax in upscale gay beach clubs. Very cruisy and great for people watching.

Blue Chairs – The original gay beach club that helped to solidify Los Muertos Beach as the gay beach, and it is still going strong today – even if it has somewhat faded from its golden days. Blue Chairs is instantaneously recognizable by its namesake dark blue deck chairs sitting beachfront which you can rent along with a town for the day as you enjoy food and drinks brought down by the beach waiters. There are frequent themed gay parties and popular happy hour specials at sunset to enjoy with the expansive bay/sea views.

Nightlife

The most surprising thing about Puerto Vallarta might be its number of gay bars and clubs. There are probably between one and two dozen of them, depending on how you classify certain establishments – some places are more “gay-friendly” than specifically “gay.” Most of the action happens at Paco’s Ranch & CC Slaughters.

LGBT-specific tours and events

Puerto Vallarta Carnival – Previously more gay-focussed but very much now a festival for everyone to celebrate diversity. Gay, straight, male, female, old and young, unicorn or Mormon, everyone gets on this epic party with colorful floats, street performances, dances and plenty of beads! Held annually in March.

Beef Dip – The biggest bear gathering in Mexico, and the largest in North America outside of the USA. An entire week of masculine fun with multiple pool parties, night events and boost cruise. This annual Bear and Leather Party takes place in January and brings all of the bears from Mexico’s northern neighbors out of hibernation.

Diana’s is one tour that LGBT visitors should definitely try to schedule. The all-day journey costs less than $90 USD and runs from October through July, drawing guests from around the world, plus a few locals. Diana has been operating the tours for 14 years, and they often sell out in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute to book. The cruise includes booze, appetizers, a stop at a private beach, lunch at a beachfront restaurant, and a snorkeling excursion at Los Arcos National Marine Park, a group of natural rock formations just off the coast.