LGBTQ culture in Puerto Vallarta

CNN has described Puerto Vallarta as Mexico's "top LGBT destination" with "one of the best week-long Pride festivals in the world".

[2] Puerto Vallarta's LGBTQ culture is based in the Zona Romántica, which includes the gay-friendly Playa de los Muertos.

The city has private clinics and nonprofit organizations specializing in LGBTQ healthcare and providing access to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

"[8] Writing for South Florida Gay News in 2020, he called Puerto Vallarta "the premiere [sic] LGBT resort in North America".

[11][12] According to John Gottberg Anderson of The Bulletin, "a lot of the romance in [Zona Romantica] is of the gay and lesbian variety, as this subculture is widely accepted here".

"[14][15] The southern end of the neighborhood's Playa de los Muertos is considered gay-friendly and is popular with LGBTQ travelers.

[19] Puerto Vallarta has many businesses that cater to the LGBTQ community, especially in Zona Romántica and to a much-lesser extent in neighboring Centro.

[14][21] Jet's and Wet and Wild offer "coastal tours that conclude with a secluded, clothing-optional beach party", according to Out magazine.

[14] The Rough Guide to Mexico describes Apaches as a "popular and welcoming gay and lesbian joint where groups gather for martinis and cocktails at happy hour, filling the cosy, indoor bar and sidewalk tables".

[27][30] Out described Code as "more of an LGBTQ-inclusive space with a Vegas vibe; spheres drop from the ceiling and change color while flames shoot from the DJ booth".

[25][27] The gay bar La ChaChaLaCa, which was established as StreetBar Vallarta in late 2016, has a pride flag near the entrance and a patio wall gallery displaying "Hollywood divas".

Participants included Brooke Lynn Hytes, Eliad Cohen, Hedda Lettuce, Levi Kreis, Kim Kuzma, Mama Tits, Ross Mathews, Nina Flowers, Shangela, Sherry Vine, Valentina, and Varla Jean Merman.

Recipient businesses included Blondies, Garbo, La Noche, Mantamar, Mr. Flamingo, Reinas, The Top, and Wet.

[26] The Observer said Los Balcones' dance floor was "opulent Mexican art deco, overlooked by an all-white, hi-tech chill-out room".

[45] According to Out, Sixty Nine "offers a more upscale experience, with expert pole dancers performing amazing feats for the crowd", and Wet Dreams "is probably the most well-known, although it looks seedy and the men can be aggressive here in pulling customers into back rooms".

The two-level venue "sports the traditional American style strip down shows", according to GayPV, which has also said, "The owner of Wet Dreams owns other bars in town so you will see the hot strippers in circuit parties" at Industry and Mantamar.

[47] Additionally, the "gay-owned and operated telehealth platform" MISTR announced plans to open its first international location in Zona Romántica in April that year.

According to Bear World Magazine, MISTR will offer an "in-person presence ... where Mexican nationals, permanent residents and non-residents of Mexico and Latin America can receive free access" to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).

[48] Solidaridad Ed Thomas AC (SETAC) is a local organization and community center focused on LGBTQ healthcare.

[48] Puerto Vallarta offers many LGBTQ-friendly accommodations, including from bed and breakfasts, guesthouses, hotels, lodges, and resorts.

[62][63][64] Frommer's said Palm's "crowd is mostly gay, but straights won't feel out of place if they come (the management and patrons are a tolerant bunch)".

[65] The venue has hosted Dame Edna Everage[65] and tribute shows to gay icons and LGBTQ artists such as Lady Gaga and Freddie Mercury.

[53] White Party events are held on weekends around holidays such as Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve,[22] and Presidents' Day, which is celebrated in the United States in February.

[75] In 2021, some members of the LGBTQ community criticized a White Party that was held on New Year's Eve during the COVID-19 pandemic for disregarding health regulations.

"[82] In 2014, SFGATE said the event had "expanded from a three-day weekend to five days of beach parties, music festivals, fashion shows, assorted activities and a mass commitment ceremony".

[85] Nelson Branco of Toronto Sun said of his 2017 experience: "The city not only allowed cops to walk in the parade—but for the first time, the entire police, medical and fire forces proudly sashayed down the boardwalk, including Mayor [Arturo Dávalos Peña]".

[88] National Geographic said in 2019, "The parade brings nearly all residents out to see the marchers and colorful floats pass along the picturesque Malecón and ends with a festive block party.

"[81] Lola Mendez ranked Puerto Vallarta number one in The Times' list of "best places around the world to celebrate Pride in 2023".

[94] One of the victims "alleged that the incident was motivated by the couple's sexuality" and "expressed concern that police were covering up what really happened in order to avoid damaging the tourism sector".

[104] In 2022, Puerto Vallarta's building commission announced plans to paint rainbow crossings at intersections in the neighborhoods Amapas and Zona Romántica.