Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Located on the same latitudes as Hawaii, Puerto Vallarta is one of the western hemisphere’s most popular destinations for LGBT tourists.

Vallarta's white sands and turquoise waters came under the international spotlight in the 1960s, after it became known that American actors Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton fell in love in the Mexican coastal town.

Because the city is on the west coast of Mexico, the beaches and hotels give travelers a vantage point for some of the most stunning and romantic sunsets in the world. Watching sunsets in PV (as it’s affectionately known) is the perfect way to spend a brief intermission between a day spent sunning and an evening spent partying.

With over 20 LGBT nightlife venues to enjoy - ranging from local watering holes to bumping super-clubs - Puerto Vallarta continues to be a favorite hot spot for gays and lesbians.

The party never stops in Vallarta, even as the rest of the world bids farewell to the summer parties. If circuit parties aren’t your scene, the local beaches, attractions, and gastronomy are more than enough to keep you occupied for days on end.

Tim Wilson, owner of GAYPV magazine, told Gay Star Travel why he thinks Puerto Vallarta is North America's top gay beach destination: "Puerto Vallarta offers the LGBT traveler everything in one place... from dozens of gay-owned bars and clubs, to activities in the mountains, beaches, and even jungle settings."

"Add an amazing gay beach with 300 warm, sunny days a year, and you can see why no other destination in North America has this much to offer the LGBT traveler. To top it all off, it's very affordable!"

Following are three main reasons you should take advantage of Puerto Vallarta’s temperate climate and smoking-hot surroundings:

The Party

While the most of the US tucks into their Thanksgiving dinners, head south for Vallarta's five-day music and culture festival from November 27th to December 1st.

Headlined by world-renowned DJ Manny Lehman, the Puerto Vallarta 2013 Festival brings the global LGBT community together for themed pool parties days of fun in the sun.

The week’s schedule is as follows:

• November 27th: Sunset Party at Blue Chairs Rooftop 6 pm - Welcome Party at Paco’s Ranch 10 pm
• November 28th: Thanksgiving Party at Enter Nightclub 10 pm
• November 29th: Almar Beach Club with DJ Manny Lehman 9 pm2
• November 30th: 'Splash Party' at Blue Chairs Rooftop 4 pm - Legendary 'White Party' at Oscar's on the Rio Cuale 9 pm
• December 1st: 'Adios PVR Party' at CC Slaughters 10 pm

Visit the festival website to purchase tickets or check it out on facebook.

The Accommodations

Chic and Stylish

Surrounded by coconut, mango and papaya mangroves, Puerto Vallarta's Casa Cupula is one of the city’s top gay resorts. The hotel has three pools with full room service, a pump gym free for guests, and is offering a deal this autumn where you book seven nights for the price of five between November 24th to December 3rd.

The iconic ocean-front Blue Chairs Hotel is known for its signature blue canvas lounge chairs that mark the gay section of the beach front. The popular beach-side resort located in the gay-borhood "Zona Rosa" is just a stone’s throw away from the entertainment of downtown Puerto Vallarta.

Best Value

Puerto Vallarta's affordable three-star Hotel Mercurio offers a buffet breakfast served next to the pool and high speed internet access.

The Scene

Mix and mingle with the beauties in blue chairs at "Los Muertos" gay beach. On the sand you’ll meet vendors selling anything from ice cream to jewelry.

Leave with "the dust of Mexico on your feet and the love of Mexico in your heart" after visiting the Vallarta Botanical Gardens. The center is dedicated to the preservation of the plants indigenous to this tropical part of Mexico.

Showcasing the best in contemporary and folk art from October 30th through May 28th, the Puerto Vallarta ArtWalk offers up everything from paintings, sculptures, and ceramics from over 18 local galleries.

Now in its 19th year, Puerto Vallarta’s International Gourmet Festival is one of the most important gastronomic festivals in Mexico. You won’t even think of Thanksgiving during the 10 days of the festival where world-renowned and cutting-edge chefs concoct traditional Mexican dishes with a modern flair, also offering wine pairings and cooking demonstrations.

For LGBT-specific cruises and bar-hopping, Diana's Tours, PV Sunset Party Cruises, Gay Tours PV and PV Sea and Dive offer everything from booze cruises to wildlife snorkeling.