Discover The Puerto Vallarta Gay Scene

If you are thinking of visiting or even living in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico here is a helpful insider’s guide and good-to-know information to discover the Puerto Vallarta Gay Scene. We provide useful, needed travel tips for the gay traveler and answer questions you need to know before you go to have a safe, fun great gay vacation or to live here.

Why Puerto Vallarta is a must-visit for LGBT+ travelers

Puerto Vallarta is generally considered one of the safest, most welcoming gay travel destinations for many years. The city was first discovered when Night Of The Iguana was filmed in 1964 and the city grew in popularity mainly as a LGBTQ vacation leisure destination. For more than 25 years, Mexico has been top-ranked as one of the hottest destinations for LGBT travelers, with Puerto Vallarta leading the trend. Condé Nast magazine calls Vallarta “the friendliest city in the world” and it’s that warm and open atmosphere that makes the city one of the most desirable resort destinations in the world.

Getting to Puerto Vallarta by air is Generally Quick and Easy from the US

Fly to Gustavo Díaz Ordaz International Airport “PVR” . Puerto Vallarta is an easy and overall short direct flight from many US west coast cities. Recent improvements announced for the Puerto Vallarta airport in 2020 include the intention to build a 35,000-square-meter non-energy terminal, which would increase passenger traffic by 60% after completion.

Is Puerto Vallarta safe?

Puerto Vallarta overall has a lower crime rate than larger LGBTQ cities.The 41st National Urban Public Security Survey (ENSU) of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) for the fourth quarter of 2023 ranked Puerto Vallarta ranks as the second safest city in Mexico. The previous study listed PV at #5.  Puerto Vallarta is generally safer than many US or Canadian cities.

Overall, there is less crime here than major cities here. However always use your common sense, and be careful – just as you would anywhere else. Don’t parade around with fancy jewelry, don’t flash big wads of cash around, stay on main streets after dark, walk with a friend or two.

What is the weather like in Puerto Vallarta?

Located on the Pacific Ocean, Puerto Vallarta is know for amazing picturesque sunsets. with more than 300 days of sunshine per year and only a 5°C fluctuation in average temperature between summer and winter, Vallarta offers gay and lesbian visitors from all over the world a uniquely safe, friendly and welcoming tropical beach destination.  Puerto Vallarta enjoys warm, sunny weather year-round, with average temperatures ranging from the mid-80s Fahrenheit (around 30 degrees Celsius) in winter to the mid-90s Fahrenheit (around 35 degrees Celsius) in summer.

The rainy season in PV is a widely misunderstood concept. From June to September is the rainy season months or the months when it rains but this is not a reason to stay away from  PV. During this time, heavy rains occur periodically but they are short-lived with the sun returning in a few hours or the latest the next day providing a welcome break from the heat and humidity.

Also during this time do not be surprised to see weather planners show weeks of rain every day. Not so. Afternoon showers could pop up every day but rarely does it rain for 2 or 3 days straight in a row.  Beyond the beach, Puerto Vallarta´s jungle and mountain geography add to the travel appeal by giving a huge selection of eco tourism activities: zip lines, horseback riding, atv rides into the jungle, and more.

Puerto Vallarta is welcoming and accepting of LGBTQ travelers

Puerto Vallarta is the gay capital of Mexico! This “beyond gay-friendly” city was

Puerto Vallarta was the first Mexican destination to join IGLTA

in 2013 when the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust designed a specific campaign to promote the LGBTQ market with partnerships with GLAAD, GMHC (Gay Men’s Health Crisis), and Marriage Equality.

The local community is accepting of gay tourists and businesses all over the city are more than eager to welcome you!  Holding hands is fine, and a peck on the cheek or a nice kiss is not uncommon. The beach and streets, however, are not places for full on heavy physical contact or public sex. Basically, Mexican culture says don’t do anything in public that you wouldn’t want your grandmother to see.

Discover The Puerto Vallarta Gay Scene Has Every Amenity Sought By LGBTQ Travelers

1. 1. A vibrant, well established nightlife with a large number and wide variety of gay bars and gay clubs
   2. A defined gay beach with warm tropical, sunny climate most of the year
   3. A defined, well established gay neighbourhood zone where many gay owned businesses and part and full time LGBTQ residents are locate
   4. A surprising well developed culinary scene with many fabulous restaurants and food events to fit every budget and palate
   5. Gay hotels, bed and breakfast and vacation rentals
   6. Many gay and gay friendly tours, eco tourism and adventure activities
   7. A huge calendar of gay events held all during the year including Gay Pride, bear and leather events, world class circuit parties, gay pool parties and local cultural events
   8. A well-developed arts and culture scene
   9. A huge cabaret theatre and live entertainment scene
   10. Generally affordable when compared to other major LGBTQ travel destinations

Where is Puerto Vallarta´s gay scene located?

