Puerto Vallarta Gay Travel

wolfyy’s Puerto Vallarta gay guide to the best gay hotels, resorts, beaches, gay bars, clubs & things to do.

The Gay Travel Experience: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Without a doubt, Puerto Vallarta is Mexico’s most popular gay travel destination. Dozens of gay hotels, fun gay beach clubs and energetic gay bars have kept the LGBT community coming back for decades, especially in winter.

Another reason why Puerto Vallarta is so popular is the city’s high density of gay resorts, hotels, bars and beaches. The local gay scene is super concentrated, making the city a convenient destination for groups of gay travelers.

Puerto Vallarta is also relatively inexpensive for American and Canadian tourists, and the region has fantastic weather through the winter season

Even with all the English-speaking tourists though, Puerto Vallarta maintains an authentic Mexican charm you’ll love.

Is Puerto Vallarta Gay Friendly?

Yes, Puerto Vallarta is absolutely gay-friendly! I’d even say it’s the most gay friendly city in Mexico. You’ll see gay flags everywhere as you walk the cobblestone streets.

With literally dozens of gay bars and clubs, it’s pretty easy to see how welcoming the city is to the LGBT community.

Puerto Vallarta Gay Hotels, Resorts & Where to Stay

The majority of Puerto Vallarta gay hotels and resorts are in Zona Romántica and Amapas, the two neighborhoods that comprise the city’s gay area. Most gay travelers prefer accommodations here.

I definitely recommend Zona Romántica, especially for its convenience. Hotels here are close to the gay beach and a short walk to most gay bars, clubs and restaurants.

Renting beautiful private villas along the mountainside south of Zona Romántica is another popular option. I’ll mention more about these below!

Gay Resorts in Puerto Vallarta

Almar Luxury LGBT Resort is the most upscale gay resort that’s directly in the heart of the gay area. They have a modern and consistently updated interior. Associated with the Mantamar Beach Club, they’re pretty much the hub of gay Puerto Vallarta.

Blue Chairs Resort by the Sea is the other iconic oceanfront gay resort in Puerto Vallarta. Everyone loves their easily accessible beach bar that wraps around from the beach side to the street.

Keep in mind though, that Blue Chairs Resort is an older hotel with a reputation of being a bit noisy. If you’re always ready to party and want the best location in town for an affordable price, stay at Blue Chairs.

If you’re looking for tranquility and five-star service, I’d instead recommend checking out one of the smaller boutique properties mentioned below!

Gay Hotels in Puerto Vallarta

Casa Cupula Boutique Gay Hotel is a highly-rated 19-room hotel in the Amapas neighborhood. The hotel is perched above the seaside, offering incredible views. Amenities include a pool club, spa, fitness center and complimentary rides down to the local beach area.

Piñata PV is a popular Puerto Vallarta gay hotel in known for their rainbow-striped swimming pool. The property is highly rated for being fun, clean, modern and located in the center of the gay area. They also have a popular clothing-optional hot tub!

One of the most affordable gay hotels in Zona Romántica is Hotel Mercurio. Their location is unbeatable and their staff is incredibly friendly. Plus, you grab some food and drinks around their pool area.

Luxury Villa Rentals

Does a secluded, natural retreat sound like a better option? Luxurious villa rentals in Puerto Vallarta are hugely popular with travelers who prefer to be away from the denser areas of town.

You can find some truly stunning Amapas – Conchas Chinas villa rentals on VRBO. You’ll be able to get a ton of space, private pools and phenomenal views.

Conveniently, accommodations in these neighborhoods are only a five-minute drive from the gay area.

Villa rentals are also ideal for anyone visiting with a group of friends. It’s pretty easy to find villas with anywhere from three to six bedrooms.

Jet’s Gay Hostel

A ton of gay travel websites mention Jet’s Gay Hostel, but I haven’t met anyone who has actually stayed there. So, I booked a few nights during my first trip.

Jet’s Gay Hostel is one of the most inexpensive places to stay in Puerto Vallarta. While it’s definitely not a luxury accommodation, it does satisfy a niche. It was a relatively standard hostel, with bunk beds, privacy curtains, electronic code entry and a small fridge.

My experience at Jet’s was great. The staff member who tidied up every day was kind and eager to learn about the guests. Other guys in the hostel during my stay were polite. I felt completely safe sharing the space with them.

Centro Hotels

If you’re finding Zona Romántica accommodations to be a bit expensive or already booked, hotels in the neighboring Centro neighborhood are a good alternative.

