Vallarta Bear Week 2027 runs January 22 to 31, when bears and their friends from around the world fill Puerto Vallarta's Romantic Zone for pool parties, beach days, and club nights. If you're coming for the week, Yelapa is the easy escape: a car-free beach village about an hour by boat from the Los Muertos Pier, with no clubs, a waterfall walk, and early nights. This guide covers the dates, the main events, and how to fit a quiet night or two into your trip. We refresh it every year with the new dates.
When is Vallarta Bear Week 2027?
Bear Week isn't one festival. Several organizers run events in the same ten days, and together they make up the week:
- BeefDip Bear Week, January 24 to 31, 2027. The original Puerto Vallarta bear week, running since 2002, with events across the week on one pass. Official site: beefdip.com.
- Bearadise (IBFF), January 22 to 31, 2027. Pool parties on six days and a boat-only beach day, listed on the Bearadise festival page.
- Mantamar Bear Week, January 25 to 31, 2027. Daily pool parties at Mantamar Beach Club on Los Muertos Beach, according to the tourism board's events calendar.
- Industry Bearfest, late nights from January 26 to 31, as listed in Bearadise's combined schedule.
For a single day-by-day view of every promoter's events, see the Bear Week 2027 schedule on the Bearadise site. Times and venues change, so check each organizer before you plan around a party.
Where to stay for Bear Week
Most events are in or near the Romantic Zone, so it makes sense to sleep there on the nights you're going out. January is high season and the week sells out, so book your town nights early.
For your quiet nights, Yelapa is close by. Many visitors split the trip: a few nights in the Romantic Zone for the parties, then a night or two in Yelapa to sleep, swim, and recover. Compare options in where to stay in Yelapa.
The best days for Yelapa during Bear Week
- Before the week fills up. Friday, January 22 and Saturday, January 23 are the lightest days on the 2027 schedule, before BeefDip and Mantamar start. Arrive early, spend them in Yelapa, and head to town for the main week.
- After the last party. The week ends Sunday, January 31. A night or two in Yelapa from February 1 is an easy way to wind down before the flight home.
- A day off midweek. If you skip one pool party, take a late morning boat and stay the night rather than rushing back.
Getting to Yelapa from the Romantic Zone
Water taxis leave from the Los Muertos Pier, right in the Romantic Zone, and take about 55 minutes. Boats from Boca de Tomatlán, south of town, have more departures and a shorter ride. Boats run in daylight and times change with the season, so check the go2yelapa water taxi schedule and read how to get to Yelapa from Puerto Vallarta by boat.
Our Bear Week 2027 posts
More posts follow closer to the week, with schedule highlights and the best Yelapa day. For other big weeks, see Puerto Vallarta LGBTQ+ events from Yelapa.
FAQ
Is Yelapa gay friendly?
At Casa Gratitud, everyone is welcome. Yelapa itself is a small, relaxed village with no nightlife scene; for the town's LGBTQ+ side, see LGBTQ+ travel to Yelapa and Puerto Vallarta.
Can I visit Yelapa as a day trip during Bear Week?
Yes, but boats run in daylight and the last one back to Los Muertos leaves in the afternoon, so an overnight stay is more relaxed.
When should I book?
As soon as your dates are set. January is high season, and the Romantic Zone and Yelapa both fill for Bear Week.
Checked November 13, 2026. Dates come from each organizer's site; confirm with them before you go.
Sources
- BeefDip Bear Week, official site
- Bearadise, Bear Week 2027 schedule and IBFF 2027
- Visit Puerto Vallarta, Mantamar Bear Week 2027
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 around Bear Week and book direct at yelapacasagratitud.com.