Traveling with Pride: Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Pride season kicks off this spring with a south-of-the-border celebration that may very well be the envy of its big brothers to the north in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Dip into Mexico for a visit to Puerto Vallarta and you'll discover a tropical setting, gay-friendly accommodations, as well as dining options that are on par with the culinary traditions of Mexico City.

Unity
Puerto Vallarta prepares for its third "Vallarta Pride" this spring from May 17-25. The theme is "Unity and will pay tribute to the LGBT community through a series of art and cultural activities, concerts, movies, beach parties, parades, and fashion shows.

One of the first celebrities to confirm his participation in Vallarta Pride 2015 is Andrew Christian, founder and head designer of Andrew Christian, the internationally renowned brand of underwear, swimwear and sportswear for men. Christian will be participating in an exclusive fashion show scheduled for May 22 at the Mantamar Beach Club Bar and Grill.

And we all know that he'll bring a sexy posse along! International models Topher Dimaggio, Pablo Hern�ndez, Diego Sans and Cheddy O will be wearing some of his recent designs to delight the audience. This event will be complemented with the participation of Liquid Men and Amsterdam PV, two local boutiques, which will be presenting their own clothing lines and exclusive accessories during the catwalk. Earlier in the day, there will be an Andrew Christian Wet and Wild Gay Cruise.

"Orange is the New Black"'s Lea DeLaria will be the Grand Marshall and an appearance by Spanish transgender pop-star La Prohibida has also been confirmed.

Beach Party
Adults only, please! That's what you'll find at the newly opened Mantamar Beach Club. Conveniently nestled on the shores of Puerto Vallarta's gay beach, the luxurious digs feature a large ocean side infinity pool, day cabanas, four separate whirlpools, and a mouthwatering beach menu design by Chef Thierry Blouet of Puerto Vallarta's notable Caf� Des Artiste. The beach club has quickly gained notoriety as the go-to venue for gay-themes parties, including Beef Dip 2014 as well as New Year's and Latin Fever parties.

Stay a While
Where to rest your wary head after the days and nights of Pride debauchery? Only a 15-minute walk away from Mantamar Beach Club, settle into 4-star luxury at Lindo Mar Resort. You'll also get a taste of gay history as you explore a locale made famous by playwright Tennessee Williams in "Night of the Iguana." While there are plenty of Pride-related activities, allow the resort's concierge to arrange for a boat trip to nearby Yelapa or Las Animas, two quaint fishing villages accessible only by water where you can take a break from the crowds and enjoy a little rest and relaxation.

EDGE tip: Save 30 percent with the code "LINDO30" on three or more nights.

Live Like a Local
It's easy to get caught up in the Pride festivities, and why shouldn't you? The sweltering scene beckons minimal clothing and maximum twerking. But when you're ready to explore beyond the rainbow wonderment of Puerto Vallarta Pride, be sure to experience the city's authentic heritage and culture.

Philadelphia expat Eric Wichner founded Vallarta Eats Food Tours. He and his dynamic guides go beyond the obvious, bringing participants to places where the locals dine on regional specialties like chicharron, mole, pozole, and more. With a maximum of six guests per tour, you'll never feel like herded cattle.

Putting Puerto Vallarta on the LGBT Map
While Pride is a driving force behind Puerto Vallarta's LGBT tourism initiatives, it's actually part of a broader strategy that has gained the support of the Human Rights Campaign. The Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board has partnered with HRC as the organization's first national travel partner.

During the partnership, Puerto Vallarta will promote its adventure, gastronomy, cultural, nightlife, romance and family offerings in HRC conferences, dinners and events in 20 cities, including San Francisco, Los Angles, Minneapolis, New York and Chicago.

Participants of the events will have a chance to win stays in Puerto Vallarta hotels, along with the opportunity to have special dinners at Caf� des Artists or Sapphire Ocean Club and take Vallarta's Gay Bar Hopping Tour. Puerto Vallarta's Vallarta Adventures will provide access to its various activities, including the longest zipline in Mexico and the magical beach destinations of Vallarta's South.

In recent years, the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board has partnered with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), GMHC and the International Gay Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) to promote the destination's diverse tourism offerings. In 2014, Puerto Vallarta became the first Mexican destination to participate in a World Pride with its Noche Alegre event during the World Pride celebrations in Toronto.

Getting There
Alaska Airlines is the official airline of Puerto Vallarta Pride and is offering a 10 percent discount to not only this event, but also dozens of Pride celebrations throughout 2015. Alaska flies from several West Coast Gateways, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego."

"At Alaska, we have been longtime supporters of the LGBT community and remain committed to a more equitable society. We were elated when the State of Washington expressed the same commitment by legalizing marriage for everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity," states the company's website. "To show our continued support we are encouraging the LGBT community to travel, not only to Seattle, but to Pride events and gay friendly destinations all over the country."