Discover Mexico's best gay beaches, from Puerto Vallarta to Zipolite
Mexico is Latin America’s most popular LGBTQ+ travel destination. It combined stunning Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, gay legal protections dating to 1871, and a thriving circuit party scene that attracts international travelers year-round. From Puerto Vallarta’s legendary Zona Romántica to Mexico City’s sprawling gay scene, Mexico has a lot to offer LGBTQ+ travelers.
The country’s 245-year history of legal same-sex activity predates the United States by 132 years, while nationwide marriage equality since 2015 and comprehensive anti-discrimination laws create a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ visitors. Naturally, it’s best to stick to the touristy destinations in Mexico.
Puerto Vallarta is Mexico’s LGBTQ+ beach capital
Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica is the biggest gayborhood in Latin America. The heart of the action is Playa Los Muertos, where the famous Blue Chairs beach club has welcomed LGBTQ+ travelers for decades alongside newer additions like Mantamar Beach Club.
The south end of Los Muertos Beach maintains its status as the official gay section, where you’ll find many attractive gentlemen, mostly of North American extraction.
With over 32 LGBTQ+ bars concentrated in Zona Romántica, you can experience everything from Paco’s Ranch (established 1989) and CC Slaughters to drag venues like Palm Cabaret and Bar and Act II. The annual Vallarta Pride Festival in May has earned international recognition as one of the world’s premier LGBTQ+ events.
Hotels range from luxury Almar Resort (a “straight-friendly” beachfront resort) and boutique Casa Cupula (clothing-optional pool) to the new 55-room Tryst gay resort that opened in 2024.
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Cancun is a magnet LGBTQ+ tourism
Cancun’s Hotel Zone is home to many sprawling luxury resorts, all of which are trying to outdo each other with enhanced all-inclusive offers. Cancun’s luxury hotels are a big draw for LGBTQ+ travelers, particularly during the annual Club Med Cancun takeover by Club Atlantis in late April/early May.
Playa Delfines attract gay travelers, although it doesn’t have a gay section. It spans nearly two kilometers of pristine coastline, with the unofficial gay section traditionally located toward the southern end. This stretch of coast can experience stronger waves than some other Cancún beaches, making it popular with bodyboarders but less popular for swimming.
Downtown LGBTQ+ venues include The Backdoor, 11:11 Club, and Laser Hot Bar. If you’re staying in one of Cancun’s sprawling resorts, you should certainly consider trips to Playa Delfines and to Chichén Itzá. That being said, it can be tricky to motivate yourself to leave your hotel when it’s a self-contained kingdom comprised of all-inclusive luxury restaurants and Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Zipolite – Mexico’s most liberated LGBTQ+ beach experience
Located on Oaxaca’s rugged Pacific coast, Zipolite holds a unique place in Mexico’s gay travel landscape. As the country’s first and only legally recognized nude beach, it draws LGBTQ+ travelers from around the world with its free-spirited, clothing-optional scene and unfiltered embrace of body positivity.
At the heart of this openness is Playa del Amor, a secluded cove at the eastern edge of the main beach that has become a de facto gay nude beach. Each evening, a quiet migration begins as crowds – mostly gay men, many of them nude – make their way across the rocks to gather for sunset.
Zipolite’s rise as an LGBTQ+ haven began decades ago with European backpackers and hippie nudists. That legacy remains visible in the town’s ethos: “everything goes, but nothing has to.” Nudity is not only permitted – it’s welcomed, and the beach’s come-as-you-are spirit means all body types and identities are part of the landscape.
That spirit continues at Casa Nudista, a 100% nudist hotel that welcomes both gay and straight visitors and is best known for its Saturday naked pool parties. ChiZme, Zipolite’s first LGBTQ+ bar, offers drag shows and entertainment several nights a week.
But Zipolite is changing. As the town’s popularity has exploded – especially among American and Canadian travelers – it’s not longer as rustic as it used to be. This former hippie haven is emerging as a trendy spot for gay travelers with increasingly upscale amenities. Where once modest cabanas lined the beach, you’ll now find smarter beach bars.
Zipolite is very much an up and coming Mexican destination with a huge gay scene. It’s worth spending a couple of days in Zipolite to really soak up the scene and see its flawless sunsets.
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Cabo’s luxury beach scene
Los Cabos has evolved into one of Mexico’s premier LGBTQ+-friendly luxury destinations, combining stunning Pacific coastline with sophisticated resort culture and an increasingly visible gay scene. While not traditionally known as a gay hotspot like Puerto Vallarta, Cabo’s luxury tourism infrastructure and cosmopolitan atmosphere have created a naturally welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ travelers with a taste for the finest 5-star hotels. Cabo is a magnet for A-list stars.
Playa El Médano serves as Cabo’s unofficial gay beach, particularly the section near the Melia Cabo Real and Grand Velas resorts. This expansive stretch of golden sand offers calm swimming conditions (unlike some of Cabo’s dramatic but dangerous surf beaches) and attracts an upmarket crowd including a growing LGBTQ+ presence, especially during peak winter months when international visitors flock to escape northern climates.
The gay-friendly area is generally found toward the eastern end of the beach. While not as established as Puerto Vallarta’s dedicated gay beaches, the scene here is growing, with several beach clubs actively courting LGBTQ+ clientele through inclusive marketing and gay-friendly events. If you’re looking for a luxury beach vacation, Cabo has emerged as one of the hottest luxury destinations in Latin America.