Hotels in Centro, also known as downtown Puerto Vallarta, tend to be a little cheaper than those in Zona Romántica. The walk from Centro to the Playa de Los Muertos gay beach area takes about 15 to 20 minutes.

A couple of LGBT-friendly Centro Hotels to consider are Hotel Rio Malecon and Suites Plaza del Río. Both are extremely affordable.

Puerto Vallarta Gay Travel Experiences

Get yourself oriented with the most vibrant part of Puerto Vallarta by walking the streets of Zona Romántica and Centro. Los Arcos is a fun spot to walk through after sunset to see street performers.

Before you relax at the beach clubs and bars, here are two quick local sightseeing experiences. First, stop by Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The structure is particularly pretty while lit up at night.

Browse Cuale Island Flea Market, a cluster of outdoor shopping stalls between Zona Romántica and Centro. While you’re there, walk across the wooden suspension bridges that links the two neighborhoods.

The Puerto Vallarta Gay Beach

Gay guys love to spend their days at the local gay beach. You’ll find the Puerto Vallarta gay beach is at the very southern tip of Playa de Los Muertos, a long stretch of the most popular beachfront.

It will be obvious when you arrive, with everyone in their sexy swimsuits socializing and splashing around in the waves.

Plenty of men park themselves in the sand between the Blue Chairs Resort and the Mantamar Beach Club. I personally like Ritmos Beach Café for their kind servers and fast service.

The beach is generally busiest between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM. After 5:30, the area quickly empties out as everyone heads to dinner.

Lounge at Mantamar Beach Club

Mantamar Beach Club & Bar is a staple of the Puerto Vallarta gay travel experience. Everyone spends at least one afternoon lounging by the iconic glass-walled pool or visiting for evening cocktails. The vibe at Mantamar is very relaxed, but there’s definitely a fun energy with background lounge/house music playing all day.

It’s best to make reservations for Mantamar to secure a specific number of chairs, or stylishly lounge in a cabana. If you would rather not commit ahead of time, just drop by day-of. Put in your name and then chill on the beach until space is available.

Local Beaches: Playa Amapas & Conchas Chinas

There are plentiful options offering seaside serenity away from bustling Playa de Los Muertos. If you’re comfortable climbing some steep pathways, continue walking south.

First, you’ll stumble upon the picturesque Playa Amapas. Waves crash over rock outcrops along the shore, leaving lovely little channels of flowing water.

Even farther south, you’ll reach the dreamy Playa Conchas Chinas. You probably won’t find a tourist in sight at this beach. There’s plenty of open sand to claim.

The shoreline pathway continues southward, leading next to Playa las Estacas before the farther remote areas occupied by private resorts.

If you plan on making the journey over to these local beaches, a sweat-absorbing handkerchief and some cleansing skin wipes will definitely come in handy.

Gay Gyms & Spas

Squeeze in a quick workout or spend an afternoon at one of Puerto Vallarta’s gay fitness centers or spas.

The Fit Club is the most well-known local gym in Zona Romántica. It’s popular for incredibly cheap daily and weekly rates in a convenient location. While The Fit Club isn’t marketed specifically as a gay gym, you’ll find that the majority of the men there are gay.

For something more upscale that offers more of an experience, try the Casa Cupula Gym & Spa. They’re a luxury gay gym in Puerto Vallarta that offers massage treatments, spa dining and a pool.

Daily, weekly and monthly rates are available. If you’re a Casa Cupula Hotel guest though, everything is included!

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Grab Slushies at Blondies

The alcoholic slushies at Blondies Loft + Slushbar are perfect. Sit down and relax or grab them to go. In the humid heat, you’ll be glad you stopped by.

Blondies has tables along the sidewalk as well as an indoor loft space seating. Ordering to go is simple as well, since they sell drinks at a bar right on the sidewalk.

Restaurants in Puerto Vallarta

Here are some of my favorite Puerto Vallarta restaurants to you get the most authentic experience and avoid tourist traps.

Don Chava Taqueria Cantina

You absolutely have to eat at Don Chava Taqueria Cantina. I had some of the best tacos al pastor here. The food was so good I came back twice!

They’re super inexpensive, have friendly service and they’re centrally located. Don Chava’s sidewalk seating is great for people watching, too.

Mariscos el Guero: Seafood Tacos

Mariscos el Guero is a superb alternative to traditional tacos, serving delicious seafood tacos and other traditional Mexican entrées. Super cheap (about $1 USD per taco) and undiscovered by tourists, Mariscos el Guero is definitely a restaurant worth trying. Note they’re closed on Wednesdays.