The gay scene in Puerto Vallarta is centered in the Romantic Zone, the “Zona Romantica” which is the southern part of the city. It is a 25 minute taxi ride south of the airport to Zona Romantica. This is where you will find the gay beach, the gay nightlife featuring the gay bars and clubs, and most all the gay special events and culture Puerto Vallarta is famous for.

How do I get from the airport to the Gay Zona the “Romantic Zone?” What are the zones here

As of July 1, 2017 Uber is operational in Puerto Vallarta. However UBER will direct you to meet your driver at the bridge on the highway sidewalk if you are going South to the Hotel Zone, Marina, centro, Versailles, or gay Romantic Zone from the airport. There are also white airport taxis, but you will pay less if you cross the street (there is a pedestrian bridge which crosses over the highway from the airport) and take a yellow local taxi. There are no meters; rates are determined by zones. You can also take local public buses from the airport to the gay zone which are quite fun and only cost around $1 USD.

Does Puerto Vallarta have a gay nude beach? Where are the gay activities in day time centered?

During the day most of the LGBTQ scene is located on the gay beach in front of Sapphire Ocean Club, Blue Chairs hotel, Green Chairs ¨Ritmos Cafe and Mantamar Beach Club.¨ The gay beach is filled with sun bathers and plenty of socializing but is not a nude beach. It is generally busy from 2pm until sunset.

This is the typical walking route from Lazaro Cardenas to the beach and vice versa. You are sure to run into a hottie along this route. Walking from Lazaro Cardenas Street to the gay beach by walking along Lazaro Cardenas, turn left at Ignacio Vallarta and walk to Basilio Badillo street, turn right and walk to Olas Altas Street. At Olas Altas turn left walk to Rodolfo Gomez.

At Rodolfo Gomez turn right and walk to Olas Altas street. At Olas Altas street turn left and walk to Calle Abedul street. This will only be a right turn and walk down the hill to the beach and you will be at Sapphire Ocean club. This is the heart of the gay area and from Sapphire walk south to Blue Chairs, Green Chairs and Mantamar Beach Club.

When is the gay nightlife in Puerto Vallarta busiest? Where is it located?

The overall bar nightlife scene is generally late from 9pm to 3 am. Some street bars open at 5pm while regular gay bars and strip clubs open and busiest from 9pm to 12 midnight. Dance clubs are open and busiest from midnight until 3am with some only open Friday, Sat and Sunday expect during peak holiday weeks. Puerto Gay nightlife is centered along bars and side walk restaurants along Olas Altas Street, Basilio Badillo street to Lazaro Cardenas street.

What is the age of sexual consent in Mexico and how do I verify it?

The age of sexual consent in Mexico is 18. The common sense way to determine if a potential guest is of age is to ask to see a his voter registration card or credencial para votar issued by the Instututo Federal Electoral. See photo below.  You must be 18 to get one. If they can’t produce it, politely pass on any interaction with him!

What should I know when using or hiring an Escort in Puerto Vallarta?

DO NOT bring Escorts or massage therapists back to your room without registering him and securing your valuables, preferably in a safe or other secured area. REGISTER HIM at the front desk or concierge where you are staying. Most places register your guest at reception and ask him to leave his ID. This protects you from robberies after you fall asleep with a stranger and protects other guests from someone on the property. If you are staying in a private condo, make a screenshot of his ID to verify his age and have some kind of photo ID in case of any issue. Remember the age of consent is 18. Verify it first.

How do tourists and foreign residents report a crime in Puerto Vallarta?

You must go to the Mexican government office Fiscalia to file an official report that is located here between 9am to 5 pm Mon-Friday phone 322- 221 1633. It is best to take someone with you that can speak Spanish.

There may be two additional options for tourists and foreign residents if the incident involves a police officer
1-Go to the tourist office in the Lázaro Cárdenas park and they will support you in reporting the incident directly to the officer´s commander to seek punishment and in the case of robbery help you try to recover things that were stolen. Contact Lic. Samara Guzmán Legal Tourist Attorney office 322 222 2224 or 1 800 841 8199 email atencionaturistas@hotmail.com hours 8am-4pm Monday-Friday. If there is an emergency and you are leaving, contact him on weekends/after hours. He also assists foreigners (tourists and residents) on all matters requiring legal assistance including landlord problems.

The second option is to go to the UMA building and look for the internal affairs area so that an internal investigation can be carried out against the police and a resolution can be reached. The UMA building is located here and the hours are Mon-Friday 8am to 4pm.

For incidents involving police officers, it is important to remember the obvious details (time, date, location) but also if you can obtain the police badge number, police car number or tag number, and the number of police officers present.

