Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta has an iconic reputation as an extremely welcoming LGBT-friendly destination. The town has an authentic Spanish atmosphere, and there are many gay hotels in the area. All accommodation options offer a great value for money, which is always a bonus when planning a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
It is worth mentioning that Vallarta Pride Festival, which attracts more than 15,000 people annually and now in its fourth year, is celebrated for 12 days in May. Meanwhile, the fourth LGBT Business Expo was co-hosted by Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit at the Casa Magna Marriott Resort in June 2014.
Riviera Nayarit
Located just ten minutes north of Puerto Vallarta International Airport, Riviera Nayarit is Mexico’s newest beach destination, presenting a fresh and refined view on Mexico.
The area begins at Nuevo Vallarta and continues north with 192 miles of stunning, pristine beaches against a dramatic background of the Sierra Madre Mountains.
LGBT Friendly Hotel Accommodation
…in Puerto Vallarta
There is a wide variety of LGBT-friendly accommodation options, ranging from resorts, hotel, lodges, bed and breakfasts and guesthouses. Here are the most popular options:
Casa Cupula Gay Hotel Boutique Guesthouse (Southside/Amapas) – this is a luxury boutique hotel in a picturesque location, which combines the fine décor of a boutique hotel, the intimate atmosphere of a guesthouse and the unique service of a B & B. Here you can enjoy gourmet food, cocktails, two pools, a gym and in-room massages.
(Story image from Casa Cupula)
Villa Mercedes
This is a uniquely beautiful boutique type hotel steps away from Los Muertos Beach. Villa Mercedes successfully mixes authentic historic hacienda–style charm with modern day amenities and a unique aesthetic décor. Master suites include private terraces and roof decks with ocean and city views.
Almar Resort Luxury All Suites & Spa
This luxurious beachfront resort on Los Muertos Beach includes a Master and Prime Suite with a private terrace that has an amazing ocean view—the perfect place for a romantic dinner. The Jacuzzi Suite is 516 sq. ft., and its private terrace has a jacuzzi so you can relax and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere. Both suites have iPod docking stations, Wi-Fi and 40” flat screen smart TVs.
Enjoy the beach on luxurious beach chairs at the Mantamar Beach Club and Grill.
…in Riviera Nayarit
There are a number of LGBT friendly resorts in this luxurious and beautiful area that enjoys values of inclusion. They all offer honeymoon packages for same-sex couples and perform wedding ceremonies in a pre-Columbian ritual in which couples are “united spiritually through the four elements”.
Four Seasons Punta Mita
This is a top-end resort situated in the luxurious gated community of Punta Mita, which is an oasis of turquoise waters and white-sand beaches that offer the best fishing, surfing, snorkelling, scuba diving and golf in the world. Choose one of the beautifully decorated Casita Rooms or Suites at this luxurious resort.
Hard Rock Hotel
This is an opulent all-inclusive resort that combines everything you would need for a dream holiday in an ultra modern and spacious environment. Sun, sea, sand, spa, gourmet dining and a fabulous circular pool are all a short step away.
Olivia and R Family Vacations are organising the first ever LGBT Family & Friends Event, from 9 – 16 July at the hotel.
Hotel Cielo Roio
Enjoy authentic Mexican charm in this beachside hotel in San Pancho, also known as San Francisco. The interiors are truly unique and creative and Cielo Roio is a great place for rest and relaxation. Enjoy its Bistro Organico, which offers healthy and delicious food that pays tribute to the area’s abundance of fresh seafood and indigenous produce.
The town is surrounded by a jungle, which is home of a variety of birds, iguanas and even jaguars among other fauna species.
LGBT Nightlife
…in Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta’s gay nightlife scene enjoys a vibrant and wide selection of nightclubs, bars, discos, cantina, lounges, antros and gay party venues. These are mostly situated in the Zona Romantica, also called Viejo Vallarta or old town, and include Vallarta Cora, Azul Agave Sky Bar, the rooftop of the Blue Chairs Hotel, Paco’s Ranch or CC Slaughter’s Nightclub. More casual nightspots include Anonimo, Apaches, Sama, Frida, La Noche, Los Amigos or Reinas.
Check www.gayguidevallarta.com and www.gogaypuertovallarta.com for all the latest listings of events and nightlife.
…in Riviera Nayarit
Choose between Billy Bob’s Bar in the historic port of San Blas, and Xaltemba Restaurant Gallery in the town of La Penita.
LGBT Friendly Beaches
…in Puerto Vallarta
Playa Los Muertos
Popularly known as the Blue Chairs area, Los Muertos features a famous beachfront bar, restaurant and resort on the southern end. Relax under the shade of the round thatched ‘palapas’, or soak up the Mexican sun on this beautiful beach.
This gay friendly beach, popular for over 20 years, stretches down to the livelier Green Chairs area for evening DJ tunes, allowing partying from sunset to sunrise.
Mantamar Beach
Dine in style at the Mantamar Beach Club Bar & Grill, situated on this beautiful stretch of Los Muertos Beach just by the Almar Resort, which offers comfortable surroundings, fabulous cocktails and great food created by Chef Thierry Blouet with the fresh regional products available from the Banderas Bay region. This is a state of the art day beach club with an infinity pool and Jacuzzi.
…in Riviera Nayarit
Sayulita Beach
The main beach near this unique secluded village is rarely crowded outside the Christmas and Easter periods. Enjoy personal beachside service from restaurants that provide beach chairs and umbrellas.
Lo de Marcos
The beaches here have beautiful golden sand and the azure waters are extremely calm’—situated by a sleepy fishing village, which encapsulates the authentic essence of Mexican village life.
San Pancho
San Pancho lies about 40 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, between the Sierra Madre Mountains, a lush jungle and the Pacific Ocean. This is a low-key quaint area with an authentic Mexican feel and known for its artistic community. There are a few restaurants and bars right on the beach.
LGBT Friendly Activities
…in Puerto Vallarta
Choose from many incredible and unique experiences:
Boano Thermal Springs with its open bar and BBQ dinner; Boano Gay Cruise offers both day and night time private charters; the Puerto Vallarta Sunset Party Cruise includes a snorkelling adventure, an open bar, snack and lunch, dance music and go-go guys.
Gay ATV Tours offer tailor made tours to remote villages or the PV botanical gardens; The Go Gay Jungle Adventure is a daylong adventure cruise, which includes zip lining, local Mexican food, tequila tasting and a hike to a beautiful waterfall.
For a detailed list of LGBT friendly daily events, visit:
…in Riviera Nayarit
Visit the historic port of San Blas where you can experience the prime bird watching spot. Here you can catch a glimpse of many exotic birds, including Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue Herons, White-Collared Seedeaters, Streak-Backed Orioles, Mexican Wood Nymphs and the Great Kiskadee.
Experience the ‘hippy chic’ vibes of Sayulita village with it’s surf and yoga culture.
Marietas Islands National Park
Explore the pristine natural beauty of this lush green environment, home to various species of birds including the blue-footed boobies. Several tour operators can arrange tailor-made tours around the Islands, which are one of the most bio-diverse sanctuaries in Mexico, made famous by Jacques Cousteau.
There are plenty of other activities available, including scuba diving or encountering whales, sea lions and dolphins in the Pacific Ocean’s warm crystal blue waters.
Oh good, a gay ATV tour to the botanical gardens. That way gay people can segregate themselves and not learn anything that straight tourists have to offer about flora and fauna.