Gay Puerto Vallarta Guide: travel tips, hotels, bars, events & more

Puerto Vallarta in Mexico is one of the hottest gay destinations. Over the past few decades, it has become a popular draw for gay men, particularly ex-pats from the US and Canada. It has tons of gay bars, clubs, boutique shops, beach parties, and LGBTQ events happening throughout the year.

We came for the exciting Puerto Vallarta Pride which takes place every May. It was absolutely awesome and the reason why we regard it as one of the best Pride events in Latin America.

Whether you visit Puerto Vallarta for Pride or at another time of the year, the city always seems to ooze a feeling of acceptance, tolerance, and outright fabulousness!

This is our comprehensive gay guide to Puerto Vallarta featuring all the best gay places to hang out, hotels to stay, events, things to do, and loads more.

Shake your tail feathers with a gay tour of Mexico City!

Our friends at Out Adventures just launched an all-gay tour of Mexico City and its surrounding sites. The short and sweet escape ticks off the megalópolis' best-known attractions such as Frida Kahlo's house, Chapultepec Castle, and nearby Teotihuacan. Best of all, the tour mambos over to Zona Rosa where boys, booze and bad decisions await.

Find out more

Is Puerto Vallarta safe for gay travelers?

We found Puerto Vallarta to be safe, relaxed, and very gay friendly, particularly in the “Zona Romantica” Old Town, which is the heart of the city's gay scene. We felt super comfortable walking there holding hands.

Hotels here are used to dealing with LGBTQ visitors so you shouldn't have a problem booking a double bed. Locals are incredibly welcoming and clearly accustomed to seeing gay guys. We put this down to the fact that this part of Mexico is generally more open-minded. The LGBTQ laws of the Jalisco Province are one of the more liberal in Mexico – gay marriage was legalized back in March 2016. This has made places like Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco one of the most popular destinations for gay weddings – as well as the gay party boys!

Discover Puerto Vallarta's gay bars

First time visiting Puerto Vallarta? Join a gay bar-hopping tour to visit some of the city's liveliest bars and clubs with an exclusive group of gay men. You'll have a local guide to show you all the best spots to party with your new friends!

Find out more

When is the best time to visit Puerto Vallarta?

Any time of year is awesome in PV, whether it's during the summer holidays, Spring break or Christmas period. There's a large LGBTQ community here of both locals and US expats, which means there is always something fabulous happening throughout the year. Peak gay periods for PV is during New Years' and Puerto Vallarta Pride in May.

And that's before we've even mentioned all the pretty local guys…

What is the gay area of Puerto Vallarta

Zona Romantica is the main gay area of Puerto Vallarta, this is where you'll find all the gay bars and clubs as well as some really cool restaurants.

This neighborhood is also popular with expats and travellers. Since the 1980s many gay expats from Canada and the USA starting retiring here, buying up land and creating gay friendly businesses. The “Playa de los Muertos” is the main gay beach of Puerto Vallarta. It has a handful of gay beach clubs and pool parties happening during the day and events in the evening.

Get the T on what's happening in the gay scene of Puerto Vallarta with GAYPV Magazine. These guys have the latest info on the best parties and events taking place in this fabulous Mexican gay haven.

Gay hotels in Puerto Vallarta

Over the last few decades, LGBTQ tourism to Puerto Vallarta has increased so much that today you are spoilt for choice with regards to gay hotels to choose from. These are some of our favorite gay hotels in Puerto Vallarta, where you are guaranteed to have a fabulous time. Be sure to also hit up our more detailed guide to the best gay hotels in Puerto Vallarta.

01

Almar Resort Luxury LGBT Beach Front Experience

The rooms and suites are incredibly spacious, often with a private balcony overlooking the sea. But the real draw-card here is the incredible Mantamar Beach Club with its infinity pools, pool bar, cabanas, Balinese-style beds, restaurant and regular gay parties!

