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 TM
Out and About in Mexico
Gay travelers find openness and unending
hospitality close to home
 From the
seething sophistication of its capital city and quaint colonial towns rich with
art, to sun-kissed resorts on silky sand beaches, Mexico is a land of surprising
depth and diversity. AND one of the most popular destinations for gay travelers.
Thousands of same-sex lovers wash ashore on Mexican coasts each year and are
welcomed with a sense of hospitality and openness only Mexico can deliver.
Famed as one of the most liberal countries in Latin America, Mexico has a strong
gay community. In June 2003, President Vicente Fox signed a law that outlaws
several types of discrimination, including bias based on sexual preference. The
law also requires federal agencies to launch campaigns to promote tolerance.
With more than 440 beaches, dozens of archeological sites and a thriving gay
community in numerous cities, choosing a place to visit in Mexico can be a
daunting, yet delicious undertaking. Below is a brief description of some of
Mexico’s hottest destinations for sun-kissed guys and gals seeking good times
and relaxation.
Mexico City
Combining
sophistication and modern conveniences with rich culture and thousands of years
of history, Mexico City continues to draw countless visitors each year. The
longest continuously-inhabited city in the western hemisphere, Mexico City’s
population is approaching 23 million. The traveler can spend two weeks in the
city and still not experience all the major attractions it offers to people of
all taste buds.
Floats! Drag queens! Rainbow flags! Mexico City comes alive during the last week
of June for the annual Gay Pride Week. Millions of gays and supporters march
along the tree-lined Paseo de la Reforma and end at the massive zocalo (main
square) with a rally and carnival. In addition to Mexico City, the cities of
Guadalajara, Puebla and Tijuana also host pride festivities.
 Seeking art? Mexico City boasts a wealth of
museums containing everything from pre-Hispanic artifacts and colonial treasures
to handicrafts and modern art. Some of the most outstanding include the National
Museum of Anthropology, the Modern Art Museum, the Rufino Tamayo (Art) Museum,
and the Frida Kahlo Museum. After taking in some of the breath-taking art visit
the newly inaugurated gay mall, Circa, with a capacity for 80 gay-friendly
stores located on Insurgentes and Baja California.
As the sun sets, famed Zona Rosa on Paseo de la Reforma begins to heat up, as
couture clad boys and girls cruise for a good time. The area long-known as one
of the most gay-friendly areas in Mexico City offers visitors an array of
choices, such as the popular nightclub Living (Paseo de la Reforma 483) and El
Taller (Avenida Florencia 37-A). Other noteworthy spots worth visiting are
Lipstick (Amberes 1) and Cabare-Tito (Londres 161).
One of the world’s great cosmopolitan
capitals, Mexico City offers visitors an extensive variety of hotels, ranging
from some housed in beautifully preserved historic buildings, to others
featuring the latest in contemporary architecture and design. Budget travelers
can enjoy the Dos Fridas Hostel (www.2fridashostel.com), while those seeking
more lavish dwellings can check in to the newly opened CondesaDF (www.condesadf.com),
who recently hosted the likes of Paris Hilton.
For more information, visit
www.mexicocity.gob.mx.
Acapulco
 Studly
Richard Burton and fabulous Elizabeth Taylor frequented this Pacific resort
city, during the 70s, making Acapulco a well-renowned enclave for the rich and
famous. With more than twenty beaches along the bay, visitors can bask in the
sun or enjoy their favorite water sport on the same-sex beach favorite, Condesa,
offering an array of water activities and plenty of opportunities to cruise.
No evening in Aca, as the locals call it, is complete without a visit to the
world-famous divers at La Quebrada. Brave men plunge from a 130-foot cliff into
a narrow cove with just 11 feet of water, just as the wave comes in. The
death-defying act is performed daily at 12:30 p.m. and nightly at 7:30, 8:30,
9:30 and 10:30 p.m. At the final show, divers carry torches up the cliff and
pray by an altar at the very top, before they take the imminent plunge.
Once the sun goes down, things begin to heat up as thrill-seekers line up at
some of Aca’s most fabulous clubs. Among the most popular is Tequila’s Le Club (Urdaneta
29) featuring a daily live drag-queen show during the high season. Other
noteworthy mentions are Taboo (Costera Miguel Aleman 111), a beachside bar and
disco, and La Rouse (Benito Juarez 4), a gay club frequented by an upscale and
largely Mexican crowd.
Acapulco offers a tremendous array of lodging options, from inns (posadas) to
luxury hotels. Some of Aca’s most gay-friendly accommodations are located near
the infamous Condesa beach. These include Casa Condesa situated in a nearby lush
and tranquil tropical setting. Another fave is Las Palmas Resort with colonial
style décor, set against Paradise Mountain with panoramic views of Acapulco Bay
and tropical flora.
