Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches, moody cloudforests, and amazing biodiversity make it a top tourist destination, especially for US travelers. But Costa Rica is also one of the most queer-friendly countries in Central America, making it a perfect gay travel destination.
Read on for everything you need to know about gay travel in Costa Rica! From an overview of LGBT laws, cultural attitudes towards LGBT individuals, and the best things to do while on your trip, we’ve got you covered!
Staying at the Nayara Tented Camp near Arenal was a once in a lifetime experience that I’ll never forget. I mean, look at that view!
LGBT Laws in Costa Rica
Before I leave for any trip, I like to do a little research beforehand on the local laws and culture. As an LGBT traveler, I never want to go to a destination without knowing what to expect – it’s a matter of safety! I share all of my best queer travel safety tips in this post – including how to prepare beforehand and what to do when you’re on the road.
Luckily, Costa Rica has made significant progress in recent years in providing protections to LGBT residents and travelers. As recently as May 2020, Costa Rica made the news by legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide. They are currently one of the only countries in Central America to do so!
There were also several pieces of anti-discrimination legislation passed in 2020. This legislation introduces penalties for hate crimes or discrimination based on sexual orientation. This makes gay travel in Costa Rica even safer!
Finally, in recent years there have been various executive orders passed that expand the rights of transgender people in Costa Rica. These include expanded ability to change name, photo, and sex on government documents.
It was important to me to spend my tourist dollars in a place that is progressive in expanding LGBT rights. It also gives me more peace of mind as an LGBT traveler. I know if something happens to me or my wife, we’ll have the same rights and protections as other married couples in the country.
This cute porch swing at our Airbnb in Monteverde was pretty great too.
Attitudes Towards the LGBT Community
As with most countries, you will find more progressive attitudes and thriving LGBT scenes in urban areas and tourist hotspots. In Costa Rica, the best gay-friendly travel destinations are the capital city of San Jose and popular beach destination Manuel Antonio.
However, while the last few years have seen sweeping legislative improvements to the rights of LGBT individuals in Costa Rica, there remains some cultural stigma, especially outside of tourist hotspots. The country remains largely Roman Catholic and as a result is generally more socially conservative. Despite this, public support for LGBT rights has continued to grow in recent years. In 2019, the president of Costa Rica became the first president to march in the gay pride parade!
While undoubtedly there is still work to be done to make Costa Rica more accepting of LGBT individuals, the progress that has been made in recent years has me hopeful of more change to come.
Top Things to Do in Costa Rica
There are tons of amazing things to do in Costa Rica – it can be hard to fit them all into just one trip! Here are a few of my favorites that you definitely shouldn’t miss:
*trying very hard not to slip on all the mossy rocks in the river*
Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
La Fortuna waterfall is a gorgeous, 200-foot waterfall located in the jungle near Arenal Volcano in northwest Costa Rica. It’s one of those picture-perfect destinations that you can’t miss!
Tickets are $18 and are sold by a local nonprofit that protects the land surrounding the waterfall. During your visit, be prepared to walk down (and back up!) over 500 stairs to get to the base of the falls. Luckily, there are plenty of places to stop and catch your breath. You’ll also catch plenty of peeks at the waterfall through the trees. You can cool off with a swim in the river near the base of the falls too.
This is a popular destination (for good reason), so make sure to arrive early to beat the crowds!
Arenal volcano views from the 1968 hiking trail! Sadly, the top was covered in clouds during the entirety of our visit (but cleared the day we left…go figure).
Explore the Lava Fields Near Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano is a beautiful, perfectly triangular volcano located near La Fortuna waterfall. It used to be extremely active, as evidenced by the many lava fields surrounding its base. This makes the area particularly fun for exploring!
You can choose from hiking trails in Arenal National Park or neighboring Arenal 1968 Park. Both will lead you through lava fields and provide stunning views of the volcano and surrounding regions.
Read more: For even more things to do in this region of Costa Rica, check out my guide to all the best things to do in Arenal!
Love me some hanging bridges!
Walk the Hanging Bridges in Monteverde
Monteverde is unlike anywhere else I’ve been – this region is known for its cloudforests, which are essentially rainforests at a high elevation. Teeming with flora and fauna (and yes, lots of low-hanging clouds), exploring this region is a must when visiting Costa Rica.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest park has several trails you can hike, including one to the continental divide. It’s here where I saw the spooky forests that reminded me of something out of a fairytale!
A stop at Selvatura Park to walk Costa Rica’s famous hanging bridges is also well worth it! These bridges vary in length and height, but allow you to see the forest from an all new perspective.
Read more: For more details on this area, check out my detailed guide on all things Monteverde!
When we visited Manuel Antonio, we were the third group in the park, so we got this beautiful beach all to ourselves! Perks of waking up early :)
Relax on the Beach in Manuel Antonio
After time in the cloudy forests of Monteverde, some sun is a definite need – and what better place to soak up some vitamin D than in Manuel Antonio! (Plus, this is a super gay-friendly region – more on that below!)
Manuel Antonio National Park has one of the most stunning beaches in the area, Playa Espadilla Sur beach. To get there, you have to take a short hike, but the wildlife-filled forest makes it well worth it! The white sand beaches, turquoise water, and swaying palm trees are the perfect recipe for a day in paradise.
Read more: My guide to Manuel Antonio has everything you need to know about visiting this part of Costa Rica!
These beans have me dreaming of a warm cup of brew.
Visit a Coffee Farm Near San Jose
Costa Rican coffee is famous around the world, so you shouldn’t leave the country without seeing the source of this delicious drink.
Espiritu Santo Coffee Farm is located just west of the San Jose airport. It’s perfect for a stop on your way to catch your flight! A tour includes stops around the farm’s rolling hills to see the coffee bean plants, information on how the beans are harvested and sent around the world, and of course, a coffee tasting!
Costa Rica is so romantic!
LGBT-Specific Things to Do
While LGBT travelers can of course enjoy all of the above activities, if you’re looking for things to do that are specifically catered to the LGBT community, there are definitely some options as well!
In San Jose, there are tons of bars and clubs that cater to gay clientele. These include La Avispa (The Wasp), Club Teatro, and Zona Rosa.
In Manuel Antonio, there are several gay hotels you can stay in, including Hotel Villa Roca and Tico Tico Villas.
Also in Manuel Antonio is Biesanz Beach, aka Hidden Beach. This tiny crescent of a beach can only be reached after a steep 10-minute hike from the road above. Google Maps claimed it was a gay-friendly beach, although when we visited, there appeared to be all types of people there. If you choose to go, go early as it can get crowded in the afternoon. (I guess it’s not so hidden anymore!)
We loved Costa Rica, and know you will too!
My Overall Gay Travel Experience in Costa Rica
My wife and I had an amazing time in Costa Rica. The country was beautiful and the locals were friendly and welcoming. We didn’t have any issues as a lesbian couple – no weird looks or second glances when we reserved one bed at a hotel. Granted, we did stay in areas popular with tourists, but it was still refreshing nonetheless. We felt welcomed and enjoyed romantic walks hand-in-hand on the beach without worrying too much about if other people would judge us. Overall, we had a great gay travel experience in Costa Rica and would definitely recommend it to other queer travelers!
Want even more info on traveling to Costa Rica? Then check out my ultimate guide to Costa Rica!
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