Which Caribbean islands are safe for gay travelers?

The #1 pink haven in the Caribbean – that's the level of safety we're talking about here! A part of the United States Commonwealth, LGBTQ rights in Puerto Rico are, more or less, in line with those in the US, which makes Puerto Rico a safe haven for the LGBTQ community in the Caribbean. For example, Federal US hate crime laws protecting the LGBTQ community also apply in Puerto Rico. In addition, gay marriage was legalized on the island in 2015 following the momentous Obergefell v Hodges Supreme Court decision. In relation to transgender rights, trans people have been allowed to change their legal gender since 2018.

Santurce is where it’s at for queer peeps. Situated in Puerto Rico’s capital city of San Juan, this area is home to over a dozen LGBTQ establishments, including Oceano, a super-trendy bar and restaurant that serves the best mojitos this side of Cuba. The Bear Tavern, meanwhile, offers delicious tapas with a side helping of Puerto Rican prime beef – by which, I mean, its clientele…!

As fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race will know, Puerto Rico has turned out some of the finest drag artists on the international stage, including Alexis Mateo and Vanessa Vanjie. Head over to Circo if you fancy a taste of the incredible local drag scene or you just want to shake what the Good Gay God gave you on one of the club’s multiple dance floors. Other highlights include the SX Club, which is packed to the rafters with exotic dancers(!) and Xteamworks, Puerto Rico’s first (and so far, only) gay sauna. There’s also the gay beach of Condado located in front of the Atlantic Beach Hotel.

There are several fabulous LGBTQ events to be enjoyed at various times of the year in Puerto Rico. The Winter Pride Fest takes place in December – although “winter” is a bit of a reach, considering you can still expect plenty of sun and temperatures in the 80s °F (around 25-30°C).

The biggest and most popular LGBTQ event on the island is Pride Puerto Rico, which is usually held around May-June time in San Juan. What began as a small protest in 1990 has now grown into one of the largest and best Pride events in the Caribbean.

Of course, there are plenty of other things to do in Puerto Rico for those days when your gay energy needs a little time away from the scene to recharge. Old San Juan is equal parts quaint and colorful – a cute combo of local culture and Puerto Rican history, with plenty of places to grab a drink or a bite to eat. It can get busy during peak season, but it’s worth a look for anyone visiting the island.

Beach lovers can’t go wrong with a visit to Playa Flamenco, one of the most popular non-gay beaches in Puerto Rico. Playa Flamenco looks like a living postcard, with gorgeous white sands stretching out as far as the eye can see – to call it paradise is no exaggeration!

Curaçao has long been welcoming gay travelers for years. As a Dutch-influenced territory, you can be sure things are relaxed and super safe here! There are plenty of safe spaces and LGBTQ-friendly places to stay in. Most of the islanders adopt a live-and-let-live ideology, which suits us just fine! Being gay has never been a criminal offense on the island, and discrimination based on your orientation was outlawed in 2011. There are also no provisions for trans people to change their legal gender.

Even better, on July 12, 2024, the Supreme Court of the Netherlands ruled that same-sex marriage in Curaçao is legal.

The first thing that struck us about Curacao is its bright, colorful architecture. If you look at the island from above at a certain angle, I’m almost certain you can make out the Pride flag – if that isn’t a big gay welcome, I don’t know what is! Our favorite place in Curacao is Lyric’s Café, the island’s only regular gay venue. It’s small, but it has tons of personality and charm, with a comfortable lounge area and a dancing pole for when you’re feeling your oats!

Many Curacao gays gravitate towards the Wet and Wild Beach Club, which is always a good time. The best night is Sunday when the Happy Hour Beach Party takes place from 5 pm until 7 pm and features the club’s resident DJ, with drinking and dancing going on into the early hours. In terms of gay beaches, the island doesn't have an official one, but Moomba Beach by the Floris Suite Hotel is an adults-only gay friendly beach where the boys hang out.

Curaçao knows how to do Pride right for such a small island! The annual, six-day-long Curaçao Pride festival takes place in late September. It hosts a battalion of local and international performing artists to thrill and delight the island’s LGBTQ locals and visitors. The festival includes several Pride parties like the Boat Party and the White Party, which are well worth attending. Also, be sure to check out the weekly LGBT happy hour at the Floris Suite Hotel.

