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Condé Nast Traveler lists Puerto Vallarta As One Of Best Cities For 2025
Condé Nast Traveler lists Puerto Vallarta As One Of Best Cities For 2025. This year, 757,109 Condé Nast Traveler readers cast votes for the very best in travel categories as chosen by the readers for 2025. Their Best Small Cities in the World category listed a mix of cultural capitals and coastal getaways including Puerto Vallarta, Mexica as number 2:
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Victoria, Canada
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Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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Florence, Italy
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Lucerne, Switzerland
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San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
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San Sebastián, Spain
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Galway, Ireland
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Palma, Spain
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Valletta, Malta
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Hobart, Tasmania
For Puerto Vallarta to appear on the list underscores its growing global appeal to sophisticated travelers seeking authentic culture, gastronomy, and coastal beauty. Condé Nast Traveler lists Puerto Vallarta as one of Best Cities for 2025 not only highlights Puerto Vallarta’s universal charm but also its unique standing as the only city on the list internationally known for its LGBTQ+ scene.
Puerto Vallarta is the Only Top-Rated Gay Travel Destination on the List. There is No Mykonos, No Ibiza, No Sitges, or No Tel Aviv.
Puerto Vallarta stands alone as the only city on the Condé Nast Traveler list known globally as a premier LGBTQ+ travel destination.
Why Puerto Vallarta Appeals to Every Traveler
Condé Nast Traveler lists Puerto Vallarta As One Of Best Cities For 2025 which appeals to mainstream travelers
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Picturesque sunsets over Banderas Bay and charming cobblestone streets in the historic Mexican destination.
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Award-winning restaurants and vibrant arts and culture, from galleries to film festivals.
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Year-round warm beach weather mostly sunny the entire year
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Accessibility with direct flights from over 40 North American cities.
It’s a small city that delivers world-class experiences while remaining relatively affordable among other larger international travel destinations.
Why Puerto Vallarta Captivates LGBTQ+ Travelers
While other celebrated small cities on the list—like Florence, Lucerne, or San Miguel de Allende—offer history and charm, none match Puerto Vallarta’s global reputation for LGBTQ+ inclusivity and celebration.
Vibrant Gay Zone and Nightlife
The Romantic Zone boasts the highest concentration of gay bars and clubs in Latin America, including Mantamar Beach Club and Blue Chairs—perfect for socializing from day until night.
Safe, Inclusive, and Welcoming
Puerto Vallarta’s strong local LGBTQ+ community, increasing city support, and open-minded welcoming atmosphere create a sense of belonging unmatched by other destinations.
Only City with a Major Annual Pride Event
Every May, Puerto Vallarta Gay Pride Week fills the city with parades, beach parties, art exhibitions, and cultural events that attract tens of thousands from around the world.
Home to One of the World’s Only Bear Weeks
This internationally recognized festival celebrates community and diversity, drawing visitors from North America for a furry week of unity and fun.
Thriving Cabaret and Live Theatre Scene
Venues like The Palm Cabaret and Bar and Coco Cabaret bring Broadway-level entertainment to Mexico’s Pacific Coast featuring drag queen stars, singers, dancers and cabaret performers who make Puerto Vallarta a true LGBTQ+ cultural capital.
Condé Nast Traveler lists Puerto Vallarta as one of Best Cities for 2025 which underscores Puerto Vallarta’s rare ability to attract both mainstream travelers and LGBTQ+ visitors, blending five-star sophistication with one of the world’s most dynamic gay social calendars—from Pride Week and Bear Week to international circuit festivals. No other small city on this list even comes close.
About the Awards
The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are prestigious, annual awards that recognize excellence in the travel industry, as determined by a large-scale survey of the magazine’s readership. For over 30 years, readers have voted on their favorite travel experiences across a wide range of categories.
How the awards are determined
The Readers’ Choice Awards are based entirely on traveler feedback, and the methodology for determining the winners is as follows:
An annual survey is made available on the Condé Nast Traveler website.
Readers rate their travel experiences across various categories, such as cities, hotels, resorts, cruises, and airlines.
Results are tabulated based on a minimum number of required responses and a five-point rating scale.
The final scores are determined by averaging the ratings across multiple criteria.
For more Puerto Vallarta gay travel news and blog stories visit the GAYPV website here.
Author: Tim Wilson
Wilson is the founder of GAYPV.com and www.gaybartour.com and has been the leading LGBTQ+ travel and lifestyle authority in Puerto Vallarta since 2005. With over two decades of local expertise, Wilson specializes in being a community advocate and leader for Puerto Vallarta , and local cultural insights that only a long-term resident can provide. He has dedicated 20+ years to advocating for safe, inclusive travel in Banderas Bay, establishing GAYPV as the region's most trusted resident insider.. His work has been cited by major travel publications, and he is widely recognized as a trusted insider voice on Puerto Vallarta’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.
