gay puerto vallarta

Puerto Vallarta earns its spot as top LGBT tourist destination

This May, Puerto Vallarta will celebrate its 4th annual Vallarta Gay Pride event. It’s estimated that the event brought 18,000 tourists to the area in 2015 and expected to increase this year.

Vallarta Pride is an opportunity for the city to demonstrate its friendliness, community of inclusion, and world-class tourism industry to the LGBT community.

The area along the Mexican Pacific coast has been a celebrated stable in LGBT tourism for years. With its mix of traditional Mexican culture and modern amenities, it has grabbed the attention of gay travelers worldwide.

With Puerto Vallarta’s bustling nightlife, miles of beaches, lush nature, luxury resorts, and recent state approval for same-sex marriages, Puerto Vallarta is increasingly recognized as a top destination for gay travelers, including gay destination weddings and honeymoon destination for the LGBT community.

Puerto Vallarta is a top destination for the LGBT community, not only because of the friendliness of the locals, but also for the amount of entertainment available to the community at the destination.

Popular LGBT businesses and entertainment in Puerto Vallarta by Out Traveler:

NIGHTLIFE:

ANONIMO: This good-time cantina is a friendly place to stop for a Corona or evening cocktail. It’s small and a bit hard-to-find, but when you get there, keep your eye out for drag shows and some seriously sexy bartenders.

CC SLAUGHTERS: This nightclub is relatively new, opening in 2011, but has already become a P.V. institution. Billing itself as the “premier club in Puerto Vallarta,” this gay venue is an off-shoot of the Portland, Ore. club. There’s a martini lounge on one side and a wild, multi-level dance club on the other.

PACO’S RANCH: Don’t let the humble name fool you, this is a big ol’ discotheque, akin to something in Ibiza. The music is loud, the lights pulsating, and the dancing doesn’t stop until 3 a.m. It’s not the most sophisticated place in the world, but after a few rounds of tequila shots, you’ll be dancing to “Y.M.C.A.” with everyone else. Great drag shows, too.

OUTDOORS/BEACH

PLAYA LOS MUERTOS: Puerto Vallarta’s most famous beach is a mile of yellow sand stretching sound of the Cuale River. Thronged, but not uncomfortably crowded, with vacationers, fishers, and strollers, the beach is classic P.V. Beach clubs and restaurants line the playa. Check out the Blue Chairs Beach Resort, a gay-friendly beach club that doubles as a hotel option.

THE MALECON: The grand boardwalk of Puerto Vallarta. Strolling through this grand walkway, rebuilt after a devastating 2002 storm, is a wonderful way to get a handle on the city. You’ll hit the main town square, the Plaza de Armas, as well as amphitheaters, street art, and historic churches. Food stalls, trinkets, artists, and musicians also make the Malecon an unforgettable highlight of P.V.

RESTAURANTS

TRIO: Popular since opening in the Clinton era, Trio’s Mediterranean food is renown. Try the Lebanese salad (baked beets, goat cheese, and parsley) or the Chile roasted red snapper filet over vegetable ratatouille. As inviting is the food is the ambience; the restaurant occupies a restored townhouse, with numerous levels and an open courtyard.

DAIQUIRI DICK’S: A local favorite for decades, as well as a tourist draw, Daiquiri Dick’s sounds like a sad Senor Frog’s type of place, but it’s not. The Mediterranean/Mexican/Asian fusion is delicious and hearty, pours on drinks are substantial (obviously, you have to try a daiquiri), and the views of the Playa de los Muertos (beach) divine.

RED CABBAGE: Named the best Mexican food in P.V. by Arthur Frommer’s Budget Travel, Red Cabbage is a bit of a hike from the beach, but worth it. This is authentic Mexican food, served in a colorful atmosphere (literally) with the work of local artists on the wall and much love shown to national treasure Frida Kahlo. Smoke-free and cash-only.

WHERE TO STAY

CASA CUPULA: This property describes itself as “one of the world’s finest gay luxury boutique hotels.” Don’t expect the smell of bleach and weenie roasts on the patio; this property may cater to gay tourists, but it offers professional massages, not “massages” (not that there’s anything wrong with that!). The rooms are spacious and modern and the gym will help you burn off those margaritas.

WESTIN RESORT AND SPA PUERTO VALLARTA: Reviews are glowing for this family-friendly, yet romantic, hotel. Massive in size and with all the amenities you can desire, this will provide all the creature comforts for those who expect nothing less than immaculate rooms, tidy pools, and excellent service. The pool is amazing.

HOTEL MERCURIO: Another boutique hotel that caters to the LGBT crowd, Hotel Mercurio is centrally-located in Zona Romantica. Very close to the beach, and pretty much everything, Mercurio is a perfect pick if you’re not high-maintenance and really want to experience P.V. Happy hour, from 3-6 p.m., shouldn’t be missed.

