All types of people travel to Acapulco each year — couples, families, friends and lovers including gays. Gays love to travel and for sure, they won’t be left out in this city which is also home to various gay bars where they can meet new friends. The port city is also renowned for being a hotspot for gay singles and gay couples and competes closely with gay travel in Cancun, Guadalajara and Mexico City. In addition to this, Acapulco is actually home to the first gay club in the 1920’s.
In the late 1940’s, Acapulco had already its share of gay visitors. Hollywood celebrities like Salvadore Dali, Tennessee Williams and John Huston also made this city a favorite hot spot in the 1950’s and 60’s. In fact, the Hotel Los Flamingos was actually owned by actors John Wayne, Johnny Weismuller (who portrayed Tarzan), Cary Grant, Errol Flynn, Red Skelton and Roy Rodgers from 1950 to 1984. Fortunately, after more than 20 years since the Hollywood actors let go of their ownership, the hotel proudly retains its Hollywood appeal.
During daytime, gays can have the best time at the Gay Beach located between Beto’s Restaurant and the Condesa Hotel. The beach accommodates young men and women in bikinis to show off their great bodies while the gay crowd sits in the Palapas just enjoying the sight. At night, the local and visiting gays meet up at the various gay bars available in town for fun, entertainment and conversation. Reviews of the gay community say gay bars and clubs in Acapulco, compared to other cities in Mexico, tend to be “flamboyant and tacky places where people throw good taste to the Pacific port breeze while partying.” Strippers are said to be an almost permanent fixture here and you will rarely find anything refined or upscale in this city. There’s actually a mixture of gays here such as vacationing Mexican gays, the locals and foreign gay tourists. Visiting gays also need to know the culture in Acapulco just in case they would like to meet up with the locals. Keep in mind that eye contact or light touching during conversation between men in Mexico does not necessarily signal sexual interest.
Demas is a disco bar exclusively for men and located on La Condesa. It is one of the busiest and friendliest gay clubs in the city, famous for strippers, attractive service staff and shirtless gyrating locals. They have shows every weekend. Next to Demas is Picante, another disco bar in La Condesa behind Carlos and Charlie’s. The place provides a wide range of hot and spicy dancers who are mostly Mexican. Both Demas and Picante have the same clientele, probably due to their proximity. Most gay tourists stay at the nearby hotels operated by gays.
Another club to visit is Relax which is popular for video-bar dancing and weekend shows. The place is abuzz every Saturday and is also frequented by women. Savage is a classier show bar for transvestites and located just under Demas. The Prince is also known for its late-night parties and is reputed as a quick hookup spot for gays.
For those who need more information about gay travel in Acapulco, check out the Gaypulco website – the city’s online gay tourist guide of bars, discos, beaches and many more.