LGBTQ+ Travel

LGBTQ+ Friendly Destinations 

There are many LGBTQ+ friendly destinations around the world. Whether well known or still underground, our community has a footing in almost every city. As the world progresses, many places are becoming more accepting of the queer community and recognizing our rights. Below is a list of some places we have traveled to and lived in. All of these places have made great strides but in ways still have more that needs to be done, especially for transgender rights. 

Amsterdam, Netherlands 

Amsterdam, with its charming buildings, picturesque canals and friendly vibes, makes for a romantic getaway for gay couples. During the day, you can rent a bike, have a picnic, bite into a stroopwafel, go on a canal cruise and view well known artwork at numerous museums. If you happen to be in Amsterdam during Pride, find your way onto a boat for the parade as it floats through the canals. Take a moment of silence at the Homomonument dedicated to the LGBTQ+ victims of the Holocaust and visit the nearby gay tourist center, Pink Point. This is a great resource to learn more about what’s presently happening in the city and where to go out. During the evening, check out the LGBTQ+ hub on Reguliersdwarsstraat for its diversity of nightlife or go see a show in the Red Light District. No matter what type of experience you’re looking to have, Amsterdam is the place to have it. 

Paris, France 

Paris, Known as the city of love, is no exception for the LGBTQ+ community. It happens to hold a special place in our hearts, as it’s where we got engaged while overlooking the twinkling lights of the Eiffel Tower. There is a well established queer presence throughout the city. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see same sex couples holding hands as they walk through the streets. Le Marais is known as the LGBTQ+ hub with its many boutiques, galleries and gay bars. Paris is an enchanting city to aimlessly wander and do as Parisians do: sip on coffee at a sidewalk cafe, eat a baguette and cheese along the banks of the Seine, admire the historic architecture and view some of the world’s most prominent artwork. Visit the Centre Pompidou, a contemporary art museum, with works by many queer artists. Make an effort to speak a little French. It sounds romantic, even if you mispronounce every word. One phrase we can’t say enough is Je t'aime Paris.

Old San Juan, Puerto Rico 

Puerto Rico is the most accepting island in the Caribbean towards LGBTQ+ travelers. Though not a prominently gay destination, Old San Juan and the surrounding area has countless accommodations, restaurants, bars and beautiful beaches that will make you feel welcomed. You’ll often see other gay locals and tourists openly enjoying themselves. The old town is a sunny and vibrant place known for its rainbow of colorful buildings, blue cobble stone streets and colonial fortresses. It makes for romantic evenings together or tireless nights out, especially on Calle de San Sebastian. Across the island and off shore are many other worthwhile places to visit such as Rincon, Culebra and Vieques. Come here to sip on a rum spiked drink, sit under the shade of a palm tree, learn to dance the salsa in a plaza, witness the bioluminescent algae and go on an adventurous hike through El Yunque rainforest. The energy of the people, the flavors of the food and the natural beauty to be seen everywhere on the island continues to draw us back. Having visited multiple times and eager to return, it’s no wonder the island’s motto is La Isla del Encanto, the Island of Charm.

Bogota, Colombia 

Bogota is one of the most welcoming cities for LGBTQ+ rights in South America. It is the first city on the continent to elect an openly lesbian major. It’s known for is cultural diversity, tolerant society and sprawling neighborhoods. Chapinero, the queer hub within the city boasts an array of trendy businesses, authentic accommodations and nightlife - most notably, Theatron, the largest and most diverse hub for LGBTQ+ nightlife in South America. Throughout Bogota, there is an array of incredible restaurants and cafes around every corner. Apart from the queer scene, the city has many historic sights, museums and parks all worth exploring. The culture, cuisine and people make this city so memorable for not just queer travelers but anyone who visits.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 

Puerto Vallarta is a popular destination for LGBTQ+ travelers. If you want to travel to a town where you’re surrounded by rainbows and will blend in why the other gays of all ages, this is the destination for you. We came here with one of our best friends, Wayne, for his 60th birthday. The bayside city is home to a charming old town and gayborhood, Zona Romantica. Within the city are great beaches, cobble stone streets, an amazing culinary scene and many queer owned businesses. The locals, large number of them gay expats, are incredibly welcoming and used to seeing queer travelers throughout the year. There is a vast range of gay bars, all with their own unique vibe. It’s fun to visit each one and discover a favorite for yourself. There are countless gay swimwear shops where you can strip down and test out your beach look. Playa de los Muertos is the main gay beach with chair rentals, amazing food options and beautiful sunsets. There are multiple nearby fishing towns, tequila distilleries and coffee producers worth visiting. Whether you choose to relax on the beach, take excursions outside the city, enjoy the nightlife or all of the above, this destination makes for a lively and relaxing gay friendly getaway.