What is the etiquette for the gay strip clubs in Puerto Vallarta?

Tipping is Customary and Expected. Here is the etiquette and information you should know before going inside strip clubs in Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta has several strip clubs. Except on major holidays there is not usually a cover charge to enter. It is full hands on physical interaction, body contact and kissing between you and the stripper. Many foreigners are surprised to learn strippers do not receive any base salary in PV. Therefore tipping is necessary and expected!

Normally in busy season and weekends there could be 10 to 25 strippers at each venue. You are not expected to tip every one but pick out at least 5 of your favorites at tip them. A nice “thank you” tip is $100 to $200 pesos minimum per stripper. Some choose to do more. The tipping custom amount and guideline also applies to go go dancers,  drag queens and other live performers.

Secondly, strippers normally make commission on drink sales when they work. This is why many ask you to buy them a drink. They drink prices are usually posted but expect stripper drinks to be more expensive than usual drinks. Third, strippers make commissions on private dances. Private dances normally run 10 minutes, more or less in the private back room.

Negotiate up front what you are looking for and an exact price for that before agreeing to any service. A normal private dance with a stripper in the private room is touching, feeling, and a sexy tease lap dance. Anything beyond that should be negotiated up front. That price would be paid directly to the stripper at the time performed. If there are no extra services performed, an extra tip is appreciated.

So please expect to tip in a strip club in Puerto Vallarta, even if you are just watching a show and don’t have any physical interaction with any of them. So please do not be offended if you feel pressure to tip in the strip clubs in Puerto Vallarta. If you don’t want to tip at the strip club, then go to a regular bar.

General Tipping Policy For Puerto Vallarta..

When in Puerto Vallarta, tipping is customary, very important and very much appreciated for service oriented workers.  Tips are normally in pesos but can be in USD bills, not US coins which are not exchangeable. Here is a list of professions where it is normal and customary to tip and the amount:

1. Hotel staff like maids $50 to $100 pesos per day their services are used or for short term stays. Longer stays  bell boys $100 to $200 pesos per instance. Tip even at all inclusive hotels.
2. Tour guides $300 to $500 pesos per tour
3. Restaurant and bar waiters, servers or bar staff  15-20% of total bill
4. Baggers At Sorianna, Mega, etc $10 to $20 pesos generally for a few bags. For many bags consider 50 pesos especially if they provide you with a box.
5. Gas Station attendants. Gas stations are all full service in Mexico so most wash your windshield, some even check your oil and fluids, change wipers and provide fuel additives. $10 pesos min to $50 pesos depending on services provided.
6. Tipping uber or taxi drivers or other service personnel is optional.

What are some good Common Sense things to know about how to be safe in Puerto Vallarta after a night out.

● DO NOT WALK ON THE STREETS ALONE AFTER MIDNIGHT. Take an Uber or taxi. In rare cases, police have been known to stop, question and seek a bribe from intoxicated walkers after leaving bars in leu of taking the person to jail. Get a ride EVERYWHERE, especially if you are going more than a few blocks, if it is after midnight if you have been drinking or you are alone.
● DO NOT BRING STRANGERS BACK TO YOUR ROOM WITHOUT REGISTERING HIM AND SECURING YOUR VALUABLES, PREFERABLY IN A SAFE OR OTHER SECURED AREA. REGISTER HIM WHERE YOU ARE STAYING.

Most places register your guest at reception and ask him to leave his ID. This protects you from robberies after you fall asleep with a stranger and protects other guests from someone on the property. If you are staying in a private condo, make a screenshot of his ID to verify his age and have some kind of photo ID in case of any issue.
● WATCH YOUR DRINKS. Someone putting drugs in your drink is unusual here. However, It does happen from time to time. Always Be careful and do not leave drinks unattended.

● DO NOT BREAK LAWS IN PUBLIC AREAS. Do not urinate, smoke or smoke week in public.
● CHECK YOUR UBER/TAXI FOR MISSING ITEMS BEFORE YOU GET OUT!! This simple habit will help you avoid losing cellphones in the car.

● WHEN IN YOUR ROOM MAKE SURE ALL YOUR VALUABLES ARE LOCKED AWAY AND SECURE ESPECIALLY WHEN IN THE SHOWER OR IF YOU FALL ASLEEP.
● Register a contact number with reception or your administrator in case of an emergency or medical issue.

DO NOT WALK IN PUBLIC WITH THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, JEWELRY OR OTHER VALUABLES. Just bring basic ID (not passport) and some cash and leave everything of value in your room safe.

Public Displays of Affection: Use Common Sense

While Mexico is conservative and Catholic, Mexicans are generally very accepting of gay tourists. Holding hands is fine, and a light kiss is not uncommon, but playing tonsil-hockey with Pedro on the corner isn’t kosher. The gay beach and streets of Puerto Vallarta are not places for sex. Basically, do not do anything in public that you would not want your grandmother to see.

