For many LGBTQ+ travelers, finding welcoming communities and destinations is of utmost importance. And while the world is full of queer-inclusive cities and attractions, the sad reality is that not every place is accommodating to gay travelers. However, there are plenty of vacation spots that are well-established as safe spaces for people from all walks of life. What’s more, several destinations that are traditionally less frequented by LGBTQ+ travelers are becoming increasingly accepting of LGBTQ+ folks.

If you’re getting ready to plan your next big adventure, consider one of these five great destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers. 

1. New York City, USA

As the birthplace of modern LGBTQ+ rights in the U.S., it’s no surprise that NYC is one of the gayest destinations in the world. From Brooklyn and Queens to Hell’s Kitchen and Greenwich Village, there’s no shortage of self-proclaimed “gaybourhoods” to explore. Pair this with The Big Apple’s iconic must-see attractions like Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Broadway and the Empire State Building, and travelers are in for the vacation of a lifetime.

When it comes to museums, nightlife and restaurants that offer a special appeal to queer travelers NYC has many. In Soho, travelers can discover the world’s only institution dedicated entirely to LGBTQ+ art at the Lesli-Lohman Museum, a sprawling space that boasts over 30,000 items in its permanent collection. Also visually striking is the New York City AIDS Memorial, an 18-foot white triangular steel canopy that acts as a place for contemplation and remembrance of those lost to the disease.

NYC’s dining scene is unmatched and there are plenty of gay chefs and restauranteurs adding fuel to the delicious fire. For award-winning fare, there’s gay-owned, Michelin star restaurant Somtum Der with establishments in East Village and Red Hook. Can’t decide between breakfast and lunch? NYC is famous for its drag brunches with places like The Standard Grill, Lips and Lucky Cheng’s acting as fan favorites. Finally, travelers will be unsurprised to find that the city that never sleeps is home to amazing nightlife. LGBTQ+ travelers will love spots such as the Bum Bum Bar, Boxers, Bar Centrale and the historic Stonewall Inn.

2. Barcelona, Spain

Did you know that, when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, Spain is one of the most progressive countries in the world? And of all the beautiful destinations in La Roja, Barcelona comes out on top as Europe’s hottest spot for LGBTQ+ travel, specifically for summer travel. Each year, the party kicks off in June with the Barcelona Pride Festival and rages on all summer long until the region’s annual Circuit Festival (the biggest international gay festival) takes place in August. Both events are massive in scale attracting tens of thousands of enthusiastic festival-goers alongside world-class entertainment.

In addition to famous sights like La Sagrada Familia, La Ramblas and Park Güell, LGBTQ+ travelers will find plenty to do in “Gaixample”, the LGBTQ+ community’s nickname for the famous city of Eixample. Those looking to bust a move will love Metro Disco and The Moon, two popular dance clubs in the region fully equipped with go-go dancers and elaborate theme nights. And the next day, travelers can snooze off any lingering hangovers at one of Barcelona’s beautiful gay beaches such as Mar Bella and Barceloneta. 

3. Auckland, New Zealand

Home to rolling hills and rugged landscapes, picturesque New Zealand is high on many travelers’ bucket lists (Especially amongst those who are Lord of the Rings fans). Interestingly, the stunning scenery that makes the Land of the Long White Cloud so iconic doesn’t end where the city starts. Instead, Auckland, New Zealand’s most populous city, offers an impressive blend of urban living and natural wonders with sky-high buildings, volcanic islands and majestic beaches all nestled between two bustling harbors. And best of all, Auckland is incredibly welcoming of LGBTQ+ travelers (Fun fact: Auckland was the first country in Oceania to legalize same-sex marriage in 2013).

Obviously, being gay doesn’t impact which attractions travelers want to see. While in Auckland, travelers will want to be sure to check out some of the region’s top sights including SkyTower, Auckland Museum, Mount Eden, One Tree Hill and more. As for queer-focused activities, Auckland has plenty to offer, travelers can catch a show at No Homo: Queer Comedy, cheer from the stands at Gay Rugby, enjoy queer-created art at FAFSWAG and explore the many wonders that await on Karngahape Road.

4. Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Travelers can get in touch with their adventurous side in tropical Costa Rica, a destination that’s famous for its daring zip lines, gorgeous beaches and dramatic jungle landscapes. And while Costa Rica as a whole is well-established as an LGBTQ+-friendly country, there’s one city that’s making waves as a must-see destination for queer travelers, Manuel Antonio, a quaint little town that’s packed with plenty to see.

Manuel Antonio’s popularity amongst LGBTQ+ travelers is often credited to the small collection of gay-owned hotels and businesses in the region. As more gay tourists began to visit the demand for gay bars and other establishments started to boom resulting in the “Gay Manual Antonio” that we see today.

Also worth noting, Manual Antonio’s gay bar scene is much more laid back than that of its sister city San Jose. Travelers looking to grab a drink might consider checking out the MoGamBo BarCafe, El Patio de Cafe Milagro, APE Eclectic Social Bar, Drunken Monkey and more. And, don’t miss the region’s annual Pride celebration, Pride on the Beach, which takes place each year in July.

5. Phuket, Thailand

Those familiar with LGBTQ+-friendly travel destinations probably aren’t surprised to see Phuket on this list as it is one of the world’s most popular cities for gay travelers thanks to its accepting society and friendly locals. And, with raging nightlife, elaborate drag shows, pristine white sand beaches and world-class hotels and spas, LGBTQ+ tourism in tropical Phuket reigns supreme.