This is the perfect place to stay if you want an action-packed gay holiday. As well as all the fun you can have at the beach club, Almar Resort also offers yoga, diving, volleyball and can arrange tours of the area. The rooftop sky bar is also a cool place to chill or grab a bite to eat.

02

Casa Cupula Luxury LGBT Boutique Hotel

The views from the hotel look out over the jungle and ocean, but you're only a short walk away from the “Playa de los Muertos” gay beach. If you don't feel like leaving the hotel there are two swimming pools on site, one of which is clothing optional. They also host weekly gay pool parties featuring GoGo dancers and DJs from CC Slaughters Nightclub.

The Taste restaurant is famous for its brunch. It includes a mix of American and traditional Mexican food. Casa Cupula also has a bar to enjoy a few cocktail as you watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. We love the wide assortment of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments available in the hotel's spa. The gym is huge with really modern equipment (and also get quite cruisy in the evening!)

03

Hotel Mercurio

We love the little details here, like the fact that the buffet breakfast (which is included in your rates) can be upgraded to breakfast in bed. Even though this is a mid-range option the staff are very attentive and you'll even receive a welcome gift of drink vouchers, fresh fruit and chocolate.

The swimming pool is open 24 hours a day and the pool bar is open late. On Sundays, the pool is also the location of the popular Beers, Boys and Burgers pool party. Both guests and locals alike come here to enjoy unlimited beers and burgers at a fixed price.

Must do: the secluded Caletas Beach Paradise

For a truly romantic and secluded experience, join a private tour to the Las Caletas Beach. Only accessible by sea you'll be able to swim, snorkel, relax in hammocks, visit an orchid garden and even be pampered at the spa.

Find out more

04

Piñata PV Gay Hotel

We love the quirky, colourful signs to be found all over the exposed brick of Piñata. The hotel is located in the heart of Puerto Vallarta's gay neighbourhood and minutes walking distance from the gay beach. Rooms are big and clean, with private bathrooms.

Piñata's swimming pool and hot tub is the location of the awesome weekly gay pool parties. There's also a good gym on site, as well as a popular steam room, which gets quite cruisy later in the evening! Piñata is the perfect option for solo travellers looking for an affordable place to stay and where you will definitely make lots of new friends.

Gay hostels and guesthouses in Puerto Vallarta

If you are travelling on a budget to Puerto Vallarta there are a variety of gay hostels and guesthouses to choose from. These are our favourite gay hostel and guesthouse choices in Puerto Vallarta:

01

Jet's Gay Hostel

The bunk beds come with very comfy memory foam mattresses and privacy curtains. The shared bathrooms feature rain showerheads. Shared areas include a nice lounge with board games so you can relax and meet other travellers. The kitchen is pretty basic but there's a nice coffee shop next door.

Jet's has a strict 18-35 age policy so that they can provide affordable accommodation for gay youth and students travelling in the area. The owner of Jet's also owns a tour company, so guests of the hostel can take advantage of discounts for exploring the area.

Taste the delicious food of Mexico

Escape the overpriced tourist traps in favour of local, authentic Mexican cuisine on this three-hour tour. Your local guide will take you into the cobbled old-town streets to sample delicious cuisine and learn about the area's history.

Find out more

02

Garlands Del Rio

The rooms at Garlands are simply stunning. Each room is unique with names like “Ariel” or “The Countess”, and they all feature gorgeous artwork. For a small fee guests can enjoy a continental breakfast each morning, served in the cute Portuguese style kitchen under a huge chandelier.

There's a charming terrace swimming pool, as well a Jacuzzi on the deck overlooking the river. Garlands del Rio is a perfect mix of romance and privacy, whilst also having public areas where you can socialise with others.

