Mexico City has long been a hub for LGBTQ travelers looking for liberal, big-city sophistication.
Words by Marc Graser
Photos by Victor Armas, Jesús Paredes and Eduardo González
Speak to anyone who has visited Mexico City recently and the response is always effusive and resoundingly enthusiastic, making it a reason we’re recommending it as a worthy place to spend time exploring, even if it’s a layover before hitting the popular beaches in Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Riviera Maya, Tulum, or the “Gay Capital of Mexico” in Jalisco, Guadalajara.
Despite the country being deeply conservative, North America’s largest city offers a vibrant LGBTQ nighlife scene, exceptional restaurants and cultural experiences. There’s a creative vibe that feels like it’s taken over and helped revitalize the city, mixing modern developments with respect for historic culture in a way that feels fresh and inviting.
“As the first major Latin American city to legalize same-sex marriage (way back in 2010), Mexico City has long been a hub for LGBTQ travelers looking for liberal, big-city sophistication,” according to queer traveler and freelance writer Mark Chesnut.
The city’s annual Gay Pride Parade, in late June, is the largest in North America, attracting millions.
Given its affordability, interest in Mexico City increased dramatically during the pandemic, attracting thousands of remote workers from the United States and Canada.
With 21 million residents in and around the city, it’s no surprise that the city’s annual Gay Pride Parade, in late June, is the largest in North America, attracting millions.
Yet no matter when you visit, you’ll want to explore the upscale neighborhood Polanco for some of the most renowned places to eat, including Enrique Olvera’s award-winning Pujol, with its omakase of tacos. Nearby are the Jumex and Soumaya modern art museums, the latter of which is wrapped in a skin of mirrored hexagons.
You’ll find Casa Azul, the former home of Frida Kahlo in the southern neighborhood of Coyoacán. Enjoy some freshly baked churros in the center of town at Chapultepec Park, home to the Anthropological Museum’s collection of Mayan and Aztec relics; the Tamayo Contemporary Art Museum; and the Chapultepec Castle. Zona Rosa, with its pink-colored cobblestones and legendary BGay BProud Café, is the city’s hub for all-things LGBTQ.
And yes, drink bottles of aged tequila at a mariachi bar, or go salsa dancing, and cheer on colorfully costumed Lucha Libre wrestlers for that authentic local experience. And if you have time, take a 90-minute drive north to explore the incredible ancient ruins of Teotihuacan.
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