The police in Mexico are some of the worst I have seen in my many years of travel. If you do choose to travel there do not go alone. A single Gringo is fair game to all.



G

I don't agree with that.

PV is relatively safe for tourists unless you ask for trouble.

The police are everywhere and they have big guns but they are after Mexicans, not gringos.

PV used to be my destination of choice before discovering Thailand.  But, Thaiquila is correct when he says there is no organized prostitution in PV.  There is, however a gay beach with some willing guys and, at last count, 4 gay bars but they are Western style and not gogo bars.



The town has essentially three zones.  In the north are the major resorts, hotels and condos.  Frankly, I find that area boring.  Then there's the center of town where most of the "action" is.  Then there is the area south of the Rio Cuale where the gay beach is located and most of the Mexicans from DF and Guadalajara stay along with the more savvy gringos.  



The Mexican people are friendly but do not compare to the Thais.  Sexually, they are far more liberal in their views than you'd find in the US, but again, not anywhere near Thailand.  You'll also find the cultural differences minor than you'll find in Asia - after all, Mexico is a relatively well off Western country.  While Pattaya is a tourist city, it is not 100% devoted to visitors.  PV is virtually only a tourist city with everything geared to please the tourist.  And while we in Pattaya have our corrupt police, Mexico is more infamous for them.  I would not be afraid of them, but I'm more careful with them in Mexico than I am in Pattaya.



Hope this helps.

I was a regular in PV until about 5 years ago. Combination of a bum real estate deal,expensive accomodation,competion for non rent Latinos, and a desire to explore has kept me away. Compared to Thais I find Mexicans better in the sack easier to converse with (Spanish vs Thai) and just as much fun. Now I hang out in Mexico City which has a great gay scene with more venues than you could ever visit.  

as I just returned from 2 weeks in Mexico, including a week in Puerto Vallarta.  My friend and I stayed at the Blue Chairs hotel, which is ground zero on the gay beach.  Random thoughts, in no particular order:



1.        Yes there are gay clubs etc in PV but the overall ambiance of Mexico is “closeted”, whereas I find Thailand to be refreshingly open and more honest.

2.        The gay bars are DEAD DEAD DEAD until 2330 (11:30 PM); I found no options for going out and meeting someone earlier than this, unlike in Thailand.

3.        Yes you might meet someone at the gay bars but you’d better be fit and good looking.  Some guys are available, some are just out to have fun, some are pay-for-play, but they choose their john, not vice-versa.

4.        The gay beach in PV was patronized mainly by American, Canadian and European gays; personally, I’d rather be somewhere that White gays (like me) are scarce, and attractive guys are plentiful.

5.        PV is EXPENSIVE (in comparison to Thailand).  Dinner for two on the beach was routinely $100 USD.  The hotel room was about $100 per night.  Paid in advance.  With 100% forfeiture OF THE WHOLE STAY if you cancel or shorten your stay for some reason.  

6.        In general, PV hotels are uncooperative towards bringing back guests to your room.  The Blue Chairs has a written policy that allows it, but once again there’s that onerous slant: get caught bringing back someone without registering him at the front desk, and you get expelled immediately and forfeit the fee for the remaining days you paid for your room.

7.        You’d better like tacos, tortillas, guacamole, and tacos.  Heavy, heavy food.

8.        A nice (nonsexual) massage was available at Blue Chairs for $60 USD, compared to about $17 for a superior (nonsexual) massage in Thailand.

9.        Petty bitching aside, the PV beach is a real beach, compared to the sad pathetic wanna-be at Jomtien.  The PV beach as beautiful as Patong Beach, in my opinion.  (Perhaps I am being unfair, as I never really saw the Jontien beach on my one visit there, only the undersides of umbrellas.)

  

Thaiquila,



On a scale of 1 to 10 you rated PTY a 9...is there a 10?

Hi there,

Has anyone also been in Puerto vallarta?

what are the difference in gay scene between pattaya and Puerto Vallarta? same handsome young boys there?



thks for the info!

No comparison if your main goal is young men prostitutes.

