Gay South America

From the snow-capped tops along the Andes to the canals along the Amazon, South America overflows with a stunning variety of natural marvels. The region of lush rainforests, immense volcanoes, beautiful cloud forests, deserts, red rock-faced canyons, ice-blue cold glaciers, and pristine sun-kissed beaches. As scenic views go, there will not be many other locations on this planet that provide so much variety and many chances for adventure.

It's possible to hike past ancient temples built by the Incas, ponder the breathtaking power of Iguazú Falls, or waste the day watching wildlife out of a dugout canoe on one along the Amazon's innumerable igarapés (narrow waterways). You'll be able to travel down Andean roads by bike, go white-water rafting on class-five rivers, and surf sensational breaks off both coasts. And as soon as you think you've seen it all, move to the grand scenic views in Tierra del Fuego.

Photo Credit: Diogo Hungria

What do you want to discover?

What's the gay scene like?

Best time to visit South America

Top things to see and do in South America

MUST DO: Attractions & activities

MUST EAT: Gay-friendly dining

MUST VISIT: Gay-friendly bars & nightlife

Travel Safety Tips

Local Expert: Gay Scene in South America

The gay scene in South America is large, vibrant, colorful, and, best of all, thriving! Many large cities in South America have a large gayborhood that house many restaurants, boutiques, bars, wine bars, and clubs. The people are friendly, welcoming, and warm. The streets are full of street art and are lined with people conversing. At night, the streets flood with people bouncing from bar to bar. Here you will feel right at home and free to be yourself. No matter the country you choose to visit, you will find a place to go, be yourself, and have a fantastic time. 

Best Time to Visit South America

Spring is considered by most the best time to visit South America. The spring brings in comfortable weather to go on hikes, dry weather, and a new amount of flowers that start to bloom throughout South America. Also, you'll miss the winter tourism and have a quieter time while exploring. 

Photo Credit: Peter Burdon

Top Things to See and Do in South America

MUST DO South America Attractions & Activities

South America is full of natural wonders and famous landmarks. You can go and explore the mountains in Machu Picchu and even Cusco. You can also go on an excursion to the Amazon rainforest or the Galapagos Islands for a more scientific retreat. You can also explore some of the most breathtaking ocean views from Belize or Costa Rica. The hardest part is deciding where to go first! Whether immersing in natural beauty or a cityscape, South America has something to do or see for everyone. 

Photo Credit: Agnieszka Mordaunt

MUST EAT South America Gay-Friendly Dining

As you might expect, South America has some of the most vibrant and delicious food you can eat. Food culture is taken very seriously in Latin America, and every country has a dish for which they are known. From the famous Arepas found in Argentina to the freshest Ceviche, you can eat in Peru. Street food is also huge in Latin America, and South America has its staples. Loaded hot dogs can be found all over Chile, especially in Santiago. Desserts such as Bunelos (a sweet fried ball) can be found throughout the streets of South America. Follow the sweet smells! There will also be plenty of lines for the food carts, so try the food while visiting. You will be in for a treat! 

Photo Credit: Amigofoods

MUST VISIT: South America Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

South America has many different cities that are known for their nightlife. From Sao Paulo to Santiago. The communities are large, colorful, and thriving. At night, it's well known that the bars and clubs are full of patrons looking for a good time. The traffic even bleeds onto the streets. Even if you are looking for a low-key kind of night, plenty of bars offer a low-key environment with plenty of LGBT people around. Below, you will see a quick snapshot of some cities with a large gayborhoods and where to find them. 

Peru - Lima is the Capital of Peru and is home to the biggest concentration of LGBTQ nightlife. Miraflores and Barranco, where all the nightlife is concentrated. This is also considered the artistic and bohemian part of Lima. 

Colombia - Colombia's capital city Bogota is where you will see most of the country's nightlife. Particularly in the Chapinero neighborhood. Like many other cities, this is the gayborhood of Bogota and is full of bars, nightclubs, art murals, and more. 

Photo Credit: Couple of Men

Chile - Santiago's district of "Bellavista" is considered the epicenter of its nightlife. Full of bars, nightclubs, and more, it will be easy to lose yourself in its nightlife and street food vendors. 

Argentina - In the Buenos Aires neighborhood of Palermo, you will find all the bars and clubs you can handle! Many bars even have themed nights that bleed on the streets like a massive party. If nightclubs aren't your thing, you can also find a few bars that offer gay tango, which is something to experience. Also, be aware that Argentina is very LGBT-friendly. 

Brazil - Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro are the biggest cities in Brazil and also have large LGBT populations. Once you see the rainbow flags, you'll know! In Rio de Janeiro,  Ipanema beach in front of Rua Farme de Amoedo is where you will find the nightlife.  

Uruguay - In the capital city of  Montevideo, you will find the largest concentration of LGBT bars and nightlife. Uruguay is incredibly welcoming and laid back to the LGBT community and is considered to be even more welcoming than Argentina. Here you will find a welcoming environment and thriving nightlife. 

Photo Credit: Guru'Guay

Ecuador - Despite being a small country, its LGBTQ population is still significant and thriving. The Mariscal neighborhood is where you will find all of the gay nightlife. Though it's not as large as some of the other major cities, it's still colorful, vibrant, and thriving as the other major cities. 

Travel Safety Tips

South America is a fun and very safe place to visit. The people are friendly, warm, and inviting. The food is delicious, and the scenery is breathtaking. While seeing, it's always wise to plan accordingly. Research your destination and pack hence. If you plan to go hiking, pack a sweater as the mountains get chilly at night; if you sunbathe at the beach, bring sunblock! Make sure to lock all valuables in the hotel safe, and finally, bring a map and remember how to get back to your hotel. After a few pisco sours, it's easy to get lost!

Destinations within South America