Bear Guide to Puerto Vallarta 2025: BeefDip, Bearadise and Where to Stay, Play and Cruise
Hey Guys! Before I start with this guide I just wanted to officially say hello and welcome to my blog. I’m a 39 year old gay Black man living abroad. Currently in Vallarta. I’ve been coming here and living here for 3 years. So, if there’s anything I can do to make your trip more enjoyable, please don’t be afraid to reach out. You can email me directly, nick@nickguillory.com. I’d love to answer any questions you may have about hotel stays, things to do, etc.
Now, let’s get to the blog…
Puerto Vallarta isn’t just “gay-friendly” – it’s a full-on bear playground. Between beach clubs, leather bars, clothing-optional pool parties, saunas, and boat trips packed with fur, PV has become one of the top bear destinations in the world. Before we get started, make sure you sign up for my newsletter to get updates on everything happening in PV.
Depending on when you visit, you’ll find full-blown bear festivals, leather weekends, and international crowds taking over the Romantic Zone and Los Muertos Beach.
In this guide, I’m breaking down when to come, where to stay, where bears actually hang out, and the best clothing-optional spots, so you’re not just wandering around wondering, “Okay…but where are my people?”
From this otter to a bear, you should definitely keep reading, but first, I wanted to get a little personal here. You see, I’ve been living in PV for over a year and visiting for 3 years. I created a guide that packs everything I know for nightlife, food, and fun in a 50-page guide for a LIMITED TIME price, so you’ll want to grab it now so you have everything you need for your trip here. Plus, I talk about safety. The book is packed with EVERYTHING you need to know. So before you continue reading this post, check out my new Puerto Vallarta Travel Guide here.
Now, let’s get back to why you’re here… BEARS. :)
When to Come: Key Bear Events in PV
BeefDip Bear Week – The Big One (Late January)
If you only remember one event, make it BeefDip Bear Week. It’s the original bear week in Puerto Vallarta and brings thousands of bears, cubs, and admirers every year. It usually runs the last week of January into early February – for 2026, that’s January 25 – February 1.
One of the many pool party events held during Bear Week.
Expect:
Daily pool parties (foam, classic anthems, neon, fundraising events)
Nightly events at spots like CC Slaughters and Blue Chairs
The legendary Booze Cruise with whale watching, snorkeling, and a beach lunch
Theme nights like White Party, Black Ball, superhero parties and an underwear/jockstrap finale
It’s high-energy, very international, and hotels in the Romantic Zone sell out early – so if BeefDip is your goal, book rooms and dog tags well in advance. Reach out to me (email: nick@nickguillory.com) if you’d like me to book your room for you at special rates!
November Bear Season – Brawny Bear, Leather Fever & Bearsgiving
All the events happening during Brawny Bear week in Vallarta during the 2025 year season.
If you don’t want to wait until January, November has quietly become “bear season 2.0” in PV.
You’ll usually see three anchor events stacked over two weekends:
Brawny Bear Weekend (around late November): Partnering with Mantamar Beach Club and Industry Nightclub, this weekend mixes daytime pool parties with late-night circuit events and a closing tea dance on the sand.
STUDS Leather Fever: A four-day fetish festival produced by STUDS Bear & Leather Bar and Casa Cúpula, with Mr. Leather Vallarta, a Mr. Kink contest, cigar socials, pool parties, and a closing party.
Bearadise “Bearsgiving”: Bearadise closes out the month with club nights and their signature Wicked Island boat-access beach party at Playa Caletitas—clothing-optional, DJs, and a very sexy, social vibe.
If you come in November, you basically get bears + leather + circuit energy with slightly lower holiday pricing than Christmas and New Year’s.
Spring Bears – Bear Pride
Bearadise also runs a Bear Pride series around May: think sunshine, boat trips, pool parties, and special events aimed at bears and their admirers.
If you like things busy but not packed to the rafters like BeefDip, this can be a sweet spot.
Where to Stay (Bear-Friendly Areas & Hotels)
If you’re here for bear events, you want to stay in or just above the Romantic Zone (Zona Romántica) – that’s where the bars, clubs, beach clubs, and most events live. Reach out to me (email: nick@nickguillory.com) if you’d like me to book your room for you at special rates!
Romantic Zone & Amapas
These areas put you walking distance from everything:
Almar Resort / Mantamar Beach Club – The only luxury LGBT+ beachfront resort in PV; Mantamar hosts major pool parties for circuit and bear weekends. Steps from the gay beach and bar strip.
Shores Beach Hotel (Vallarta Shores) – Beachfront suites on Los Muertos, close to the gay district, with kitchens and balconies—great if you want a home base between pool parties.
Hotel Amaca – Adults-only, with sea views and a quieter vibe but still a quick walk down to the action in Zona Romántica.
Tryst Puerto Vallarta – A newer gay boutique hotel right in the heart of the zone that also shows up in the BeefDip ecosystem (pre-parties, dinners, etc.).
Casa Cúpula – Iconic gay boutique hotel with a view over the bay, home to a clothing-optional pool club and host to bear/leather pool parties during events like Leather Fever.
Traveling with a crew? Condos and apartments in the Romantic Zone or Amapas are super popular—rooftop pools, ocean views, and short walks to the pier and beach.