Curaçao has plenty of other non-gay sights to see too. The Christoffel National Park in the West End is packed full of local horticulture and features two driving routes and eight hiking trails. These include a two-to-three-hour hike up to the summit of Christoffel Mountain, the highest point on the entire island. It is a sight to behold, but not for the faint of heart!

If history and the arts are your cup of tea, there’s plenty to drink during your time on the island. Willemstad is the cultural heart of Curacao, home to the Landhuis Bloemhof Arts Center and the Gallery Alma Blou, as well as the Museum Kura Hulanda and the Queen Emma Bridge.

In terms of its politics and laws, Martinique is one of the more LGBTQ-friendly Caribbean islands. Being a French territory, it decriminalized homosexuality at the same time as its parent country back in 1791 and legalized gay marriage in 2013. Discrimination based on orientation is illegal, gays can adopt and give blood, and trans people can change their legal gender. While gay conversion therapy is still legal, the courts are currently working to outlaw it. Sadly, the island’s legal system doesn’t formally recognize non-binary gender identities yet but, fingers crossed, it’s only a matter of time.

Whilst Martinique doesn't have a gay scene, some gay-friendly and gay-owned establishments are safe and welcoming for LGBTQ travelers. Our advice would be to stay at one of the island's gay guesthouses like La Kalenda Gay or Le Carbet Gay and ask them if any gay parties are happening.

What Martinique does have is a gay-friendly beach area. At the far end of the stunningly gorgeous Les Salines beach is an area known as Plage de la Petite Anse des Salines. While it’s not exactly outwardly gay like some of the beaches you might have sauntered onto in the past, there is an unspoken consensus that this is a safe place for LGBTQ travelers to congregate and meet other gay travelers and locals. There’s also a gay-friendly nude beach close by called Little Anse des Salines.

Not having much of a gay scene, you might assume that there aren’t any gay events going on in Martinique either, but there are a couple worth checking out. The Martinique Carnival takes place in late February and is extremely popular with the local LGBTQ community. The carnival is a very Mardi Gras-ish celebration of local culture on the island, which includes male and female performers gender-swapping for a burlesque-themed mock wedding.

Martinique also has a low-key Pride Day that takes place every June on the Coin au Carbet beach. Sometimes called the La Gay Pride au Carbet, this spectacular event involves a colorful parade as well as a rainbow crossing painted in the streets of Carbet.

Oh, Miss Martinique, you're not shy when it comes to pretty sights… If you’re into nature, the Balata Botanical Garden will blow your mind. Located near Fort-de-France, the Balata is home to 3,000 different species of plants. It’s a sight to behold and a lovely way to spend a quiet, relaxing day in Martinique. Speaking of Fort-de-France, it is the capital of the island and a great starting point for travelers wanting to take in some local culture. For history and architecture lovers we recommend heading to the Musee Departmental d’Archeologie, the Cathedrale Saint-Louis, and Fort Royal.

Very safe! This unique Caribbean island is split between two very gay friendly European nations: France and the Netherlands. The Northern part is the French domain and is referred to as “Saint Martin”. The South is part of the Dutch Caribbean and is called “Sint Maarten”. Because of its unusual territorial situation, LGBTQ equality standards differ between the northern and southern sections. The North legalized homosexuality in 1791 and gay marriage in 2013, in line with French law. In the south, homosexuality was never considered a crime in the first place, but unlike its parent country, the Netherlands, Sint Maarten has yet to legalize gay marriage.

Our favorite venue in the French part is Eros Club in Marigot, the capital of Saint Martin. It’s only open on Saturday nights from 11 pm, but it is the place to be if you love a good party. There’s a battalion of beautiful male dancers, and the local drag queens are an absolute scream. Down south in Sint Maarten, check out L’Escargot, a restaurant with one of the gayest decors we’ve ever clapped eyes on. On Friday nights, the island’s best and brightest cabaret stars put on a fabulous show for diners. Once you’re suitably fed, watered, and entertained, head over to Bliss, a gay-friendly restaurant and nightclub, to dance the night away under the stars.