When it comes to exploring this vibrant oasis there are plenty of options. Travelers can opt to go all out luxe with an island and beach-hopping adventure to places like the Phi Phi Islands and Bang Tao Beach, or they can stay on dry land but still get in touch with their wild side with stops at Soi Dog Foundation and Monkey Hill. And the adventures don’t end when the sun sets. LGBTQ+ travelers will love Patong, the nightlife capital of Phuket, where they’ll find the Paradise Complex, a collection of narrow streets that are home to famous bars like ZAG, Boat Bar and Sundowners Bar, each packed with a healthy mix of tourists eager to take it what might be the best drag show of their lives.

4 LGBTQ-Friendly Family Vacation Destinations

Qualifying your clients and ensuring they’ll be welcomed and comfortable in the destination they choose is incredibly important, especially for families with LGBTQ family members. Puerto Vallarta tops agents’ lists, and here are four more great, inclusive destinations for LGBTQ family travelers.

1. Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is considered one of the most gay-friendly destinations in the Caribbean. For U.S. citizens, traveling to Puerto Rico is easy, especially for families, since you don’t need a passport to enter. And when you get there, there is so much to do. For nature-loving families, a visit to El Yunque National Forest is a must for hiking, ecology and a very important lesson in biodiversity and conservation.

FamilyVacationCritic.com named La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort on Condado Beach one of the best resorts for LGBTQ families not only because LGBTQ families will feel welcome there, but also because of the resort’s multi-level pool with waterfalls and one-bedroom suites.

2. Philadelphia

If your family travelers want to stay in the continental U.S., consider Philadelphia. Yes, we know it’s the “City of Brotherly Love” but it’s also gay-friendly with lots of family activities, perfect for kids who are into history. Historic landmarks like the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Elfreth’s Hall plus the United States Mint will dazzle any history-buff-in-the-making. If your family travelers have really little kids, the Sesame Place theme park is just 30 minutes northeast of the city in Langhorne, PA.

3. Albuquerque

This southwest city is the “Ballooning Capital of the World” and hosts the Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, the world’s largest hot air balloon festival, every October. But that’s not all there is to do there. With more than 300 days of sunshine every year, hiking, biking, the Sandia Mountains and the Valles Caldera National Preserve, located inside a collapsed crater, all give family travelers endless opportunities to get outside. Plus the ABQ BioPark, an environmental museum; the Wildlife West Nature Park, Hollywick Farms Alpacas and Petroglyph National Monument are all great options to keep families busy.

Albuquerque proudly celebrates diversity and has seven TAG Approved hotels, all of which are family friendly.

4. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the destination for active families. Plus it’s pretty socially progressive, and its focus on community welcomes all visitors, so LGBTQ family travelers will feel accepted and loved in this Central American destination.

Of course you can easily find a beach or beautiful patio to relax on, but if you’re on a family vacation, you’re going to have to find things to do. GayTravel.com lauds Costa Rica’s snorkeling, scuba diving, zip lining, hiking and more, plus the country’s may volcanoes, five of which are considered active.

5 LGBTQ-Friendly Family Vacation Destinations Recommended by Travel Agents

Families come in all shapes and sizes, including families with two moms or two dads or with LGBTQ kids. When planning a vacation for an LGBTQ family, you want the destination to be inclusive and welcoming. We asked travel agents the destinations they recommend to their LGBTQ family travelers, and here’s what they shared with us.

The travel agents we surveyed overwhelmingly recommended Puerto Vallarta as a great destination for LGBTQ families. Puerto Vallarta was actually the first city of Mexico to receive the Gay Travel Approved distinction from GayTravel.com, one of the top websites LGBTQ travelers trust when looking for gay-friendly destinations. Zona Romantica, a trendy neighborhood in PVR that’s home to the popular Los Muertos Beach, won the distinction of Gay Travel Awards Gayborhood of the Year in 2016. Overall, Puerto Vallarta is an open, accepting vacation destination for gay travelers, and its convenience, nightlife and variety of activities only add to the benefits for gay travelers.

Cancun has great beaches, but it also has an unbeatable downtown, which is why gay travelers love this Mexican city. El Centro, or downtown Cancun, is where the city’s gay scene is mostly located, but if you’re on a family trip, you may not be looking for nightlife. So in terms of beaches, according to GayTravel.com, Playa Mamitas and Playa Delfines are the most popular beaches for gay travelers. Playa Mamitas has a family area with a kids’ pool and Playa Delfines has a playground for the kiddos.

Another popular tropical destination for gay travelers is Aruba, one of the most welcoming islands in the Caribbean for the LGBTQ community. Arubans are very open-minded and accepting, making Aruba a safe destination for gay travelers and their families, and a newly common one for same-sex destination weddings.

On the domestic side, gay travelers and their families have a lot of choices around the U.S. The travel agents we surveyed suggested many destinations in Florida, the most popular being Orlando. As the theme park capital of the world, Orlando is a great choice for families. But Orlando is also a highly inclusive destination, and even has an annual festival called Gay Days that started in 1991 and is now one of the world’s largest LGBTQ pride celebrations. There is so much to do and there are so many awesome theme parks to experience together, making Orlando an easy choice.

The other LGBTQ-friendly domestic destination agents recommend is also in Florida: Key West. The city’s motto is “One Human Family,” showing the city’s compassion, acceptance and respect for people of all kinds. This acceptance combined with unique outdoor adventures like eco-tours, the Florida Keys Wild Bird Center, the Conch Tour Train and the Theater of the Sea create a fun, inclusive atmosphere for LGBTQ families.

Travel insights from Jenna Buege, associate editor of The Compass & from Andrea Sedlacek, editor of The Compass.