Apaches Martini Bar

I love the upbeat ambiance of Apaches Martini Bar. They’re one of the most popular casual gay restaurants in town. The owner is a sweetheart, too!

A rowdy dinnertime crowd takes over the sidewalk with chatter you can hear from a block away. If you’re traveling in a larger group, this restaurant is definitely the place to be.

Fredy’s Tucan Restaurant

Fredy’s Tucan is an amazingly delicious LGBT-friendly restaurant in Zona Romántica. They serve breakfast and lunch, offering authentic Mexican food and traditional items like pancakes and egg dishes.

You might be tempted to think Fredy’s Tucan is a bit of a tourist trap. But their tasty food, fantastic ratings and convenient location make this restaurant an easy pick.

Puerto Vallarta Gay Bars & Clubs

There are so many gay bars in Puerto Vallarta that finding which suits you best can be difficult. Having tried almost all of them while spending nearly two weeks in Puerto Vallarta, so I’ll gladly help you decide.

Mr. Flamingo

You can party any day of the week at Mr. Flamingo, the most popular Puerto Vallarta gay bar. Perfect music selections, an open-air feel and space for dancing always attracts a crowd. They have one of the earliest happy hours in Puerto Vallarta, usually starting at 2:00 PM!

Earlier in the evening, Mr. Flamingo is calmer as vacationers casually grab drinks. Later on, this hangout packs in with a great mix of English and Spanish-speaking partiers.

CC Slaughters

My favorite part about CC Slaughters is dancing in the thick clouds of the fog machine. CC’s is quite a popular bar with more of an intense ambiance in a dimly-lit bar. The venue is medium sized, so it doesn’t take too massive of a crowd to feel full.

While CC’s is not the most prominent gay club in town, I certainly wouldn’t skip it!

Paco’s Ranch

The only gay bar in Puerto Vallarta that’s open until 6:00AM, Paco’s Ranch is definitely a crowd favorite.

No matter what type of traveler or partier you are, Paco’s is welcoming and is sure to entertain. There’s a pretty steady crowd throughout the evening, but the bar really fills up when all the neighboring establishments close for the night.

Get ready for a wild night after 4:00 AM when the late-night partiers fill in. It’s easy to dance into the early morning hours at Paco’s, especially considering the abundant 20 Peso Jell-O shots. Paco’s has pretty good drag performances, too. They’re usually on the shorter side, with the last performance at 3:00 AM.

Industry Gay Nightclub

Industry is definitely the best place to go if you like house/electronic music. This is one of Puerto Vallarta’s bigger gay clubs. Expect pulsating beats in a warehouse-style space with high ceilings.

Colorful laser lights, a dark interior and a fantastic bar attracts lots of guys, especially those who love a good circuit party.

Industry tends to be much busier on weekends, but you’ll still find dancing on weeknights. It just won’t be jam-packed Cover charge for entry is 60 Pesos at the door.

CO-DE Gay Club

CO-DE is the biggest gay club in Puerto Vallarta and is my personal favorite. The multilevel balcony-style venue is remarkable. I don’t often get the “travel chills”, but this awesome nightclub experience (with my newly-made local friend Luis), really impressed me.

The sound system, special effects, attentive staff and entertainment makes CO-DE one of the most unique clubs I’ve been to in a long time. On weekends, the staff concertedly hands out hundreds of sparklers during a monumental song as the time approaches midnight.

For those who dislike the traditional thumping gay club, you will probably have a great experience at CO-DE. This isn’t a club where everyone takes their shirts off. People here dress quite stylishly. I would compare it to a chic New York City nightclub.

Expect a mixed crowd of LGBT travelers and our straight allies. I would consider CO-DE to be more of a “straight-friendly” club, since it’s technically a gay club. General cover charge to enter is 100 Pesos.

Divas Bar

Sing along to entertaining drag performances at Divas Bar. Briefly stopping into Divas felt like being at a miniature drag show at a gay bar in New York.

The crowd at Divas Bar is quite diverse, so you’ll find more than just gay men. The LGBT crowd along with some allies attend for a night of dinner, drinks and shows.

La Noche Gay Stripper Bar

La Noche is a pretty popular gay club and stripper bar in Puerto Vallarta. I love their rooftop terrace. The lighting is cozy and there are plenty of areas to lounge around. In my opinion, La Noche is a fantastic spot for solo travelers to go out to make some new friends!

