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Playa Los Muertos Beach For years Puerto Vallarta's gay beach has been known as the Blue Chairs, the beachfront bar and restaurant located near the southern end of Playa Los Muertos, Vallarta's principal beach. The gay beach also includes a good portion of the Green Chairs next door at Ritmos Beach Cafe restaurant. The clientele at both places sit under the many round, thatched palapas for shade or lay out on their towels to soak up the tropical heat and sun. On any day of the winter high season, there are several hundred gay men sunning, talking, eating, drinking, cruising and playing in the water at the gay beach. The surf can be rough at times, especially during the winter months, so be careful getting in and out. To add to the pleasure of the gay beach, from which all of Banderas Bay is visible, starting in November until late March a siting of whales or schools of dolphins is not unusual. The Green Chairs usually plays a good selection of music on the stereo: rock, reggae, disco and pop, in English and Spanish, and sometimes has live bands or a DJ spinning; the Blue Chairs on the beach tends to be a quieter area, though the Blue Chairs hotel rooftop at night is rather active and noisy. The Green Chairs also has seating in the open patio areas in the restaurant, as well as on the beach. There are discussions on the beach about which place is better or more gay friendly, so check them out and decide for yourself. Both locations have loyal customers for any number of good reasons. The Blue Chairs tends to attract a large and faithful gay clientele as it has been the traditional gay beach area now for some 25 years. I have found the waiters at both places to be friendly and attentive, and many of the waiters have been there for years. As in all of Vallarta, it's best to keep track of your tab and count your change. The size of gay beach area (now gay beaches to be more exact) has recently expanded due to the newly-opened Blue Seas resort and beachfront restaurant in this part of Los Muertos beach, practically adjacent to the traditional Blue and Green chairs. The Blue Seas offers beachfront chaise lounges and recliners with sun shades, an air-conditioned bar and lounge as well as open-air dining. Just off the beach they are planning a private fitness facility and a full service spa. David Kirby in a recent New York Times article on gay Puerto Vallarta noted that the crowd at the beach was friendly, "mostly over 30, and mostly from the Midwest or West Coast. For a gay beach scene, it was pretty low key. Many there said they go back to Puerto Vallarta every year, not only for the gay scene but also the relaxed atmosphere and gorgeous natural surroundings.

David Kirby in a recent New York Times article on gay Puerto Vallarta noted that the crowd at the beach was friendly, "mostly over 30, and mostly from the Midwest or West Coast. For a gay beach scene, it was pretty low key. Many there said they go back to Puerto Vallarta every year, not only for the gay scene but also the relaxed atmosphere and gorgeous natural surroundings."

Gay men on vacation and at the beach in Puerto Vallarta tend to be more relaxed and open than they are at the gay bars, so use this opportunity to make new friends. If you are into Mexican men, there are some good looking ones around. Sunday is their one full day off work and many of them spend it at the beach, usually with a group of friends. There are also a number of hustlers on the make at the beach. If you take one of them home, be aware of what you are getting into and also take care of your valuables.

Puerto Vallarta's gay beach is extremely popular and is not to be missed. The beach party lasts from late morning often until around sunset. Visit this link for more information on many of the beaches of Vallarta and Banderas Bay.

How to Get to the Gay Beach
If you have accommodations on the South Side of Puerto Vallarta it is pretty much a short walk to the Blue and Green chairs of the gay beach, which is some 200-300 yards south of the pier on Los Muertos beach. From the hotel zone on the north side of town, it's a 15-25 minute taxi ride to the gay beach, which may cost 50-75 pesos or more. Just ask the taxi driver to take you to the 'Blue Chairs beach' or the 'Blue Chairs hotel' on Los Muertos beach. If you take any bus marked "Olas Altas" on the windshield, get off at the end of the line at the Lazaro Cardenas Park. You are then within a 10-12 minute walking distance. Coming from Conchas Chinas or other south shore accommodations, it's easier to take the taxi to 'the Blue Chairs' because the buses don't run that frequently.

The two weeks of Christmas/New Year are the most popular time to be in Vallarta (Thanksgiving week is the second most popular time). Many men return year after year and know each other, so the feeling of camaraderie in town is particularly strong and it's a time of many parties and reunions.

Conchas Chinas
At the south end of Los Muertos beach is a large rocky outcropping. There is a narrow path that leads up and over. The area around there was once more noted for its gay cruising, especially around sunset, and is still popular with some. This is the beginning of Conchas Chinas beach, which is not really one beach but several small, sandy coves (photo at left) among a series of these rocky outcroppings. If you are looking for a more private beach experience, you may find it in Conchas Chinas. The waters are clear and shore fishing, swimming and small beach gatherings are popular. The beaches are also accessible off coastal Highway 200.

The hillsides overlooking the Conchas Chinas beaches have become crowded with luxury condos and villas, which often have spectacular views. It takes a good five-ten minute taxi ride up the winding hillside roads before you get to the top of the developments, but the reward is a view unsurpassed in all of Puerto Vallarta, with the entire 600 square mile Banderas Bay stretching out before you. The sunset bars at El Panorama or El Nido have similar lovely panoramic views.

Unfortunately, the authorities in Puerto Vallarta and the State of Jalisco have not had the good sense to control the development in many parts of town and the surrounding area, so the charming Alta Vista, Conchas Chinas and South Shores in particular are in danger of losing their appeal, and their palm trees, as more and more buildings go up along the hillsides. It is well known that Banderas Bay has suffered for years from the stress of so many people using its resources, with problems ranging from over-fishing to agricultural runoff. Los Muertos Beach though is still a lovely tropical getaway and is the magnet pulling the gay clientele.

Note: We ask our friends and clients to boycott the jet skis, which pollute the air and water, threaten public safety and destroy natural quiet. Reports show that at least 25% of their fuel goes directly into the water and we would like to help the efforts to clean up Banderas Bay.

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