Have Any Reservations About Going on an All Gay Vacation? Come On In, the Water’s Fine

Purple Light brought a group of clients who had never been on an all-gay vacation to Club Atlantis in Puerto Vallarta October 25-November 1. All of these clients reported having a great time and are already thinking about which all-gay vacation to book next. However, not everyone was so convinced when they booked the trip.  Many of them went on the trip with some concerns. Will I fit in? Will I like it? Will I get good value for the money? Will it be all about sex? Here are some of their comments about the experience and how they found their concerns were unfounded.

“We literally had guys from 20-90 and of all different sizes and types. I felt comfortable.”

Our client Paul didn’t know if he would fit in in terms of age and appearance. This is a concern that many first time LGBT travelers, even good looking guys like Paul have. Paul was amazed at how varied the Atlantis vacationers were in terms of age, size, and appearance. Paul said, “We literally had guys from 20-90 and of all different sizes and types. I felt comfortable.”

Geoffrey was concerned that the group would be a bunch of queens with attitude. To his pleasant suprise he found that virtually everyone was friendly and approachable. The few people  with attitude, were not only rare, but they were the ones ostracized and  not rewarded for their behavior. Many friendships were made during the week. Our Purple Light group started a friendship with two guys from Germany that we met at the San Diego airport and spent most of the week with them after that.

Joe was concerned that he might not fit in, but in a different way. He is not a late night type of guy and  worried whether he would fit in with the guys who wanted to be on the dance floor at 4 a.m. He found that when he woke up at sunrise and went down to the beach/pool and thought about going on a biking trip,  that he was not alone and made friends then. He still enjoyed the afternoon T-dances and making an appearance at the White Party. However, he was glad that he felt perfectly comfortable in doing his own thing and that he was not alone.

“I loved the entertainers and enjoyed seeing all of their shows.”

Geoffrey thought that the entire week might be highly sexually charged. What he found was that while many people certainly were open to sexual contact and there were opportunities for those seeking that, other people were just there to enjoy beautiful PV in a comfortable gay environment. Some guests had traveled on their own, some with friends, and others,  with a signficant other. The way they chose to spend their week varied almost as much as the guests. Some guests went most days on active tours like ziplining, scuba diving, or snorkeling . Others would spend their days simply relaxing at the resort. They would  sit and read a book or take a long dip in the large pool and wade up to the bar. Others  who sought different stimulation went into closeby  downtown Puerto Vallarta to see everything from churches and culture, to strippers who take it all off. Still others tried to do it all and may have needed a vacation after their vacation, but that is part of the fun for some.

“At no additional cost to us Purple Light made what would have been a good vacation, an amazing vacation.”

Paul had heard that all-gay trips were more expensive and wondered if he would find good value in the trip. He believes he did. “When I look back on the week and think about the camaraderie, the first-rate gay entertainment, the theme parties, and the DJ’s including one of my favorites Manny Lehman, I thought, you wouldn’t get that on a straight vacation!” Add to all of this the all-inclusive nature of the resort including all meals, not to mention call liquor like Absolut and Bacardi in the room and at the bars, and the Purple Light group felt like they really received their money’s worth.

The entertainers including singers, comedians and drag queens, including Ms. Richfield 1981, were very appreciated by our group. Geoffrey said, “I loved the entertainers and enjoyed seeing all of their shows.”

Our guests also  thought that they had received added value by booking through Purple Light. Paul said, “At no additional cost to us Purple Light made what would have been a good vacation, an amazing vacation.” Geoffrey said, “Purple Light made the transfers easy and affordable” and with the information they provided “on local bar, restaurants, excursions, etc. I didn’t need a travel guide or tour book.” Thank you to our dear clients, and we hope more of you will join us. Come on in, the water’s just fine!