We love how lesbian friendly this area of Mexico is, and we felt very safe during our trip to the region. Riviera Maya is located in the state of Quintana Roo, which legalized same-sex marriage back in 2012. It’s a popular destination for LGBTQ+ travellers, and we certainly found it to be welcoming and inclusive for lesbian women and female couples. Discover everything this region has to offer and don’t be afraid to venture outside of the resorts! You can experience the real Mexico and have an incredible adventure. Go snorkelling in the Caribbean Sea, learn about the history of the region, immerse yourself in the local culture, and fall in love with Riveria Maya.

Is anyone else in love with Rivera Maya, Mexico? Is it already on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments!

Be sure to read our full lesbian travel guides to our favourite Mexico destinations to help you plan your trip:

Cancun
Tulum
Playa del Carmen

The post 14 Photos to Convince You to Go to Riviera Maya, Mexico appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Downtown Playa del Carmen

The town of Playa del Carmen is right on the Caribbean Sea, and has a really great vibe. It’s very walkable, and the Quinta Avenida pedestrian street stretches from Calle 1 to Calle 40, just a couple blocks off the beautiful beach. Fifth Avenue is filled with restaurants, shops, and nightlife, and there is so much to do. There are upscale shopping centres, hundreds of places to eat and drink, and many spots to go out in the evening. Off the main pedestrian strip there is more of a laid back vibe with a mix of locals, expats, and travellers. Overall the town has a great energy and we absolutely loved it. Be sure to spend plenty of time exploring downtown Playa del Carmen, and you won’t be disappointed.

Playa del Carmen Beaches

The beaches in Playa del Carmen are all public, and all stunningly gorgeous. There are stretches of coast where you can relax that are very tranquil and quiet, other spots with beach clubs and DJs if you want a social and energetic vibe, and beaches with a mix of locals and travellers if you’re looking for more of a community feel. There is truly something for everyone! If you’re looking for white sand beaches lined with palm trees and sparkling turquoise water, you will find it in Playa del Carmen. Some of the most popular and well known spots include Playacar Beach, Mamitas Beach, and Parque Fundadores. Enjoy!

Day Trip to Cozumel

The best day trip to take from Playa del Carmen, is definitely to the island of Cozumel. It’s only a short ferry ride away, and is a beautifully, mostly undeveloped island in the Caribbean Sea. Mostly popular due to it’s cruise ship port, Cozumel is an ideal spot for snorkelling and scuba diving, and has an incredible national park and coral reef. In the city centre of San Miguel, there is plenty of great shopping and restaurants, and the rest of the island has a lot of fun activities including eco parks, submarine tours, catamaran sailing, private boat cruises, paddle boarding, and more. If you’re looking to do an easy snorkel, there are several spots close to the city where you can snorkel off the beach. We went to Sunset, which is a short drive or a bit of a walk from San Miguel, and you can rent snorkel gear and explore the reef. It was an amazing experience and definitely a highlight of our trip! There are two ferry companies with service to Cozumel from Playa del Carmen, and the crossing takes between 30-45 minutes depending on conditions. You can easily fill up a day on Cozumel, or spend several days exploring the island and taking in it’s many sights and activities. Either way, it’s a must do.

Riviera Maya

Playa del Carmen is located on a stretch of Mexico’s coast that has a lot of towns worth visiting. There are many beautiful beaches, and plenty of small villages if you’re looking to experience some authentic Mexican culture. You can do guided tours of this region, or rent a car and drive it yourself. There is plenty to see and makes for a unique day trip from Playa del Carmen.

Where to Stay

Playa del Carmen has tons of great options for places to stay depending on what you’re looking for. Everything from all inclusive resorts, to boutique hotels, to apartment rentals, and all of them are great choices. If you’re looking for a more upscale hotel experience, most of the big resorts in Playa del Carmen are located along the beach near the city centre and stretching into Playacar. If you want to be near the action of downtown, there are many boutique hotels near Fifth Avenue, the main pedestrian street that runs through town, with lots of shopping, restaurants, and lively nightlife. If you’re looking to enjoy more of local’s experience, you may want to look at an apartment rental. There are plenty of amazing Airbnb accommodations and vacation rental properties that are located all over the city. You can find some great apartments in the centre of downtown, as well as near the beach, and in the quieter residential area of Playacar. We stayed in both a wonderful boutique hotel on the beach in downtown Playa del Carmen, as well as an Airbnb apartment on the North end of Fifth Avenue, and both were great experiences. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to save on your first stay! If you’re looking to book hotel accommodations, our favourite tool is Hotels.com. It’s easy to search within a certain price range, and filter for the amenities that you like. They also have a great reward system – for every ten nights you book, you receive one night free.

