Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
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Although it helps to understand Spanish, you can get by easily in PV speaking only English. Adding to its draw, this city set stunningly in the center of Bahia de Banderas (the largest natural bay in Mexico) enjoys a spectacular climate. The city is generally dry and breezy with temperatures in the 80s, the exception being the summer rainy season (generally June through September), when highs often reach the low 90s and humidity can sometimes be oppressive. Puerto Vallarta receives far fewer visitors off-season, and some businesses close for extended periods in summer.

If you're a fan of outdoor activities or are interested in some of the many side excursions available from this area, book a trip through the gay-friendly outfitter Vallarta Adventures. One excellent tour option is the company's thrilling Outdoor Adventure, which entails a white-knuckle boat trip across the bay, followed by a bumpy mule ride up a hillside, zip-lining through a lush forest, and rappelling down waterfalls. The company also offers trips to colonial San Sebastian and bustling Guadalajara as well as whale-watching, scuba and snorkeling, sailing trips, and up-close encounters with bottlenose dolphins.

PV has dozens of outstanding restaurants as well as a slew of hip bars, and the scene is continuously evolving, but among dining options, there are some "must tastes." At the upper end, don't miss Cafe des Artistes, a sumptuous spot with refined service and rarefied contemporary cuisine. For authentic regional Mexican food served in a charming, warmly furnished dining room, try lesbian-owned El Arrayan. Boca Bento serves some of the tastiest fusion Latino-Asian fare in town, and the setting - a handsome historic hacienda - is quite elegant. Chiles and Kit-Kat are a pair of hip gay lounges that also serve reasonably priced lunch and dinner fare, and slightly more upscale Banana Cantina turns out superb contemporary Latin cuisine. For a snack, grab a sandwich or iced java at the gay-owned Coffee Cup, or enjoy a hearty meal at the campy gay diner, Mama Dolores.

When the mood to socialize strikes you, keep in mind that things start late here and continue into the wee hours. The after-dinner crowd tends to congregate at one of the low-keyed lounges, such as lesbian-owned Apaches, upscale La Noche, or the tiny but fun Stereo. Another great bet is Garbo, a jazz club and piano cabaret that's often packed. Bench and Bar, an import from Oakland, Calif., is a great Latino bar with lively drag shows. And just about everybody ends up at the city's hottest gay club, Manana's, a stunning former hacienda with a big swimming pool in the center of its open-air lounge-and-dance area. This spacious, trendy club also has a separate strip bar to one side, and a large show stage. This is just a sampling of favorite options - Puerto Vallarta has more than a dozen gay bars.

The city also offers a wide range of accommodations. Many gay travelers opt to stay in or near Zona Romantica, within walking distance of bars, but if you'd prefer to chill out at a large mainstream resort that's a bit far from the fray and actually has a nicer beach than Los Muertos, consider the regal Marriott CasaMagna, a swanky full-service resort that's just a short cab ride from the airport and enjoys an enviable oceanfront setting. To be sure, it's a mainstream property popular with families and honeymooners, but the management is very gay-friendly. This is a nice option, especially the day you arrive or the day before you leave, when it's handy to be near the airport. The resort's stunning new Ohtli spa, one of the most lavish on the Mexican Riviera, opened in February 2007.
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