By Bridget Castner
Traveling as an LGBTQ+ person can be a daunting experience, especially if you're unsure of which places are more friendly towards the community than others. Puerto Rico just so happens to be the LGBTQ+ capital of the Caribbean, and even better, American citizens don’t need a passport to travel there! Check out this LGBTQ+ travel guide to San Juan, Puerto Rico.
San Juan is very queer-friendly, and is abundant with lots of restaurants, bars, and clubs to discover. Condado Beach is the perfect beach to pack a picnic and spend the day sipping a pina colada while getting to know the queer locals and visitors. The weather stays between 70-80 degrees all year round, and there are not one, but two Pride parades a year. Whether you want to party it up and dance the night away, or simply mingle while enjoying great food, the things to do in San Juan are endless!
LGBTQ+ Bars in San Juan
La Esquina De Polo is a charming dive bar that offers budget-friendly cocktails, allowing you to kick off your evening before taking on the rest of the night's adventures. Another great queer bar just off the beach is Oasis Tapas & Lounge, which is filled with friendly people, food, drinks, and live music. Consider visiting Toxic NightClub where you can dance and check out the drag lip sync battles!
Head over to Atlantic Beach to grab some daytime drinks and dance on the beach to tropical island music; a true island vacation experience! Ocean Park is yet another LGBTQ+ friendly space, and you can bring your pets as well! Lay out in the sun and get a tan, or curl up under the shady palm trees with your furry friend to relax.
El Cojo Bar is an affordable queer bar and is one of the top LGBTQ+ hidden gems in San Juan. The drinks are delicious and you can experience incredible Latin music while making new friends throughout the evening. Looking for a place to just hang out and have a good time? Stop by Tia Maria Liquor Store which is known for its laid-back atmosphere and mixed yet friendly crowd. Patrons can enjoy a few games of pool or even sing their heart out on karaoke nights.
Zal Si Puedes Minibar is unique in the sense that the bar has fun weekly nights that include drag shows, and even culture nights! Stop by to enjoy poetry, essay readings, and partake in discussions while mingling with other LGBTQ+ community members in a safe and enjoyable environment.
If you feel like having an adventure, drive two hours out of San Juan to Cabo Rojo and check out Playa Sucia. This stunning beach is LGBTQ+ oriented with clear turquoise waters and soft sands. It’s known as an “off-the-beaten-path” gem. Another beautiful beach that requires a bit of work to get to (but is worth it) is Caja de Muertos in Ponce. This beach is remote and you can immerse yourself in the safe space of this remote beach while reading a book, or pack a lunch with your partner and enjoy the serenity of the sound of the waves.
While Puerto Rico is the most LGBTQ+ friendly place in the Caribbean, there are a lot of other places in the world to discover that are open and welcoming to the community as well. For more information on those countries, take a look at this article for LGBTQ+ friendly cities around the world.
