Yo Guys … Brian again! Last July I was invited to tour, experience and review a number of hotels, restaurants and attractions for the Mexican Government Tourist Bureau. I have known for a long time that the days of sweaty, rattling, backfiring tourist buses with chickens flying about, are long gone and sleek, sophisticated resorts and amenities are now common along both coasts. Many are most welcoming to the Gay Market, our tastes and attention to detail. I had to laugh to myself on my visit last summer as one very upscale restaurant I visited prepared guacamole “tableside” and had no less than three handsome Latin fellows chopping, dicing and mixing the succulent verdant delicacy then served with warm homemade corn chips. I thought, seriously? Realizing this is the Mexico of the 21st Century I thought this is pretty swell!

Here are my current top 5:

Uno. ACAPULCO – Mexico’s oldest tourist destination. She is the returning “Norma Desmond” of seaside resorts and is getting ready for her close-up! Jack and Jackie honeymooned here, Hedy Lamar and John Wayne once had elegant cliff top hugging villas with stunning bay views and there is still a one-of-a-kind feeling about the “old girl”. There is only one place in the world with Acapulco Cliff Divers which are actually quite thrilling on several different levels! If you have ever hankered to see your first real bull fight, Acapulco can provide it. I guarantee it will be your last. I saw my first and last in Spain. Acapulco provides the same language (OLE!) same blood and sand. Really awful! Gays are catered to with hotels, villas, houses and condos. If you want to stay where the Kennedy’s did, Las Brisas offers breathtaking cliff side accommodations, private pools and your own pink and white Jeep to go to town in. Good stuff! I personally parasailed for the first time in Acapulco after several Cervezas and a couple of good tolks! It was breathtaking and THAT is true Acapulco!!

Dos. CANCUN – Developed by the government beginning in 1971, CANCUN is now the largest and most important touristic destination in MEXICO! I personally find the beaches themselves in and around Cancun the most beautiful anywhere in the world. The sugar-like sand is actually WHITE with a gold sparkle and since it is limestone based it does not get hot in the sun, ever. The clear, clean water is a sparkling shade of turquoise and just magnificent! Since it is the most modern city in Mexico Cancun’s tourism grows year by year. Already extremely Gay-friendly, Cancun continues to develop an authentic Gay presence. While it is not quite fully realized it is still developing and gets better and better with the network growing stronger. Personally I don’t think that is such a bad thing. A smaller more intimate Gay District is somewhat special don’t you think? An interesting phenomenon is that I have never been in the central “party (bar) zone” at 2 am when there aren’t a bunch of naked college aged guys dancing around in the fountains! No charge either! Thank God for Tequila!

Tres. PUERTO VALLARTA – At this resort town there is good news and GREAT news! The good news is that although parts of the area are quite well developed and modernized, native charm is still strong on the cobblestone streets of Old Town. The GREAT news is this is that the well developed Gay District of Puerto Vallarta is yours to enjoy! A most unique mix of local color, world-class dining, and modern beach resort the district is the best of the area. The Gay scene is much larger than in Cancun but smaller than in Acapulco. Many simply call it the “South Side” but I think it is quite magical and has not lost any of its hot Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor scandalous/romantic feeling. Tres Chic! Plus the beaches are outstanding.

Cuatro. PLAYA DEL CARMEN – More popular with the Gay crowd due to it’s more vibrant and sophisticated edge. Just off Cozumel a ferry will take you back and forth. The beaches are similar to Cancun (your port of entry) but calmer. It has a very cosmopolitan vibe and is very Euro-Mexican. Certainly not for everyone but I loved it The Mayan architecture is quite unique. Playa Del Carman is a great base camp to explore the ruins of Tulam, Coba and Chichan Itza with some of the most popular, interesting and important archeological sites in the world. You could spend the morning soaking up the intellectual and the afternoon the sun at Playa Shangri La the most popular nude beach in the area.

Cinco. HUATULCO– Many years ago, as advertising manager for a very expensive woman’s fashion chain, the typical nightmare occurred. I was 22, not a penny to my name while the son of the owner of the chain, exactly my age was a mean, obnoxious, cigar smoking VP abusing everyone in sight. I remember he and his ugly, fur swathed wife went to Cancun on vacation and since this was the early 70’s I thought it was the most exciting, exotic thing I had ever heard. Well, Huatulco is the new up and coming Cancun! On the Pacific Coast, it was chosen for development by the government and is well under way. There are 9 bays slated for development and three are pretty much complete and fantastic value abounds! A true ground floor opportunity to get ahead of the pack. What is there is very special, state of the art and quite luxurious. Twenty Years from now it will be as common as Cancun with naked men in the fountains!

HONORABLE MENTION is RIVIERA MAYA about an hour from Cancun. There is no town per se. there is little history other than being close to several significant Mayan ruins and it runs for miles up the coast just off Playa Del Carman. There is a very exclusive, luxurious section, MAYAKOBA with some of the most Luxe (and expensive) imaginable! This paradise was totally unexpected during a recent visit when I stayed at THE BANYAN TREE, Mayakoba which is part of the Asian Luxury Chain of properties. I knew I had “arrived” when I was escorted to my private villa and was shown through the locked gate to a private terrace, lawn and pool overlooking a small tranquil stream. There were two seating areas, one for sunning and the other in the shade for, cocktails perhaps? I was shown into my villa and incense perfumed the air of the soaring ceilinged palace over looking my private pool or my hammock just off the stream. The bath room was immense and the shower featured choices of multi shower heads or what they called “rain” which basically meant the ceiling showered you as you scrubbed your feet (or whatever) seated on gleaming black marble. If you would prefer, a soaking tub, al fresco was outside in a private alcove and just in case you would prefer an evening soak, the wall behind was equipped with what seemed hundreds of candles. I never even got to that!

THE BOTTOM LINE: MEXICO is MARVELOUS! There is something for everyone! Naked college kids and wealthy sophisticates can find satisfaction “Down Mexico Way” It’s really not as far, foreign or backwards as many Americans think. Look into it and if you want any suggestions feel free to contact me … I have friends!