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Tourists swarm the Temple of Kukulkan in Chichen Itza. The ruins in this large, impressive archaeological area date from 800 AD, and are one of the attractions bringing gay travelers and others to Cancun, Mexico. (Photo courtesy of T. Petenbrink)


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Troy Pettenbrink


MORE INFO
MORE INFO
Akul Hotel
800-765-4370

Arco Iris
800-765-4370
www.arcoiristours.com

Karamba
9 Tulum Ave.
www.karambabar.com

Picante
20 Tulum Ave.
www.picantebar.com






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Letter to the Editor

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TRAVEL

Cancun’s gay surprises
While many think of Cancun as a haven for beer-guzzling frat boys on spring break, it offers plenty of options for gay travelers.

Troy Pettenbrink
Friday, March 12, 2004

THOUGH MANY KNOW it only as a haven for spring break revelers, Cancun in Mexico has grown from a mostly undisturbed jungle into a world-class vacation destination with a developing gay scene during the past 20 years.

My partner and I discovered Cancun five years ago and immediately fell in love with the white powdery coral sand beaches and clear crystal blue water.

The city is divided into two zones, downtown Cancun, or “El Centro,” on the mainland and the hotel zone on Cancun Island. A lagoon to its east and the Caribbean Sea to its west frame the 14-mile long island. The public beach toward the southern end of the hotel zone, adjacent to the Hilton, is popular with local and visiting gay travelers.

Unlike Mexico’s more established gay hot spots, such as Acapulco and Puerto Vallarta, there are no gay-specific accommodations in Cancun. But don’t let that dissuade you.

There are a number of gay-friendly hotels such as the Akul, a 12-acre property in the center of the hotel zone that began as a guest ranch for dignitaries and celebrities. During the high season, November to May, you will often find half the hotel occupied by gay men and lesbians.

The Akul is also the host hotel for the Cancun International Gay Festival. This annual event, which includes a series of parties, a Caribbean cruise and sightseeing tours, attracts more than 1,000 participants, primarily gay men from the United States, Canada and Mexico. The 2004 festival will be held May 6-10.

In November, to mark the return of the high season, there is a smaller but growing festival called the Mayan Riviera Gay Fall Fiesta.

Kevin Chappelle with Arco Iris Travel, which specializes in gay travel to Mexico and is the official U.S. travel agency for both festivals, credits Cancun’s mix of modern hotels, active nightlife and rich cultural history as the primary reason for the increased interest in Cancun as a gay travel destination.

YOU SHOULD NOT be concerned if you do not speak Spanish. Like most of the major tourist areas, the locals, especially in the hotels, restaurants and retail shops, speak English.

Although surrounded by ancient history and often referred to as the gateway to Mayan culture, it is the nightlife that has made Cancun famous. And you will find plenty of life in Cancun’s two gay clubs.

Karamba is the place to go for great dancing. The DJ mixes up a groovy blend of salsa, American pop and ’70s disco. The club’s crowd begins gathering after midnight and goes until 7 a.m., with Thursday through Sunday being the most popular evenings. Depending on the night of the week, you will likely find a drag show or go-go boys.

Picante is much smaller than Karamba and has more of a neighborhood bar feel. It’s a good place to grab a few drinks before hitting the dance floor at Karamba.

With only two primary gay establishments, you should find a diverse crowd, with a fair mix of gay men and lesbians. The bars are about a 15-minute taxi ride from the hotel zone and only a few blocks apart.

If you still have the energy after dancing the night away and can pull yourself away from the beach, I recommend a day-trip to one of the ancient Mayan ruins, such as Tulum or Chichen Itza.

The waters surrounding Cancun are also great for snorkeling, and you can find a number of different tours to fit your budget and schedule.



 

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