Reader’s Question:

My boo and I have been to many parts of the world for our vacations. This year we’re looking at South East Asia for some good beach fun. Thailand is out of the question (too crowded), are there any good beaches in the Philippines that caters to gay couples? We’ve never been there but have always wanted to go.

Chris

Denver, CO

The Philippines has some of the best vacation islands in the world. In your case the best place that I am happy to recommend is White Beach, Puerto Galera. Located in the island of Oriental Mindoro this gem of a place is just a three-hour bus ride and one-hour boat ride away from the capital, Metro Manila. White Beach is the biggest and most famous of the 32 beaches on Puerto Galera. It is even more famous for being the most popular gay friendly beach in the whole country (besting world famous Boracay Island in Kalibo, Aklan province.)

There are many activities (both queer-friendly and family-friendly) that both you and your boo will surely enjoy. Puerto Galera has 15 of the best diving and snorkeling spots in the county. It also offers nature trekking and plenty of water sporting activities. The beach is also lined up with plenty of bars and restaurants that offer excellent yet cheap meals. There are also a lot of affordable accommodations and there is even a three-star hotel.

Peak seasons are during Christmas, Chinese New Year, and Holy Week. This is when the island becomes a true “gay-man’s land”. During this time half of White Beach, known as “Jurassic Park”, becomes a cruising spot for literally hundreds of gay men. If cruising is not your thing you can always go to anyone of the many beach side bars, be attended and even get treated to impromptu dance numbers by the many lady boy waitresses, and take a swig of the infamous concoction known as “Mindoro Sling”, and a hundred other crazy things that this beach is famous for. Whatever you and your boo is looking for, Puerto Galera is surely to become one of your best and most memorable gay friendly travel experiences.

Tags: vacations islands, gay travel, gay friendly travel

Reader’s Question:

My boyfriend and I have been planning for the longest time to go to Thailand for an exotic Southeast Asian experience. But recently, we saw on the news that there’s something going on in there right now. Can anyone suggest another destination for us? Are the islands of the Philippines gay friendly?

Mickey

St. Paul, MN

Mickey, too bad Thailand is not going to be a choice for you since it is indeed great there and the gay scene is fabulous. Though, you should not worry. There are a lot of other gay-friendly Southeast Asian countries. I suggest that you go to the islands of the Philippines.

I have been there a lot of times, and I just keep on going back there whenever possible. Since the country of the Philippines is composed of a lot of islands (it is an archipelago of more than 7,000, as I have heard), it is practically a tropical paradise for anyone.

The main island is Luzon where the country’s capital, the city of Manila, is located. All throughout the metro, you would find a lot of clubs that cater to the LGBT community. The most popular are the clubs in the Malate district (like O bar, Chelu’s and Bed) in the city of Manila. The streets of J. Nakpil and Orosa are the target destinations because you will find here a mixed crowd, but this strip is actually most popular for its gay nightlife scene. The Malate district is also the location for the annual pride march parade. You can try out other clubs in other parts of the metro, (like Government in Makati, Palawan and Fahrenheit in Quezon City) but I still say that the district of Malate is the best choice because partying does not cost as much here and at the same time, you get to pick from various choices.

Also, the Philippines is entirely surrounded by water. So, this means that you can choose where to go among the 7,000 plus islands. There’s the world-famous island of Boracay. But there are also other popular destinations like Cebu, Bohol, Camiguin, Palawan and a lot of other uncharted islands. You just have to do your own research on these places and other places in the Philippines because the choices are endless.

But for me, the best part of it all, it’s that almost everyone speaks English. So, it is not difficult to communicate with the exotic and beautiful people of this country.

Tags: gay friendly island

Reader’s Question:

Hi, my boyfriend and I are planning to get a week off from work and we are planning to go on a short vacation. We have chosen a few destinations already but we’re not sure if those places are “gay friendly”. Being in a gay-friendly place is such a big deal for us since we’ve had experiences in which we were sort of “disrespected” because of our “gay acts”. Do you know any place near Hollywood where we could go and move freely as gay people?

