Puerto Vallarta is Becoming the New Symbol of Tourism in Mexico Vallarta Pride
May 6, 2014

International trendy and chic visitors have long known of Puerto Vallarta Romantic Zone's charm and natural beauty. Once an undesirable place to live, the Romantic Zone has been transformed into a thriving community of hotels, condos, restaurants, bars, and shops.

The Director of Tourism, Carlos Gerard Guzman has a mission to increase tourism in Puerto Vallarta which experienced a sharp decrease in 2009 with the H1N1 influenza scare and the increase of drug cartel violence in the border towns. Although Puerto Vallarta had 4 cases of H1N1 and no cartel violence, the impact was devastating to the tourism industry here. The result was many businesses and jobs were lost during the last three years.

However in 2012, tourism began to improve in part because people realized there was nothing to fear in Puerto Vallarta. When visitors returned, they saw the huge infrastructure investment projects which included the new Los Muertos pier and the new Malecon renovation. The sidewalks in Zona Romantica were also widened during this period allowing for more cafe style seating. 2012 bought 3.7 million visitors to Puerto Vallarta and that number increased by 5% in 2013. As stated earlier, the international crowd which flocks to Puerto Vallarta makes up 40% of the tourists.

The international hip tourists have realized that besides the refurbished hotels, there are a number of luxury condos available for rent, giving the chic international and national travelers a full range of accommodations. In fact if you check PVRPV and Palmera Vacations web sites, a visitor will see over 500 top end properties available for rent with 70% located in Zona Romantica. Most are two bedrooms, which if divided between four people will cost in a range between 267 pesos and up a night. Making a luxury vacation in Paradise very affordable to most international and national visitors.

With 17 gay bars, 3 night clubs, 3 gay boat tour companies, 5 gay hotels, 80 restaurants, and even a bar hopping tour, Zona Romantica has the greatest diversity of gay activities worldwide. Besides being situated in a real neighborhood, Puerto Vallarta is really amazing in that there are only 18 days per calendar year where you cannot go to the beach. Every other gay Mecca has a season. We do not.

An exciting new development in Zona Romantica is the Almar Resort Luxury All Suites & Spa. This 5 star complex scheduled to take guests by January 2015 is raising the bar even higher for comfort and luxury on the beach. Their Mantamar Beach Club Bar & Grill is already open, serving food from the famous chief Thierry Blouet of Café des Artistes and receiving rave reviews from their guests.

Of course, the most important part of any community is the people. Puerto Vallarta has a world-wide reputation of having extremely friendly and the most welcoming people. The warmth and smiles of the inhabitants of this Mexican enclave have won the hearts worldwide over and account for so many people returning year after year. Once you catch the Vallarta fever, you will long to return or never leave. The expat community last counted over 30,000 and growing daily.

This is why the Vallarta Pride Committee and ACT LGBT A.C. (gay business association) are so excited to welcome international and national visitors to our 5-day event (Vallarta Pride, May 22nd to 26th, 2014) which will highlight the gay community which we lovingly call home.

For more information please visit Vallarta Pride.

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