There are also a few gay clothing-optional beach areas packed with hotties: Orient Bay Beach and Happy Bay Beach in the north and Cupecoy Beach in the south. You can thank me later!

Neither side of the island currently has an official Pride festival, but there are two carnivals during the springtime. The French side of the island has its carnival in late February, while the Dutch side’s carnival is later in the year, around April. Both events are pretty gay – I mean, they’re carnivals! – but the French one is certainly gayer. The Mardi Gras Parade takes place towards the end and sees performers swarm the streets dressed up to the nines. Meanwhile, the Dutch carnival takes place over a month, so if you’re visiting the island around that time, you can’t miss it!

There’s so much to do on this island, you’ll be spoilt for choice and wondering how you’re going to squeeze it all in – though we always find a way, don’t we? Pinel Island is top of everyone’s list, a stunning day-trip location. There are several different tour packages available, including boat tours and snorkeling experiences. Water babies will be living their best lives!

Back on dry land, Fort Louis is well worth a look, if only for the incredible view of the island once you reach the top – again, there are plenty of guided tours available if you’re planning to visit. GI Joe wannabes should head to Loterie Farm, packed with hiking trails and treetop obstacle courses, while animal lovers are sure to have a great time at the Parotte Ville Bird Sanctuary.

No problems with safety here! The Virgin Islands are governed by the United States and, as such, are similar in terms of LGBTQ rights, which includes full marriage equality in line with US law. Saint Croix also passed its hate crime law in 2014, which includes provisions for crimes committed against LGBTQ people, of which there have been some reported cases. LGBTQ couples can adopt, and lesbian couples can access fertility treatment. While there is no legal ban against trans people changing their legal gender, the Superior Court of USVI has said they aren’t aware that such a petition has ever been lodged, so there isn’t yet a legal framework in place.

Head to Frederiksted where most restaurants, bars, and clubs proudly fly the rainbow flag! Specific places to check out include The Palms at Pelican Cove on Friday and Saturday nights. It can get busy, so we’d recommend making a reservation. The Palms also opens onto a gay-friendly beach area with lots of sights to see – and I’m not just talking about the sun, sea, and sand! Our other top gay beach is in front of the Sand Castle on the Beach, which also happens to be our favorite place to stay on the island; more on that later.

When it comes to celebrating Gay Pride, Saint Croix is all for it. The Saint Croix Pride includes a launch party at Point Udall, a Pride art exhibition at the Caribbean Museum Centre for the Arts, and a glorious Pride Parade. The highlight is the popular after-party following the parade which kicks off at Sand Castle on the Beach.

If you’ve had your fill of gay fun and frolics for a while, check out what else Saint Croix has to offer. There’s a fabulous boat tour of the Virgin Islands that is an incredible way to spend a day. The high price may be a bit of a barrier for couples, but if you’re traveling with a group, the boat seats up to nine guests, which makes it a much more affordable prospect.

For those who would prefer to keep their feet on the ground, groups of up to six people can go on a private day tour of the island that includes stops at Mount Pellier Domino Club, the Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, the Cruzan Rum Distillery and more!

So safe that the island doesn’t have any documented history of any homophobic or transphobic hate crime! The legal framework of Guadaloupe is shaped by France, which includes full marriage equality (since 2013) and a full set of anti-discrimination laws. LGBTQ couples can also adopt and trans people can change their legal gender. Where Guadeloupe falls down is that it doesn’t yet recognize those who identify as non-binary, and like many other Caribbean islands, it hasn’t banned conversion therapy.

Guadeloupe doesn’t have any gay bars or clubs. Whilst there are many gay-friendly bars on the island, if you’re hoping to paint the town all the colors of the rainbow and party till the early hours, then you're better off heading to Curaçao. Guadaloupe is geared towards LGBTQ travelers who want to chill. If this is your gig, then you'll love the island's gay friendly nude beaches – Anse Tarare in Saint Francois and Plage Gay Naturiste de Sainte Rose.

It’s very unusual for a city or country without a gay scene to have a Pride festival, and Guadeloupe, unfortunately, doesn’t buck that particular trend. However, like many of our other favorite gay-friendly Caribbean islands, Guadeloupe doesn’t disappoint when it comes to its annual carnival. Taking place over two whole months between January and March, the Guadeloupe Carnival promises “color, music, happiness, and laughter” – all sounds pretty gay to me!