On a scale of 1 to 10,

Pattaya 9

Puerto Vallarta 2



In PV

There are some available, but they are usually clock watching, dodgy, rough trade, dirty, and potentially dangerous. Good looking? Yes, some. There is no organized system, but there are places to go (a few bars and the streets and beaches). Of course, there is plenty of eye candy on the beaches.



Most vibrant memory, took a guy to my hotel, pulled off his pants, and a small turd fell out.



Also, if you are a top, and there is some misunderstanding, and you touch their butt, it is not unheard of for them to knife you to death. Macho issues.



I love PV but for other reasons. There are also lots of good looking young tourist men from both North and South America there, but these guys are generally not commercial.

Edited by: Thaiquila at: 20/7/05 6:58 am

I would rate Pattaya a seven or eight, nine would go to Havana Cuba. Yaraboy could give us an opinion I think. How is the Cinema these days, I havent been able to return since shrub took office.



G

I would not proffer the following, were it not asked for. Having visited a few times in Puerto Vallarta, I traveled alone and felt safe. Stayed at Vallarta Cora,, 3 blocks from blue chairs at half the cost. Bar in hotel is Mecca for beach guys in later afternoon, also has small pool. No prob with friends. Just stop in at bar, you will be part of the party in 10 seconds.  It does seem to cost more than Pattaya and is closer to USA.



Things to do:



l. Take boat ride on  Native Dancer sail boat. all gay high end boat, no paper plates, It goes to private beach, run by  Paco Paco Bar, can be free as the wind. itis all day affair,, literally,, he he

  

2 Go to resturant where Lis Taylor  and Richard Burton spauned in the ocaen by rocks. It is advertized well, bring camera,, food ok not up to international hype give the place. Rocks are worth the effort,, Yes go at sun set,, wont be sorry.



3. Do horse back ride to where Arnold made  movie Preditor. They still have copter used in the movie rotting in background. Also have waterfalls and rope to swing on and drop on water, if you are so inclined.



4. Blue chairs.,,, yes is ground zero,, not nearly as fun as Lit's at Jomtien. but lot of western guys and can chat with other vacation guys,, some beach guys come by hoping for a beer.



5. See sun set from  Hotel Sol Descando (bad spelling of hotel ) it is multi storied hotel has nice roof bar and friendly guys ,, can get food  made by mama type lady ,, food is free but expected to donate to mama. Take taxi up to this hotel, will have heart attach trying to walk up hill.



6. Big downer is that much of town has cobble stones in street. and lot of turned ankles. It could ruin trip. Not best place for sandals or flip flops,, need good walking shoes.. IMHO

May I suggest the Hotel Mercurio....



Received this e-mail info from them this week....they have special rates available......I am planning on visiting there sometime this year for a short holiday :-)



Hotel Mercurio ..Puerto Vallarta...across from beach :-)



www.hotel-mercurio.com/ .

15% off or more from now through September 30 at Hotel Mercurio in beautiful Puerto Vallarta!  

Clean, comfortable and quiet accomodations close to everything you'll want to see and do in Vallarta!  

  

Hotel Mercurio is a small, affordable lodging where Gay & Lesbian guests enjoy services and amenities unheard of for the price.



Deluxe Continental Breakfast served at poolside each morning, included.

Heated Pool set in a lovely tropical garden.

Meticulous daily maid service with evening turn- down and room touch-up.

Concierge service to help you find the best restaurants, activities, and tours with gay-welcoming local businesses.

Beach/Pool towel service...no need to pack that bulky beach towel of yours!

Friendly, English-speaking staff always ready to take care of your every desire.



You'll arrive as a guest, and will leave as a friend!

 

Rates start at just US$50! (plus tax) per night  

For more information, photos, and online reservations, click here!



  

Hola!  

Stay with us from now through September 30 and take 15% or more off of our already affordable summer rates! No minimum stay...everyone gets a discount! Stay 6 nights or longer and qualify for even larger discounts! It's summer in Vallarta, when prices cool down, but the fiesta heats up! Visit our website for more information about us, photos, and an online reservation form.



Hotel Mercurio is in the heart of the Gayborhood, yet on a quiet street, just steps from everything!  

