Gay Bathhouses in Mexico City in 2024
Mexico City Gay Bathhouse Scene Overview
Mexico City gay bathhouses have a rich history. I have lived in Mexico City, as an expat, for 6 years and the bathhouse scene is one of my favorite parts of the city. Gay, and hetero curious men of all ages and across the entire cultural spectrum attend bathhouses. There is a large quantity of bathhouses as well as a large quantity of men who attend. Mexico City is one of the biggest cities in the world and it has a gay bathhouse scene to match its huge population.
Like all social dynamics, the Mexico City bathhouse scene has its ups and downs. Personally I think the bathhouse scene took a dive during 2020, and we all know why.
I decided to rewrite my post on Mexico City bathhouses to better reflect how the scene is re-emerging in the present day. I hope that after reading this that you’ll be able to make an informed decision as to whether or not you want to include a visit to a Mexico City Gay Bathhouse during your short or long term visit to Mexico City.
Sodome
Calzada Gral. Mariano Escobedo 716, Anzures, Miguel Hidalgo
First things first, I’d like to talk about Sodome. If you are a foreigner, and you’ve been asking locals about the Mexico City gay scene, you have no doubt already heard about this place. Sodome is notorious for being the only European style bathhouse in Mexico City. Sodome stays open late into the night, there is a full bar, music, and lot of sex. Nobody goes to SODOME to relax, they go for a wild night/evening.
Sodome works well on weekdays for evening entertainment, on Saturdays for late night fun, and all day long on Sunday.
I suppose that SODOME would be a good place to relax in the steam room after a day of museums, but it’s really meant more for fucking and action with loud music in the background. It’s a cruising place.
Hours of Sodome
If you’re looking for a place with reliable consistent hours, this is not it. The hours of operation of Sodome have been all over the place since the pandemic. They have even closed down for months at a time. As of now, the club is open but it is important to check their Instagram before going to double check for last minute changes (this is important standard practice for everywhere in Mexico).
General guidelines are Jueves Universitarios (Thursday college night); Friday Open till 3 am (at least); Saturday opens evening and stays open all day Sunday. Sometimes they are open on other weekdays and other weeks not.
Beyond this I strongly suggested you message them on instagram before attending.
**Seriously beware of other travel blogs that post daily hours for this club. I have no idea where they are getting their info, but as of the writing of this article, I checked the other sites and the hours of operation they list are embarrassingly wrong**
Traditional Mexico City Style Gay Bathhouses
Most other gay bathhouses in Mexico city offer a totally different concept than Sodome. Most are traditional Bath House facilities that date back to Mid Century. None have undergone renovations so they all have a very retro vibe. They’re all quite clean but very basic.
Most open at 7AM and close between 5 and 9PM. The last hour really doesn’t count because they begin cleaning it up and rushing everybody out.
If you like to party all night long in your bath houses then stick to Sodome. Most of the online reviews of these traditional places are filled with angry queens, from out of town, talking about how they were kicked out too early. They’re worth a read if you have time.
Me, I’m not an all night person, and I like how the traditional dynamic plays out in Mexico City. It was hard for me to get used to at first, but once i did I realized how well it fit my style.
These bathhouses begin filling up around 3PM, they get cruisy and touchy for the next few hours, and then everybody begins to leave to go search for tacos afterwards. It’s normal to see a group of gays chatting at the local taco place after closing time. Some of them have just fucked and all are friendly. In my experience, Mexican men do NSA fun very well. It’s one of my favorite parts of the culture and the urban life here.
Early Morning Gay Mexican Bathhouse Dynamic
Most bathhouses open at 7AM, 7 days a week. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings can actually draw a crowd of after partiers, on the other end of a wild night of clubbing, who aren’t quite ready to call it a night. Some will spend the entire day there, then go out partying again the next evening. Most will stay awhile, enjoy a Michelada, and move on. Cruising is common during these hours regardless of weather it is an officially gay bathhouse or not.
Short Reviews of my Favorite Traditional Mexican Gay Bathhouses
I’ve also included an accessibility rating of between 1 to 5. Sodome gets a 5 for being located in a safe neighborhood, centrally located, and you’re guaranteed to meet English speaking guys inside. 1 is the rating of my first place, which is located in a famously dangerous neighborhood (which really isn’t warranted), but getting there requires to wander through a made of Mexico City street life and there will be no English speakers anywhere.
Baños San Ciprian
Accessibility: 1 (out of 5) For being an a bad neighborhood and needing to walk through a chaotic market in order to get here. That being said, discreet use of google maps on your cellphone makes this possible. I’ve never had a problem but I’ve never taken the same route twice. Most importantly, it’s worth it!
San Ciprian 97, La Merced, Zona Centro
Monday to Sunday 6AM – 9 PM
Best time for a Crowd: Wednesday afternoon/evening, Sunday afternoon/evening
Very Cruisy Underground Experience in an iconic Mexican Neighborhood, La Merced.
For easy street access enter Calle San Ciprian from the south, Avenida Fray Servando Teresa de Mier or Metro Fray Servando. If you access from the north the streets are filled with a dense array of street vendors and its very hard to navigate through all that your first time.
