Puerto Vallarta enjoys wide renown among both local and foreign LGBT people as a fabulous vacation destination in Mexico. So it comes as no surprise that there’s a vast array of Puerto Vallarta gay hotels to choose from in this vibrant Jalisco resort city. Additionally, you’ll find gay hotels in Puerto Vallarta. Particularly popular, discover the gay-friendly beachfront accommodations on Playa de Los Muertos (Beach of the Dead)—a place awash in joie de vivre despite its name.
Puerto Vallarta, or simply PV or Vallarta, also has a bustling gay scene. In Old Town or the Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone)—officially the Colonia Emiliano Zapata area—on the city’s southern side, you can party the night away in hip gay bars and clubs, many of which are on the Lázaro Cárdenas strip. And if you’d like to experience the best of the area’s colorful nightlife, come to the cabaret, old chum, and embark on this epic Gay Bar Hopping Tour.
Beautiful beaches, historic attractions, great food, and warm, hospitable people who welcome LGBT visitors with open arms are just some of the reasons for choosing PV when planning a gay beach getaway in Mexico. And with the plethora of gay friendly hotels in Puerto Vallarta, you’ll soon feel right at home, just like you would in places like Guadalajara and Acapulco,
Blue Chairs Resort By The Sea
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Occupying a prominent stretch of Playa de Los Muertos, Blue Chairs Resort By The Sea is a popular gay-cation spot. This lively 3-star hotel features 43 rooms, all with private balconies facing the ocean. LCD cable TV, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, and coffeemakers are likewise available in each room. A restaurant and bar serve yummy meals from morning until night. The hotel spa offers a variety of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments, and there’s a rooftop pool surrounded by loungers.
The resort has its own private stretch of the white-sand beach. However, other beaches are within walking distance. Amapas Beach, for example, is just 300 meters (328 yards) away. The hotel is also on the Malecon, a pedestrian-only boardwalk with shops, eateries, and bars galore. You can watch artists painting by the sea, admire the beautiful public sculptures, or simply take in the fresh breeze during a romantic sunset stroll.
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Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa
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If you’re seeking a luxurious beach getaway, then you’ll appreciate the Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa. Aside from being adjacent to El Salado Beach, it’s among the top Puerto Vallarta gay hotels. Choose from rooms and suites equipped with mini-bars, flat-screen TVs, and private balconies that offer wonderful views of Banderas Bay. Take your partner for a couple’s massage at the hotel spa or a dip in the infinity pool. Afterward, feast on Mexican delights at the hotel’s restaurants.
The 4-star hotel is in the Marina Vallarta area, an easy half-hour away by taxi or bus from the Zona Romántica’s gay nightlife. The Marriott sits right beside the Marina Vallarta Golf Club, while the shops, cafes, and restaurants of the Marina boardwalk are within walking distance. It’s also the perfect base for the Rhythms of the Night Dinner Show, which includes a sunset cruise and a spectacular acrobatic display.
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Quinta Maria Cortez
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Boasting red-brick walls and canopied beds, the accommodation at the adults-only Quinta Maria Cortez is anything but bland. Most of the suites here have beautiful ocean views, kitchen facilities, and antique Mexican furniture. Guests can enjoy the free breakfast either in a beach restaurant or the palapa-covered dining area. And with a private beach area and a sun terrace, you can work on your tan in peace. Need a little pampering? You can get a couple’s massage here. There’s also an outdoor pool that’s open all year round.
This place is not one of the gay friendly hotels in Puerto Vallarta. Instead, it’s an LGBTQ-friendly B&B, set right on Conchas Chinas Beach where there’s plenty to do. You can play a game of volleyball on the white sand or take to the water for some surfing, paddle boarding, snorkeling, and diving. Meanwhile, the gay life of Playa de Los Muertos and the Zona Romántica is just a 15-minute walk away.
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Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta
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As a Gold Global Partner of The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), the all-inclusive Hyatt Ziva Puerto Vallarta welcomes gay travelers with open arms. The rooms and suites here have all the features and amenities of excellent 5-star hotels. But for a unique stay in this is one of the popular gay friendly hotels in Puerto Vallarta, we recommend the adults-only swim-up rooms that offer access to a semi-private pool directly from their terraces. No wonder it’s also one of the best hotels in Puerto Vallarta.
The hotel is chock-full of amenities for a luxurious beach getaway. It boasts five infinity pools, six outstanding restaurants where Mexican and international dishes are on offer, and five bars and lounges that are perfect for pre and post-dinner drinks. And for the ultimate in relaxation, you only need to head to the Vitamar Spa for a massage or a dip in the hydrotherapy pool. The Hyatt Ziva has its own private beach, the Playa Las Estacas. And if you’re looking to paint the town red, a 6-minute ride north will bring you to the most happening gay bars in Puerto Vallarta.