Guadeloupe may not have much in the way of gay nightlife, but it's the perfect travel destination for LGBTQ travelers who prefer their adventures away from the nightlife scene. Guadeloupe National Park is a sprawling nature reserve packed with local flora and fauna, several native bird species, and fabulous hiking trails, including a two-hour climb up the La Soufriere volcano that promises some spectacular views once you reach the top.

There’s also the Blue Lagoon Tour, a guided boat tour that includes visits to the teeny-tiny gorgeous island of Ilet Caret, the Grand Cul-de-Sac Marin Natural Reserve, and the Moustique River, with opportunities to go snorkeling and check out the mesmerizingly beautiful coral reef.

Despite Bermuda's history of intolerance towards the LGBTQ community, the island nation has evolved massively in recent years to position itself as one of the top destinations for gay travelers in the Caribbean. In 2018, Bermuda legalized gay marriage and also allowed LGBTQ couples to adopt. It also has a generous set of anti-discrimination laws in place to protect the LGBTQ community which includes hate speech.

There are a handful of queer places in Bermuda to check out in the capital city of Hamilton. The main one is Café Cairo where you can grab a fabulous dinner followed by drinks and dancing until 3am courtesy of the resident DJ. There’s even a hookah bar if that’s your thing. The Little Venice Restaurant is a gorgeous Italian restaurant with some of the best food we’ve ever tasted and a positive reputation with the LGBTQ community.

There is a gay beach area situated between Chaplin Bay and Horseshoe Beach, near the parishes of Southampton and Warwick. While it’s a great place to meet other gay travelers and locals, cruising is a big no-no as police regularly patrol the area, particularly in the summer months.

In August 2019, Bermuda had its very first Pride festival (the 2020 Pride was canceled due to the global pandemic), attracting around 6,000 people – that's almost 10% of the island's entire population! Bermuda Pride is a 3-day festival, which includes a parade and plenty of parties largely based around Victoria Park. It is supported by the Rainbow Alliance of Bermuda, which does fantastic things for the LGBTQ community of the island.

If you prefer your vacay with a side-helping of history, you won’t want to miss a trip to St George on the island’s east end. It is home to Tobacco Bay Beach and more museums than you can shake a stick at, including the St George Historical Society Museum and the Bermudian Heritage Museum. We also recommend checking out the National Museum of Bermuda in Sandys Parish.

We love an aquarium (who doesn’t?!) and Bermuda has a fabulous one situated in Flatts Village on the North Shore. The Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo is home to hundreds of species of fish, coral, birds, reptiles, and mammals from all over the world. The aquarium also runs whale-watching boat cruises in the spring, where you can spot Bermuda humpback whales as they migrate north.

Despite being an authoritarian regime, Cuba is very safe for gay travelers. We loved it and would go back in a heartbeat. There was a time when gay Cubans would risk their lives to flee the country for a better life in the States. However, thanks to the efforts of people like Mariela Casto, a full range of anti-discrimination laws have been introduced since 2013 which included laws on gender equality. Cuba is also on the path to introducing marriage equality over the next few years…watch this space!

Considering Cuba’s chequered past towards LGBTQ people, there is a rich and vibrant queer community here. Malecon, located on the coast of Havana, Cuba’s capital city, is where the Havana boys hang out in the evening. In terms of gay hangouts, check out Bar XY. Fridays and Saturday nights pop off in spectacular fashion with fabulous cocktails and hilarious comedy drag shows. For a world-class cabaret with a Cuban twist, head to Cabaret Las Vegas. Just be wary of the dress code – men, leave your open-toed shoes at home! There is a gay beach called Mi Cayito on the Playas de Este, which is a 30-minute taxi ride away from Havana.

