Is the Amazon Rainforest Icky? – Passport Magazine

Amazon rainforest - pixabay

The Amazon rainforest is a lot more than creepy crawlies and humidity. It’s incredibly lush, it features a staggering amount of wildlife (monkeys, jaguars, dolphins, macaws, etc), and most importantly – since we are gay, after all – you can travel there in luxury. ‘Cause let’s face it, it’s a lot more fun watching wild apes while holding a glass of champagne.

You don’t have to travel in 5-star style, of course. You can camp along the Amazon, sleep in a pool of sweat, bathe in bug spray and experience nature in ways both charming and terrifying. But if you’re someone who appreciates both a skiff and a steak, perhaps a company like Brand g Vacations – which offers all-gay, all-inclusive land tours and rivers cruises – is right for you.

For starters, the Amazon can be warm and humid, no doubt. But Brand g specifically operates its tours in the cooler spring months. And on these cruises, wildlife excursions occur in the very comfortable morning and evening hours. During the warmer part of the day, you can enjoy the air-conditioned luxury of the river ship. And what a ship it is (we’ll get to that).

Many people think of the creepier, scarier forms of wildlife (snakes, spiders, etc) in the rainforest, and assume any Amazon vacation will be chock full of GROSS. But there are many charming, adorable animals, as well, like turtles, the capybara (pictured below), the river dolphin, etc. The Amazon is a veritable panoply of creatures great and small, and there’s something for everyone.

Fortunately, on a Brand g trip. our expert naturalists are well-accustomed to squeamish Americans, and will get you only as up close and personal with wildlife as your own comfort level allows. So, you can swim with river dolphins and let tarantulas crawl up your sleeve, or you can just watch as somebody else does. It’s all up to you.

By Eric Poole – Full Story at Passport Magazine

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Monte Placido Vacation Rentals – Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

Monte Placido Vacation Rentals Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Welcome to Monte Placido Vacation Rentals. This tropical hilltop paradise is a secure gated residence comprised of 6 individual rental homes. Each home offers breathtaking views of the ocean, the forested mountains and the coconut groves below. Our elevated location offers constant soothing breezes and very few mosquitos. The homes have fully equipped kitchens to do your own cooking or a personal chef can be provided (maid and linen service included). Each home is especially designed with a verandah for privacy from neighbors. The homes are airy and spacious, comfortable for both inside and outside living. Monte Placido Vacation Rentals’ tropical and botanical gardens are busting with an explosion of colorful flowers. Enjoy the infinity pool virtually cascading into the sea with its cabana and barbecue. From our pastoral setting we are just a short 15 minute drive from bustling and fun Las Terrenas with its beach bars and restaurants, late night Latin dancing galore. We are located in Samana Province on the North East of the Island. It is still is a very well-kept secret with its pristine and undeveloped beaches, reefs, waterfalls, hiking, bird watching whales and more. SHIVA’S CAVE is our yoga retreat center that can also welcome Latin dance camps, special events and wedding parties up to 25 guests (see our website). Full catering for events/groups or a hired chef for a special individual lunch or dinner are optional and on request (inquire). We offer complimentary continental breakfast on the 1st day. The owners live on site and they are always available to help out with every little detail and make sure that their guests enjoy their getaway.

See the Monte Placido Vacation Rentals Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in the Dominican Republic

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Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge – Gay San Ignacio, Belize Accommodations

Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge is a gay friendly, green conscious, authentic rainforest ecolodge destination centrally located in the heartland of the Maya and between San Ignacio Town and the Mountain Pine Ridge. Being an authentic naturalist Belize Jungle Lodge our facilities are designed with your comfort in mind with a commitment to having a low impact on the environment. Also, as a sustainable lodge we produce our own electricity and water. Our accommodations in the Cayo District consists of six nicely appointed rustic style cabanas with private baths,soaps, shampoos, linens, hot and cold shower, queen size bed,and some with twin single beds, a private screened deck with seatings, fans, electricity and daily housekeeping. Our Maya Restaurant features farm fresh to table using mostly locally produced organic ingredients. we offer a fusion of Belizean, Italian, American, Asian and Mexican dishes. The Tribal Bar serving an assortment of imported and locally produced liquors, wines, beers and cocktails. Our tropical cocktails are made with fresh and natural organic fruits juices. The property also consists of five miles well groomed nature trails , Macal River front property with easy access to sandy beach with seatings, board games, lending library, darts, volleyball, palapas with hammocks, offsite tours to ancient Maya sites, waterfalls, caving,canoeing, horseback riding along with night walks, bird tours and pristine Macal River tubing available on site on our 50 acre Nature Reserve. In addition, our guests have access to free Wi-Fi during daylight hours which could be affected by weather conditions, as we are served by satellite. We offer an exotic adventure destination where you will immerse yourself in an authentic natural jungle setting. Ideal for couples, families, retreats, naturalists, ornithologists, spelunkers, yoga retreats, family reunions, friends getaway. Belize, land of enchantment where you will find an amazing amount of ecological and cultural bio-diversity. In Belize you will find mountains, abundance in flora and fauna, ancient mayan archaoelogical sites, extensive cave systems, rivers, waterfalls, savanahs, mangroves, coral reefs, islands, seashore, and much much more. You will be surprised on the amount of bio-diversity in the many ecosystems of Belize. There is also a rainbow of cultural diversity in Belize for you will find Creole, Maya, Mestizo, East Indian, Chinese, Amish and Mennonites.

See the Macaw Bank Jungle Lodge Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

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Riverside Villa – Gay Friendly Belize Vacation Rental

Riverside Villa Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay: Riverside Villa provides the ultimate serene, secluded and romantic setting in Belize. It is located on the fast flowing banks of the Privassion which flows through the Mountain Pine Ridge, a largely undeveloped forest reserve in the Cayo District of western Belize. It’s a truly unusual location on the banks of a gorgeous river where the Mountain Pine Ridge and the jungle meet. Although the villa is privately owned it is managed by the caring and LGBT friendly staff of the adjacent Gaia Riverlodge. Guests can take their meals at the lodge’s restaurant overlooking Five Sisters waterfall (where breakfast is included in the rate). A full kitchen is also provided if you wish to enjoy your meals at the villa. At your request Gaia will deliver your meals to you at Riverside villa. Riverside Villa consists of two log and thatch cabanas connected by an open air deck with a full dining table. The cheerful sleeping cabana which holds the bedroom and bathroom is warmly furnished with a bamboo bed and Mayan fabrics and wall hangings. The full bath contains a fancifully tiled bathtub and beautiful hardwood furnishings. A screened in porch at one end of the bedroom has a hammock as well as two chairs. It is nestled into the trees and overlooks the garden with the river just beyond. The larger cabana contains a fully equipped kitchen, dining area, writing desk and a small library. It is surrounded on four sides with fully screened porches arranged into relaxed and comfortable living spaces. Hammocks and seating areas are situated to take advantage of the tropical gardens as well as the entrancing views of the river. All furnishings are locally made by Belizean craftsman. Colorful Mayan rugs, fabrics and wall hangings complete the cozy ambiance of the interior. We have recently installed a hot tub at the villa which has a fabulous view or the river. Far away from light pollution you will enjoy incredibly starry skies on clear nights. It is also the perfect place to enjoy a morning cup of coffee as the mist rises off the river. Our hot tub contains no chemicals. Guests fill it from the hot and cold water faucet to their preferred temperature. Because our water comes from a spring high up on the property we have tons of water pressure and so it fills up quickly. We have great swimming holes directly in front of the villa. After a cool dip enjoy relaxing in the thatch covered palapa next to river with two hammocks and a picnic table. Additional Guest Accommodations – Riverside Villa was designed as a spacious one bedroom home. Over the years we have had many requests from guests interested in traveling with a third or fourth party. Recent additions and upgrades have made this possible. Please see out website for details. The Cayo location is adventure central Belize. Our website also describes tours in the area. transportation and many other details about your visit. Hope to see you soon!

See the Riverside Villa Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in Belize

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