Puerto Vallarta has added another international accolade to its growing reputation as an LGBTQ+ travel destination. GayCities readers selected Puerto Vallarta as the No. 1 LGBTQ+ travel destination in the world in the publication’s 2026 reader survey, placing the Mexican resort city ahead of New York, Berlin, and Amsterdam.
GayCities, a North American digital travel publication focused on LGBTQ+ travelers, published its “10 Best LGBTQ+ Travel Destinations, According to GayCities Readers” on August 13, with an update on September 3. Rather than relying solely on an editorial panel, the ranking was based on feedback from GayCities readers and frequent LGBTQ+ travelers about the places they enjoy visiting and returning to.
Puerto Vallarta claims the top position, followed by New York City, Berlin, Portland, Provincetown, Toronto, Amsterdam, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale and Tokyo.
What Put Vallarta at the Top?
For GayCities readers, the appeal goes beyond beaches and nightlife. Their comments point to a combination of welcoming people, LGBTQ+-friendly businesses, accommodations, dining, entertainment, and a strong sense of community.
The publication specifically highlighted Puerto Vallarta’s Zona Romántica, often referred to as the city’s LGBTQ+ “gayborhood.” Its cobblestone streets are lined with restaurants, bars, cabarets, hotels, and other businesses that cater to LGBTQ+ visitors.
One reader described the neighborhood as “magical and accepting,” while another said being surrounded by LGBTQ+ people and businesses created a feeling of freedom and was “liberating.” GayCities also noted the availability of clothing-optional accommodations, something relatively uncommon among the destinations on its list.
The city’s weather was another recurring attraction. GayCities readers pointed to the opportunity to enjoy Puerto Vallarta’s beaches, outdoor activities, and other experiences throughout much of the year.
More Than Nightlife
While Zona Romántica and the city’s nightlife remain important parts of the LGBTQ+ travel experience, Puerto Vallarta’s appeal has expanded considerably.
Visitors can now choose from wellness retreats, fine dining, art and cultural experiences, luxury resorts, beach clubs, same-sex weddings and longer stays. That broader range has helped the destination appeal to travelers with different ages, interests and reasons for visiting.
Puerto Vallarta has also developed a reputation for LGBTQ+ hospitality over many years, rather than becoming a popular destination because of the growth of LGBTQ+ tourism as a market.
That history is reflected in the city’s annual events. Vallarta Pride, for example, has become an established part of the local calendar, drawing visitors and participants while highlighting the city’s LGBTQ+ community.
Recognition From Around the Travel Industry
The GayCities honor adds to other international attention Puerto Vallarta has received for its LGBTQ+ tourism.
Condé Nast Traveler has previously described Puerto Vallarta as a go-to destination for same-sex couples and highlighted its LGBTQ+-friendly hotels, beach clubs and Zona Romántica. The publication has also noted that marriage equality has been legal in Jalisco since 2016 and throughout Mexico since 2022.
The latest GayCities ranking, however, is particularly notable because it comes directly from the publication’s readership. Its readers were asked about the destinations they love, the places they want to revisit, and the experiences that stand out during their travels.
For Puerto Vallarta, the results offer another indication of how LGBTQ+ travelers view the city internationally. What began decades ago as a welcoming coastal destination has grown into a place where LGBTQ+ visitors can find a broad range of travel experiences and a well-established local community.
And according to the people who took part in the 2026 GayCities survey, Puerto Vallarta is currently their favorite LGBTQ+ travel destination in the world. https://banderasnews.com/
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