Bears

 

 

Introduction

Puerto Vallarta is for bears, bear lovers, those that admire them, cubs and otters, and bears body positivity. The first bear event was the parties during Bear Week the end of January to the first week of February.

Then other bear events were added other times of the year like Bear Pride (May), Bearsgiving (Thanksgiving) and Brawny Bear weekend (Thanksgiving.) Studs Bear bar opened to the Puerto Vallarta bear scene in May 2022 as Puerto Vallarta’s first bear bar.

This bear guide will reveal all you need to know about the Puerto Vallarta bear community and leather scene and when to plan on things to do to enjoy the community to its fullest.

Events For Bears

Bear Week January/February When is Bear Week in Puerto Vallarta?

Bear Week is a week long bear event starting the last week of January continuing until the first week of February each year.  This was the first event for bears in Puerto Vallarta and recently has become one of the largest event weeks in Puerto Vallarta with several thousand bears and bear lovers attending.

Bear Week began with Steve Buczek’s BeefDip starting in Puerto Vallarta around 2003. For many years it was only Steve Buczek’s Beef Dip party during this week. In 2019 a new bear event was added during Bear Week called Vallarta Bear Weekend introduced by Christian Serrano.  Vallarta Bear Weekend became Bearadise in 2020 with annual events held during Bear week called International Bear Festival.

In 2024, Bear week had Steve Buczek’s BeefDip Bear and Leather event, Bearadise International Bear Festival, plus new Bear week events by Mantamar (Mantamar Bear Week) and Casa Cupula Bear Week At The Pool Club Casa Cupula.

Bear Pride May during Vallarta Pride. When is Bear Pride in Puerto Vallarta?

Bearadise organized the first Bear Pride during Vallarta Pride 2021. This quickly became a very p0pular event that is totally separate from Vallarta Pride. Look for events like the Bear Pride Party Bus or Bearadise Beach or events from Studs Bear Bar during the dates of Vallarta Pride.

See the Official Puerto Vallarta gay pride event schedule information here or the  Bearadise Bear Pride event calendar here.

Brawny Bear Weekend November

Brawny Bear Weekend is a 4 day weekend where bears and their admirers from all over the world come to get away on or just before the American Thanksgiving holiday in Puerto Vallarta. The weekend consists of several events, dancer parties, happy hours and pool parties with music by international DJ’s like DJ Brian Kent, Tony Moran and Cindel.

Bearsgiving by Bearadise November

Bearadise organized events during American Thanksgiving weekend.

Event Organizers for Bears Parties

Steve Buczek’s BeefDip Bear and Leather event   website

Steve Buczek from Toronto, Canada held the first Beefdip bear event in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico around 2003. The first event had like 18 bears and his dedication to the event and Puerto Vallarta grew. Beef dip 2024 was the 20th anniversary event in Puerto Vallarta with thousands of bears attending. Read the exclusive interview here.

Charity Fundraising has always been an important aspect of Beefdip. Since the start, Beefdip has raised $145,000 CAD for charities such as RISE Orphanage, Los Niños del Magisterio, Vallarta Food Bank, and their lastest benefactor SETAC.

Some of the events popular for Beefdip are Beefdip Booze Cruise, Tidal Wave Pool Party Fundraiser, and Bears On the Line Zip line.

Christian Serrano’s Bearadise  website 

Christian Serrano started Vallarta Bear Weekend in 2019 that became Bearadise in 2020. Bearadise events brought the first clothing optional pool parties for bears, Bearadise Beach and special live performances by bear icons like Rocco Steele, Teddy Torres, and PJ Knox.

Brian Kent’s Brawny Bear Weekend   website 

Singer, song writer, music producer and DJ Brian Kent started Brawny Bear Weekend in 2020.

Bars for Bears Are there bars just for bears in Puerto Vallarta?

Studs Bear Bar   Basilio Badillo #283

Studs opened May 2022 and offers 2 floors of fun for bears and those that love them. Caged go go dancers on certain nights of the week, bear themed events like underwear night, jockstrap night, daddies night, and leather night.

Stores for Bears

The Gear Shop   Basilio Badillo #283

The Gear Shop is on the 1st floor of Studs.

Mistr Bear Boutique      Basilio Badilo #321

Terms For Bears

Here are some common definitions used to describe varying types and personalities. This is a guide to general traits and not exact as applying to every person.

1. Bear
• Physically: Large, often muscular or stocky, and hairy (body and/or facial hair).
• Personality: Typically associated with rugged masculinity, friendliness, and a laid-back attitude.
• Community: Bears often have their own subculture, including bear-themed events and clubs.

2. Otter
• Physically: Slim or athletic build with body hair, but not as large or muscular as bears.
• Personality: Playful, charming, and often seen as a younger or smaller counterpart to bears.
• Community: Otters can overlap with bear culture but tend to be a distinct subgroup.

3. Wolf
• Physically: Lean and muscular with some body hair, typically associated with a rugged, outdoorsy appearance.
• Personality: Confident, assertive, and sometimes seen as sexually dominant.
• Community: Wolves are less of a formal subculture but are recognized within the broader lexicon.

4. Cub
• Physically: A younger or smaller version of a bear, often chubby or stocky.
• Personality: Adorable and cuddly, with a warm, approachable demeanor.
• Community: Cubs are often seen as “baby bears” and may be mentored by older bears.

5. Chub
• Physically: Larger-bodied men, not necessarily hairy.
• Personality: Open and confident, with a focus on body positivity.
• Community: Chubs often have their own events and spaces, such as chub/chaser communities.

6. Twink
• Physically: Slim, youthful, smooth-skinned, and often perceived as effeminate.
• Personality: Playful, energetic, and outgoing.
• Community: Twinks are one of the most visible gay subcultures, often associated with youth and nightlife.

7. Twunk
• Physically: A combination of “twink” and “hunk” – muscular but still youthful and clean-cut.
• Personality: Confident, stylish, and often fitness-oriented.

8. Daddy
• Physically: Older men, often muscular or well-built, exuding confidence and maturity.
• Personality: Protective, nurturing, and dominant.
• Community: Daddies often attract “boys” or younger partners looking for guidance or care.

9. Pup
• Physically: Playful and often submissive; the term is more about personality than appearance.
• Personality: Energetic, eager to please, and playful, often associated with the kink community.
• Community: Pups are part of the leather or BDSM scene and may participate in role-playing dynamics.

10. Muscle Bear
• Physically: A bear with a heavily muscular build.
• Personality: Combines the ruggedness of bears with the aesthetics of bodybuilding.

11. Leather Daddy
• Physically: Part of the leather subculture, emphasizing dominance, masculinity, and kink.
• Personality: Often confident and experienced, with a strong presence in BDSM and leather communities.