Baños San Ciprian is an otherworldly experience. I often came here in the early afternoon when I needed a break from my writing. At this time there were usually only a few people, but they were always really strong, really handsome young guys, who worked in the markets in the neighborhoods.
They were taking a multi hour lunch break in the middle of a grueling all day shift, which is common in Mexico City. They were content to relax and nap a little in the steam room, and equally content to play around with me.
Wednesdays and Sundays it is packed! Action packed! This bathhouse is a very simple small design. It is nothing more than a square shower room, and a dark room/sauna behind it. On Sundays the shower area is packed with men nursing their Micheladas, talking, and flirting in their loin cloths and flip flops (bring your own).
The steam room has no lighting, there are a few holes in the ceiling, where light comes through, like a spotlight, and offers a precious bit of illumination, so you can see the sweaty orgy that lasts all afternoon into the evening.
With a closing time of 9PM, the latest of all the traditional bathhouses, you can really get lost here on a Sunday afternoon.
Sunday afternoons in La Merced are a precious gem of Mexican Culture. Every corner contains traditions that go back to pre hispanic times. The gay orgyfiestas in Baños San Ciprian are part of the fabric of this iconic neighborhood. A visit here is to become a part of this history. You’ll never forget it.
Baños Finisterre
Accessibility: 5 (out of 5). Easy to find location in a safe neighborhood.
Manuel María Contreras 11, San Rafael, Cuauhtémoc
Mon to Sat 6AM – 9PM; Sunday 6AM-4PM
Best Time for a Crowd: Monday, Friday, and Saturday afternoon/early evening.
This was my first traditional Mexico City Gay Bathhouse. It is probably still the best bet if you’re looking for a location that is easy to get to, with a high likelihood of a decent size crowd on any day (higher likelihood on the days listed above).
Pros: Ideal setup for cruising. During the pandemic this club did a big renovation. Actually more like a re-allocation of space. Formerly there was a gay male sauna, as well as a dozen mini saunas spread out on the second floor. The Mini saunas could be rented out privately, by individuals, couples, or families. They consisted of a mini steam room, mini shower, and a bed area with a soft mat on top of a flat surface. Perfect for spending an afternoon with a special someone.
Now the second floor is part of the gay sauna and all of the private mini saunas are open to be used by the gay clientele for cruising.
Cons: With the addition of these new rooms the facility just seems too big. I’ve been there a few times, since the new setup, and I just feel like everybody looses one another, instead of piling on top of one another in one steam room, like everybody is used to.
The private mini saunas don’t get cleaned as much as they ought to so there’s that too.
Con #2: They have stopped offering services here. No massages, mani, pedi, or anything else. It’s really more of a Sodome now, and honestly, Sodome does it better.
What can we learn from Finisterre? Most other travel blogs will list Finisterre, and Sodome, and nothing else. This was good advice before the pandemic, but now, Finisterre isn’t that great and the other blogs talk about it like it is. Right now I’d say that Finisterre is a risk. Maybe you’ll show up on a good day but probably not. I haven’t.
Finisterre will improve. They are in a low point now. But the thing to remember with the traditional bathhouses is that they have been here forever, they are part of the fabric of the city. They play the long game. When Finisterre is cool again, you’ll find out here.
Mexico City Neighborhood Style Gay Bathhouses
All traditional Mexico City gay bathhouses are located in communities or neighborhoods. The ones listed above however, are located in centrally located neighborhoods and hence they draw people from all over town.
There is less of an anonymous vibe in a community bathhouse, and more of a neighborhood one. The guys who give massages are friendly with the customers in the neighborhood places. Over my time in Mexico I have met plenty of men who describe themselves as ‘fans’ of bathhouses and they make a point to travel around the city to check out the vibe in each of the community gay bathhouses.
I’ll describe more specifically below, but gay community bathhouses in Mexico City are intergenerational. Young and older men chat and flirt and fuck much more frequently than in other cities.
Banos Rocío (Tlalpan)
Accessibility: 4 out of 5; Located just outside the center of the city, still accessible by metro, very friendly and inviting staff. Very little spoken English but cooperative in accommodating you.
Calz. de Tlalpan 1165, San Simón, Benito Juárez
Mon to Sat 7AM – 8PM; Sunday 7AM-5PM
Another neighborhood place that is famous for the college aged crowd on Thursday afternoons. If you’re into a relaxing massage I highly recommend you come here, they do great massages here.
Here is a story about a friendship I developed with a masseur at this bathhouse
Baños Rocío (Gómez Farías)
Accessibility: 3 out of 5; Outside of downtown, easy metro ride under normal circumstances, but the Number one line (pink line) is currently under construction and stops at Metro Isabella Catholica. This is beyond where most tourists stay (most tourists stay closer to Metro Insurgentes). Once you get there the staff is friendly to foreigners.
Calle 27 18, Valentín Gómez Farías, Venustiano Carranza
Mon to Sat 7AM – 8PM; Sun 8AM-4PM
Best time for a crowd: 12-Close
Another neighborhood sauna experience that is outside of the downtown area but very easy to get to. Located in a safe quiet barrio of Gomez Farías, this place has many regulars and many interesting personalities. They usually have a handsome young guy working the door and I have always found the guys at this place to be particularly handsome.