Where to Eat & Drink

We didn’t expect Playa del Carmen to be such an incredible spot for vegan food, but it surprised us by being a plant based powerhouse! Our favourite spot for breakfast is The Pitted Date, and great lunch spots include La Senda, BIO – Natural Organic Restaurant, and Nectar Peace & Love Food. 100% Natural was an easy spot for dinner, and our absolute favourite find was a fully vegan 1950s diner called COMET 984. While you’ll have no problem finding casual cafes and restaurants in Playa del Carmen, there are also plenty of upscale dining options, especially around the Fifth Avenue pedestrian street. There is plenty of seafood, Mexican fusion, and other cuisines that will be sure to please everyone. You will not be disappointed with the food scene here!

Lesbian Friendly

This area of Mexico is very laid back, open minded, welcoming of travellers, and ultimately LGBTQ+ friendly. We had zero issues travelling to Playa del Carmen as a lesbian couple, as it’s a popular gay destination and we felt very comfortable. Both locals, expats, and other travellers seemed very welcoming, and we didn’t receive any unwanted attention during our visit. We walked around holding hands, showing affection, and in no way felt the need to hide our relationship. We referred to one another as our wife, and were out and open at all times.
Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Mexico for nearly 150 years, and they’ve had discrimination protection nationwide since 2003. Playa del Carmen is located in the state of Quintana Roo, which legalized same-sex marriage in 2012, and it’s a very popular destination for LGBTQ+ travellers. Click here for more on how lesbian friendly Mexico is.
While there isn’t a prominent lesbian “scene” in Playa del Carmen, we found that the area in general is very inclusive, and there is some gay and gay friendly nightlife. If you’re looking for a spot to have a drink in an LGBTQ+ space, the official gay bar of downtown Playa del Carmen, is Club 69. There are also plenty of spots that are more mixed but gay friendly, including Coco Bongo, and La Cueva del Maya T. Similar to other cities, the bar scene caters primarily to men, so lesbian travellers may choose to go out to more mainstream bars and clubs as they are likely to be inclusive and welcoming. If you’re looking for other LGTBTQ+ friendly spots near Playa del Carmen, there are some other great spots in this area! Follow these links for our lesbian guides to Cancun and Tulum.

How to Get Around

Walk

Playa del Carmen is very walkable. Quinta Avenida pedestrian street, stretches for forty blocks parallel to the beach, and is completely shut down to car traffic. The rest of the downtown area is very easy to explore on foot, and we found it easy to enjoy the central area without needing a vehicle.

Taxi

For shorter trips around the area, taxis are a great option. There is no Uber in Playa del Carmen, but you can easily flag a taxi if you need one. We found drivers to be friendly and taking taxis in the area felt very safe. Know where you’re going, know how much it should cost, and you should have no issues.

Rent a Car

Depending on what you want to do in Playa del Carmen, renting a car could be a great option for taking day trips and exploring outside the city. Renting a car definitely gives you more freedom, but of course you need to determine your own comfort level and only do what you feel is safe and comfortable for you. We recommend doing your own research and deciding what is the best option! If you do rent a car, be sure to find out how much liability coverage is included in the rental. Unlike renting a car in Canada or the US, the minimum liability coverage required by law in Mexico is quite low, so often the coverage that’s included in the rental rate is only for a few thousand dollars. We opted to pay for supplemental liability insurance, because the base coverage would definitely not be enough to cover us in the event of a serious accident. You can purchase supplemental liability insurance through the car rental company itself, often for around $20 a day, or you can get coverage through a third party insurance company in advance. If you are using collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW) insurance through a credit card or other third party, confirm that it covers you internationally and in Mexico specifically. We brought a letter from our credit card insurance provider that stated we were covered in Mexico to avoid issues when picking up the vehicle. The roads around Playa del Carmen are well maintained and easy to drive on. Do some reading about driving in Mexico and be sure you feel confident with the local rules, but we found things to be orderly and easy to manage. We went through several police checkpoints, which were stress free, and we were always waved through with a smile. When we filled up with gas, we were sure to be attentive and assertive, and didn’t have any problems there either. All gas stations are full serve in Mexico, so we ensured the pump was set to zero before the attendant started pumping. We also made sure that the amount we were asked to pay matched the amount on the pump, and we thoroughly counted our change. Please note that it is customary to give a small tip to attendants in Mexico, especially when they provide an extra service such as washing the windshield. 

