Mantamar Beach Club Source: Almar Resort

Slumber Party: Puerto Vallarta's Almar Resort

Ivan Quintanilla READ TIME: 3 MIN.

The newest and only luxury beachfront LGBTQ hotel in Puerto Vallarta will make your cup - make that tub -- bubbleth over. With hot tubs in 29 of its 78 suites; an infinity pool (featuring swim-up bar and more hot tubs) off the sands of Los Muertos Beach; member access to Mantamar Beach Club, the premier beach club in Zona Romantica; and a rooftop bar with heart-warming sunset views, drag shows and -- yes, even more hot tubs -- the Almar Resort is making sassy classy in Mexico's favorite gay beach retreat.

The Almar Resort has been plotting total gay beach domination of Puerto Vallarta since 2015. First, was the opening of the Mantamar Beach Club, which quickly became the gay-preferred pool in which to splash all day. Today, passes are available for all adults for purchase, though Almar guests have full, free access included in their stay.

Spend the day lounging on a beach chair with personalized waiter service for all your food and drink needs, or reserve a private poolside cabana at no cost (though a food/beverage minimum is expected for the cabanas on weekends). You'll meet your new best friend, tonight's frolic or your future husband at the Mantamar's salt-water pool. International LGBTQ tourists, friendly allies, and local cuties abound -- all perfectly perched with a view the ever-popular gay beach. Steps away from the "Blue Chairs" area, the stretch of beach has become the daytime epicenter for gay travelers in Puerto Vallarta.

After your exhausting day socializing, head over to the hotel's Top Sky Bar for cocktails. With unobstructed west-facing ocean views, you'll learn why sunset is a special event in Puerto Vallarta.


The Top Sky Bar is open only to guests during the day, but at 6 p.m. the happiest hour of them all brings all the boys to the Top, where they'll stay for drinks, dinner and a show. On Wednesday nights, the Top has begun alfresco movie screenings while weekend nights feature fabulous performances by Hedda Lettuce, among other talented drag performers. Oh, did we mention they also have hot tubs?

For your accommodations, you can choose Standard, Partial or Full Ocean View suites. Or splurge on the big daddy of the hotel, the Grand Almar Jacuzzi and Terrace Full Ocean View Suite, with living room, dining area, kitchenette, two bedrooms and, as the name suggests, a Jacuzzi hot tub and a glorious view. Regardless, all but six rooms in the entire resort have some view of the ocean and all include a private terrace, L'Occitane bath products, complimentary Wi-Fi and impeccable service. Gym bunnies can now pre-beach-pump with inspiring views at Almar's newly opened rooftop gym.

Should you want to explore Puerto Vallarta beyond the pool, beach and hot tubs of Almar, the resort's concierge can arrange excursions such as zip-lining through lush forests with the gay-friendly Los Veranos Canopy Tour, or a cruisy day of boozing with the "lotion boys" on board the Wet and Wild Gay Cruise.


Though the Almar Resort can provide all the rest, relaxation and revelry you desire with 24-hour room service and all-day meals both beachside at Mantamar and cloudside at the Top Sky Bar, you're also walking distance to the restaurants and bars that keep Puerto Vallarta pulsing deep into the night. From stripper bars to martini lounges to dance clubs, it's easy to see why Puerto Vallarta is perennially crowned the premier LGBTQ vacation destination in Mexico.

And if all this excitement is just a little too much to handle, don't worry, there's always a hot tub nearby to soothe the stress away.


by Ivan Quintanilla

Cuban born, Miami raised, Dallas and London educated and New York seasoned, Ivan Quintanilla is a travel writer and professional actor living in Hell's Kitchen, NYC. Read about his latest destinations at TravelingIQ and follow him on Instagram at @TravelingIQ

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