Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta has Mexico's highest gay density per capita. The whole scene concentrates in Zona Romántica: 40+ gay-owned bars, clubs, restaurants and services in a few walkable blocks. The offer covers all tastes: dance clubs (Mantamar, Anonimo, Paco's Ranch), leather bars, nightly drag shows, gay-owned Mexican cantinas, terrace restaurants.

The atmosphere starts early (sunset cocktails at Mantamar) and runs until dawn in the clubs. Drag culture is a local trademark, with daily shows at several venues. Wikipedia describes it as "the most welcoming and gay-friendly destination in the country" and "the 'San Francisco of Mexico'" — no exaggeration (~292K population in the municipality, ~479K in the metro area).

Vallarta Pride has been held every May since 2013, coinciding with the US Memorial Day weekend (last weekend of May) to capture US tourism. Five days of pool parties, concerts, drag shows, beach parties and the march. A scale out of proportion for a ~292K-population municipality (~479K metro): comparable to the Prides of mid-size European capitals.

Complementary gay event: Bear Week in late January / early February (Puerto Vallarta is an international bear destination of reference). Outside one-off events, the gay high season runs November to April (dry climate, US/Canada tourism) and the nightlife works year-round.

Zona Romántica (also called Old Town) occupies the strip south of the Cuale river, between the bay and the hill. Core streets: Olas Altas, Lázaro Cárdenas, Basilio Badillo, Francisca Rodríguez. Playa Los Muertos is the main public beach — its south side (in front of Mantamar Beach Club) is the gay beach, per Wikipedia "a popular gathering spot for gay and lesbian tourists".

Since the 1990s the area has consolidated as an international gay destination, with a first wave of gay-owned bars and resorts. Today it's a full ecosystem: hotels, bars, clubs, restaurants, shops, spas, drag bars, beach clubs. Walkable end-to-end in 15 minutes. Buzzing 24/7 in high season.

The municipality is actively pro-LGBT and declared an official LGBT-friendly destination. Health: Hospital San Javier and CMQ Premiere (private, tourist care), international clinics with US/Canada insurance widely accepted. Post-exposure PEP: 72h window in private hospital ER. Local orgs: Sociedad de la Diversidad Sexual de Puerto Vallarta, Compa Vallarta (LGBT tourism support). Significant US/Canada consular support given North American tourist mass.