Mike

Hollywood, FL

Hi Mike, I totally understand where you’re coming from as I’m sure there really are a lot of places where being gay is condemned and hypocrisy is tolerated. I have a lot of gay friends and the stories they share are kind of similar with yours. But I’m sure there are a lot of places where you could enjoy your sexuality and not be restricted with your actions. As of now, the only “gay-friendly” place I’m sure of that’s near Hollywood is the Caribbeans (try the Dutch, French, and U.S. islands). St. Barts is one of the islands that’s considered as most gay-friendly. St. Martin’s is also a haven for gay people. They have a number of private villas that you could rent during your short stay and a couple of bars where you could hang out and party all night. You could also try the island of Puerto Rico and spend one of your nights at Atlantic Beach Bar where they hold a weekly drag show. There is also St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands which is a good destination for gay travellers, as well as Curacao with its ‘live and let live” atmosphere that i’m sure you’d love!

I’m sure there’s a lot more but with the time constraint, the Caribbeans is the best bet for your destination. I hope I was able to help. Have fun!

Tags: gay friendly island

Reader’s Question:

We are looking for a perfect getaway and our gay friends recommended Mykonos. Can you tell us more about this island?

Mark and Chris

Des Moines, IA

This Greek island is a mass tourist destination, renowned for its cosmopolitan character and its intense nightlife. It is considered glamorous and a bit exclusive, but without attitude or snobbery. Both gays and straights mix and mingle freely, have fun and enjoy but are on their best behavior .That’s Mykonos has developed into one of the most organized gay travel spots in Europe and is labeled as the gay paradise of the southern Mediterranean Sea.

There are lots of water sports offered, as well as diving, horse riding, swimming pools and marvelous beaches here are several on Mykonos Island, but the most popular beach is Super Paradise, situated on the southern coast of the island. Also worth mentioning is Ornos Bay (just few minutes away from Mykonos town by bus or your own transport) partly gay and a pleasant older more traditional and quieter beach than the others from where the occasional boat goes to other beaches. There are daily excursions to Delos, a small island which used to be the holiest island in ancient Greece. Leto gave birth to Apollo and Artemis here, holding on to a palm tree. You cannot spend the night on this island, but a daytrip is definitely a must: the island is cluttered with archaeological remains.

Mykonos has a plethora of gay-friendly hotels, gay bars and clubs for an extreme nightlife and splendid beaches that cater to the gay crowd. There are great spots in the island to spend time with your partner, or making new acquaintances from all over the world. It is a relief to know that nowadays, there’s a wide selection of travels that can ensure an amazing holiday that caters to your style, taste and need.

Tags: gay friendly island, travel

Reader’s Question:

Can you tell me more about Santorini? Is the island really gay friendly?

Byron

Trenton, NJ

Santorini , is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea , about 200 km southeast from mainland Greece . The island remains the dwelling of small, but flourishing wine industry, based on the indigenous grape varieties. It is vitally what remains of an enormous volcanic explosion, destroying the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island, and leading to the creation of the current geological caldera. This spectacular physical beauty, along with a dynamic nightlife, has made the island one of Europe’s tourist hotspots.

Yes, if you want to explore in a Greek island paradise untouched by the crowds and in many ways idyllic for gay vacation visitors, then Santorini is indeed, the place to be. The viewpoint in Athens Thessaloniki and Mykonos has grown dramatically in recent years and has led to a greater abundance of openly gay venues. That is why more attractive islands for tourists such as Santorini are catching up fast and shouldn’t be hidden behind closed doors.

Santorini has beaches and is considered as one of the most beautiful islands. The most well-known are Kamari, Perissa and the Red Beach. They cater a large and endless black sandy beach while the infamous Red beach of Greece is composed of red and black volcanic rocks, which is very interesting. There are gay friendly hotels and a very dynamic night life. You may find out more information about Greece Gay Travel on line which offers you a wide selection of vacations for the gay travelers .There are chosen destinations where you can find gay-friendly places to stay and have great adventure so you can be part of the action rather than just a spectator.

Tags: cruise, gay friendly island, travel

Reader Question

My partner and I would like to take a cruise into the Southern part of the Caribbean, which areas are more friendly to same sex couples….and which cruise ships do you recommend?

Sam,

Toledo OH

I dont really have a “gay couples” reco but I can highly recommend you try this singles cruise….if you guys are the party type….you will have a blast!

Southern Caribbean singles cruises offer everything you could ever ask for, such as entertainment, music, food, drinks, and plenty of like-minded single people. Whether you’re a single man or woman, there’s someone out there for you and, who knows, you may just meet that special someone on a Southern Caribbean singles cruise.