For more information, visit
www.acapulco.gob.mx.
Guadalajara
 Fondly referred to as “The San Francisco of Mexico" for
its numerous museums and artsy community, Guadalajara boasts numerous gay
resources, including a radio show and a community center. The radio show can be
heard by tuning into 104.3 FM every Saturday at midnight for the latest in
current events and gay-oriented news. The Centro Cultural Comunitario Gay de
Guadalajara (Av. Alcalde 743), which is operated by the non-profit organization
Homo Sapiens, offers the community a safe place to meet
and greet. In addition, there is an online magazine for local
information at www.gaygdl.com.
After a long day of visiting all the sites and attractions of Guadalajara, relax
at one of the many bath houses in the city. Visit Baños La Fuente (Manuel Acuña
1107), with a general or private steam room, and enjoy a relaxing massage.
When the sun sets, striking men and women hit the town and unload on the popular
Angels Bar and Disco (Lopez Cotilla 1495), boasting heart-thumping electronica
and house music until the wee hours. Another local spot is Monica’s Disco
(Alvaro Obregon 1713), playing some of the latest Latin American rhythms.
Guadalajara offers an array of accommodations for every budget and taste. One of
the most popular gay-friendly hotels is Hotel San Francisco (Delgado No. 267),
located in the heart of downtown within walking distance to the sightseeing,
shopping and several of the gay bars.
For more information on Guadalajara, visit
http://vive.guadalajara.gob.mx.
Puerto Vallarta
 Beautifully combining the Old World charm of cobblestone streets and white
stucco houses with the modern amenities of a world class resort, fine beaches
and quality stores and boutiques, Puerto Vallarta has unmistakably become a
favorite among same-sex fun-seekers.
Puerto Vallarta, also referred to fondly as PV, offers an array of coastal
activities along Banderas Bay, including gay cruises, horseback riding, gay
bingo, drag shows and lesbian tours. Also, no trip to the Pacific resort town is
complete without strolling along the predominantly gay beach of Blue Chairs on
Playa de los Muertos and the adjacent Green Chairs beach.
 For lovers of fine cuisine, PV offers more than 250 restaurants serving a wide
array of delightful local seafood dishes as well as a broad range of
international cuisine. PV’s nightlife is renowned. After more than a decade, the
enormous three-level Club Paco Paco (Ignacio Lopez Vallarta 278) still reigns as
the king of gay nightlife.
Seeking gay-friendly accommodations in PV? Look no further than the infamous
Blue Chairs Resort (www.bluechairs.com), situated on the beautiful south side of
Vallarta near the historic downtown and the only gay property located on the
beach in Puerto Vallarta. Another local favorite is Casa Cupula (www.casacupula.com),
nestled in the hills just across the main road heading south from town and
within walking distance to the beach, downtown, bars and restaurants.
For more information, visit
www.visitpuertovallarta.com.
Where to Book a Trip?
When shopping for an upcoming
vacation, visit the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (www.iglta.org),
representing both retailers and suppliers in the gay travel industry and
providing a full-calendar of events worldwide. In addition to the association,
visit some of the industry’s largest queer tour operators. Below is a brief list
of some of the upcoming trips being planned to Mexico:
Olivia Tours – www.oliviatravel.com
Mexican Riviera Cruise – October 29 – November 5, 2005
Bathed in sun and warm ocean air, blessed with lively markets and delicious
cuisine, the Mexican Riviera is part siesta and part fiesta. Groove to
double-Grammy winner India Arie, making her Olivia debut with a performance in
Puerto Vallarta! Back by popular demand, Indigo Girls kick off the vacation with
an on-board concert in San Diego.
 Atlantis
cruises - www.atlantisevents.com
Atlantis is one of the largest gay travel tour operators offering cruise
packages to Mexico. The Mexican Riviera cruise is one of the most popular,
offering five Mexican destinations in eight days on the new Radiance of the Seas
ship. Rated by Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice as one of the best ships in
the world, Radiance of the Seas offers among its many amenities a rock-climbing
wall, two pools and an African-themed solarium complete with 17-foot high stone
elephants and waterfalls. In Mexico, the ship will visit Ixtapa, Puerto
Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. AND
the largest gay cruise in history returns with Atlantis. They are returning
to the largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean’s amazing Navigator of
the Seas, for a bigger and more spectacular cruise than ever in 2006. That’s
more entertainment, more parties, and more fun than ever. There’s no other ship,
and no other experience, like it in the world. Don’t miss out – staterooms are
selling at a record rate.
Edited by Erika Wright
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