During the week they have some of the most popular drag shows in town. Entry cover fee is 60 Pesos.

La Chachalaca

Expect a relaxed, casual vibe at La Chachalaca, a perfect happy hour spot. It’s great to visit after the beach, before dinner. The bar is less than a five-minute walk from the central part of Playa de Los Muertos. They have open-air seating overlooking a quaint garden area on a street near the beachfront.

You can’t miss La Chachalaca with their gay pride flags lining the bar’s facade. They offer cheap happy hour specials, too. I recommend this gay bar for groups since there’s a lot of space and seating.

La Cantina Margarita

Directly adjacent to Mr. Flamingo’s, La Cantina Margarita is calmer option. It’s a small gay bar with seating and some of the friendliest bartenders in Puerto Vallarta. I ended up laughing and talking with the bartenders after ordering a drink.

Margarita bar is also a good meeting point if you’re traveling with a group of friends. Since its more subdued and you can sit down with a drink while waiting for your crew.

More Gay Bars in Puerto Vallarta

The bars described above are the mainstays of gay nightlife in Puerto Vallarta, but that is certainly not all of them. Here are a few other places you may be interested in.

Wet Dreams is a subdued gay bar where you can watch gorgeous go-go dancers while perched on a bar stool. They don’t accept credit cards and require that you spend a minimum of $10 USD. It never seemed too crowded whenever I passed the bar.

Antropology Gay Dance Club is exclusively a nude male strip club. and the go-to spot to drool over male dancers. This place gets mixed reviews, which is typical for any given stripping establishment.

Puerto Vallarta Travel Tips

Dinnertime in Mexico is similar what Americans are used to. Restaurants fill up starting around 6:00 PM and most do not stay open past 9:00 PM. If you tend to eat late like I do (or even later like Spaniards in Barcelona), don’t let yourself miss dinner!

Grab Some Gay Swimwear

Haven’t had a chance to buy new gay swimwear before your trip? There are a few spots LGBT travelers can find some fun swimsuits and beach accessories.

Platinum Boutique Man is adjacent to the Blue Chairs Resort beach bar. They’re oriented toward the LGBT community and also carry towels if you forgot one.

Alternatively, you can shop at Liquid Men, a small boutique in the center of Zona Romántica. They have a wide range of clothing types.

When is Puerto Vallarta Busiest?

Puerto Vallarta is most popular from November to June, especially over holiday weekends. From July to October, there’s much more rain as well as the chance of tropical storms.

Gay nightlife is noticeably busier Thursdays through Sundays. This is mainly because of an influx of weekend travelers.

Avoid Tourist Trap Restaurants

Since Puerto Vallarta is such a popular tourist spot, you’ll encounter tourist trap restaurants and bars that charge high prices for low-quality food. You will generally find better, more authentic restaurants away from the waterfront.

Some of the restaurants with seating directly on the sand of Playa de Los Muertos are an exception in my opinion. Sometimes nothing beats a stylish beachfront dinner.

I’d definitely avoid any pub-like restaurants For example, places like Los Muertos Brewing & Pizzeria that play sports while serving overpriced pizza and pasta are not ideal.

Local Gay Events

Gay events in Puerto Vallarta happen all times of year. Gay Guide Vallarta’s Event Calendar lists local activities for the LGBT community. See what’s going on while you’re visiting.

They show events ranging from drag shows and karaoke to horseback riding. bird-watching breakfasts and boat tours.

Airport Taxis & Uber in Puerto Vallarta

Licenciado Gustavo International Airport (PVR) is about a 30-minute drive from Zona Romántica. Along the ride you’ll pass through the Marina Vallarta, Las Glorias and 5 de Diciembre neighborhoods.

It’s best to take a taxi cab from the airport, since Uber rides are not allowed to pick up riders in the immediate area (drop-offs however are allowed).

You can pre-pay for your destination according to the fixed rates right before you exit the terminal. They will write your price on a slip of paper. I recommend having a local landmark in mind to help orient the driver in the case you’re staying somewhere more remote.

If you’re frugal or simply prefer to use Uber, then walk across the footbridge that goes over the adjacent highway. This area is a bit dodgy, so be smart and avoid getting pickpocketed.

Aside from the airport pickups, Uber is widely available throughout Puerto Vallarta. Rides are generally inexpensive and come quickly.

Explore more of Mexico’s best gay travel destinations, including Playa del Carmen and the paradise island of Holbox.

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