Thanksgiving week is one of Puerto Vallarta's busiest LGBTQ+ weeks of the year, with bear and leather weekends at both ends and the Romantic Zone full from November 19 to 29, 2026. If you're in town for the parties, Yelapa is an easy way to add a quiet night or two: a car-free beach village about an hour by boat from the Los Muertos Pier, with no clubs and early nights.
Here's what's on, the best days to slip away, and how to get there, as of November 13, 2026.
What's on over Thanksgiving week 2026
Two weekends frame the week, each with its own organizer and schedule:
- Brawny Bear Weekend, November 19 to 22. Daytime pool parties at Mantamar Beach Club and night parties at Industry Nightclub, according to the Brawny Bear Weekend events page.
- Leather Fever, November 19 to 22. A four-day leather festival hosted by STUDS Bear & Leather Bar, as listed by GayPV and Out and About PV.
- Bearsgiving, November 26 to 29. A free welcome party Thursday night, a catamaran cruise Friday, a pool party Saturday, and a Sunday happy hour, with full details on the Bearsgiving page.
US Thanksgiving Day is Thursday, November 26. Venues and times change, so check each organizer's page before you plan around a party.
The best days for Yelapa
The quietest stretch is Monday, November 23 to Wednesday, November 25, between the two weekends, when neither organizer lists a party. That's the natural window for a night or two in Yelapa: head over after Brawny Bear or Leather Fever wraps up, sleep in the village, and come back to town in time for Bearsgiving.
If you're only here for one weekend, Yelapa still works the day after. Take a late morning boat, spend the afternoon on the beach, and stay the night instead of rushing back.
A recovery day in Yelapa
- Beach and river. Swim in the bay, or walk the beach to where the river meets the ocean. Our Yelapa beaches guide covers where to swim and the tides.
- The waterfall walk. The town waterfall is a short, shady walk from the village; see Yelapa waterfalls.
- A slow dinner. Palapa restaurants on the sand serve fresh fish into the evening, and the village goes quiet early. Ideas are in where to eat in Yelapa.
Water taxi times from the Romantic Zone
Water taxis to Yelapa leave from the Los Muertos Pier in the Romantic Zone, and the ride takes about 55 minutes. On the schedule go2yelapa updated November 2, 2026, boats from Los Muertos leave from late morning through the afternoon, and the last boat back to Los Muertos leaves Yelapa around 4 PM. Boca de Tomatlán, south of town, has more departures and a shorter ride. Times change without notice, so check the go2yelapa water taxi schedule and confirm at the pier.
Boats run in daylight, so if a party runs late, plan on a night in Yelapa or in town rather than a late crossing. For every option, read how to get to Yelapa from Puerto Vallarta by boat.
What to pack for a night in Yelapa
- Cash pesos. Most places in Yelapa take cash only and there's no ATM, and in a busy week town ATMs can run low, so get pesos early.
- A small soft bag for the boat, sandals that can get wet, sunscreen, and a flashlight for the lanes after dark.
- Light clothes. Late November is warm and dry.
More big weeks from Yelapa
This post is part of our guide to Puerto Vallarta LGBTQ+ events from Yelapa, which lists the year's big weeks. For the town and Pride, see LGBTQ+ travel to Yelapa and Puerto Vallarta.
Checked November 13, 2026. Dates and schedules come from each organizer's site, so confirm with them before you go.
Sources
- Brawny Bear Weekend, events and schedule
- Bearadise, Bearsgiving 2026
- GayPV, Leather Fever 2026
- Out and About PV, Leather Fever returns
- go2yelapa, water taxi schedule and ride times (linked above)
Plan your stay
Casa Gratitud is an ocean-view villa above Yelapa bay with a local host family, and everyone is welcome here. Check dates for a night or two between the parties, and book direct at yelapacasagratitud.com.