GAY PUERTO VALLARTA
Gay Puerto Vallarta, Mexico’s number one gay destination, is a beach-lovers paradise and home to a charming gay neighborhood, great bars, a lively circuit scene and superb dining. It is safe, warm and welcoming – all the perfect ingredients needed for the perfect tropical escape.
Puerto Vallarta, or PV to those in the know, is a true gay paradise by the Pacific Ocean. This bustling small city of cobbled streets is nestled between Bahía de Banderas and the tropical forests of the nearby Sierra Madre mountains.
Vallarta has stunning beaches and a charming romantic old town. Restaurants serve authentic Mexican and International cuisine with style. Add to this a throbbing, vibrant gay bar scene and it’s no wonder Puerto Vallarta is North America’s number-one gay beach destination.
Puerto Vallarta attracts a lot of repeat visitors, mostly gay men. And while time seems to pass a little slower, visitors will find something new during each trip. The beach resort is in a constant state of reinvention while still maintaining that real-town feeling with a local community and a warm welcome.
The combination of history, reinvention and the ever-evolving gay scene make Puerto Vallarta an enduring escape.
DINING
Dining out in Gay Puerto Vallarta is a foodie’s dream come true with everything from beachside restaurants to traditional Taco stands, offering fresh seafood and meat dishes from the traditional to the truly exotic. Most of the best restaurants are close to the gay Zona Romantica.
Breakfast and Coffee
- Beachside breakfast is a must at La Palapa. Enjoy amazing views while you dine on the sandy shore of Puerto Vallarta.
- Coffee lovers should check out Dees Coffee near the pier for their caffeine and wifi fix!
- Fredy’s Tucan is something of a breakfast institution, very popular with gay visitors and serves traditional breakfast dishes with Mexican options.
Beachside Dining
- Our top recommendation has to be El Dorado, with impressive views of Puerto Vallarta and a fresh take on traditional Mexican cuisine.
- Daiquiri Dick’s offers a delicious menu with superb service right by the oceanfront. Enjoy classic Mexican cuisine with fresh local ingredients and excellent vegetarian options. A great option!
Authentic Mexican
- If you want authentic Mexican cuisine, visit Cafe Olla, close to the gay bars on Lazaro Cardenas. Cheap and cheerful, their cheese with meat dish always hits the spot!
Something Special
- Treat yourself at least once to dinner at Cafe Des Artistes. Superb service, beautiful decor, and an eclectic wine list make this restaurant one of our favourites in all of Mexico. Their fresh tuna is divine, and their signature dessert of Bitter Chocolate Tart with Pink Pepper and Red Fruits is sublime.
- For something truly memorable in a stunning setting, head to the hills and visit Casa Kimberly, the former home of Liz Taylor and dine at The Iguana.
- Noroc is a sophisticated beachfront dining experience serving fusion seafood dishes and a sublime cocktail list.
- Bistro at Casa Cupula Puerto Vallarta combines flavours and textures in unique dishes from Asia, Mexico and the Mediterranean.
- Bravos Puerto Vallarta encourages you to try something new, something unexpected, and the food never disappoints.
Something Gay
- No trip to Gay Puerto Vallarta would be complete without a visit to The Swedes, a delightful gay-owned restaurant in Púlpito with an ever-changing menu and charming terrace bar.
- Savante by Chef Polo Cortes is a gay owned and operated restaurant offering Fine Dining culinary experiences, located in the centro district.
Authentic Cuisine
- Cafe de Olla is one of the best-known restaurants in PV, famous for its authentic Mexican food or “Comida Mexicana.”
- Ok, Jose! specializes in delicious Mexican contemporary cuisine with unique dishes not found elsewhere in Puerto Vallarta.
- Jorge’s Hideaway Shrimp Shack – Family owned and run hidden gem offering outstanding traditional dishes and excellent service.
- Martini en Fuego – Simple, tasty and delicious dishes from steaks, to burgers, fish and seafood with an authentic Vallarta vibe.
BAR HOPPING
Anonimo – Huge terrace on the second level, perfect for people-watching.
Antropology was the only strip bar in town for years, and even with competition, it is still going strong in Puerto Vallarta.
Apaches – A popular lesbian-owned restaurant and bar on the main street of the romantic zone of Puerto Vallarta.
Blondies bar is a good stop-off point on your way back from the beach in Puerto Vallarta. Also perfect for an alcoholic slushie on the way to or from the beach.
CC Slaughters is where the boys like dancing once the bars close. On the opposite corner, you will discover Paco’s Ranch, the successor to the infamous Club Paco. Paco’s is a mix of tourists and locals thanks to its low drink prices, camp shows, and ample dance floor.
Divas Bar – Dinner, drinks and a show are a must at Divas with crazy Drag Queens and a fun mixed crowd.
Garbo – This piano bar is popular with everyone, the sort of place you can take your straight friends in Puerto Vallarta.
Industry, located close to the busy gay bars, is Vallarta’s late-night dance venue. While the club opens at 11 pm, it gets busy from around 1 am. The club is open until 3 am. Enjoy fantastic light and sound, sexy gogos and world-class DJs. One of the newest and definitely the largest gay clubs in Puerto Vallarta.
La Cantina – Close to Mr Flamingo, but with a more relaxed vibe and friendly bartenders.
La Chachalaca – Fun happy hour and great for post-beach or pre-dinner drinks, just five minutes from the beach.
