Spring is Back in Gay Puerto Vallarta

By the time this issue reaches your hands, Spring will have arrived and Spring-breakers will have published their own share of selfies while spending quality time in Puerto Vallarta, including the many parties and events organized in town for LGBTQ+ folk. What can you expect to enjoy in Puerto Vallarta during the month of April? For starters, warmer weather and more comfortable pool and ocean time. Let’s unpack those!

OCEAN

Without question, the undisputed grand dame of Puerto Vallarta beaches continues to be Los Muertos Beach, located in the heart of the ‘gayborhood.’ Its southernmost stretch is the place to be if you are looking to connect with other LGBT+ visitors and locals. At the popular Green Chairs and Blue Chairs, you can dip your feet in the sand under a shady palapa while enjoying restaurant fare and cocktails, not to mention the excellent taco de ojo (the Spanish equivalent of ‘eye candy’) and a number of beach vendors trying to make ends meet by selling all sorts of merchandise. (If you don’t wish to be bothered, a friendly no, gracias will suffice.)

For a bit more privacy, you can opt for two beach clubs: Mantamar, which is more lively, and Sapphire, which is more relaxed. Needless to say, they both have their own swimming pools. In addition, a number of LGBT+ tour providers offer boat tours that take you to remote beaches south of Puerto Vallarta, affording beautiful views of our coastline along the way—do not forget to apply suntan lotion in your midland section if you intend to expose it to the elements!

Keep in mind: Beach vendors will attempt to sell you all sorts of things, some of which include consumables—food and recreational substances—that may not be safe to procure at the beach. Use your judgment. A local friend might be inclined to offer a helping hand, so you know what you’re getting. Also, while you may be inclined to throw caution—and your swimwear—to the wind, kindly keep in mind that Los Muertos Beach, even with its LGBTQ+ friendly sections, is first and foremost a family beach. So resist the urge to show off your family jewels in public.

POOL

In case you’re wondering, for us locals, this is the time of the year in which we send love notes to all our friends that live in complexes with a swimming pool, or start shopping for day passes in local hotels. For you, chances are that you’ve booked an awesome Airbnb property with a beautiful swimming pool. Or perhaps you have booked a stay at either Casa Cupula or Hotel Mercurio, two local LGBTQ+ that not only have pools and poolside entertainment; they also feature weekly events that you will not want to miss. Hotel Mercurio has their legendary Beers, Boys & Burgers every Sunday afternoon, featuring local go-go dancers and other talent, not to mention a wonderful opportunity to mingle with locals. Meanwhile, Casa Cupula’s newly expanded Pool Club features their popular Adam & Steve and NKD parties where you can throw your caution and your swimwear into the wind!

Off the beaten path, and in the spirit of trying something new, there are two non-LGBTQ+-specific swimming opportunities you may want to consider. Not only does Canopy River in El Jorullo offer one of the best canopy rides in town (including the longest suspended bridge in all of Latin America, which you can traverse on foot or quad bike). Their swimming pool features a spectacular view of the mountains and ocean, not to mention a great option to refresh yourself after your canopy adventure. Further up the mountains, the Rancho Mi Abuelo recreation center redirects water from a nearby river into a series of natural swimming pools in the middle of the forest. A full restaurant offering traditional Mexican fare, along with a well-stocked bar complete the experience. Both companies offer convenient transportation from the city and back.

You don’t want to be wet all the time? No problem! Puerto Vallarta in April is chock-full of live entertainment, dining, shopping and bar-hopping options for you to enjoy to your heart’s content!

Catch up with Paco Ojeda live Monday – Saturday at 10:30 am local time, on his talk show, “Coffee & Headlines,” where he shares headlines and stories for Puerto Vallarta’s local English-speaking community. facebook.com/pacoojedalive