Gay bars in Puerto Vallarta

There is no shortage of gay bars in Puerto Vallarta. The majority of them are located in the gay neighbourhood called “Zona Romantica”. We love the variety of places on offer, from piano/jazz bars, cowboy bars and even a slushbar loft! Be sure to check out this awesome gay tour of PV's most exciting hangouts. These are our favourite gay bars in Puerto Vallarta:

• Marco Reinas Bar: Reinas means “queens” in Spanish, which is an apt name for this little gem. They really go all out with the royalty theme at this little gay dive bar and even have tiaras, dresses and lots of feather boas to play dress up! They also have lots of drag queen shows happening throughout the week. Marco Reinas is located at Lázaro Cárdenas 361 and is open every day from 4pm until 2am.

• La Noche Lounge Rooftop Bar: This is one of the most popular gay bars in Puerto Vallarta, popular with both locals and tourists. It has a great vibe and also becomes one of the main gay clubs later in the evening (see more below). La Noche is located at Lázaro Cárdenas 263 in the heart of the gay district and is open daily from 8pm until 3.30am.

• Bar Frida: inspired by the iconic Frida Kahlo, Bar Frida is a cantina and restaurant. This is also a popular hangout for the bear boys. There's a jukebox filled with English and Mexican hits and the staff are some of the most welcoming you will meet in PV. Open daily from 1pm until 2am, Bar Frida is located at 333 Calle Insurgentes.

• Diva's Bar: Diva's is an intimate bar famous for their Happy Hours. Come here before 9pm for some of the best drinks offers. Diva's is one of our favourite gay bars in Puerto Vallarta to start the night. It is open daily from 4pm until 2am and is located at Calle Francisco I. Madero 388.

• Los Amigos: If you want to meet a gay cowboy then you need to visit Los Amigos! This is a super fun and friendly cowboy bar where the waiters are dressed to look the part. They play country music and there's a nice outdoor terrace if you find the main area too crowded. Los Amigos can be found at Calle Venustiano Carranza 239 and is open daily from 6 pm until 4 am.

• Garbo: Garbo Piano Bar is something a little different, more up-market and sophisticated! Garbo means “graceful” in Spanish and it lives up to its reputation. This is the place to come with a romantic date to enjoy live piano and jazz music shows. Garbo is located at 142 Pulpito Street and open daily from 6pm until 2am.

• Paco's Ranch: Paco's is another cowboy-themed gay bar but it's also a club where you can dance the night away (see more about this below). The drag shows are a hit, make sure you get a spot on the second-floor balcony for the best views. Paco's Ranch can be found at Ignacio Luis Vallarta 278 and is open Wednesday to Sundays from 10pm until 5am.

• Blondies: Blondies Loft and Slushbar is another very unique (but awesome) concept – a bar that serves alcoholic slushies! These aren't your regular slushies though, they are premium frozen cocktails like the “Big Tease Blondie” – a mix of Absolut vanilla vodka, dark chocolate liqueur and Bailey's Irish Cream – yummm! There are also more traditional cocktails (and snacks) available in the second-floor loft. The pop art decor with matching staff attire is so cool and they host regular events, particularly bear parties. Blondies is located at 115 Pulpito and is open daily from 11am until 2am.

• Slaughters Portland: CC Slaughters is a gay bar and nightclub originally from Portland, Oregon in the United States that also has a location in Puerto Vallarta. The venue has two sections, the front smaller section, which is where the bar is. The back is the nightclub part (see below). The bar in the front plays a mix of pop/music and is the perfect place to grab a few drinks with your mates before heading to one of the clubs. Slaughters is located at Lazaro Cardenas 254 and is open every day from 6pm until 6am.

• Mr. Flamingo: This Tiki bar has a Hawaiian themed decor, cute staff and a super cool vibe. We recommend coming here during their Happy Hours (2-7pm) for the best drinks offers. Mr Flamingo is open every day from 2pm til 4am and is located at 295 Calle Lázaro Cárdenas.

