LGBTQ culture in Puerto Vallarta

Photograph of a multi-colored sign
Sign in Puerto Vallarta recognizing the LGBT community, 2023

The city of Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, Mexico, is a popular destination for LGBT+ tourists. CNN has described Puerto Vallarta as Mexico's "top LGBT destination" with "one of the best week-long Pride festivals in the world".[1] According to The Independent, the city is "the gay capital of Mexico, with a whole district of hotels and restaurants catering to the LGBT+ community".[2] Puerto Vallarta's LGBTQ culture is based in the Zona Romántica, which includes the gay-friendly Playa de los Muertos.

Puerto Vallarta, especially Zona Romántica, has many businesses catering to the LGBTQ community, including beach clubs, bars and nightclubs, gay bathhouses and strip clubs, hotels, and performance venues. The city has private clinics and nonprofit organizations specializing in LGBT healthcare and providing access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

Puerto Vallarta's pride parade attracts thousands annually. The city hosts other LGBTQ-friendly events such as circuit parties and the annual Beef Dip Bear Week, which caters to the bear community. Puerto Vallarta has been recognized as a safe destination for LGBTQ travelers but has not gone without violence against LGBTQ people.

  1. ^ Chauvin, Kelsy (May 1, 2019). "The best LGBT-friendly hotels". CNN. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  2. ^ "Mexico travel guide: Everything you need to know before you go". The Independent. July 21, 2022. Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2023.