Visit exciting ports of call, such as quaint Key West; exotic Roatan, Honduras; beautiful Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico while you dine on specially prepared organic natural foods and beverages prepared by our own chefs. Lectures and workshops included. Visitors can enjoy shopping, bars, and discos.

With its colorful houses and beautiful beaches, the gay friendly island of Curacao is one of the most embracing destinations for gay travelers. Loud and proud and completely out of the closet in its acceptance of the GLBT tourist crowd, Curacao has many hotels, clubs, bars, and beaches which are frequented and dominated by gay locals and visitors. With a very laid back population, a journey to Curacao is a relaxing and open one, and the tourist board there is actively trying to draw gays to visit.

There are many events every year which draw travelers to visit Curacao. You might want to head over for the Curacao Jazz Festival, held at an old plantation, where you can say amazing musicians and party hard, meet new people. Or you might like the annual Curacao Carnival, with its parades, its food, and its music like you’ve never seen or heard.

Even if nothing big is going on, Curacao is worth the trip for its spotless beaches. With 38 of them, they’re easy to reach no matter where you stay.

At first glance, the tourist scene in Aruba is one you could find anywhere in the world. The gambling, the bathing suits, the bustling activity of tourists, makes you wonder why you should bother spending the money to come all the way to Aruba when you could just go to Florida. But the gay friendly island of Aruba has more to offer than just the snapshot tourism scene. Beyond being fun, gay friendly, and not-quite-as expensive as other islands, it is also, once you get beyond the resorts, a sparsely populated testament to the beauty of nature, a spotless isle dotted with small communities.

Aruba is an independent, gay friendly island which has a high population of queer folk from all around Latin America. While it’s still not has hopping as the gay scene in Puerto Rico, in Aruba gay life is very open, and most resorts will work with gay groups or couples. A large amount of gay tourism means that it’s even a great place for singles to go.

The best place to stay for GLBT travelers is in the Orenjastad. While it’s not right on the beach, it has all of the night life, the shopping, the gambling, and everything touristy you need. And anytime you want to get out, the beach is only a short ride away. Keep in mind that prices fluctuate depending on the season. If you go in the summer rather than winter, you can often get half off.

Okay, saying ‘gay friendly island of Jamaica’ is perhaps a little misleading. Jamaica is well known for its homophobia, and most travelers in the gay community avoid it like the plague. Still, it’s one of the most popular Caribbean tourist destinations in general, and many gay tourists yearn to visit its legendary attractions. Lucky for us, Jamaica has been making some strides–some are leaping, while others are baby steps, but it’s becoming more welcoming in any case.

One thing gay travelers will be happy to hear is that the world-famous Jamaican resort, Sandals, has eradicated a previous ban against same sex couples, so now the best place to visit on the island is open to gay tourists. Along with that, the island’s governor is challenging some anti-GLBT laws which have been in place for centuries, and the sentiments of the populace are changing.

As for the island itself, it’s not known as a beauty for no reason. With plenty of long, spotless beaches, deep sea diving adventures, and the amazing effects of Jamaican culture, a vacation to this island in the sea is a relaxing experience.

Multi colored stucco homes are the skyline of San Juan, Puerto Rico. You wouldn’t see them anywhere else in the United States, and at first sight it’s hard to come to terms with the fact that you’re in somewhere that it makes perfect sense for there to be an American flag hanging high from various places. Puerto Rico is as close as you can get to an international vacation without ever stepping off of American soil.

The gay friendly island of Puerto Rico also takes that title to its highest point. In fact, Puerto Rico is just about the best destination for gay travelers to set down their trunks. While the gay life does spread out across the whole island, if you’re interested in being in the center of the Puerto Rican and tourist gay community, then San Juan is your spot. With bars and restaurants, clubs and hotels, all focused on catering to the GLBT community, you can both experience new surroundings and feel completely at home.

If you’re interested in a hotel popular among gay tourists, head for El Convento (The Convent–don’t worry, it’s not as drab as it sounds!), but if you really want to meet people, you need to head to the most popular and ultimately the best gay club in San Juan, Krash Klub (aka Eros). The gay friendly island of Puerto Rico has another thing to offer as well–the beaches. While there aren’t any specifically gay beaches, there are certain ones which are very popular among gay tourists. Skip Puerto Rico, and you’re missing the sights, the sounds, the tastes–many varied cuisines.