Puerto Vallarta has been a favorite among LGBT travelers for decades

Brought into the tourism spotlight by famous Hollywood celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, and offering a broad range of gay bars and nightclubs, gay-owned restaurants, hotels, stores, services, and entertainment that established the destination in a league of its own, it is no wonder Puerto Vallarta has been a favorite among LGBT travelers for decades.

In recent years, the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board, the entity responsible for promoting the destination in the
US and Canada has partnered with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, GMHC and the International Gay Lesbian Travel Association to promote the destination to the LGBT market.

In 2014, Puerto Vallarta became the first Mexican destination to participate in a World Pride with its Noche Alegre event during the World Pride celebrations in Toronto; and in 2015 the tourism board became the first destination to sponsor the Human Rights Campaign on a national level.

Many of Gay PV’s main attractions can be found in the Zona Romantica, a delightfully walkable area where tourists of all types mix and mingle at the beach, in cafes, shops, restaurants and bars, as well as on the newly widened and covered sidewalks around the neighborhood. In the past decade, many gay ex-Patriots from North America have joined locals in opening businesses in the area to cater to gay tourism, creating a vibrant mix of unique and friendly outlets.

Puerto Vallarta’s Annual Vallarta Pride festival takes place in the end of May. The 10-day event includes an anti-homophobia march, a Pride Rally, concerts, fashion shows, drag shows, wedding ceremonies and women’s parties.

GAY-FRIENDLY HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS

Puerto Vallarta is home to an array of gay lodging options including TAG gay friendly resorts, hotels, lodges, bed and breakfasts, and guest houses, some are even gay-owned. The following is a short list of some of the hotels proactively promoting to LGBT travelers.

CasaMagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa (Marina), host of the 2013 International LGBT Business Expo, the beachfront luxury resort offers all the amenities for a perfect vacation: fitness center, Indoor and Outdoor pools, tennis and volleyball courts, easy access to the nearby golf courses and marina, the most spacious spa in Puerto Vallarta, and four world-class restaurants.

Casa Velas (Marina) has become, through the years, an iconic place in Puerto Vallarta. This luxury allinclusive boutique hotel for adults only features a private ocean beach, several Jacuzzis, an organic garden which provides fresh ingredients for the restaurant, a golf and pools. This haven of peace counts 80 suites inspired by Mexican design and is consistently receiving rave reviews and voted among the top hotels in Mexico by Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, and Trip Advisor.

Casa Cupula Gay Hotel Boutique Guesthouse (Southside/Amapas) – Branded as a luxury boutique hotel for gay men, lesbians and friends, this location combines the intimate service of a B & B, the fine décor of a boutique hotel and the comfortable ambience of a guesthouse. Guests are treated to the award winning cuisine of its restaurant Taste, tempting cocktails, three pools and a gym. The hotel features 15 luxurious rooms and 6 suites all with unique, sophisticated interior design located within a short walking distance of the the “Blue Chairs” beach, a designated beach for gay travelers, as well all the gay bars, restaurants and cafes in Puerto Vallarta’s popular “Zona Romantica” and “Olas Altas” neighborhoods.

Costa Sur (South) with more than 30 years in existence it was one of the first hotels built in the South Shore of Puerto Vallarta, overlooking one of the most beautiful beaches on Banderas Bay. The building has a very Mexican feel to it, with spacious bedrooms all of which have mesmerizing views of the bay. One of the most unique features in Costa Sur is the property’s private beach which has become popular for gay weddings.

GAY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES

Puerto Vallarta Food Tours – A 3-hour food tasting and walking tours offers a local’s view into Puerto Vallarta’s culture through its delicious and intricate cuisine, rich history and stunning architecture. Suitable for all age groups and fitness levels, Vallarta Food Tours invites patrons to experience off-the-beaten path eateries and their colorful owners and staff, taco stands and regional delicacies.

GO GAY! Offers a variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts looking to make the most of their vaction in Puerto Vallarta; including a jungle zip line adventure, a horseback excursion along the River Cuale, a half-day Luxury Sailboat tour, a whale watching cruise, a cooking class at El Arrayan restaurant, a private guided visit of the Vallarta Botanical Gardens, and more.

Gay Bar-Hopping Tour – The friendly and professional gay staff organizes a guided immersion in gay Puerto Vallarta’s nightclubs, a wonderful experience to meet people from all over the world and enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant nightlife.

Diana’s Tour – Diana DeCoste offers a popular gay and lesbian cruises. Tickets sell out quickly, thus it’s best to book it in advance.

Private Beach Clubs – Safire Ocean Club and Mantamar Beach Club are located along the popular Los Muertos Beach, where the ocean meets the cobble stone streets of the old town and lush mountains in the backdrop. Both offer adult only gay friendly private oceanfront playgrounds featuring the finest amenities including swimming pools, Jacuzzi, beach lounge chairs and cabañas, towel service, poolside bars, live DJs, lockers, showers, changing rooms and restaurants. A host of water sports & activities are also offered including stand up paddle boarding, snorkeling, aquaerobics, boogie boarding, yoga and pilates classes and more.

Puerto Vallarta ArtWalk – held every October through May, the ArtWalk is an immersion into the city’s vibrant and ever growing art scene. Participants will tour nine different galleries located in the Historic Center offering a wide range of works by important national and international artists; including paintings, sculptures, fine ceramics and blown glass.

Sourse: eturbonews.com