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Hotel Posada De Roger
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Established in the early 1970s, Hotel Posada De Roger is among the pioneers of the Zona Romántica. This family-run place is one of the gay friendly hotels in Puerto Vallarta and is a fascinating marriage of the old and the new. You’ll find traditional Mexican furnishings and art along with air-conditioning, cable TV, free Wi-Fi, and a mini-fridge in each room. There’s an outdoor pool surrounded by lush greenery. And on the roof terrace, you can go sunbathing while admiring the splendid views of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Also, there’s a community kitchen and the on-site Fredys Tucan restaurant, which can take care of any case of the munchies that might arise.
Conveniently located in downtown PV, this 3-star hotel sits mere steps away from the cantina-style Los Amigos gay bar. Also within easy walking distance, are the gay clubs and bars of Lázaro Cárdenas and Playa de Los Muertos. For a bit of PV history, take a 7-minute stroll to the Plaza De Armas and look at a bronze statue of Ignacio Vallarta, after whom the city was named. The Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and its Renaissance-style tower is also here.
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Almar Resort Luxury LGBT Beach Front Experience
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Pampering is the name of the game at the colorful Almar Resort Luxury LGBT Beach Front Experience. It’s among the most popular 4-star gay hotels in Puerto Vallarta for a number of reasons. Bed linen and curtains in pastel hues make for bright and cheerful rooms, many of which boast sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. Splurge on one of the suites and you’ll get to enjoy a jacuzzi on the private balcony too. The outdoor pool and terrace are open every day of the year, and the fitness center and spa make self-rejuvenation a pleasure.
This adults-only 4-star beachfront resort is located in the Zona Romántica. Gay cruising spots such as Wetdreams and the always-popular Spartacus Spa gay sauna are just a 15-minute walk away. The bustling shops and cafes of Olas Altas street are an easy 6-minute stroll from the hotel. And if you’re in town on a Saturday, drop by the Olas Altas Farmers Market for terrific food, music, art, and clothing.
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Jet’s Gay Hostel
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The cozy and intimate Jet’s Gay Hostel is touted as the first of its kind in PV. The owner, an avid traveler, found inspiration for the property from the gay hostel concept of Berlin and the capsule bed concept of Japan. Each memory foam bed in the dormitory rooms has a handy reading lamp beside it and can be enclosed by curtains for privacy. The rooms also come with free Wi-Fi, lockers, and power outlets. Keep in mind, though, that Jet’s Gay Hostel is exclusively for youth travelers who are 18 to 35 years old.
Jet’s is among the most well-known Puerto Vallarta gay hotels. It’s surrounded by numerous restaurants and it’s just a few minutes by foot from sizzling gay bars such as Mr. Flamingo and Paco’s Ranch. The hostel is also conveniently located for the lip-smacking Evening Taco Adventure Tour, a 3-hour nocturnal activity that’ll have you munching your way through downtown PV’s vibrant street food scene.
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Vallarta Shores Beach Hotel
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Apartment hotels are all the rage and Vallarta Shores Beach Hotel is no exception. This 4-star luxury property boasts a good number of opulent one to four-bedroom suites, each with a full kitchen, cable TV, and a balcony where you can gaze over Banderas Bay. If you book either a 3 or 4-bedroom suite, you’ll enjoy a private chef service at no extra charge. Meanwhile, staying in one of the Sky Suites means that you’ll also have your own private pool.
Take a few steps along the shore and you’ll reach the gay and vivacious Mantamar Beach Club Bar. Malecon’s trendy restaurants and shops are likewise within easy walking distance. Take a 9-minute cab ride to the north to see the ancient relics at the Cuale Archaeological Museum or walk 15 minutes and admire Mexican art at the Galeria Olinala.
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Piñata PV Gay Hotel
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Creating a truly memorable experience is what Piñata PV Gay Hotel is all about, according to its owners, a gay couple originally from Los Angeles, California. So, you’re definitely staying in one of the best gay friendly hotels in Puerto Vallarta. And, with all the rave reviews it’s been getting, it looks like it’s succeeding. This 3-star property, exclusively for gay men, features bright and airy guestrooms. Each comes with air-conditioning, iPhone Dock, mini-fridge, flat-screen TV, and private bathroom. The outdoor pool and hot tub are clothing-optional and there’s a lively bar on the property that regularly hosts social events.
