Giles. R. Says:
What parts of Mexico would be suitable for my husband and me, as members of the LGBTQ+ community?
IL Latin America Correspondent Jason Holland Says:
Hi Giles,
There are LGBTQ+ tourists and expats all over Mexico, traveling and living happily. But there are certain locations that are especially welcoming to people from these communities.
Puerto Vallarta is probably the best-known LGBTQ+ destination in the country. It is, of course, a premier vacation destination and expat favorite on the central Pacific coast just in general. But there is a particularly strong LGBTQ+ vibe here.
There is an LGBTQ+ nightlife district here, well-known for its live entertainment, as well as other businesses, including hotels, shops, spas, and bars, catering to the community. Much of the action is centered around the Old Town, aka Zona Romantica, and Los Muertos Beach. There are certain beach clubs that cater specifically to the LGBTQ+ community.
You can also check out the arts haven of San Miguel de Allende, where I live, in the highlands of central Mexico.
Popular with cultural tourists of all backgrounds, it is welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers and expats and very popular with this community. There is no shortage of things to do, including live music, performing arts, cooking classes, dining in gourmet restaurants, visiting art galleries and boutiques, and more. LGBTQ+ travelers patronize businesses throughout town.
There is no designated district; the city is too small for a dedicated area.
On the Riviera Maya, be sure to check out the beach resort town of Playa del Carmen, which has a hopping restaurant and nightlife scene, not to mention white-sand beaches, clear turquoise Caribbean waters, and warm weather year-round.
The 5th Avenue pedestrian street is popular with visitors and expats of every stripe.
Also worth a visit is Cancun to the north. The resorts on the beach are gay friendly and the town itself also has an LGBTQ+ scene. It hosts an annual International Gay Festival.
It’s also worth mentioning the largest cities in Mexico, which tend to have very liberal populations. Mexico City, the capital, and Guadalajara, the second-largest city in the country, both have large Mexican LGBTQ+ populations that are open and active in the community.
The first gay pride parade in Mexico was held in Mexico City in 1979, and it’s held every year in June. The nightlife and entertainment district for LGBTQ+ community is in the Zona Rosa, with bars and ventures running for a few blocks on Calle Amberes.
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