The Caribbean conjures images in our minds of lackadaisical lying on hammocks between palm trees, cocktail of choice in hand, with but one care in the world: relaxation. The region of the Americas is composed of over 700 islands, each and every one surrounded by pristine waters, flour-white sands, and reefs just teeming with tropical sea life. However, for the LGBTQ+ community, the fantasy is sometimes tainted by the Caribbean's negative reputation for being gay-unfriendly – with the harsh reality of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and potentially homophobic locals crashing down like a tidal wave upon any paradisical fantasies.

And if you really love the region, you might even consider exploring the option of Caribbean CBI (Citizenship by Investment) programs, which provide an opportunity for individuals and LGBTQ+ families to obtain citizenship in select Caribbean nations, offering not only a chance to bask in the region's natural splendor but also to contribute to fostering a more inclusive and diverse community in these tropical havens. Embrace the prospect of becoming a citizen, not just a visitor, and contribute to positive change in the Caribbean while enjoying the picturesque landscapes and warm hospitality.

Thankfully, as times change, many Caribbean islands are opening their arms to gay travelers. In fact, some always have. For true ease of mind, it is best to do your research and choose those most welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. Here is some general advice for any adventure into the Caribbean and five islands that are heads and shoulders above their neighbors when it comes to embracing diversity and welcoming guests of all orientations.

Top Tips

First and foremost, it is essential to do research before booking a trip. This cannot be stressed enough. One of the things to look for on an island are businesses that are IGLTA (International LGBTQ+ Travel Association) members. This will give you a good indicator that you are dealing with those who have gone out of their way to provide the best experience for the LGBTQ+ traveler. If you can’t find any, then don't be afraid to contact businesses before your trip to find out their policies on inclusivity.

There are eleven Caribbean islands that maintain laws that criminalize sexual acts between adults of the same sex. These are Antigua, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Grenadines, Jamaica, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent. Should you opt to visit them, or one of the other less gay-friendly Caribbean islands, know their laws and be cautious. Be aware that things are changing for the better in the Caribbean but – just like everywhere – social change takes time. You should not place yourself at risk to fight the good fight when on your holiday. There are other ways to bring about change without endangering yourself.

Whichever island you find yourself on, it is always advisable to have your trip revolve around the larger cities. Even on some of the more LGBTQ+ friendly islands, rural areas can be unpredictable places. Stick to the more touristy areas or tours – with a few notable exceptions like some of the smaller Dutch and French colonies that are safe everywhere.

Cruises are a great way to explore the Caribbean. Many gay-friendly cruise lines pass through the islands, offering both a wonderful taste test of the various islands and a safe base to return to when doing so. You can't do much better than Virgin Voyages: they offer adult-only cruises and are a positive force in pushing for inclusivity within the tourist industry.

Pink Coconuts – yes, it is a cool name – are a great company who specialize in LGBTQ+ trips to the Caribbean, including to places not seen as traditionally gay-friendly like Jamaica and Barbados. They will do all the hard work of finding LGBTQ+ welcoming hotels and activities, so you don't have to. You can also book hotels directly through their website or use it as a resource to plan your own trip.

Puerto Rico

What better place to dip your toe into the Caribbean than the “Crossroads of the Caribbean” itself? Puerto Rico is a US territory, so the currency is dollars and American travelers won't even need a visa. It has a reputation for drawing a diverse crowd to its shores and has cemented its reputation as the “pinkest” of the Caribbean Islands. There is the highest LGBTQ+ population, a banging pride festival every June, and gay marriage has been legal there since 2015.

The capital, San Juan, is especially welcoming, boasting a thriving nightlife for gay visitors. Santurce is the gay area and you’re spoilt for choice for bustling gay bars, saunas, and clubs – with the partying often spilling out into the streets. Circo is a highlight for some quality drag performances – sometimes frequented by drag race alumni. Hangover pending, Atlantic beach is where the gay locals head to on Sundays. Nearby is where you can also find Puerto Rico's only gay clothing-optional guesthouse, Coqui De Mar, an ideal base for any gay-centered holiday. A second great choice for a place to stay right in front of Atlantic Beach is the Tryst Beachfront Hotel, which is no longer an official gay hotel but still is a popular hotel for LGBTQ+ travelers. Plus, it has a nice outdoor restaurant with views of the beach in front – and all the hotties on it.