Chicago, Illinois 

Chicago is a very liberal city and midwestern hub for the LGBTQ+ community. There are many gay friendly neighborhoods and places to visit around the city but Boystown is by far the gayest. Boystown is an expansive gayborhood lined with cocktail bars, brunch spots, gay clothing shops, drag queens, go go dancers and rainbows. Outside of Pride, one of the most neighborhood’s largest events is called Market Days. It’s essentially a month’s worth of Pride events crammed into one weekend. During the summertime, Hollywood Beach along Lake Michigan, rivals some of the countries most famous gay beaches. It’s the perfect place to get some sun after brunch before going back out. Outside of the gay scene, Chicago is known for its range of culinary delights, dramatic architecture and elevated trains. Having lived here for 4 years, we strongly recommend you visit this incredible city. Fare warning, be prepared for arctic temperatures if visit during the winter. 

LGBTQ+ Travel Tips

• Gayborhood. Seek out your destination’s gayborhood

• Research. Look up your destinations views towards LGBTQ+ people. We are welcomed and accepted in many places but persecuted and criminalized in others.

• Discover. Seek out LGBTQ+ friendly places. Always keep an eye out for symbols (queer flags, equality stickers, etc)

• Pride. Many places host Pride events at different times of the year. A local price event may coincide with your travel dates.

• Reviews. Read the reviews and leave your opinion for LGBTQ+ travelers to know if it’s a safe place or not.

LGBTQ+ Travel Resources 

Below is a list of resources we have referenced before traveling:

• IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association) They’re known for advancing LGBTQ+ travel, offering guides, promoting events and tours. Visit here.

• Mister B&B. Offers access to LGBTQ+ friendly accommodations. Visit here.

• GayTravel.com. Provides resources and guides for LGBTQ+ travelers. Visit here.

• Equaldex. Provides knowledge about the rights of LGBTQ+ community in all countries. Visit here.

• Other Travel Blogs. Great resources for LGBTQ+ guides across hundreds of cities around the world.

  • Mr Hudson Explores. Visit here.

  • Two Bad Tourists. Visit here.

  • GayCities.com. Visit here.

  • Queer In The World. Visit here.

Why Travel is Important

Our Perspective

Travel is important for so many reasons. It cultivates connections, builds empathy, makes us more worldly and appreciative of other cultures. Traveling becomes a part of our own self discovery. 

On our first international trip together, to Foz do Iguacu in Brazil, we met another gay couple from Peru on a city bus tour. They didn’t speak English and our Spanish wasn’t the best but we kept chatting as we toured the city. We ended up spending the entire day together, laughing, enjoying meals and becoming friends before going our separate ways. The following year, they invited us to visit them in Peru. During the week we visited, we stayed at their home, with their relatives, toured Lima where they live and explored the Peruvian coast visiting numerous towns by bus. To this day, that week is one of our most memorable of times. You can read more about our adventures along the Peruvian Coast here.

These types of connections that are so important to make while traveling. Our first two trips together have driven our passion for travel, exposed us to new ideas, allowed us to welcome unique experiences, given us the opportunity to make friends abroad and celebrate our cultural differences and diversity. 

Responsible Travel

Our Perspective

As a citizen of the world, a level of responsibility comes with traveling to different destinations. You should be open-minded to other cultures, peoples, ways of living and perspectives. Travel allows us to step outside of our comfort zone, build empathy and expand our world view. In our opinion, it’s what makes every trip so memorable.

Responsible Travel Tips

Below are some things we’ve learning while traveling. We hope they’ll be useful to you on your adventures.

• Remember that you’re a guest in a foreign land, be respectful of local customs, laws and traditions. 

• Read up on local customs, foods and phrases. Having an understanding of the culture before arriving will make your experience more authentic. 

• Knowing a few phrases in the local language or dialect always goes a long way. Saying hello, thank you, good-bye shows locals you have an interest in them and their culture. 

• Often, many people in the tourist or hospitality industries will enjoy conversation and practicing speaking with you. Be patient and open to the conversation. 

• Always be cautious when taking photographs of sights and people, you should ask first if you’re unsure.

• Get cultured. Visit museums and learn about your destination’s history, art and heritage. 

• Support local businesses. Whether a corner cafe, a hostel, a solo tour guide, a boutique, etc… Locals often thrive on a healthy level of tourism.

• Try to visit off the beaten path places to avoid over tourism or consider traveling to trendy destinations during the off season.

• Know if you need a Visa or not before entering a country.

• Recycle, compost, and manage your personal waste responsibly. Pollution is a serious issue around the world and we can all do our part to reduce it.

• Be open to new perspectives. Many cultures live differently than you might. Our differences are what makes us all so unique. Use these opportunities to learn.

• Always have your host country’s currency on hand. Many places don’t accept credit, especially when you’re in remote areas.

• Know the value of the local currency compared to yours. It helps with budgeting, spending and tipping. 

• Know if it’s acceptable to tip after meals or drinks. Research how much to tip.