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Introduction to Gay Puerto Vallarta
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As with most port cities, Puerto Vallarta has a tradition of tolerance and is certainly one of the most gay friendly cities in Mexico. The local newspaper La Tribuna de la Bahia conducted an unofficial survey in November 1999 and found that a majority of the people surveyed said they would have no problem with a gay mayor, as long as he was qualified for the job.
Puerto Vallarta has become the most popular gay travel destination south of the border, surpassing the huge city of Acapulco in recent years as a hot spot. The town is safer than any American city that I know of and combines beautifully the Old World charm of its cobblestone streets and white stucco houses with the modern amenities of a world class resort, having a multitude of five star hotels, fine beaches and quality stores and boutiques. The Mexicans are known for their friendliness and the people of Vallarta are no exception. The American Society of Travel Agents reports Vallarta as the sixth most favorite destination for American travelers abroad, and for good reason. Conde Nast Traveler ranked Puerto Vallarta in 2002 as one of the top 10 foreign cities of the world, up there along with Paris, Rome, Sydney, London and Hong Kong. For foreign friendliness, Vallarta outranks all the choices and is also the first choice for its ambiance. Conde Nast further notes that Vallarta "makes its debut on the list this year, in part because of the remarkable amiability of the local folk." So there you have it, folks!
Most
of Puerto Vallarta's gay tourism comes from the West Coast states and British
Columbia, Texas and the Southwest, as well as large numbers from Montreal
and Toronto. One meets more and more people from the Midwest, especially
Chicago. Puerto Vallarta's reputation draws tourists from the East Coast
as European destinations and the resort areas in Florida become more expensive.
Prices are still reasonable here and the American dollar is quite strong
vis-a-vis the Mexican peso, at around 10.5 pesos to the dollar. Vallarta
was listed as the #1 beach destination in Latin America by Travel and Leisure
Magazine. In a recent New York Times article Susan Hauser writes that she
ditches her Vallarta city tour and goes off "to walk for hours along the
beach and through the picturesque town. The inviting shops and restaurants
that fill every block give this town a European feel, I think, and I love
the modern bronze sculptures placed along the waterfront."
David Kirby in a May 2004 New York Times travel article says 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." He rightly says that the night life "equals or rivals that of almost any midsized metropolis in North America....there are many inviting daytime activities"
These activities occur nearly every
day or night of the week during the "high season" winter months: the gay
cruise, horseback riding, gay bingo, stripper and drag shows, happy hours
galore, pool parties, and of course the extremely popular gay beach. The
bars are doing a booming business and there are now some eighteen gay clubs,
bars, cantinas and lounges, all but one of them in the unique part of town
known as the South Side. Vallarta also has a very lively local art and
music scene. Though the summer months are slower for tourism compared to
the winter season, more tourists are coming year-round for the friendly
accommodations, lovely beaches, relaxing atmosphere and the many fun things
to do and see.
June 2000 |
Nov 1999 |
May 1999 |
Puerto Vallarta
Gay Travel Guide Site Creation
Original
Art Work: Lorenzo 'Twig' Menne
Photos:
Carlos Anduaga, Michael Bottrill, Chad Armstrong, William Clark,
Nuno DeMelo,
Benoit Gagnon, John Hook, Meteorry/Perry,
Michael
Mayo and Kurt Stamm
Text:
Michael J. Mayo and Shirley Wooduv
©
Copyright 1998-2008 by Michael Mayo
All rights
reserved.
Michael J.
Mayo
Carretera
a Mismaloya 101 Esq. Abedul
Costa Linda
#11
Puerto Vallarta,
Jalisco C.P.48380 Mexico
Email: michaelmayo72@cosmored.net
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