The island is so gay-friendly throughout that you can explore the island’s many natural wonders without fear of harassment. The top three things to see are: El Yunque rainforest, the Rio Camuy Caves, and the rather romantic Mosquito Bay with its amazing bioluminescent waters.

St. Barths

St. Barthelemy is a gorgeous little French Caribbean island found not far from Puerto Rico. The island is so small you can drive from one end to the other in just twenty minutes, but it is absolutely drenched in luxury and encircled by sparkling white sandy beaches. St. Barthelemy is a taste of European sophistication and most definitely aimed at the higher end of tourism – as you’ll note from the abundance of yachts, world-class restaurants, and designer stores. Its culture is French – as is its law – so same-sex weddings are legal here and it is incredibly welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community. The island is even frequented by top gay celebrities, like Calvin Klein and Ricky Martin! Just remember to follow the island’s unwritten rule of not blinking an eye when rubbing shoulders with the famous.

There’s no gay scene, per se, but the whole island is as gay-friendly and accepting as you can get. There's the gay-owned La Cantina bar, but besides this, all the bars and beach clubs are welcoming to LGBTQ+ people. Renting your own villa is of course the dream and assures you privacy and protection from discrimination, but due to the exclusivity of the island, you'll also find that no one in any of the hotels cares about your sexuality. That said, Hotel Manapany is one hotel that goes out of its way to show its inclusivity – and it’s absolutely stunning, combining the best of nature with pure luxury.

Either side of Saline Beach is the gay hangout spot and – naturally – also a nudist spot. Expect to be invited by other gay visitors to pool parties in rented villas if you’re lucky. Or host your own if you're even more so.

Curacao

Any adventure in search of a gay-friendly island in the Caribbean should take you to the southern self-governed Dutch island of Curacao. Unlike many of its close neighbors, Curacao goes beyond being simply tolerant and is swiftly becoming a favored gay holiday destination. The Netherlands has a reputation for being open and inclusive, and this mentality extends to its islands. Curacao is a melting pot of over 55 different cultures, proving all are welcome. It even has the most hotels, resorts, and attractions with IGLTA memberships in all the Caribbean. For resorts, there's the all-inclusive boutique Zoetry Curacao Resort & Spa near Willemstad or the Dreams Resort, Spa, and Casino. For hotels, the Avila Beach Hotel stands out among the many, but there are plenty of others to choose from – just keep an eye out for that IGLTA stamp of approval.

The island exists outside the Caribbean hurricane belt, and thus you are guaranteed good weather all year round to recline on any of the sixty picture-perfect beaches in Curacao. Willemstad, the capital, stands out with its garishly colorful Dutch houses and the tallest bridge in the Caribbean, Queen Juliana Bridge – standing 185 feet high. The gay nightlife is very new and still freshly emerging, but specifically gay venues have started to appear like Bar Limbo and The Wet and Wild beach club. There are also gay-themed events, such as the annual White Party, Pride, and Get Wet party – which is just as fun as it sounds! The island's rising fame is a cause worth celebrating, and you simply can't leave the island without sampling the famous Blue Curacao, a strong bittersweet spirit made from orange peels.

St. Croix

Among the US Virgin Islands lies the often-overlooked paradise of St. Croix. Less busy than some of the other islands, it is devoid of traffic, leaving you free to bask in the perfection of its beaches and swim in their crystal waters without the tourist crowds of the bigger islands. It boasts unique claims to fame like Point Udall – the easternmost point of the US – and Buck Island Reef underwater national park – yes, really, underwater – with an underwater path to snorkel or scuba dive through that is teeming with turtles and other marine life. St. Croix even has two of its own bioluminescent bays akin to the ones in Puerto Rico but with fewer tourists. Then there's the Cruzan Rum Distillery – be sure to line your stomach before a trip there!

St. Croix is a rising star in becoming a popular gay holiday destination, with many gay-owned and operated businesses appearing over the last few years, such as hotels, seafront cafés, and the odd bar. Sand Castle on the Beach is the big-name gay resort on the island. The resort is on the west side of the island, is gay-owned, one of its pools is clothing-optional, and the hotel is right up on a pristine white sand beach with calming turquoise water gently lapping against its shores.

It's worth remembering that St. Croix has had quite a battle to become a more LGBTQ+ friendly island, and the opinions held by the locals can be quite mixed. While they have recently passed anti-hate laws and held their first gay pride parade in 2018, it was not without dissension. Therefore, it is advised to use discretion when necessary and take your cue from those around you. This, however, should not put you off visiting and enjoying an island worth fighting for.