Gay clubs in Puerto Vallarta

These are the main gay clubs in Puerto Vallarta where most of the late night party boys will end up at:

• La Noche Club: Spread out over three levels, La Noche is the place to go on weekends for the best gay parties. They have lots of sexy gay GoGo Dancers, drag queens and spectacular views from the rooftop bar. La Noche is located at Lázaro Cárdenas 263 and is open daily until around 4am.

• Paco's Ranch: Dance the night away with the hottest gay cowboys in Mexico! There are GoGo dancers most nights and sometimes even a few free line-dancing lessons! English drag shows take place earlier in the night with Spanish ones later on. Paco's Ranch can be found at Ignacio Luis Vallarta 278 and is open only Wednesdays to Sundays until around 5am.

• CC Slaughters PV: the club part of CC Slaughters is perfect if you're into techno and house music with some of the best DJs. Slaughters is located at Lazaro Cardenas 254 and is open every day until around 6am.

Gay beach of Puerto Vallarta

Los Muertos beach is the main unofficial gay beach with three “hetero-friendly” beach clubs you'll want to hang out at during the day:

• Mantamar Beach Club: Mantamar is part of the Almar gay hotel. If you're staying elsewhere you can still come to Mantamar to enjoy the beachfront, infinity pools, bar, restaurant, beach beds and cabanas. The food and drinks here are delicious, with regular gay pool parties featuring live DJs.

• Blue Chairs: this is the original gay beach club on Los Muertos and part of the reason why this became the gay beach. You'll know you're in the right place when you see the dark blue chairs on the sand. Look out for their parties and sunset Happy Hour offers.

• Sapphire Ocean Beach Club: the Sapphire Ocean Club is our favourite gay beach club at Playa los Muertos for food. The food here is delicious and one of our favourite places in Puerto Vallarta for brunch. They also provide sun beds and umbrellas on the beach you can rent out.

Board a romantic night sunset cruise

Go on a sunset cruise to the secluded Las Caletas beach where you will dine under the stars in true romantic fashion. Afterwards, you'll be treated to an incredible dance performance you will never forget!

Find out more

Gay events in Puerto Vallarta

As Mexico's numero uno gay holiday destination, you can be certain that there are plenty of fabulous gay events taking place in Puerto Vallarta! Here are some of the best gay events taking place in Puerto Vallarta, which you may want to plan your trip around:

• BeefDip Mexico Bear Festival (January): this is the largest bear festival outside of the US and gets very busy! It is a week-long festival with lots of pool parties, foam parties, and more.

• Puerto Vallarta Carnival (March): Puerto Vallarta Carnival is one of the city's most popular gay festivals, with lots of dramatic outfits, dancers, and street performers. We recommend joining their Facebook group so that you can keep up to date with details of the next one.

• Puerto Vallarta Pride (May): this is the largest gay event in Puerto Vallarta. It's a week-long festival in May featuring some of the best circuit parties, pool parties, and drag show events. The climax is the big parade on the Saturday evening, which attracts around 30,000 people.

• White Party Thanksgiving Circuit Event (November): as soon as it starts getting cold in the US, the gay boys flock to Puerto Vallarta to soak up the sunshine and party on the beach during Thanksgiving weekend. There are four days of parties during the White Party Circuit, which culminates with an epic White Party.

• Gay New Year's Eve (December): the entire city becomes one big gay fiesta with all the major bars and clubs spilling out into the street outside becoming one giant fabulous street party to welcome in the new year. New Year's in Puerto Vallarta is usually a four-day affair, so pace yourself!

Gay friendly restaurants in Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta has a wide variety of cuisines, from big chain restaurants to local taco stands. Be sure to check out the delicious seafood here. These are our favorite gay restaurants in Puerto Vallarta:

Taste

Taste is the restaurant at the gorgeous Casa Cupula gay hotel. Even if you're not staying at the hotel, then you need to come here for their Sunday brunch. It's absolutely divine with different stations set up so you can eat anything from fresh fruit to pancakes, waffles, ceviche, tacos, bread and eggs cooked anyway you want. Taste is open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, serving a mix of American-style foods as well as traditional Mexican cuisine. They also organise private romantic dining under the stars for special occasions.

