Things have come a long way in Mexico for the gay traveler, as many individual cities and states are opening their arms to the LGBT community.

In March 2010, Mexico City approved same-sex marriage, and in 2013, Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that a state ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. These incredible advancements for gays in Mexico have cleared the way for many destinations to develop into "hot spots" which cater to the LGBT populace.

From all-inclusive, romantic beach vacations, to nightlife, city life, and history — many areas have become hot spots for gay travel, and for good reasons. Whether you’re looking for a vacation destination or a place to settle down for a while, these top five locales are not only gay-friendly, they have large LGBT communities as well.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta was one of the first coastal locations to welcome the gay community, and it has transformed into the perfect mix of beaches, nightlife, and culture to suit party-goers, beach bums, foodies, and shoppers alike. Vallarta attracts gay travelers from around the world as well as the big Mexican metropolises of Guadalajara and Mexico City.

Puerto Vallarta offers hotels, restaurants, clubs, guesthouses, bars, beaches, and even excursions that cater specifically to the LGBT community. There’s something for everyone in the incredibly open, friendly, and gorgeous Bahia de Banderas area.

Cancun

Whether you’re looking for a perfectly serene, romantic getaway, or an off-the-wall party destination, Cancun offers the perfect mix for every vacationer. Similar to Vallarta, there’s no need to hide your colors here. The gay scene is vibrant in Cancun’s El Centro region, which features gay clubs, bars, shops, hotels, and restaurants.

Mexico City looking towards Zona Rosa (Woodhouse)

Cancun is one of those places that washes all of your stress away with gorgeous scenery and even more gorgeous water temperatures. And with the most advanced water purification system in the country, you can drink from any resort faucet without any worries at all.

Mexico City

Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world — it’s home to over 20 million people, which also means it has a huge LGBT community. Stop in for a few days on the way to your beach destination or settle in and call it home. Gay marriage is legal here and gay adoptions are legal too.

Take part in one of the largest gay pride parades in all of North and South America, or if the size of the city overwhelms you, venture to the more relaxed neighboring districts. Explore the arts in the Roma district or take a walk through the gay strip in Zona Rosa.

Cabo San Lucas

Enjoy a sophisticated vacation with a dash of crazy nightlife in Cabo San Lucas. This is the perfect LGBT destination for travelers who want an upscale vacation with all of the pampering and frills of resort life. Relax by the pool all day and head to the Rainbow Bar at night, or check the schedule for an "Open Your Mind" go-go boy and strip show at the Passion night club.

However you choose to spend your time in Cabo, there’s no way you’ll go home wishing you’d been pampered a little more.

Guadalajara

Thinking of settling down in Mexico, but the hustle and bustle of Mexico City just seems like a bit much? Check out the European influenced city of Guadalajara — the perfect combination of big city, culture and a huge LGBT community to make you feel at home.

There are more than gay clubs, bars, restaurants, and accommodation in Guadalajara — the gay community is bustling with LGBT radio programming, a variety of print publications, and an LGBT resource center. The pride parade in Guadalajara is not quite as huge as the one in Mexico City, but with 200,000 viewers and participants each year, you won’t leave wanting more.

Although the city has yet to legalize same-sex marriage because of the heavy Catholic influence, it is actually home to more gay bars and clubs than Mexico City