St. Martin/St. Maarten

The island is actually split into two: a Dutch side and a French side (thus the spelling differences). In fact, it is the smallest landmass to be divided as such – don’t worry, the border is completely open to hop between the two. The island is also known as “the friendly island” in the Caribbean, and this friendliness extends to the LGBTQ+ community, who are progressively becoming more visible on both sides of the island, and anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination is banned.

The island is full of things to do that capitalize on the sheer beauty of St. Martin. There’s the Seaside Nature Park with its 30 acres of natural park (the ideal place for a sunset horse ride), the gorgeous natural sanctuary/adventure playground that is Lotre Farm (with many hiking trails and nerve-wracking ziplines), and the two capital cities (Marigot and Philipsburg) with their eccentric architecture. The beaches are, of course, dreamy, with Cupecoy Beach on the Dutch side and Orient Bay Beach on the French one being known as popular hangouts for LGBTQ+ folk.

The small island also has a surprisingly vibrant gay scene centered around the two capitals, with a gaggle of gay bars to their names and even a club in Marigot called Eros. There are many nationalities represented on the island, and due to the variety of food on offer, the island’s second nickname is the gourmet capital of the Caribbean. This means you’ll be spoiled for choice on where to eat, although an LGBTQ+ standout is Emilio’s Restaurant because of the iconic status of the founder, who was an openly gay man in the Caribbean in the '40s.

There are many gay-friendly hotels and resorts, but the only exclusively gay guesthouse is Paradise Peak – a gorgeous stone villa situated perfectly at a peaceful spot up in the mountains with one of the best views across the whole island.

Key West

Ok, cheating somewhat, Key West is technically not in the Caribbean. However, it is the ideal place to begin any adventure into it. Key West is affectionately known as the “gateway to the Caribbean” with many popular cruises launching from there all through the year. Key West is rather unique in that it is reached via an overseas motorway and is a great taster of the Caribbean, being surrounded by a multitude of stunning beaches and coral reefs.

The Key's official motto is easy to get behind: ‘One Human Family.' Therefore, it should come as no surprise that it is extremely gay-friendly; diversity is not just accepted but encouraged in Key West. In 1983, it was one of the first cities to elect an openly gay mayor, Richard A. Hayman. The mile-long Duval Street is the hub of its nightlife and full of gay bars and clubs, staying open all through the night. 801 Bourbon is especially legendary, having been part of Key West for over thirty years and hosting nightly cabaret shows. Gay resorts are numerous in this gaytopia, and it's even home to the first gay clothing-optional resort in the world, Island House Key West. The resort is a wonderful place to meet people…and by people, that can of course mean hot guys. Other popular resorts include Parrot Key Resort, Alexander's Guest House, and New Orleans House.

Another spectacular feature of Key West is its sunset celebrations, which begin every evening two hours before nightfall – with musicians performing on the seafront as the sun sets over the ocean.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Caribbean

Is the Caribbean safe for LGBTQ+ people?

In general, however, be cautious and learn the laws of the islands you intend to visit. There are eleven Caribbean islands that maintain laws that criminalize sexual acts between adults of the same sex. These are Antigua, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Grenadines, Jamaica, Saint Kitts, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent. You can still visit those islands, of course, and often those laws are not enforced on visitors, but it is better to be safe than sorry and be careful with apps. Even on the more gay-friendly islands, you should exercise some caution with public displays of affection outside of your resort/hotel – except Key West, of course!

Which Caribbean islands are the most gay-friendly?

Puerto Rico, St. Barths, Curacao, St. Croix, Saint Martin/Sint Maarten, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Cuba. That shouldn't stop you from visiting other islands though. Just do your research beforehand to find queer-friendly spaces.

When is the best time to visit?

The Caribbean islands enjoy beautiful tropical climates all year round with high temperatures of around 28°C (82°F). However, the best time to visit the Caribbean is during its driest months, which are usually from February to May.

Are there gay-friendly accommodations in the Caribbean?

There are many options, but it really depends on the island. There aren’t many specifically gay hotels, but look for the IGLTA membership or accreditation symbol on hotel websites for a sure sign that a hotel is LGBTQ+ welcoming or not. Pink Coconuts is a great company that specializes in LGBTQ+ trips to the Caribbean, including places not seen as traditionally gay-friendly like Jamaica and Barbados. They will do all the hard work of finding LGBTQ+ welcoming hotels and activities, so you don't have to.