Sapphire Ocean Club – Bistrot Local

In the heart of the Zona Romantica gay neighbourhood and right on Los Muertos Beach is the Sapphire Ocean Club. Not only is this a lovely spot to sunbathe and have a cocktail, but there's also a bistro serving yummy food. Bistrot Local is the brainchild of Swiss chef Michel Pascal Ferrari. He combines the sophistication of his homeland with the warmth of his adoptive Mexico. We loved the huge prawns and the very pretty beachside ambience. Bistrot Local is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

OK José!

Not only does OK José have one of the best names ever, but this restaurant serves mouthwatering contemporary Mexican cuisine representing every region in Mexico. We love that their menu includes things like ‘sexy coffees' and the dessert ‘chocolate ecstasy'! OK José has won quite a few culinary awards and the staff is very happy to accommodate dietary requirements or even personal preferences. They also have regular special events with live music to enjoy as you eat.

Café des Artistes

Café des Artistes is the place to go for haute cuisine in Puerto Vallarta, although we are in love with the stunning decor as well. Chef Thierry Blouet has created a menu of Mexican-inspired French cuisine in this little urban oasis. The dress code is ‘casual elegant', making it the perfect place to come for a special occasion. The multi-level building provides a variety of experiences, from the leafy interior jungle to a room dripping with crystals. You can choose from an incredible six-course tasting menu, which also has a vegetarian option available.

Derby City Burgers

There's a time for fine dining and then there are the times you just want to devour a huge juicy burger; perhaps after a night of partying? The best burgers in Puerto Vallarta to feed that hangover can be found at the gay-owned Derby City Burgers, located right in the heart of the main gay strip of Zona Romantica. There are lots of burger varieties to choose from, as well as salads, sandwiches, deep-fried pickles, delicious milkshakes, and very yummy homemade sweet potato (or regular) fries.

Top things to do in Puerto Vallarta

Whilst you could just spend your entire time in Puerto Vallarta sunbathing, swimming, eating delicious food, and partying with hot boys…but if you do want to get out and try some other activities, then there are plenty of things to do! These are our top picks:

Wander the Old Town

All visitors to Puerto Vallarta should spend some time simply wandering around the pretty old town and seeing its most famous landmarks. The local market is a lovely spot for some shopping and the iconic Our Lady of Guadalupe church is a must-see. First-time visitors to the city might like to join a historic tour to orient themselves and learn about the history of the area with a local guide. We love this one which includes lunch at a Mexican eatery and a demonstration of tequila-making, with tasting opportunities of course!

Join a food tour

We love sampling the local cuisine when we travel. On a secret food tour like this one, you will be taken away from the touristy hotspots to discover some truly authentic Mexican dishes. This three-hour tour is a great choice if you want to try dishes from all around Mexico with a knowledgable guide. This is also a great way to explore the historic old town and learn about its history.

Rhythms of the Night Sunset Cruise

For something truly romantic and unique, the Rhythms of the Night Sunset Cruise will take you the beach of Las Calatas, which is only reachable by boat. In this secluded cove, you and your loved one will dine in style under the stars while listening to the waves. After a delicious dinner, you will be treated to a mesmerising performance by one of Mexico's most innovative dance troupes, telling the story of mysticism and magic. This is an absolutely breathtaking experience you will not get anywhere else!

Dinner and a cruise on a pirate ship

If you're tired of all the ‘normal' gay guys at the pubs and clubs then perhaps you'd prefer to watch some cute pirates fighting on a pirate ship?! This is a very quirky experience, where you'll cruise around the bay on a real pirate ship, eat dinner and watch a show depicting a pre-Hispanic ritual. After enjoying sunset from the deck of the ship you'll also be treated to a fireworks show. Find out more about this wild adventure here.

