This Lowkey Beach Town in Mexico is Trending Among Queer Travelers
While it is not a major, mainstream tourist destination like Cancún or Tulum, Zipolite is increasingly popular with a specific audience. Its popularity is trending upward, so catch it before its famous bohemian and hippie vibe changes.
Some queer travelers are always looking for the next popular LGBTQ+-friendly travel destination––places much different from the usual suspects, such as New York City, Palm Springs, or Puerto Vallarta. Zipolite is becoming a popular destination because “it’s a departure from Mexico’s more polished destinations,” according to a Travel + Leisure article.
Zipolite is an Oaxacan beach town located a little more than a 3-hour flight south of Puerto Vallarta and a 5-hour flight northwest of Guatemala City. According to Kyle A. Valenta, the article’s author, the laidback small town has one queer bar, ChiZme Art Bar, and it’s also home to Mexico’s only official nude beach, Playa del Amor. Demetria and Lyoban guest house both have a welcoming LGBTQ+-friendly atmosphere; the latter offers parties on the sand.
Unfortunately, few hotels offer air-conditioning and stable Wi-Fi. On the west side of the beach, you have a higher-end El Alquimista. If you can’t go without AC, check into Villa Aikia or consider staying at the queer-friendly Casa Nudista.
If wildlife is more your thing, rent a car and take a 14-minute drive west to the Mexican Turtle Center, dedicated to the preservation of sea turtles. To the east, head to the Huatulco National Park, about an hour car drive, to explore its protected coral reefs.
Zipolite is very LGBTQ+ friendly and is considered one of Mexico’s most notable LGBTQ+ havens, particularly within the queer naturist community. The town’s bohemian atmosphere and culture of tolerance make it a welcoming and safe destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. Zipolite offers a mix of relaxed beachfront bars and clubs that host LGBTQ+ events, including drag cabarets and all-night dance parties. The town hosts annual events that celebrate its tolerant and inclusive spirit, including the festive and queer-friendly Zipolite Diverso and Nudist Week.
