There’s nothing I love more than connecting with my queer peers.
You’ve heard of people traveling to Fire Island, Provincetown, Palm Springs, and other notable U.S. destinations to escape the “real world” and enjoy a slice of gay paradise. However, there’s one hidden gem that should sit at the top of your travel bucket list: Isla Mujeres, just off Cancun.
This gorgeous island in the Mexican Caribbean is the perfect home to the groundbreaking LGBTQ+ festival, Utopia, founded by renowned event producer Jake Resnicow. Imagine the serenity of your favorite vacation spots combined with the rush of an electric, heart-pumping music festival. Add in relaxation excursions like group yoga sessions, all-day and all-night themed parties, and perfect weather all weekend long…and you’ve got gay heaven on earth.
In 2021, Resnicow established Utopia as an unforgettable experience for the LGBTQ+ community. He has broken records with his large-scale queer parties, creating safe spaces for people from every walk of life. Although he’s the mastermind behind massive circuit parties and large-scale productions such as last year’s WorldPride Music Festival, Utopia feels like his most personal project.
WorldPride Music FestivalConor Olmsted
“We’re not just producing events. We’re creating spaces where people feel seen, where they form real connections, and where they can step into a version of themselves they don’t always get access to in everyday life,” Resnicow says. “Utopia is about building a global community that people can return to year after year.”
It’s no secret that there is so much divisiveness happening in the world today, so I can’t even begin to explain the thrill I had while attending Utopia. Euphoria is the only way I can properly describe dancing the night away with so many members of my chosen family on the beaches of Isla Mujeres. There’s nothing more magical than watching the sun go down as my friends are dressed in the campiest outfits and busting moves that still make me laugh out loud to this day.
Utopia is the true definition of queer escapism. Not only are there plenty of opportunities to party and connect with people from all over the world, but Resnicow goes above and beyond to make sure tourists feel safe while exploring the destination. Purchasing a ticket to Utopia automatically gets you set up at boutique hotels, private villas, and beachside venues to create an immersive, safe, and celebratory environment.
Jahil Hoth, director general of Economic Development and Tourism for the Municipality of Isla Mujeres, is proud to welcome LGBTQ+ tourists who are ready to let loose on the inclusive island. “Isla Mujeres is a place where natural beauty, history, and community come together in a truly special way,” Hoth says. “We are proud to welcome Utopia and share the spirit, culture, and magic of our island with visitors from around the world.”
Utopia SunsetUtopia Sunset
In today’s hostile political climate, safety is something that cannot be taken for granted. I’ve attended so many festivals in my life where I was so concerned about my phone being snatched or that the crowd could turn a little too rowdy. At Utopia, it was liberatingto be able to put both my hands in the air, dance in my little Speedo, and be fully present without any stress on my mind. It feels like those moments are becoming too few and far between these days.
I’m a sucker for live music, so I was so stoked that headliners like LP Giobbi, Anabel Englund, and Ty Sunderland were spinning records at Utopia. In previous years, A-list DJs and celebrities such as Diplo, Joel Corry, Billy Porter, and Lance Bass have all performed or made special appearances at this gay oasis. The line between strangers and friends is blurred almost immediately at Utopia as our community gets to come together and just love one another.
Although the lineup and musical stylings are a big selling point for Utopia, there’s so much more to do than just dancing with your new friends. Daily wellness programming including yoga, breathwork, and fitness classes is offered at the host hotels and offer a sweet escape from all of the excitement. The island transforms into one integrated playground where it’s so easy to connect organically and naturally with one another. I usually visit festivals or Pride celebrations on my own, so it’s a huge relief knowing that I’ll likely leave events like Utopia with more friends than I had going in.
I also want to make one thing clear: Utopia is for anyone at any age. It may seem like young people are the only ones exploring high-energy events like these, but I promise that you’ll make memories with every color of the rainbow on the gorgeous beaches of Isla Mujeres. As RuPaul famously said, “We get to choose our family. We get to choose the people that we’re around.”
UtopiaUtopia
Chosen family is the greatest gift I’ve experienced in my lifetime, so my heart beats with pride whenever I get to experience anything remotely close to what Utopia has to offer. If only my younger self could see me now. My community has rallied behind me more times than I can count, so I encourage all of my queer peers to seriously consider these gay getaways. You truly won’t regret it.
The next Utopia, which funded this trip, runs April 2-5, 2027. Learn more at utopiaisla.com.
Marco Calvani and Colman Domingo on the cover of Out magazine's May-June 2026 issue
This article is part of Out’s May-June 2026 print issue, which hits newsstands May 26. Support queer media and subscribe — or download the issue through Apple News+, Zinio, Nook, or PressReader.