Ferry

To get to the island of Cozumel, you can take either the Ultramar Ferry or the Winjet Ferry. The services are very similar, and both leave from the ferry pier on the South end of downtown. Tickets are reasonably priced and you can buy them either online or in person before boarding. On your way to the island you can enjoy stunning views of the water, and the crossing takes between 30-45 minutes depending on the conditions.

Has anyone else fallen in love with Playa del Carmen, Mexico? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Playa del Carmen, Mexico appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Tulum’s Beaches

One of the best things to do in Tulum, is visit it’s stunning beaches. A beautiful stretch of the Caribbean Coast, the beaches in Tulum are incredible, and an absolute must visit. Certain areas of the beach sometimes have a lot of seaweed washed up on the shore and are difficult to swim in, but while we visited, we found that there were still many areas with clear water, and soft white sand that were perfect for swimming. One of the most popular beaches in Tulum is Playa Ruinas, in the archeological zone. The ruins of a Mayan Port City sit on the cliff overlooking this beach, and it can be accessed through the historical park. Other popular spots are Paradise Beach, and Tulum Beach.

Downtown Tulum

Tulum’s city centre is located along the 307 highway, and is developing into a lively area with many cafes, restaurants, and local shops. This is where you will find the most authentic experience in Tulum, with many locally owned businesses, and plenty to explore. The town is definitely still developing and there is a lot of construction happening, but we found it to be really enjoyable to spend some time here! There is a very laid back vibe, and a great welcoming energy.

Tulum’s Hotel Strip

Along the coast, a few minutes drive from the city centre, is Tulum’s “hotel zone”. This strip has resorts, boutique hotels, bungalows, restaurants, and boutiques, and is definitely worth checking out! You can walk, bike, or drive along the strip and discover some great spots to shop and eat, as well as find access to the beautiful beach.

Parque Nacional Tulum

One of the reasons Tulum is such a popular destination, is because of it’s archeological site with incredible Mayan ruins. Located along the Caribbean Sea and just a short distance from the city centre, the ruins sit on a bluff looking over the water, and it is truly an amazing sight to see. You can access the park by car, bike, or on foot, and there is a small admission fee to enter. You can spend a couple of hours walking around admiring the structures, or hire a guide inside the park if you prefer to do a small organized tour of the site. As mentioned above, you can access Playa Ruinas from inside the park, and the views of the water are just incredible. This is a must do in Tulum!

Cenotes

Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula is famous for it’s cenotes – which are natural swimming holes created by collapsed limestone bedrock. Tulum has many cenotes that you can visit, where you can swim in pools of turquoise water, snorkel with fish and turtles, and explore dark caves with bats. The most popular cenote in Tulum is Gran Cenote, just north of the city centre. The experience is so special, and can’t be missed! Some cenotes in the area charge a small admission fee, and you can hire a locker, snorkel gear, life jackets, etc. while you enjoy the park. Most cenotes are filled with cool groundwater that is amazingly clear, so you can admire the natural plant life in the pools. If you do one thing in Tulum, let it be this!

Where to Stay

Tulum is divided into two distinct areas – the city centre, and the hotel strip. Depending on what you’re looking for, both options are great.

The City Centre

If you’re looking for a more authentic experience, choose to stay in downtown Tulum. There are some small hotels, as well as many great Airbnbs. We chose an Airbnb which was walking distance to everything in town, and cycling distance to the hotel zone and beach. We had no issues with safety, and felt comfortable exploring this area on our own. As mentioned, downtown Tulum is still developing, so there is a lot of construction going on. Businesses and residences are being built, and some streets aren’t yet fully paved. All that being said, it’s a great option for visiting this area, and we highly recommend booking an Airbnb. If you’ve never used Airbnb, click here to save on your first stay!

