While parts of the western world are becoming more liberal for the LGBTQIA community, that’s not always the case for everywhere else. That’s why, in this post, we take a look at the top destinations for anyone who is gay, bisexual, transgender, or in any other minority sexual group.
Check them out below.
US Virgin Islands
The US Virgins Islands are a US protectorate located in the Caribbean. For years, they’ve been celebrated as a haven for people with LGBTQIA identities.
What makes them so good? It’s all to do with the mix of culture, races and religions. Everyone has had to learn, out of necessity, to get along. Today, there are multiple gay travel companies operating across the three main islands, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. These provide special facilities and information for members of the LGBTQIA community who would like to go overseas for warm weather and sunshine.
San Francisco, US
San Francisco in California is another top destination, according to aarp.org. It offers legendary gay bars and trolly cars, and it an extremely friendly place for anyone with an LGBTQIA identity. Apart from being right at the centre of the tech world, the city also offers, multiple gay landmarks, including the Castro Theatre, which regularly puts on LGBT shows.
Puerto Vallarta, México
If you fancy hopping across the border to Mexico in Central America, you may want to check out the destination of Puerto Vallarta, a stunning beachside community that offers something for practically everyone.
Puetro Vallarta is one of the first “gay approved” cities in the whole of Mexico, thanks to its welcoming atmosphere and differing approach to life. It’s currently recognised as one of the leading gay hotspots across the world, having won numerous “gayborhood” awards.
Puerto Rico
Another destination in Central America, Puerto Rico, is extremely friendly to the LGBTQIA community. Not only do you benefit from the blazing sun, but there’s a vibrant city nightlife, plenty of club-hopping opportunities, and a significant degree of Old World charm about the place. Puerto Rico is a small country, so you’re able to reach most of it with relative ease. Most of the society revolves around the capital, with quieter places further afield.
Phuket, Thailand
If you head to Patong Head, you’ll find what is probably the largest gay scene in the whole of southeast Asia. The tropical destination is the winner of numerous travel awards and picture-perfect beaches, offering people the opportunity to have the time of their lives. There’s jaw-dropping scenery too, and much of the region is protected as a national park. Phuket, which is near to Patong Head, is easy to get to by aircraft, and has special rules allowing people to stay, even if they cannot readily access the rest of Thailand.
Napa Valley, US
The Napa Valley is a popular wine-growing region in the north of California, some distance from any of the state’s large cities. It’s famous for its winter weather, picturesque Tuscany-like landscapes and budding wineries.
This region, being part of California, is one of the best places in the world to enjoy a luxury experience. There’s stunning architecture, Victorian housing, and plenty of great places to eat food that pairs beautifully with all the wine the region grows.
The town of Napa itself is particularly friendly for members of the gay community. The destination has won numerous LGBT awards and offer gay exclusive events, including wine-tasting.
Miami, US
Miami is a major hub and there’s nowhere quite like it anywhere else in the world. It offers multiple opportunities to have fun, enjoy entertainment and bask on the beach, while having a cocktail. Perhaps the best thing about Miami is the world-famous gay scene. There are so many places to meet like-minded people and enjoy vacation romances.
Of course, Miami isn’t the cheapest destination in the world. However, because of its LGBT appeal, it deserves to be on this list. Those looking for discounts might want to check out sites like netvouchercodes.co.uk to find savings.
Los Cabos, Mexico
Los Cabos is a destination for sun worshippers all over the world. Most people who visit the location spend the majority of their time soaking up the rays and lounging beside the pool with a margarita in their hand.
There are two main areas of Los Cabos: the laidback and somewhat traditional San José del Cabo, and the more chic and modern Cabo San Lucas. Both parts have wonderful views of the ocean, plenty of places to enjoy the waves, and numerous night bar options for riding out warm evenings.
Montevideo, Uruguay
Uruguay is among the smallest and most progressive countries in South America. It sits between Argentina and Brazil and has allowed same-sex activity since 1934, predating most western countries by decades.
Montevideo is the country’s capital city. You’ll find that it’s laid-back, mostly sunny, and has beautiful beaches that look out over the Atlantic ocean.
Montevideo is home to around half of the country’s population, but Uruguay actually has a lot more to offer than that. Be sure to check out both Paysandu and Salto – two other cities with interesting histories. You’ll also want to check out the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Colonia del Sacramento – great if you love photography.
Taipei, Taiwan
Taiwan is a very different place from mainland China. Not only is it wealthy, but it is also very tolerant too, making it one of the most progressive countries in Asia. In 2019, it became the first country on the continent to allow gay marriage, marking a sea-change in the country’s history.
When you arrive on the island of Taiwan, you’ll immediately see the skyscrapers of Taipei, the island’s capital city. It’s home to one of the world’s tallest buildings – Taipei 101 – and fascinating collections of Chinese art that can keep you entertained for hours.
You’ll notice that, as you travel around, the architecture tends to blend both old and new. Parts of Taipei are deeply traditional, while others look modern, a bit like a western city. As you might expect, there are plenty of nightlife spots around the city.
Iceland
Many people dream of living in Iceland and experiencing the country’s unique weather, language and customers. And that’s true of members of the LGBTQIA community as well. While Iceland is some distance from the Nordic countries of northern Europe, it has a similar vibe about it. It’s incredibly friendly to LGBT travelers and welcomes them with open arms.
As you make your way around the country, you’ll notice this in many aspects of society. Equality is important in sports, parliament and the media. There’s virtually no hate whatsoever from local people. Plus, there is infrastructure in place to assist those who are not straight in the conventional sense.
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town is Africa’s most progressive city. It legalized same-sex marriage in 2006, again significantly ahead of many countries in the West. Today, it is friendlier to the rainbow community than virtually anywhere else in the world.
South Africa, on the whole, tends to be quite conservative, but that’s not true in Cape Town. You can be yourself here, regardless of your sexual oritenation.
While in Cape Town, there are plenty of things to enjoy. There’s the beach, the beautiful Table Top mountain that provides the backdrop to the city, and many trendy bars and restaurants.
Being right on the southern tip of Africa, the place also experiences many of the four seasons of the northern hemisphere, though not to the same extent as Europe.
