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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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HOME > ENTERTAINMENT > TRAVEL
By: Troy Pettenbrink COMMENTS
 
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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