The Hotel Strip

Tulum’s hotel zone is a great option if you’re looking for a more luxurious stay, and you want to be closer to the beach. There are a lot of accommodations to choose from including resorts and boutique hotels along this stretch of coast. You will be walking distance to a lot of restaurants and shops along the main strip, as well as close to Tulum’s archeological zone. This is a great option if you’re looking to enjoy the relaxed energy of Tulum in an upscale setting. When booking hotel accommodations, our favourite tool is Hotels.com. It’s easy to search within a certain price range, and filter for the amenities that you like. They also have a great reward system – for every ten nights you book, you receive one night free.

Where to Eat & Drink

Tulum is well known for being laid back, health conscious, and very vegan friendly! We found a lot of great cafes and restaurants in Tulum’s city centre, and were happy to see so many plant based options. The best smoothie bowls can be found at Matcha Mama, an adorable cafe in town with swings and very insta-worthy food creations. The most amazing vegan tamales are at Suculenta Tamaleria, and a great lunch spot is El Vegetariano. Perfect spots for dinner include La Hoja Verde, Fruto Mistico, and Co.Conamor. There are also a ton of great spots for drinks along Tulum’s hotel strip, if you’re craving a beverage with an ocean view. The food scene in Tulum is amazing and you won’t be disappointed!

Lesbian Friendly

This area of Mexico is very laid back, open minded, welcoming of travellers, and ultimately LGBTQ+ friendly. We had zero issues exploring Tulum as a lesbian couple, both in the popular tourist areas, and everywhere else. We felt very welcomed by the locals, and we didn’t receive any unwanted attention. We felt extremely comfortable and safe in Tulum, as well as everywhere that we visited in the area. We walked around holding hands, showing affection, and in no way felt the need to hide our relationship. We referred to one another as our wife, and were out and open at all times.
Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Mexico for nearly 150 years, and they’ve had discrimination protection nationwide since 2003. Tulum is located in the state of Quintana Roo, which legalized same-sex marriage in 2012, and it’s a popular destination for LGBTQ+ travellers due to it’s laid back nature. Click here for more on how lesbian friendly Mexico is.
While there isn’t a prominent lesbian “scene” in Tulum, we found that the area in general is very inclusive and safe. It feels like a very welcoming destination for all people, and lesbian travellers can definitely feel comfortable here. There seems to be some LGBTQ+ owned accommodations and businesses, but there aren’t any specifically gay venues like there are in nearby Cancun or Playa del Carmen.

How to Get Around

Rent a Car

Depending on what you want to do in Tulum, renting a car could be a great option. We rented one on our last day so we could zip around to the archeological site and a nearby cenote, and it made things really easy! Parking in this area seemed safe and we had no issues driving around. Renting a car gives you more freedom, but of course you need to determine your own comfort level and only do what you feel is safe and comfortable for you. We recommend doing your own research and deciding what is the best option! If you do rent a car, be sure to find out how much liability coverage is included in the rental. Unlike renting a car in Canada or the US, the minimum liability coverage required by law in Mexico is quite low, so often the coverage that’s included in the rental rate is only for a few thousand dollars. We opted to pay for supplemental liability insurance, because the base coverage would definitely not be enough to cover us in the event of a serious accident. You can purchase supplemental liability insurance through the car rental company itself, often for around $20 a day, or you can get coverage through a third party insurance company in advance. If you are using collision damage waiver (CDW/LDW) insurance through a credit card or other third party, confirm that it covers you internationally and in Mexico specifically. We brought a letter from our credit card insurance provider that stated we were covered in Mexico to avoid issues when picking up the vehicle. The roads around Tulum are fairly well maintained and easy to drive on. Do some reading about driving in Mexico and be sure you feel confident with the local rules, but we found things to be orderly and easy to manage. When we filled up with gas, we were sure to be attentive and assertive, and didn’t have any problems there either. All gas stations are full serve in Mexico, so we ensured the pump was set to zero before the attendant started pumping. We also made sure that the amount we were asked to pay matched the amount on the pump, and we thoroughly counted our change. Please note that it is customary to give a small tip to attendants in Mexico, especially when they provide an extra service such as washing the windshield. 

Taxi

For shorter trips around the area, taxis are a great option. There is no Uber in Tulum, but you can easily flag a taxi if you need one. We found drivers to be friendly and taking taxis felt very safe. Know where you’re going, know how much it should cost, and you should have no issues.

Walk

Downtown Tulum is quite walkable, although a lot of the roads aren’t fully paved and there aren’t always proper sidewalks. Most streets aren’t busy with car traffic, so exploring on foot is still a great option. The hotel strip is also quite easy to walk, and you can see quite a bit without a vehicle.

