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GAY VALLARTA!
Puerto Vallarta is an extremely tolerant town, welcoming gay and lesbian guests with friendliness. Long a destination for gay men, it is becoming increasingly attractive to lesbian travelers, as well. All of Vallarta is a marvelous cultural and entertainment venue, but there are specific areas where the gay population tends to gather when they want to be surrounded by FAMILY and not feel uncomfortable in a more typically straight location. Gay men still tend to be somewhat circumspect about holding hands or being more openly affectionate on the street in PV, given its Catholic background, but for lesbians, it is less of a problem. Most Mexican women are commonly seen walking hand in hand or with arms linked on a regular basis. In this way, the culture is on women's side!
A whole industry has grown up around the Gay/Lesbian travel group in Puerto Vallarta, and many of the links provided here will be rich sources of information for you as you get to know your way around. Come often, stay long, and bring your friends. We are FAMILY in Vallarta, and the energy is the best!
Gay Puerto Vallarta Nightlife
Most of the gay spots are on the level ground where the Rio Cuale (Cuale River) empties into Vallarta's Bandaras Bay. This area, a zone often called South Side or Zona Romantica over last few years, could just as well be called homo heights. There is a decided shift away from the Hooters, Hard Rock Cafe, and local straight night spots like the Zoo or Kahlua, that so dominate the malecon just north of the city center. South of the city center is where gay men and women are everywhere.
Vallarta's primary club or disco scene, gay or straight, is pretty late in the evening. Don't plan on much happening at these clubs until past midnight. Please remember that the age of consent is 18. Do not even think of bringing anyone back to your room without checking ID. Mexican jails are not where you want to be for your vacation and beyond. On that same note, never carry drugs with you on the street. The local police are very serious about enforcing the strict No Drugs policies. Mexican law provides very severe penalties for drug related crimes. Mexico is governed by Napoleonic law, which means that you are guilty until proven innocent. It's just not worth it, and the police are particularly vigilant at night. Beware, also, however, of beach vendors purporting to sell henna tattoes or trinkets, who then offer you something "a little extra." Just say NO!
Before the late night action gets going, the places to be are on Olas Altas Street. Apache's Bar is a fun place to gather outdoors along the sidewalk for happy hour and a meet-up with other English speaking residents or tourists. Una Pagina en el Sol (A page in the sun) is a fun little coffee shop for either morning coffee, afternoon tea, or just a chance to sit at the tables in this corner bistro and catch up on local gossip. The Blue Massage Spa is another venue where you can relax away any stresses you brought from home before immersing yourself more deeply into your vacation experience.
Olas Altas Street, a wonderful side-walk café-strewn strip of land where the mountains are closest to the beach, is where everyone walks. Olas Altas by has become something reminiscent of a Paris back street, lined with sidewalk cafés, but located in the tropics here in gay Puerto Vallarta. Along Olas Altas Street are several gay bars. All are the kind of places where you'll see activity earlier in the evening. Just remember to meander west towards the beach before sunset, as you surely won't want to miss one of Vallarta's most spectacular nightly displays.
Earlier in the evening the happy hour circuit usually starts off at various places where the crowd gathers to watch the sunset. At many local merchants, you will find copies of an incredible little booklet called "Gay Guide Vallarta." It is published by season, and includes a free map and tourist guide, lots of advertisements of gay and lesbian friendly venues, tour information, restaurants, and more. Pick one up everytime you visit, to check on its current calendar of events, check out new restaurants, and more. You can also find them online at www.GayGuideVallarta.com.
Additional websites you might want to check out prior to heading for Vallarta are:
www.discoveryvallarta.com
www.girlports.com/lesbiantravel/destinations/puerto_vallarta
www.gaypuertovallarta.info
www.gaycities.com
and
www.bestgaypuertovallarta.com
(a new site, growing all the time)
Stay in touch all the time with the most up-to-date gay travel information in Puerto Vallarta by joining this group.
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