Piñata PV Gay Hotel is located just off Highway 200 and is a quick walk from Malecon, the beach, restaurants, and gay bars. For a hint of Hollywood in Puerto Vallarta, head to the nearby Gringo Gulch neighborhood. Elizabeth Taylor, a beloved icon of LGBT people all over the world, once owned a house here. She received it as a gift from her then-paramour and future husband-twice-over Richard Burton.
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Hotel Mercurio
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Gay-owned and staffed with LGBT people on its staff, Hotel Mercurio is a magnet for gay vacationers from near and far. But, feel free to bring along a straight (adult) friend since the property is hetero-friendly too. Take your pick from 28 rooms, each of which features premium bedding, a refrigerator, cable TV, and air-conditioning. The outdoor swimming pool is open at all hours of the day and night while the pool bar and restaurant serve meals from noon until late at night.
The 3-star Hotel Mercurio sits in the heart of Zona Romántica, just a stone’s throw from Los Muertos Beach. Yearning for watersports? Surfing, fishing, and snorkeling are close by at Banderas Bay. And for man-made aquatic fun, you can head to Aquaventuras Water Park, roughly a half-hour drive to the north. Also within easy reach are gay nightlife hubs such as the Industry Nightclub and Paco’s Ranch.
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Casa Cupula Luxury LGBT Boutique Hotel
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Perched on a hillside in the exclusive Amapas neighborhood, the award-winning Casa Cupula Luxury LGBT Boutique Hotel literally sits above the competition. This gay-owned boutique hotel welcomes LGBT and straight vacationers alike, providing them with the services and facilities for a stellar getaway. Ranking high among Puerto Vallarta gay hotels, it features 19 rooms and suites, many with balconies looking out to the blue waters of Banderas Bay and the green Sierra Madre Mountains. Unplug with a massage or a dip in the spa’s salt-water zen pool and enjoy an alfresco brunch at the cheery Bistro Teresa. You can also take advantage of poolside dining and the daily happy hour at the swimsuit-optional pool club.
The 4-star Casa Cupula is located 500 meters or less than a half-mile from the gay Playa de Los Muertos. Many of the gay bars and clubs of the Zona Romántica are a quick 9-minute walk away. And if you’re seeking offshore fun, we recommend the Los Arcos Snorkel & Beach Private Boat Tour. You’ll enjoy hours of snorkeling among colorful fishes and corals in the Los Arcos Marine Park and lounging on secluded beaches beside the bay’s crystal-clear waters.
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Just So You Know:
- Vallarta Pride, held annually during the last weekend of May, first took place in 2013. Every year, the festivities start at the beachfront and culminate with the Pride Parade and party.
- Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone) is also called Old Town and Colonia Emiliano Zapata. It emerged as Puerto Vallarta’s gay district following the purchase of land and properties here by LGBT people in the 1980s.
- Same-sex marriage became completely legal in Puerto Vallarta in 2016, and it’s becoming an increasingly popular place for LGBT destination weddings.
Get Some Culture in Puerto Vallarta:
- BeefDip – Held annually for more than 15 years now, this is one of the world’s most interesting bear weeks. Bears and bear-lovers from near and far revel for 8 days in Puerto Vallarta, enjoying activities such as pool parties, karaoke, and the ever-popular Booze Cruise.
- Puerto Vallarta Gay Bar Hopping Tour – Local gay guides will bring you to the hottest bars and clubs where you don’t have to wait in line and pay cover charges. Learn the ins and outs of Puerto Vallarta’s sizzling gay nightlife, have a few drinks, even chow down a 3-course gourmet dinner!
Best Gay Bars / Clubs in Puerto Vallarta:
- Mantamar Beach Club Bar & Sushi – Set on the Playa Los Muertos, this gay beach glub features a suspended pool, VIP cabanas, and a private terrace. Live music and DJ sets are regular occurrences here.
- La Noche – Party the night away at this rooftop gay bar surrounded by stunning views of the city and the mountains. It’s situated along the Lázaro Cárdenas strip and holds colorful drag shows, jaw-dropping circus acts, and performances by sexy go-go boys.
- Mr. Flamingo – Also on Lázaro Cárdenas, this open-air bar is a fixture in Puerto Vallarta’s gay nightlife. Dance to pop music from various decades, enjoy reasonably priced cocktails, and mingle with the hordes that come here nightly.
Best Gay Saunas in Puerto Vallarta:
- Spartacus Sauna – A premium men-only spa complex in Zona Romantica, it’s Puerto Vallarta’s sole gay sauna. The facility spans multiple floors and boasts a steam room, cold room, outdoor pool, cabins, and much more.