Pride marches have been held in Cuba every May for many years to coincide with the International Day Against Homophobia. However, in 2019, the organizers were forced to cancel the parade at short notice and with no explanation! Nevertheless, they showed up, in a tremendous display of strength, resilience, and, above all, Pride! Sadly, the police also turned out – in huge numbers. Several attendees were arrested, and the rest were ordered to disperse. Clearly, the good fight is not over…

If you fancy breaking up all the food, drink, dancing, and debauchery with a little history and culture, Havana is full of stunning architecture and several interesting tourist attractions. The Malecon waterfront is a lovely place for a stroll in the sun, while the Museo de la Rivolucion is packed with photos and artifacts from the era of the Cuban Revolution. History fans won’t want to miss a trip to the colonial city of Habana Vieja, which is also the location of the stunning Plaza de la Catedral.

Very safe! As part of the French West Indies, Saint Barts follows in France’s progressive footsteps when it comes to LGBTQ equality. The island has a comprehensive set of anti-discrimination laws which follow those in France. In addition, gay marriage was introduced in 2013 when it was legalized in France and it includes adoption rights. All in all, Saint Barts is a haven for the gays!

Saint Barts has an interesting and unusual reputation for being one of the most popular gay tourist destinations in spite of the fact it doesn’t have a single exclusively gay venue. It’s not that the island doesn’t provide safe spaces for the LGBTQ community – more so that it doesn’t need to. The general consensus seems to be that all spaces are safe spaces, no matter your orientation or gender identity. Prejudice isn’t really a thing in Saint Barts, which is just fabulous. However, if you're looking to party, you're better off heading to somewhere like Curaçao.

In terms of gay beaches, check out Saline. The far left and right sections are the most popular areas with the gay community, and it’s clothing optional, so you’re sure to see lots of sights!

Despite being exceedingly gay in every way, shape, and form, Saint Barts doesn’t currently run any gay events or have a Pride festival. That’s a shame in a way, as we can imagine Saint Barts Pride being an absolute riot. On the other hand, we can kind of understand it. By all accounts, the people of Saint Barts actively encourage the LGBTQ community to live their truth freely and proudly 365 days of the year. When you look at it that way, it’s kind of great and represents a gold standard of queer acceptance we hope the rest of the world can catch up to one day.

The top attractions of St Bart's include the capital city of Gustavia, packed with museums, art galleries, fabulous French restaurants, and some of the best places to shop in Saint Barts. Fort Gustave is a great place to take in some of the island’s history and culture.

Saint Jean is like a mini-Gustavia, located in the center of the island. Saint Barts knows how to do shopping and dining like no other, and Saint-Jean is no exception. Saint Jean’s Bay Beach is beyond stunning and offers opportunities to partake in water sports like surfing and snorkeling.

Aruba is safe and welcoming for LGBTQ travelers. It is part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and generally follows the laws set by the Binnenhof. Aruba has quite a comprehensive set of anti-discrimination laws but has yet to introduce laws that prohibit discrimination based on gender identity. Similarly, gay marriage equality has not yet reached the island, but it is making strides in this direction, having introduced gay civil unions in 2016.

District 7 in the capital city of Oranjestad is the center of LGBTQ life on the island. The popular Jimmy’s Place has been rebranded as 7 Club Lounge Bar or “@7” and was the biggest gay nightlife hotspot on the island pre-Covid but we are waiting/hoping it will be reborn again soon! In its heyday, 7 Club was a chic, stylish hangout, perfect for meeting locals and other travelers and dancing your socks off to live music courtesy of world-famous performing artists and international DJs. Gin fans should also check out the gay friendly Gin and Olives Garden Bar – although this has also been closed since Covid.

Aruba has an unofficial gay section at Eagle Beach, but generally, it's a mixed crowd here, also popular with families.

Unfortunately, there aren’t currently any notable gay events like Pride going on in Aruba. Though the LGBTQ community is growing and becoming more visible. We hope to celebrate the first Aruba Pride event one day.

There are plenty of things to do in Aruba. We’ve already touched on Oranjestad as the best gay hangout, but it’s also a fabulous place to visit in the daytime. The brightly colored buildings pop in the daylight. The town is always buzzing with activity, and it’s stacked with tourist attractions, including museums and art galleries, as well as restaurants and shops.

On the Oranjestad waterfront, you’ll find Wilhelmina Park, which is packed with horticultural delights and is perfect for a picnic. For the ultimate retail experience, head to the Renaissance Shopping Mall, home to Cartier, Chanel, and Gucci, among others.