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Mexico is one of the most popular destinations for gay travelers, and Cancun to be the ultimate tourist destination in Mexico. The result is a very tourist friendly, gay friendly atmosphere with excellent public transportation, friendly people, and luxurious all-inclusive resorts. Unlike other cities, Cancun has a modern water purification system so most of the tap water is drinkable for visitors.
Cancun’s Zona Hotelera is the strip of resorts and hotels created specifically for tourists. In this area, you will find American chain restaurants, shops and amazing beaches. El Centro is the downtown area, a bit less touristy and more local. Here there are great local restaurants and eateries, and a variety of nightclubs, both gay and straight.
Clubs come and go quickly in Cancun, but there are a couple long-lasting gay clubs and many of the straight clubs are gay-friendly. Nightlife in Cancun doesn’t really get started until 10pm or later, and lasts until 5 in the morning. Looking for addresses in Cancun can be tricky, but the cab drivers know most of clubs by name. Buses run frequently between El Centro and Zona Hotelera and El Centro is walkable.
Cancun has gay nightlife on a larger scale than most Caribbean destinations.
There are no Cancun-specific gay publications, but gay magazines can be bought from street vendors, especially in Parque Las Palapas, a popular meeting place downtown.
Where to Stay: Cancun’s accommodations tend to be large resort properties with several hundred rooms. Gay-specific hotels are not available, but many hotels will accept a same-sex couple checking in with no problem.
Note that if you plan to partake of the gay nightlife, it is more convenient to stay further north on the peninsula, perhaps closer to the Centro de Convenciones, because this area is closer to downtown. Also, properties do not generally allow you to bring a nonregistered guest back to your room late at night, although this rule is not always enforced; and during the daytime it is not a problem.
Where to Play: Cancun offers two bar/discos for gay men and women |