It's funny how tempting a tropical beach escape becomes when temperatures drop and heavy coats and hats are put back in rotation. After all, most of us would rather spend our vacation days surrounded by white sand than white snow, sipping piña coladas instead of hot chocolate.
With these gay-friendly beach destinations, you can fast-forward to the glorious days of summer and savor the never-ending sun and those irresistible salty breezes. Read on to find out which gay-friendly beach escapes we’re dreaming of to jetting off to in the coming year.
Puerto Vallarta
Undoubtedly one of the most gay-friendly destinations in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta is a beachfront paradise for LGBTQ travelers. Its delightful Zona Romantica is a walkable gay village packed with cocktail bars, trendy restaurants, and comfy cafes, where visitors never have to feel judged or intimidated. In fact, in 2017, Puerto Vallarta became the first Gay Travel Approved® city in Mexico and Zona Romantica was crowned as the 2016 Gay Travel Awards Gayborhood of the Year. Not feeling confident in your Spanish language skills? Not to worry — Puerto Vallarta has more gay English speakers than anywhere else in Mexico. For a luxe stay you won't soon forget, check out these gay-friendly hotels in Puerto Vallarta: Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, The Westin Resort & Spa, Puerto Vallarta, and Costa Sur Resort & Spa Puerto Vallarta.
Aruba
Aruba is a tiny, arid island that forms the “A” in ABC Islands, the three western-most islands of the Leeward Antilles. Thanks to its connection to The Netherlands, “One Happy Island,” as it’s sometimes called, is one of the most LGBT-friendly destinations in this part of the world. It’s famous for its heavenly white-sand beaches, cooling trade winds, and pastel-hued Dutch façades, especially in the charming capital of Oranjestad. Bask in the sun or take a snorkeling excursion during the day and then hop from nightclub to nightclub at night. For the perfect gay-friendly home away from home in Aruba, stay at The Ritz-Carlton Aruba or Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.
Cancun, Mexico
With many airlines offering direct routes to this coastal stretch in the splendid Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun is easy to each and even easier to afford. In just a short trip you can sunbathe on heavenly beaches, see Mayan ruins, swim in mystical cenotes, and mingle with fellow gay travelers at the gay bars in “El Centro,” the city center. Looking for a gay-friendly place to stay? We recommend Marriott Cancun Resort, JW Marriott Cancun Resort & Spa, and The Ritz-Carlton, Cancun.
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
What do you get when you mix rugged beaches, expansive tropical parkland, and rich biodiversity? You get a nature-filled destination that offers more than the typical warm-weather escape. In Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region, you can spend your days rotating between white-sand beaches and dense hiking trails. You can relax in sleepy beach towns or find adventure in the Guanacaste Mountains. Or you can sign up for a tour from gay-friendly Costa Rica Deluxe Vacations, which can get you up close and personal with some of the region's most awe-inspiring spots, including Arenal Volcano and Palo Verde Natural Park. No matter what’s on your itinerary, one thing is for sure: This is “pura vida” at its finest! Here are two gay-friendly hotels we love: The Westin Golf Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal and W Costa Rica - Reserva Conchal.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
As Puerto Rico’s capital city, San Juan is easy to reach, a breeze to navigate, and a joy to explore. Gay connoisseurs of culture, history, and architecture will love a stroll through Old San Juan, the historic district and former walled city, where pastel-hued colonial structures line cobbled streets. Those who prefer a little more action should head to Condado Beach, a nightlife mecca that sizzles every night of the week. Want more beach options? Luckily, you have plenty to choose from — Isla Verde Beach, Ocean Park Beach, and Balneario Escambron are just the start. These gay-friendly hotels in or near San Juan come highly recommended: San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, Dorado Beach, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel.
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Occupying a vast stretch of prime coastal land south of Cancun in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Riviera Maya is a more low-key alternative to Cancun’s unbridled exuberance and dense crowds. Here you’ll find the gay-friendly beach paradises of Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Akumal, and Puerto Morelos, among others.
LGBT travelers looking for the quintessential tropical beach experience won’t go wrong by zeroing in on this destination, which boasts ancient ruins, secluded beaches, excellent snorkeling and diving spots, awe-inspiring cenotes, and to-die-for spas. Need help narrowing down your hotel choices? We love the following gay-friendly hotels: Andaz Mayakoba Resort Riviera Maya, Hilton Playa del Carmen, and Banyan Tree Mayakoba.
Kauai, Hawaii
When you need an authentic slice of the good life, “The Garden Isle” is where you go. Famous for stunning scenery — grand waterfalls, narrow sea cliffs, diamond white sand beaches, and dark red clay canyons — Kauai is a nature-lover’s dream come true. State parks and forest reserves dot the landscape (don’t miss Waimea Canyon Park, sometimes called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”), while secluded beaches line the southern and northern coasts. Poipu is one of the island’s most popular coastal retreats, thanks to its series of inviting golden-sand crescent beaches. A gay-friendly hotel we love to rest our heads at is Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa.
Los Cabos, Mexico
A beloved retreat of celebrities, West Coast luminaries, and the fashionable set, Los Cabos is a stylish gay-friendly escape spread over two coastal towns in Baja California Sur, Mexico: Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo. Come here to bask in the glorious sun, sail by the famous “El Arco” rock formation, ride on a camel, play a round of golf on a spectacular course or go whale watching. Then spend your nights sipping margaritas at a restaurant overlooking the ocean or dancing at Chandeliers Night Club, the only gay bar in town. When it comes to finding a place to stay, you have so many options: JW Marriott Los Cabos Beach Resort & Spa, Sheraton Grand Los Cabos Hacienda del Mar, Solaz, a Luxury Collection Resort, Los Cabos, Viceroy Los Cabos, Nobu Hotel Los Cabos and Hilton Los Cabos Beach & Golf Resort,.
Punta Mita, Mexico
Head to Punta Mita when you want unparalleled luxury, fantastic digs, and the serenity some other beach towns simply can’t offer. This sunny destination is located on a peninsula on Banderas Bay, not far from all the action in Puerto Vallarta. Golf is a major draw here, thanks to several celebrated courses, including the Punta Mita Pacifico Golf Course, an oceanfront course designed by Jack Nicklaus. But most jetsetters who come here are intent on simply enjoying the sheer beauty of the area and the sumptuous touches provided by the chic, high-end resorts lining the coast. Our favorites are The St. Regis Punta Mita and W Punta de Mita.
Belize
Boasting a medley of landscapes — from dense inland jungles to white-sand Caribbean coastline — Belize is where gay travelers go to connect with nature and savor some of the earth’s most impressive masterpieces. The Belize Barrier Reef offers a huge array of opportunities for exploring underwater life, while the country’s offshore Cayes are a paradise for those who enjoy deep sea fishing, birding, and nature photography. Well-preserved Mayan ruins peek out from lush rainforests, begging to be explored. If you love heart-pounding adventure, there’s no better place to stay than the gay-friendly Caves Branch Adventure Company & Jungle Lodge, offering both adventure tours and a relaxing place to rest your head.
