Any Puerto in a Storm Dallas Voice
go to original January 11, 2015

Balls in the air | Vacationers frolic on the famed Los Muertos gay beach outside the Blue Chairs resort. (Photo by Andrew Collins)

Puerto Vallarta along the Mexican Riviera is vibrant, warm … and very gay-friendly.

It’s hard to name a gay resort destination in North America that has more going for it than Puerto Vallarta, a fast-growing city on the Pacific Coast’s fabled Mexican Riviera. PV’s historic downtown (El Centro) is hemmed in by the verdant slopes of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Just south of El Centro, in Zona Romantica, you’ll find a bustling gay scene comprising trendy cocktail bars, hopping dance clubs, scene-y open-air restaurants and inviting hotels and condos … just steps from the beach.

Despite its growing popularity, the city is still a relative bargain compared with the U.S., the Caribbean and other Mexican resort areas. On nearly any budget, you can eat well and stay in a comfortable room near the beach in this inviting, friendly destination that’s now one of the hottest LGBT resort communities in the world — a favorite place both to vacation and retire to.

With a population of roughly a quarter million, Puerto Vallarta no longer bears much resemblance to the carefree and isolated fishing port that provided the 1963 location for film of Tennessee Williams’ The Night of the Iguana. In recent years, PV has developed into a world-class gay mecca. Resources for LGBT visitors are many, including GayGuideVallarta.com and GayPV Magazine (GayPV.mx).

Zona Romantica is a compact patchwork of hilly lanes tucked beneath the Sierra Madre foothills. The neighborhood fringes Los Muertos Beach, and narrow auto and pedestrian bridges connect the district with El Centro. The beachfront location of Zona Romantica, as well as its elegantly faded veneer and historic charm, accounts for its ever-increasing draw among gay visitors and bohemian types. It’s a neighborhood that celebrates its diversity — everyone is welcome, but especially during the bustling high season (from about December through April), certain blocks of Zona Romantica seem about as gay as any in North America.

There are a few more general attributes that further enhance Puerto Vallarta’s standing. Again, it’s reasonably priced. Dinner entrées at top restaurants rarely cost more than $20 and often run for $10 to $15. Hotel rates, cab rides, cocktails, fashionable clothing and handcrafted gifts also tend to come at fair prices, although it’s definitely possible to find high-end exceptions.

It helps to understand Spanish, but you can get by easily in PV speaking only English. This city, set stunningly in the center of Bahia de Banderas (the largest natural bay in Mexico), enjoys a spectacular climate. The city is generally dry and breezy with temperatures in the 80s, the exception being the summer rainy season (generally June through September), when highs often reach the low 90s and humidity can sometimes be oppressive. Puerto Vallarta receives far fewer visitors off-season, and some businesses close for extended periods in summer.

If you’re a fan of outdoor activities or are interested in some of the many side excursions available from this area, book a trip through the gay-friendly outfitter Vallarta Adventures. One excellent tour option is the company’s thrilling Extreme Zip Line Adventure, a tree-top canopy tour, off-roading trip and waterslide experience in a high-jungle adventure park. The company also offers tours of secluded beaches like Yelapa and Las Caletas, as well as whale-watching, snorkeling, sailing trips, and up-close encounters with bottlenose dolphins and sea lions.

Read the rest about where to eat, where to play and where to stay at Dallas Voice.