Relax on a secluded beach

Obviously, there are fantastic and gay friendly beaches throughout the city of Puerto Vallarta, but if you want something truly secluded then you might like to visit Las Caletas. This isolated sanctuary is only accessible by sea, but if you join a tour then you can sail by catamaran to this enchanting tropical beach. Once there, you can relax in the hammocks, go snorkelling in the pristine waters, visit the orchid gardens and an interactive parrot centre. There's even a spa here where you can indulge in a massage or a facial before you return to Puerto Vallarta refreshed and ready for a night of partying!

Go zip-lining in the jungle

Adrenaline junkies will find plenty to enjoy near Puerto Vallarta, with zip-lining, jungle trekking, swimming and speed-boat rides available in the jungle nearby. We found this exciting tour which includes a river speed-boat ride, zip-lining over the river, a visit to an animal sanctuary (with monkeys!) and the opportunity to play in natural water slides. There's also some tequila tasting included, in case you need a stiff drink after all the action, and you'll be taken to a riverside restaurant for lunch.

Visit Aquaventuras Park

Aquaventuras Park is one of Puerto Vallarta's top attractions with 12 different water slides, a variety of rides, a ‘lazy river' to float along as well as shows and experiences with marine animals. If you're looking for a day of silly fun then this is a great place to come as an alternative to Puerto Vallarta's beaches. If you purchase your admission ticket here you'll also get lunch included in your visit. The park is a fair distance away from the old town area, so you will need to get a bus or an Uber if you don't have a car. Read more about getting around the city in the next section.

Day trip to San Sebastián

The old mining town of San Sebastián is the perfect distance from Puerto Vallarta for a day-trip. If you're not using a car you can easily join a full-day tour to explore this historic town that looks like it's been frozen in time. You'll be able to wander the pretty streets, taste homemade tequila and visit a traditional coffee hacienda to learn about the craft of making good coffee. Afterwards, have lunch in a traditional family-owned restaurant before returning back to Puerto Vallarta in the afternoon.

Swim with wild dolphins

While we're not fans of experiences with captive animals we do jump at any chance to interact with wildlife in the wild. Puerto Vallarta is a great location to see wild dolphins and it's even possible to swim with them in their natural environment during a cruise with a reputable tour company. This small-group cruise will teach you about the wild dolphins in the area and give you the opportunity to swim with them if the conditions are right. Even if you don't get to swim with dolphins you'll definitely be able to enjoy snorkelling in the Pacific.

Make Mexican chocolate

If you've done all the tequila-tasting and enchilada-eating you can but still want more tasty treats then why not try your hand at making traditional Mexican chocolate? This bean-to-bar chocolate workshop will not only teach you about the history and importance of cacao in Mexico but you'll also be able to make a variety of delicious chocolates to take with you. You'll roast and grind cacao beans then use chocolate liquor as the base of three different chocolate drinks. This is the perfect experience for chocaholics… if you can stop yourself eating everything before you even leave!

Things to know before you visit Puerto Vallarta

Here we've put together some handy hints and tips to help you plan your own trip to Puerto Vallarta. Read on to find out everything gay travellers should know before they go.

Gay map of Puerto Vallarta

Here is a map we've made showing all the fantastic gay places that we've mentioned in this post. We hope it helps you plan your own wonderful gay trip to Puerto Vallarta!

For more inspiration:

• Check out our gay guide to San Miguel del Allende
• Find out what it's like to grow up gay in Mexico in our interview with local boy Andres
• Have a read of our gay guide to Panama
• Use our gay guide to the Riviera Maya to plan your trip
• And make sure you try these delicious foods and drinks from Panama while you're there
• If you're heading to the US then you have to check out fabulously gay Miami
• As well as our gay travel guide to the Florida Keys
• Make sure you also read our gay guide to Key West
• These are the gayest cities in all of America for your viewing pleasure as well