A Gay Guide to Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta has spent decades earning its reputation as the gay capital of Mexico, and it shows. The scene is concentrated, walkable, and wrapped around a warm bay, with a mix of gay-owned hotels, beach clubs, and nightlife that runs late.

Where the scene is

Everything centers on the Zona Romantica, the Old Town neighborhood also known as Emiliano Zapata, just south of the Cuale River. Olas Altas and the streets around it are lined with gay bars, restaurants, and cabaret, and the whole area is easy to cover on foot.

The beach

The gay stretch is the south end of Playa Los Muertos, long anchored by the Blue Chairs beach club, where the daytime crowd gathers under the umbrellas and spills into the bars behind it. Vendors, music, and a steady scene make it the heart of the action when the sun is up.

Where to stay

The Zona Romantica is full of gay-owned and gay-popular hotels, many with pools and a social scene of their own, some clothing-optional. Staying here keeps you within walking distance of both the beach and the bars.

When to go

Vallarta Pride in late May is the big annual event. The dry season from roughly November to April brings the most reliable weather and the biggest crowds; summers are hot and humid with afternoon rain.

Beyond the bars

Stroll the malecon boardwalk at sunset, take a boat out into Banderas Bay, and look for the food beyond the tourist strip. The town is small enough to feel like your own after a day or two.

Browse every bar, resort, and beach spot on the Puerto Vallarta directory.