Recommended places by OutTraveler



Trending News on PVDN

  • Two More Puerto Vallarta Beaches Are Awarded Blue FlagsTwo More Puerto Vallarta Beaches Are Awarded Blue Flags Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - In the upcoming 2023-2024 season, Puerto Vallarta is set to host six beaches awarded with the Blue Flag accreditation, an esteemed international recognition for high environmental and quality standards. The Blue Flag committee has reconfirmed the status for four previously certified beaches while conferring this prestigious title to two new beaches…
  • Tactical Groups Are Added to the Streets and Beaches of Puerto VallartaTactical Groups Are Added to the Streets and Beaches of Puerto Vallarta Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - As a component of the safety strategies initiated at the Citizen Security Police Station, members from the Tactical Operations Group (GOT) have been bolstering street patrols all over Puerto Vallarta. Following directives from Commissioner Rigoberto Flores Parra and Mayor Luis Alberto Michel Rodríguez, these officers ensure a visible and protective presence…
  • Popocatépetl Volcano Resumes Activity; Authorities Maintain Alert StatusPopocatépetl Volcano Resumes Activity; Authorities Maintain Alert Status PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - After a period of relative calm last week, Mexico's Popocatépetl volcano resumed minor activity on Friday night and through Saturday night, as reported by the National Civil Protection Coordination (CNPC). This comes following significant explosions last weekend that put nearby communities on high alert. The resumed activity was characterized by minor…
  • Puerto Vallarta Set to Celebrate 105th Anniversary as Municipality and 55th as a City with Grand FestivitiesPuerto Vallarta Set to Celebrate 105th Anniversary as Municipality and 55th as a City with Grand Festivities PUERTO VALLARTA - The coastal paradise of Puerto Vallarta is poised to celebrate two landmark anniversaries: the 105th anniversary of its recognition as a municipality and the 55th anniversary of its elevation to city status, with a grand commemoration on May 31, 2023. The celebrations have been meticulously planned by the municipal government led by…
  • Mothers Searching For Their Missing Children Uncover Presumed Clandesant Grave in Puerto VallartaMothers Searching For Their Missing Children Uncover Presumed Clandesant Grave in Puerto Vallarta PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) - A team of mothers seeking their missing children made a chilling discovery on the outskirts of Puerto Vallarta Saturday afternoon: a skeleton, fragments of bones, and several indications pointing towards a potential site of illegal body disposal. The area of discovery, located near the road to Viejo el Veladero, close to…
  • American Tourist In Critical Condition in Puerto Vallarta After Wave Breaks His NeckAmerican Tourist In Critical Condition in Puerto Vallarta After Wave Breaks His Neck Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - "Experiencing your sibling in critical care, confessing your love to him, anticipating the worst... it's a nightmare no one should have to endure," shared Adam Griffis. Adam's younger brother, Evan, is struggling for survival in a medical facility located in Puerto Vallarta. The 30-year-old experienced a freak accident while swimming last…
  • Recent Protests Disrupt 40% of Puerto Vallarta’s EconomyRecent Protests Disrupt 40% of Puerto Vallarta’s Economy Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - Tourism, a critical sector of Puerto Vallarta's economy, has been severely affected by protests, suffering both reputational damage and direct harm to visitors. Alejandro Torres Magaña, General Manager of the Puerto Vallarta Hotel and Motel Association, cited missed flights and hotel delays as significant issues.
  • Volcanic eruptions in Mexico and the dangers of fetishizing natural disastersVolcanic eruptions in Mexico and the dangers of fetishizing natural disasters Ash from the volcano has been falling heavily for a few weeks now, but Sunday was much worse. Nevertheless, many people still had to work outside all day, despite the hazards. The fish and vegetable street vendors were working, a woman was pacing up and down my street selling flower bouquets, the pizza and taco…
  • Puerto Vallarta News Brief with Felipe Alvarez for May 26, 2023Puerto Vallarta News Brief with Felipe Alvarez for May 26, 2023 Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - The Puerto Vallarta News Brief covers the top trending stories of the week on Vallarta Daily News and is hosted by Felipe Alvarez.
  • Mexico's Vacation Rental Boom is in Full Swing and Puerto Vallarta Isn't Left OutMexico’s Vacation Rental Boom is in Full Swing and Puerto Vallarta Isn’t Left Out Puerto Vallarta (PVDN) - The vacation rental industry in Mexico is currently thriving, marking an unparalleled period of success. From January to March 2023, INEGI recorded an impressive influx of nearly 18.8 million international visitors. This figure represents an increase of 3.87 million visitors or 25.9% when compared to the corresponding period in 2022. During…

Compare Listings

Title Price Status Type Area Purpose Bedrooms Bathrooms