Is it illegal to smoke in public in Puerto Vallarta?

January 15, 2023 Mexico imposed some of the strictest tobacco laws in the world. It is technically illegal to smoke in public places, including hotels, beaches, streets, plazas and public parks. This ban includes electronic cigarettes and all vaping devices. Do not be surprised that you are still approached by local vendors  who attempt to sell you this items. The biggest thing to know about this law is many tourist cities are not enforcing this very much. However, it is important to know  the law is on the books.

Public Drinking On The Beach Or Streets In Puerto Vallarta

Legally speaking, no. Realistically speaking, yes. You are not going to be arrested or fined for simply drinking a beer on the street or at the beach. Puerto Vallarta is a resort community and some regulations tend to be a bit more ‘relaxed’ for tourists. You should not drink beer out of a glass bottle while on the street, though. Simply request a plastic ‘to go’ cup from your bartender or waiter, and you’re off and running with your beer or margarita!

Immigration Matters

Do I need a Visa To Visit Mexico? You do NOT need to apply for a visa before traveling to Mexico if:
1) The country that issued your passport appears on this list of countries that don’t need a visa to visit Mexico and you intend to travel to Mexico for leisure and/or business trips of 180 days or less; OR

2)You are a legal resident of Mexico (Residente Temporal or Residente Permanente –formerly FM3/FM2); OR
3) If you don’t hold a passport from one of the countries that is exempt from needing a visa to visit Mexico but you do hold a permanent residency visa for the United States of America, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, or any country that is signatory to the European Schengen Area; OR

3a) If you don’t hold a passport from one of the countries that is exempt from needing a
visa to visit Mexico but you do hold a current, multiple-entry visitor visa for the United
States of America, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, or any country that is signatory to the European Schengen Area; OR

4) If you don’t qualify under 1, 2, or 3 above, but you do hold a current APEC/ABTC business traveler’s card with pre-clearance approved by Mexico. Please contact a Mexican Consulate for more information. Here is a free Mexico Immigration Guide ebook for more details and everything you need to know about immigration and visas in Mexico.

Traveling To Puerto Vallarta With Pets

Puerto Vallarta is very pet friendly with many hotels and bed and breakfasts pet friendly along with some restaurants. Please review the current information to enter/exit Mexico with your pet. The website is here.

Gay Events and Activities in Puerto Vallarta

Whether you’re looking for a circuit party, bear and leather event, gay adventure tour, foodie or culture event, or cabaret show schedule, Puerto Vallarta offers it all. World class restaurants, circuit clubs and parties and sophisticated lounges, tours and adventure activities, live cabaret theater and music, galleries, spa, shopping…the list is literally endless.

Visiting Puerto Vallarta during a major event or festival is not only a great way to see the city, its landmarks and learn its history, but also a great way to immerse yourself in the local gay community. Whether it is for Puerto Vallarta gay pride, a gay circuit party or a bear and leather event, this city has it all! What are the main gay events, circuit parties and when are they Puerto Vallarta is an event and party town. Check the  Upcoming Gay Events calendar and travel planner here.

Puerto Vallarta Gay Pride-One of the Top Pride Events in the world

Vallarta Gay Pride is normally the week before US Memorial day in May and has been recognized as one of the top gay pride events in the world. Check our Puerto Vallarta gay pride events calendar section to confirm the exact date and schedule of events for this year.

Does Puerto Vallarta allow same-sex weddings?

Yes it is legal to have a gay marriage in Jalisco the state where Puerto Vallarta is located.
However, foreigners must have your birth certificate apostilled (certified) and take marriage counseling courses. Getting married in Vallarta is a complex issue so please consult a qualified wedding planner or immigration professional for details of what you need to be legally married in Puerto Vallarta. See our same sex wedding blog story here.

Buses, Taxis & Car Rentals

Before you take a taxi always note the taxi number (generally printed on the exterior of the back seat doors) and the “sitio” number – contained within a circle on the driver’s door. This will help you in the very rare chance that you encounter problems or leave something in the cab.

Car rental services are available (with offices in the airport or across the street from PVR) but can be difficult in the Romantic Zone due to a shortage of parking. Within the gay zone, it is easier and convenient to walk from the gay beach to the bars restaurants and shopping stores.

Public transportation buses are very plentiful in Puerto Vallarta. Traveling by bus around the city is very inexpensive, educational and fun. You can pretty much travel anywhere on the bus for 15 pesos one-way. Public transportation buses run from the airport to all the major zones: Hotel Zone, Marina Vallarta, Fluvial Versailes, centro Malecon area, the Romantic gay zone, even further south to Mismaloya and Boca de Tomatlán.