Top 10 Cheap All-Inclusive Resorts

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Although Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, and Acapulco are thought of as the holy trinity for gay travelers to Mexico, Cancun actually has a thriving LGBT scene that’s overshadowed by its ultra-straight, spring break image. Some say it will be Mexico's No. 1 gay tourist hot spot very soon. Cancun has many things other larger Mexican cities don’t: gay-owned beachfront hotels, gay beaches (namely Playa Delfines at southern end of the Hotel Zone), a hopping queer nightclub scene, and two major gay and lesbian party events. The Cancun International Gay Festival in May and the Cancun Mayan Riviera Gay Fall Festival in November have booming beach parties along with raves in the downtown LGBT clubs.

Criticized by some as concrete, soulless, and far from the real Mexico, touristy Cancun can nevertheless offer a fun- and sun-filled vacation, with 14 miles of perfect beaches and luxury mega-hotels. It’s Mexico made easy: English is widely spoken, roads are well-paved, the city feels clean and manicured, and familiar brand names are prevalent for dining, shopping, and nightclubbing. And the real Mexico—especially the famous Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Tulum—is just a short day trip away. Cancun also has a couple of decent museums. The Museo Arqueologico de Cancun has relics from archaeological sites around the Yucatan, and Museo de Arte Popular Mexicano is filled with masks, native costumes, religious artifacts, musical instruments, Mexican toys, and other art.