Although often touted as an ideal vacation destination, many Caribbean nations are sadly not LGBTQ+ friendly.
Countries such as Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Dominica and Grenada and still have discriminatory anti-LGBTQ laws in place, as well as negative cultural attitudes towards homosexuality.
This inequality, in turn, makes those nations unsafe for queer travellers to visit. However, not all Caribbean countries are off limits: several Caribbean islands are friendly and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community.
What’s more, most of the islands below are just a short flight from the US, so you could find yourself tanning on a gay-friendly beach in less time than it takes to drive to the next state to visit friends and family.
Curaçao
The beautiful island of Curaçao is widely considered one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly destinations in the Caribbean islands, thanks to its thriving gay scene and the fact it hosts an annual Pride festival.
It also has liberal laws: Both male and female forms of same-sex sexual activity are legal in Curaçao and discrimination on the basis of “heterosexual or homosexual orientation” is outlawed. In the 17th century it was a Dutch colony, and Dutch is still widely spoken in Curaçao, along with English, giving it a strangely European feel.
The capital of Curaçao’s is Willemstad, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s also home to GAZE bar and lounge, which markets itself as the “premier LGBTQ+ bar on the island.” It hosts regular drag pageants, karaoke and dance sessions, and can get crowded at weekends.
If you’d rather vibe outdoors, Cabana Beach is a good option. This popular restaurant and bar hosts LGBTQ+ parties on some nights, and has great cocktails and a pretty terrace where you can soak up the sun. Also, if you’re looking for a queer friendly eatery, Number 10 serves guests a gorgeous rainbow cake during Pride.
In short, Curaçao is a delightful, vibrant and extremely welcoming island destination for LGBTQ+ travellers.
Aruba
Aruba is also very LGBTQ-friendly with a progressive stance on equality. Same sex marriage is legally recognised, and, like Curaçao, it hosts annual Pride celebrations.This year’s Aruba Pride will take place on June 28. Aruba was also under Dutch control from 1636, and there are many historic Dutch-style buildings on the island.
Queer visitors can choose between several gay bars and clubs, many of which are in the capital city of Oranjestad. The 7 Club Lounge Bar, for example, hosts fun activities including drag shows, bingo nights and karaoke nights. Cage nightclub is also worth a visit: it hosts “Cage Dolls, Aruba’s Number 1 Drag Queen Lip-Sync Production” every Thursday.
Many hotels are also certified as LGBTQ-friendly: the romantic Bucuti resort has a good reputation, with one recent review stating: “We are a male gay couple and stayed at the Bucuti last year which is also approved as gay friendly. We had a wonderful time in Aruba as a gay couple and never felt uncomfortable.”
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico is another very inclusive island. It became a US territory in 1898, and Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship in 1917. Same-sex relationships have been legal in Puerto Rico since 2003, and same-sex marriage has been legal since 2015, following the US Supreme Court’s landmark Obergefell v. Hodges decision.
Much of Puerto Rico’s LGBTQ+ scene is focused on the capital, San Juan. San Juan’s neighborhoods are packed with gay-friendly bars and clubs. Some of the most popular are El Cojo, A Pedir de Boca, La Esquina de Polo, The Bear Tavern, Zal Si Puedes Minibar, and La Sombrilla Rosa, according to the official “Visit Puerto Rico” website.
The beautiful town of Cabo Rojo is another queer hotspot: The town celebrates two pride festivals a year, one in summer and another one in winter. Also, if you’re looking to support an LGBTQ+ owned business, head to Mangia Mi in the surfer haven of Rincón, an Italian restaurant owned by Kara Keefe and her wife, Rebecca.
St. Maarten
This tiny island is divided in two: half is French, the other half is Dutch, and it prides itself on its inclusivity and fusion of cultures. It’s a popular party destination, as its only a few hours flight from Florida. Unlike the other islands on the list, same-sex marriage is not legal in St. Maarten, but it is illegal to discriminate against same-sex couples, and the general atmosphere is very liberal and accepting.
There are no dedicated gay bars or venues in St Maarten, but there are a lot of LGBTQ+ friendly places to drink, dance, and eat. The Tree Lounge at Loterie Farm is well-reviewed by queer visitors, and is apparently famed for its “hot waiters”. Or, if you prefer a beach bar, Rainbow cafe in Grand Case is also highly-rated.
Also, according to the official gay St Maarten travel guide, there’s a gay beach on the island too: Cupecoy beach. It’s a quiet stretch of beach in the Cupecoy neighborhood, you can find directions here.
St Croix
Like Curaçao, St. Croix is considered to be one of the most LGBTQ-friendly islands in the Caribbean, and benefits from 100 miles of glorious white sand beaches.
The US Virgin Islands, where St. Croix is located, have had legal protections against discrimination for LGBTQ residents since 2022, and same-sex marriage is legal there as well. The United States acquired the islands from Denmark in 1917 and they officially became an unincorporated US territory in 1927.
There are multiple LGBTQ+ owned businesses based in St. Croix, for example, Mermaid Adventures motorized snorkel tours, as well as the Sand Castle on the Beach Resort. In June, St. Croix hosts annual Pride celebrations, with businesses such as Sion Farm Distillery taking part and throwing open their doors to LGBTQ+ revellers.
In short, if you’re a queer traveller, you really shouldn’t write off the Caribbean or think that the destination as a whole is off-limits to you. There are loads of wonderful, life-changing, LGBTQ+ friendly experiences to enjoy.
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