Banos Tepeyac
Accessibility: 4 out of 5. Straight shot from downtown on the Reforma bus (but it’s a long ride and this bus runs slow). It’s a pretty ride. This bathhouse is a great neighborhood spot if that’s what you’re looking for, lots of gay action, and easy to get to.
Garrido y Aquiles Serdán 32, Aragón La Villa(Aragón), Gustavo A. Madero
Mon to Sat 6AM-8PM; Sun 6AM-6PM
Best Time for a Crowd: Afternoons 4-close
Baños Puerto Vallarta
Accessibility: 4 out of 5. Easy to get to on the green line. Located in the notorious Iztapalapa barrio, which has a bad reputation. The area around the metro is actually very nice and it’s great for walking around. This bathhouse is located a short pleasant and safe walk from the metro.
Ermita Iztapalapa 1137, San Pablo, Iztapalapa
Mon to Sat 7AM-8PM; Sun 7AM-5PM
Best Time for a Crowd: 3PM-Close
This is a neighborhood sauna with lots of cruising in the steam room. It is in the neighborhood of Iztapalapa. This barrio is one of the largest in CDMX. This particular part of Iztapalapa is safe and quiet. This is the Vapor I recommend you visit if you want to get a feel for a Mexico City Neighborhood in the outer part of the city where most of the people actually reside. There is a beautiful Catholic Church, a town square, and a quaint street market. It is very accessible by the green line of the Metro.
Baños San Cristóbal
Accessibility: 2 out of 5. Easy to get to if you’re willing to take the Mexibus, from Metro Indios verdes. It’s a long ride. Almost an hour. Once you get there it’s one of the best neighborhood saunas with an amazing selection of hetero curious men eager to play around.
Vía Morelos 36, Hogares Mexicanos, 55040 Ecatepec de Morelos
Mon – Sat 6AM-9PM; Sun 6AM-7PM
Best Time for a Crowd 3PM-Close
This steam room has it all except location. Its very far from downtown and difficult to get to. But the crowd is great and the guys are hot. It is a neighborhood sauna and it’s not uncommon to see families there. There are two saunas. One for families and one for cruising. The cruising sauna is dark and has a back two story area with showers and cruising concepts. There are a lot of staff here. They are handsome and very attentive and very polite. They serve food here so you can really make an afternoon out of the experience. If you’re a digital nomad and you have the time to go up here it’s totally worth it. I take transport up there and Uber back. Taking an Uber up there is likely to be too time consuming because of the traffic. The Uber ride back is quick and beautiful. This barrio is in the mountains that surround Mexico City. The highway that takes you back weaves through mountains that are lit up by all the houses where millions of people live.
Banos Molinos
Accessibility: 4 out of 5. Located on the line of centrally located and not. Easy walk from Metro.
Molinos 20, Mixcoac, Benito Juárez
Mon to Sat 6AM-8:30PM; Sunday 6AM – 3:30PM
Places to Skip
The following bathhouses are not gay bathhouses. They are traditional neighborhood bathhouses that did not make the decision to convert to all gay. In Mexico City, nothing is 100% straight, but these are as close as you can get.
I was considering eliminating them from my list, but I decided to keep them because other blogs have copied me without the context and are presenting them as Mexican gay bath houses, when really the most important part is sadly missing.
Baños Azteca/Estadio
Calzada de Tlalpan 4341, Bosques de Tetlameya, Coyoacán
Mon to Sat 6AM-8:30PM; Sunday 6AM – 5:30PM
These baños are the southernmost baños that I know of. If you want to combine these with another activity there is the Barrio Magico of Tlalpan which is close by, coyacan Centro, the Diego rivera museum of Anahuacalli, and Xochimilco. Xochimilco has some good airbnb tours that operate in the mornings. The Xochimilco tours are ones that you’ll want to read about before you go. They can take on many different flavors that vary from an agricultural history of the region, modern farm to table experiences, to all out drunken parties on a party boat. Pick carefully and you’ll likely find just what you want. The south is one of my favorite parts of the city. It’s unexplored with more trees and less concrete.
Baños Señorial
Isabella La Catholica 92 Col. Centro, Centro, Cuauhtémoc, 06080
Mon – Sat 6AM-9PM; Sun 6AM – 7PM
Best time for a crowd – Daily after 3:00PM until close
This sauna also offers a full set of services from mani pedi to massage to whatever else you may need. It is not as gay as some others on this list but I’ve always found gay cruising when I come here.
However, I would rate this place as a pass for those looking for gay cruising. This reputation of this Sauna is that it’s the most luxurious and upscale of them all. I did NOT find this to be the case. The floors are fo-marble, instead of dated ceramic, and beyond that, everything is the same. Mexico City is not a destination for luxury spas.
If you’re a sauna fan and you’re not interested in gay cruising, this is your place. Otherwise, go to the others for guaranteed Ambiente. The downtown location gives it a historical vibe. I like it here. I featured this sauna on my Gay Downtown Walking Tour. It is also featured in many local Mexico City Guides.
