Daylife, Tours & Activities

You'll find plenty of ways to wait out the daytime until your next trip to the bars and discos.  During the daytime you might be inspired to do some shopping or browse through the many art galleries in Vallarta.  We have dedicated separate pages for those, so we won't repeat much about those ideas here.  Vallarta has many options for relaxation during the day including our gay beaches and many organized gay cruises and tours.  Unless your accommodations have satellite TV, the half dozen channels that are in English on the cable system here just might not do!  So, what else is there after TV in the daytime?  Part of the reason to visit the tropics is to enjoy the outdoor life that our climate makes possible.

Gay Beaches

Playa Los Muertos (City Beach)

It's usually called the blue chairs, which really is one beach restaurant's section of this special beach on the southside of Puerto Vallarta.  Los Muertos is the busiest beach area in Vallarta, and one section of it is very gay: around the beach concession commonly known as the blue chairs.  Spread out under little palapa (thatched) umbrellas are literally blue beach chairs, where our kind of people tend to hang out.  So many, in fact, that the gay beach area now includes the green chairs of the Loony Tunes concession area too, immediately south of the blue chairs.

In this area you'll find hundreds of gay men and women sitting under the palapas or on towels nearer the surf line, soaking up the hot Mexican sun and socializing with gays from all over the world.  Both the blue and green chairs areas serve drinks and food.  You don't have to buy anything or pay, this is a public beach.

Once at the beach you'll immediately come in contact with the many beach vendors, who are licensed and very territorial.   There are various things being sold, all by differing vendors, since there are separate licenses for each kind of item.  You'll be offered fruit, ice cream, fresh pies, newspapers, silver jewelry, clothing items, tickets to cruises and tours, Mexican blankets, and many more items.  This is the place to bargain, you should never pay the asking price, although even with great bargaining skills you won't get as good a price here as when you shop for these items away from the beach.  After a while it can get irritating to some, because these vendors keep coming around.  Our recommendation is to stay relaxed and get used to saying politely (but firmly) "no, gracias" and don't let it bother you.

The beach is easy to find, it is less than a quarter mile south of the pier located at the foot of Francisca Rodriguez Street.  The blue and green chairs are marked on our map (see map).  In case your gaydar isn't working when you get there and you need help finding the place, the Blue Chairs flies a rainbow flag on top of their restaurant building.  If taking a taxi to the beach it is best to tell the driver "Blue Chairs - Los Muertos."

Gay Day Tours and Cruises

There are several tour companies and cruises to choose from if you're interested in getting off that beach and doing something else.  With the beauty out there that is Banderas Bay, the most common type of tour is a gay cruise.  Another favorite type of tour is to one of our natural hot springs in the mountains surrounding the bay.  Some hot springs tours are at night.  You can also choose horseback riding tours and shopping tours.  All tours listed here are for the gay community.  There are countless others (straight tours) that we don't detail here.

Ocean Friendly Tours  Oscar S. Frey Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México MX Phone:  (322) 225-3774 MX Cell:      044 322 294 0385 website: oceanfriendly.com Whale Season December 15 - March 31

Oceanographer and whale photographer Oscar Frey has been running whale watch tours in Banderas Bay since 1994.  He is conducting research on humpback whale distribution and behavior in this area of the Mexican Pacific.  Oscar is a consultant to the Department of Oceanography and Eco-Tourism.  After coming out several years ago, Oscar has focused on serving the gay community with his tours.  He is a knowledgeable, interesting guide concerned for the safety of the whales as well as his guests. 

Ocean Friendly Whale Watching

Join the day's research on a small boat with Oscar as your guide.  Trips include lunch (subs, fruit and snacks), refreshments (non-alcoholic) and hydrophone underwater microphone system so you can listen to the whales singing underwater.

Gay Cruise PVRPV & Pegaso Chartering Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México MX Phone:  (322) 222-0638    website: www.pvrpv.com Schedule Cruise: Fridays 10am - 3pm boarding at 9:30am

Pegaso Chartering has a small fleet of classic sailing yachts.  PVRPV, the rental and vacation concierge company, works with them organizing this exclusively gay trip. Private charters are also available. 

Gay Sailing Cruise

PVRPV now offers a high quality, top notch Gay Cruise.  They will show you the best spots on Banderas Bay.   Climb aboard their classic sailboats, cruise in comfort for a full day of fun in the sun, great music and exceptional service.  Head across Banderas Bay and keep an eye out for marine life (Dolphins, Giant Manta Rays and Sea Turtles).  We will stop at one of many beautiful secluded coves.  Join our guided snorkeling expert or head to the private beach and just lay back and relax.

Diana's Tours Diana DeCoste Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México MX Phone:  (322) 222-1510 MX Cell:      044 322 118-2182 website:  www.dianastours.com Schedule Cruise: Thursdays other tours by arrangement

Diana's Gay Cruise

This cruise goes to the south side of the bay visiting several areas and stopping for snorkeling and for lunch.  Departs and returns to Los Muertos Pier near the gay beach.  Mixed gay/lesbian.

Diana's Sunset Cruise

This cruise shows off the city lights and Vallarta's incomparable sunsets. Open bar and light snacks on this festive tour. Board and return from the beach at Playa los Muertos.

Boana's Tours                 Casa Boana, S.A. de C.V. Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México MX Phone:  (322) 222-0999 website: boana.net/tours.htm Schedule Boana's Horseback Riding: daily

Boana's Horseback Riding

From a ranch north of Vallarta you take a leisurely ride up the hillside among the tropical deciduous forest and river, where you can stop for a dip.  A hilltop restaurant provides some food and drinks and quite a view. Gay groups of two or more people, with a gay friendly guide.  Transportation to/from the ranch is included.

Secret Oasis Retreat Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México MX Cell Phone:  044-322-168-9377 website:  www.secret-oasis.com Schedule Paradise: Daily Thur thru Sat departs at 12:30 pm

Secret Oasis

Do you enjoy those remote places? Secret Oasis is a tour that goes up the river to a secluded area. There is a river beach, clothing optional gay area with a light meal and beer.