Where Bears Actually Hang Out
Daytime: Beach & Pool
Mantamar Beach Club – Big pool right on Los Muertos Beach, with DJs, bottle service, and circuit-level production for special weekends like Brawny Bear and New Year’s events.
Gay section of Los Muertos Beach – The sand in front of Blue Chairs down toward Mantamar turns into a furry catwalk during bear weeks. Even outside events, this is where you’ll see a lot of bears clustered on any busy high-season afternoon.
Bearadise Beach Parties (like Wicked Island) – Private, boat-access events with a clothing-optional vibe, DJs, and crowds from around the world. Think “bear fantasy island” energy.
Nighttime: Bars & Clubs
CC Slaughters – Late-night dance floor where a ton of BeefDip parties happen (Disco theme, White Party, Black Ball, superheroes, underwear night, etc.).
STUDS Bear & Leather Bar – Leather and fetish-focused bar in Zona Romántica, center of Leather Fever and gear nights throughout the year.
Blue Chairs Rooftop – Classic rooftop bar for sunset views, drag, karaoke and a lot of the BeefDip welcome events, foam pool parties, and socials.
Industry Nightclub – Big dance venue that partners with Brawny Bear and other festivals, known for late-night circuit parties and big-name DJs.
Clothing-Optional Options (For When You Really Want to Let Go)
If you’re looking to show a little more skin than just the jockstrap on — don’t worry I’ve got you covered. Here are all the clothing-optional spots in PV:
Cheeky Pool Club
Cheeky is one of the newest additions to the scene – a playful gay pool club in Zona Romántica with craft cocktails and a lush, secluded courtyard vibe. It’s clothing-optional on Wednesdays and Sundays, with no cover but a 300 MXN minimum spend, making it a fun, flirty daytime option if you want something more intimate than the huge circuit pool parties.
Casa Cúpula Pool Club
Casa Cúpula’s Pool Club is a clothing-optional, adults-only pool club attached to one of PV’s best-known gay hotels. Open daily around midday with food, cocktails, hot tubs, cabanas, and great bay views, it’s famous for its body-positive message: “Every Body is Beautiful.” They host regular naked/clothing-optional parties and Sunday events that draw a fun mix of locals and visitors.
Spartacus Sauna
If you’re looking for more of a bathhouse / spa / cruising experience, Spartacus Sauna is a multi-level, men-only gay sauna complex in Zona Romántica. Amenities include a dry sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, private cabins, video rooms, a rooftop sun deck with nude sunbathing, and a pool. Daytime tends to be more chill and social; late-night leans much more “adult.”
FAQ — Bears of Puerto Vallarta Frequently Asked Questions:
When is the best time for bears to visit Puerto Vallarta?
If you want maximum bear density, aim for:
Late January / early February → BeefDip Bear Week
November → Brawny Bear Weekend, Leather Fever, Bearadise Bearsgiving
May-ish → Bearadise Bear Pride events
The rest of high season (roughly November–April) still has plenty of bears in town, but these are the weeks where it really spikes.
Is Puerto Vallarta safe for gay and bear travelers?
In general, yes. PV is one of the most established LGBTQ+ destinations in Mexico, with a visible gayborhood, gay hotels, and an economy that heavily depends on queer tourism. Like anywhere, use normal travel common sense (watch your drink, know your route home, don’t flash all your cash at 3 a.m.), but overall it’s considered very welcoming and safe for LGBTQ+ travelers. Read more about safety in Vallarta here.
Do I need to speak Spanish?
You’ll be fine with English in most of the Romantic Zone, hotels, beach clubs, and nightlife spots, but learning a few basics (“gracias,” “la cuenta, por favor,” “otro tequila”) goes a long way and is appreciated. Taxi drivers, restaurant staff, and tour vendors often speak at least some English.
Should I stay in an all-inclusive or in the Romantic Zone?
If you’re coming for bear events, gay nightlife, and clothing-optional pool clubs, staying in or near the Romantic Zone/Amapas is the move. All-inclusives further north can be beautiful, but you’ll be Ubering back and forth for everything. In the Zone, you can walk to:
Los Muertos gay beach
Mantamar and other clubs
Bars like CC Slaughters, STUDS, Reinas, etc.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance for bear events?
For big weeks like BeefDip, Bearadise, and Brawny Bear, yes—especially for:
Dog tags / festival passes
Booze cruises and private beach parties
Special pool party days
Some events sell out weeks ahead, and hotels fill fast, so think of it like planning for Pride or a big circuit weekend.
Is nudity legal on the public beach?
Puerto Vallarta doesn’t officially have a public nude beach in town. Nudity is common and accepted at private clothing-optional venues like Cheeky, Casa Cúpula Pool Club, Spartacus, and Bearadise’s private island parties. On Los Muertos Beach itself, most guys stick to speedos/jocks and keep full nudity to private spaces.
What should I pack for a bear trip to PV?
Think:
Swimwear (speedos, trunks, jocks depending on your vibe)
Lightweight clothes for hot, humid weather
At least one white outfit (for White Party-style events) and one black/leather/fetish look if you’re doing bear/gear weekends
Sandals or water shoes, sunscreen, fan, sunglasses
A small crossbody or fanny pack for nights out
And, obviously, whatever you feel sexiest and most comfortable in.
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Like I mentioned earlier, feel free to reach out if you’d like me to book your room for you. I may be able to find a special rate for you, please email nick@nickguillory.com and let me know what you’re looking for!
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