  

Just 5 minutes walk to the Gay beach, and within easy walking distance to all the Gay clubs and bars, restaurants, galleries and shopping.



Puerto Vallarta is the #1 Gay destination in Mexico, with nearly 20 gay bars and clubs. You'll find world- class discoteques, elegant martini bars with live music, sidewalk bars where you can watch the passing parade, and quaint local bars where you can sip a frozen margarita and meet the very friendly locals. There's also great shopping and art galleries, activities like horseback riding along the beach, parasailing, and mountain bike tours. And you won't find better, more varied dining choices anywhere!

 

Learn More about Puerto Vallarta...click here!  



We are dedicated to assuring every guest top-notch service and comfortable accomodations. We want your vacation to be the best time of your life. And remember...make your reservation NOW to take advantage of our summer discounts!



Sincerely,





Paul Crist and your staff at Hotel Mercurio

Hotel Mercurio



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



email: info@hotel-mercurio.com

phone: +52-322-222-4793

web: www.hotel-mercurio.com

please mention that you recieved our email to recieve your 15% or larger discount.



More hotel specials:



www.hotel-mercurio.com/ho...cials.html .

 

Summer Package 2005

Valid Dates: July 1 – September 30, 2005



Includes:

• 3 Nights Accommodations at Hotel Mercurio.

• Airport transfer on arrival to Hotel Mercurio.

• Breakfast Buffet daily.

• 1 Hour relaxing massage by our professionally trained masseur (1 time per person).

• Lunch daily at Green Chairs Gay Beach.

• (Menu includes hamburgers, quesadillas, sandwiches, etc.).

• Passes to the popular Club Antropology (male strippers).

• Welcome Cocktail at Bar Sama (1 block from Hotel).

• All taxes are included.



Price, Single Occupancy: $248 USD (for 1 person)

(Room with 1 double or queen size bed)



Price, Double Occupancy: $ 283 USD (for 2 persons)

(Room with 1 double or queen size bed)



Price, Single Occupancy, King Room: $ 276.00 USD (for 1 person)

(Room with 1 King size bed)



Price, Double Occupancy, Double or King Room: $ 336.00 USD (2 persons)

(Room with either 2 double beds or 1 King size bed)



More info about Puerto Vallarta at these sites:



www.bluechairs.com/ .



www.vallartacora.com/index.htm .



www.allaboutpuertovallarta.com/ .



www.casa-andrea.com/ .



www.doinitright.com/index.shtml .



www.gayguidevallarta.com/ .



www.differentworld.com/index.html .



virtualvallarta.com/ .



www.puertovallarta.net/ .



www.frommers.com/articles/2946.html .



www.go2vallarta.com/ .



www.gaypuertovallarta.info/ .



www.discoveryvallarta.com/guide.html .



www.san-franciscan.com/us/ .



www.vallartacora.com/index.htm .



www.virtualtourist.com/tr...larta.html .



FYI...There are many airfare and air/hotel package sales on now from USA to Puerto Vallarta and Mexico....



Enjoy your trip to Puerto Vallarta :-)



TravelerJim

tjinsurance.com/ .





 

  

 





 

Few other observations



Weather in PV is wonderful for 9 months...no humidity and under 32.

There is an undercurrent of violence in Mexico and more than a few gays have been murdered

I find Thai culture with its Buddhist tinge preferable to Mexican culture.

For we Nord Americanos there is no jet lag.............  

My rating system was based on the easy availability of attractive, legal age, young men to actually have sex with, rather than just eye candy.



I am probably getting more picky over the years, but I find it harder to find guys that I find attractive enough in Pattaya, so that it why I didn't rate it a 10.

I stayed at Mercurio before it was gay. It was a German owned efficiently run budget hotel. At $50 rates have doubled. Equivalent in Pattaya or Bangkok would be$12-15

Hi there,

Thanks very much for all the info,

I have been 4 times now to Pattaya (travel alone) and always had a good time there with the local boys (some for money some for free).

but i'm looking for other similar places in the world.

I was thinking about PV (not any more after all the info).



Who knows how the "scene" is in Cuba Havana and Rio d Janeiro comparing with Pattaya?



Thks again!