How To Plan a Perfect LGBTQ Vacation in the Caribbean

Like many people, LGBTQ travelers are often attracted to the Caribbean’s sun, sand and diverse cultures. But they may need to book with greater caution than most vacationers, since some Caribbean destinations are less than welcoming to this niche. So how do you plan a perfect — and safe — LGBTQ vacation in the Caribbean? 

"It is crucial for travel agents to understand that each Caribbean island has a culture of its own,” said Thibault Masson, a gay man who operates a travel site called SaintBarth.com and rents out two vacation villas. “It can create very stark differences in how we LGBTQ travelers are welcomed, from frankly hostile [at] resorts in Jamaica to OK in places like St. Barts.” 

The Wilson Center, a non-partisan policy forum based in Washington, D.C., reports that of the nine countries in the Western Hemisphere where consensual same-sex conduct is illegal, most are in the Caribbean. 

According to Statista, a statistics and study website, those destinations include Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines — all of which uphold discriminatory laws with roots that extend to the days of British colonial rule. 

Last year, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights made public a decision calling on Jamaica to repeal laws prohibiting consensual same-sex conduct. And an organization called the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality continues to work to improve conditions for LGBTQ people in a variety of Caribbean destinations.

It is crucial for travel agents to understand that each Caribbean island has a culture of its own.

The French-, Spanish- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean destinations, meanwhile, tend to have more updated and inclusive laws, for the most part. 

Granted, the existence of discriminatory laws in a given destination doesn’t mean that it’s impossible for LGBTQ travelers to enjoy vacationing there. But it’s a factor to consider as travelers weigh where they may feel the most comfortable and safest. 

Gay-Friendly Caribbean Islands

To find the most accepting settings for LGBTQ travelers in the Caribbean, travel advisors and travelers can look for a variety of indicators — including favorable laws for local LGBTQ communities, affiliation with LGBTQ tourism organizations, and the presence of LGBTQ pride celebrations, all of which are a good sign that a destination is more accepting of diversity. 

Among the highest-profile examples of an LGBTQ vacation hub in the Caribbean is Puerto Rico, where same-sex marriage is legal and the official tourism organization, Discover Puerto Rico, recently announced that the island will host the 2023 IGLTA Annual Global Convention, bringing together members of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association from around the world. 

Discover Puerto Rico maintains a robust LGBTQ Travel section on its website, making it easy for travelers and advisors to find attractions, activities and accommodations, including LGBTQ-owned guesthouses such as Coqui del Mar and Andalucia Guest House. 

RELATED: Puerto Rico Wants to Be the LGBTQ Capital of the Caribbean

Puerto Rico also hosts two annual pride celebrations in June — one in San Juan on the first weekend in June, and another in Boqueron, on the island’s west coast, on the following weekend. Hotels large and small get involved; the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino, for example, celebrates pride with an event called Viva La Rooftop, complete with a fashion show, live DJ music, cocktails and snacks. 

Also in festive mode for pride month is the Condado Ocean Club, an adults-only boutique property that will host a Pride Brunch. In addition, the property offers a year-round Lush Vacay package, created by gay general manager Albert Charbonneau and targeted at LGBTQ travelers. 

A few other Caribbean destinations host pride events as well, including the Dominican Republic, which usually hosts a parade in late summer, and Curacao, which celebrates in the fall. Both destinations, as well as Puerto Rico, are also home to year-round LGBTQ-friendly nightlife. 

LGBTQ-Friendly Resorts in the Caribbean

Travelers can find a variety of welcoming hotels around the region. IGLTA member properties include Zemi Beach House in Anguilla and Sonesta Ocean Point Resort, a property in St. Maarten that offers same-sex wedding ceremonies with the services of an in-house wedding coordinator certified by the Gay Wedding Institute. 

In Aruba, LGBTQ-welcoming accommodations include the Hilton Aruba Caribbean Resort & Casino, which carries the TAG-approved certification from the Travel Advocacy Group, an organization that evaluates LGBTQ-friendly hotels based on their employment policies services and support for the community. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, meanwhile, is offering a Pride in Paradise package that includes accommodations in the adults-only Tradewinds Club, plus dinner for two and a reserved cabana at the adults-only pool. 

Also in Aruba is the Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort, which shows its accepting ambiance by flying a pride flag, serving a signature Passions Rainbow cocktail and posting rainbow-hued social media content during pride month. The Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino, meanwhile, offers a Pride in Paradise package that includes a sunset sail and private dinner for two. 

In St. Barth, Rosewood Le Guanahani St. Barth has proved its friendliness with celebrity-infused flair; the property hosted the recent honeymoon of Simon Huck, founder of Command Entertainment Group, and Phil Riportella, the cofounder of a fragrance brand called Snif. 

The eco-friendly Hotel Manapany, meanwhile, is a member of the World Rainbow Hotels Collection, a consortium program for LGBTQ-friendly hotels around the world that offers preferred, commissionable rates for travel advisors. 

Travelers looking to celebrate pride in Curacao, meanwhile, might want to consider booking the Renaissance Wind Creek Resort Curacao, which offers an Out and About package that includes a daily buffet breakfast for two, a free bottle of Champagne upon arrival and late checkout.