Bike

It’s very popular to cycle in Tulum, and it’s a great option for getting around! A lot of hotels and Airbnbs will include bikes with your stay, so you can cycle around the area easily. Keeping in mind that a lot of the roads aren’t fully paved, sometimes it’s a bumpy ride, but you can still get where you’re going! You can also cycle to the archeological site, as well as to some nearby cenotes, but be sure that you are a confident rider and will feel safe doing so. There aren’t proper bike lanes everywhere, so you will want to determine your own comfort level.

Has anyone else fallen in love with Tulum, Mexico? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Tulum, Mexico appeared first on Lez See the World.

When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to only do what feels right to them.
Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Mexico is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

The laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in Mexico are far more liberal than some people may think, and they are continuing to change in keeping up with the progress around the world. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal for nearly 150 years, and historically, there has been extensive documentation of homosexuality being accepted among the indigenous groups of Mexico. Today, there is discrimination protection nationwide, as well as a hate speech law prohibiting two anti-gay slurs. Mexico is currently on track to legalizing same-sex marriage federally, but at this time, the legislation is changing state by state. Mexico is made up of 31 states as well as a federal district (Mexico City), and currently same-sex marriage is legal in 12 states, as well as in Mexico City. Same-sex marriages are currently recognized in all Mexican states, as well as equal rights for same-sex spouses. After the Inter American Court Ruling in 2018, the Mexican government is being urged to fully legalize same-sex marriage across the nation, and hopefully we will see that happen very soon!

Social Climate

Mexico is a large country, and the attitude toward LGBTQ+ people varies in different areas, but recent polls show positive feelings toward the community and an overall belief in acceptance. A Pew Research Center poll from 2013 showed 61% of Mexican people believing in acceptance of homosexuality, and we can assume that this percentage has increased since then. Mexico ranked 32 on the Gay Happiness Index in 2015, and a recent survey on marriage equality showed 69% of the population in favour. The country’s first Pride march was held in Mexico City in 1979, and this past year’s Pride celebration reached a quarter of a million attendees. Mexico City is also host to a Lesbian Pride March, which began in 2003. Additionally, there are annual celebrations in Guadalajara, Monterrey, Tijuana, Puebla, Veracruz, Merida, Acapulco, and others. Like most places around the world, there is still work to be done in Mexico. There continues to be violence against LGBTQ+ people, and homophobic hate crimes happening around the country, despite anti-discrimination laws being in place. Hopefully with continued advocacy and changes in legislation, we will continue to see things push forward.

Gaybourhoods

Mexico has many gay friendly cities and regions. Mexico City, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Merida, Acapulco, Veracruz, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Mazatlan, and others are all very popular spots for LGBTQ+ people. The most favoured region for gay and lesbian travellers is likely Cancun, and the surrounding areas along Riviera Maya. Both Cancun and Playa del Carmen have lively gay nightlife, and many gay owned and operated businesses and accommodations. Mexico City also has a thriving gay scene if you’re looking for LGBTQ+ culture, with a “pink zone” known for it’s gay bars and clubs. If you’re looking for safe spaces while travelling in Mexico, stick to the bigger cities and more popular tourist regions, as these will have the most gay friendly spots.

Our Experience

We visited Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula together and had a really wonderful experience. Cancun, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Tulum are all very welcoming spots to explore, and we really enjoyed adventuring around this region in Mexico. Rather than opting for a resort style vacation, we stayed in Airbnb accommodations in local neighbourhoods, and rented a car to explore on our own. We felt safe and comfortable during all of our Mexico travels, and we had no issues with safety travelling as a lesbian couple. We like to be out and open when it is safe to do so, and we found that we never felt inclined to hide our relationship in Mexico. We walked around holding hands, showed affection to one another in public, took couples photos in front of locals and tourists, and were honest with everyone we met about being married. We loved travelling in Mexico and will definitely be returning. Playa del Carmen is somewhere that we could see ourselves spending a longer period of time, and we would love to go back and explore other regions. If you’re interested in travelling to Mexico, follow these links for our lesbian guides to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. With ancient Mayan ruins, natural swimming holes, beautiful beaches, and lively coastal towns, this region is very special and unique. We highly recommend Mexico, and especially the Yucatan Peninsula as a travel destination for lesbians and lesbian couples. Enjoy!

Have you been to Mexico? Share your experience in the comments below!

View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!

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