La Margarita Bar – Located right next door to the famous La Noche bar, La Margarita Bar is a fun Cantina style bar with a relaxed vibe.
La Noche is one of the best bars in Puerto Vallarta, a must-visit in town, and famous for its hot GoGos and chilled rooftop lounge.
Los Amigos – Cantina Style Gay Bar Sawdust on the floor, a packed pool table and cold beer.
Mr Flamingo – Busiest bar in Puerto Vallarta with an open-air feel, space for dancing, and the earliest happy hour, starting at 2 pm.
One Six One – Stylish bar and lounge with live DJs, craft cocktails, patio, and rooftop.
Reinas – there must be a Queens’s bar in every city, and Puerto Vallarta is no different.
Studs – Puerto Vallarta’s only Bear & Leather Bar, home to the Bearadise Parties.
The Top Skybar is Gay Puerto Vallarta’s hot spot with stunning sunset views, great cocktails and a delicious tapas menu. Located high above the Mantamar beach club.
The Corner Bar – Sexy bartenders and friendly service are hallmarks of The Corner Bar where they invite you go get “Un poco f*cked Up”. Great Martinis and cocktails.
Wet Dreams is a men-only bar in Puerto Vallarta with regular all-male nude shower shows.
Getting Around
Taxis are cheap and plentiful. Don’t worry about how short your journey might be, taxis will take you where you want to go. Pay in Mexican pesos for the best rate and agree on the fare before you get in the cab. Uber is also widely available throughout PV and rides are inexpensive and come quickly. (Note – Uber is not allowed to pick up directly at the airport, but a convenient pickup spot is just across the road.)
Walking is in order in the Emiliano Zapata or Zona Romantica.
Weather
Puerto Vallarta has a typical tropical climate, with nearly constant temperature and humidity year-round. The rainy season runs from June through Mid-October. Even in the rainy season, the rain falls in short bursts, most often at night, with most days being hot and dry.
PUERTO VALLARTA GAY CRUISING AND SAUNAS
Playa Conchas Chinas
You will find Playa Conchas Chinas just beyond Los Muertos, popular with those seeing a more intimate rendezvous among the shallow outcrops.
It is also less touristy and free from the many beach hawkers selling everything from Oysters to Cigars.
The Spartacus Spa Puerto Vallarta
The Spartacus Spa is Puerto Vallarta’s largest cruising area. It is clean and modern and spread over several floors with a rooftop pool, steam room, large dark room, cruising area and private cabins. The staff are friendly and will give you a tour of the facilities. The early afternoons can be quiet, depending on the time of year. The busiest time is when local guys finish work, so post 7 pm, you will find it extra busy.
Tip: Make sure you bring your ID with you to enter, no matter how old. Also, bring your flip-flops! Post-work (7 pm to 9 pm is the busiest time)
The Sauna is opposite the main gay strip, close to the bars and clubs at 244 Lazaro Cardenas, 48380, Puerto Vallarta.
CABARET AND DRAG SHOWS
• Drag fans should reserve seats at The Palm Cabaret on Olas Altas Street to catch stellar live acts and mind-blowing tribute artists, from Beyonce to Gaga; the program changes each season.
• Act 2 hosts some of the biggest shows in Puerto Vallarta with three beautiful theatres, the Red Room, Danny’s main stage and the Outdoor starlight cabaret. Program changes each month.
Puerto Vallarta Gay Beaches
Playa Los Muertos, Puerto Vallarta
- Playa Los Muertos is Puerto Vallarta’s gay beach, one of the most famous in Mexico and has an international reputation as a party hotspot with great beach clubs, turquoise seas and hot, fit locals!
- The Gay Puerto Vallarta beach is busy from October until May and is close to the Romantic Zone, just a short walk from the area’s hotels and bars.
- This mile-long beach stretches from the Cuale river, and although busy, it offers plenty of space to sunbathe. It is a short walk from downtown Puerto Vallarta.
- The walk along the roads can be pretty steep, so many people opt to walk along the main beach from the Malecon.
- Taxies will be more than happy to take you to the beach from your hotel, even if it is just a 10-minute walk away. (between the heat and the hills, it’s a popular option)
The Gay Beach Clubs
- Blue Chairs Gay Beach Club
The perennial Blue Chairs Resort is the original gay-beach resort and is still popular, although a little faded from its former glory; but still the original gay beach club. Blue Chairs Resort also hosts some of the popular Beefdip parties.
- Ritmos Beach
Relaxed beach club has a chilled vibe and friendly and efficient bartenders. Located just south of Blue Chairs.
- Sapphire Beach Club
Sapphire Beach Club, with its sexy waiters and wonderful cocktails, is perfect if you want to relax and sunbathe on a full-length beach lounger. The Sapphire resort has a restaurant, dipping pool, and full-service beach sun loungers, with some of the best-looking waiters on the beach. They also have several high-end suites available to rent.
- Mantamar Beach Club
At the end of Los Muertos beach, you will find the Mantamar, a 5-star beach club offering sunset views and beachside dining. The beach club hosts the famous circuit beach and pool parties during the Easter (Semana Santa), Pride, Thanksgiving and New Year holidays. Mantamar offers sun loungers on the beach with waiter service, an infinity pool, cabanas, a locker room, a bar and a restaurant. Mantamar beach club is part of the Almar Resort, offering luxurious suites and rooms.
