Villa Rainbow – St. Maarten Gay Bed & Breakfast

Villa Rainbow

Gay Bed and Breakfast on top of Peak Paradise on the French side of St. Martin.

Villa Rainbow welcomes you in a charming luxurious, exclusively gay male bed and breakfast, on the French side of St.Martin/Sint Maarten.

You will enjoy spacious and independant rooms, within a wonderful orchids & tropical garden, with clothing-optional mosaic-tiled swimming pool, jacuzzi and private massage deck.

Villa Rainbow is located on Peak Paradise (Pic Paradis), the island’s highest point with stunning views on Caribbean sea and sunset.

See the Villa Rainbow Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

St. Maarten Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

 

Gay friendly Barbados? – Passport

gay friendly Barbados - pixabay

Pictures and anecdotes don’t do justice to the understated charm of Barbados, it must be experienced in person. Like a flower in bloom, you have to give Barbados more than just a day before its real beauty is revealed.

However, when you Google Barbados and gay, the first thing that pops up, other than Mount Gay Rum (the world’s oldest commercial rum distillery), is “illegal,” “life imprisonment,” and that LGBT people in Barbados do not enjoy the same rights as non-LGBT people. Barbados has traditionally been known for being anti-gay and not very gay welcoming, especially since they still have anti-sodomy laws that punish “buggery” with a life sentence. Even though these laws are rarely enforced, they are still bad for tourism, especially LGBTQ tourism. That said, LGBTQ visitors generally do not face any physical danger in Barbados, but they may face prejudicial treatment from people that aren’t quite ready to embrace the gay community.

Barbados, in spite of all this, is slowly progressing on the LGBTQ front. They recently elected their first female prime minister, Mia Mottley, who is pro-LGBT. Barbados also hosted its first Pride march in the capital of Bridgetown in 2018. You can find out more about Pride and other gay events in Barbados on the LGBT Barbados Facebook group.

What can you really expect when traveling to Barbados as a gay person? Alex St John, a Barbadian currently living in Toronto, commented that Barbados is fine with the gays, just like lots of places in the world, but it’s important to respect their religious culture, and to be respectful of the people around you when you are expressing yourself to your partner. There is also a relatively rich gay nightlife, but you need to know where to go and when. Tony Chanthavong, a Canadian who lived there for nine months on a work assignment, commented that there were no gay bars and that he only knew where the popup “bush parties” were after he made some gay islander friends.

By Barry Hoy – Full Story at Passport

LOCATION Gay Travel Resources

 

The Caribbean ABC’s – Go Girlfriend

Aruba - pixabay

Three popular “A, B, C islands” make up the southern string of islands just off the north coast of Venezuela. As part of the Dutch Antilles, these Caribbean island gems are extensions of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Drier than it’s northern Antilles rain-forested cousins, the A, B, C islands beauty is in it’s beaches, it’s mangroves and it’s consistent warm dry conditions. Being only about 12’ north of the equator, the sun can be very intense – but the offsetting trade winds keep a consistent breeze blowing to have movement of air (sometimes quite gusty in May and June) that helps the scorching heat. A secondary side benefit of the east-west trade winds is that it is kept out of the hurricane pathway that most often veers northward once it reaches the Gulf of Mexico – thus keeping the islands out of harms way.

As equal opportunity lovers of the humid rain forested Caribbean islands, GoGirlfriend also has a love on for the drier, warmer, windy A, B, C islands. There’s lots to do with rich snorkeling, diving, land-sailing and beachy adventures just not found in the other Caribbean islands.

Aruba “One Happy Island”

With more sunny days than any other island, and beaches fronting all sides, Aruba is big enough to offer some diverse activities, yet small enough to rent a scooter and explore it all. Most activities are centered on the leeward west coast with resorts and hotels abundant north and west of the capital Oranjestad, and the natural beauty of the Natural Bridge and Arikok National Park face the eastern windward side.

By Stacy Rosien – Full Story at Go Girlfriend

Caribbean Gay Travel Resources

Nicaragua’s Corn Islands – The Globetrotter Guys

Nicaragua's Corn Islands - The Globetrotter Guys

If you haven’t heard of the Corn Islands (Little Corn Island and Big Corn Island), Nicaragua, then you are not alone. These Caribbean islands are probably one of Nicaragua’s best kept secrets – but they won’t stay secret for long!

Quite simply, these are the most beautiful islands we have ever visited and we challenge you to find better!

There are two islands, Big Corn Island and Little Corn Island. They are both located 70km off the Eastern Caribbean coast of Nicaragua.

Boasting white sand Caribbean beaches, crystal clear turquoise waters and some incredibly friendly people, Big Corn and Little Corn have a lot to offer!

Imagine the Caribbean 50 years ago before major tourism hit – that’s what you can expect to find in the Corn Islands. If you want a pristine beach all to yourself, you might want to get a flight booked asap!

Full Story at The Globetrotter Guys

Nicaragua Gay Travel Resources

 

St. Kitts Volcano Crater Hike – Lesbian Travel

St. Kitts Volcano - Mt. Liamuiga - pixabay

Say St. Kitts and images of white sandy beaches, swaying palms and turquoise blue waters come to mind. Ready to go off-beach and really see what the island is all about? Let me introduce you to Mt. Liamuiga – a 3000 ft volcano. She hasn’t breathed fire for almost 2000 years, but a hike to the rim proves she’s still as mighty as ever.

After a winding drive through St. Kitts, we started our 2-3 hour trek upwards. The first hour passed easily beneath banyan trees and more vines than Tarzan could ever hope to swing. Our guide, who hikes the volcano 3-4 times a week, pointed out which plants can save a life and which ones can end one.

He told us about the mongoose, brought over by the English to control the snake population. What the Brits didn’t know is that mongoose also have a taste for tropical bird eggs, which explained the eerie quiet as we hiked. No parrots or tropical birds on the island, but plenty of mongoose.

As we neared the rim, the slope pitched dramatically and the chit chat changed to determined concentration. At points it felt as if we were climbing straight up, grasping at roots and trunks to keep us from falling backward.

By Julia Rosien – Full Story at Go Girlfriend

Itching to Go to Cuba? – Andrés, OutINCuba

Andrés - OutInCuba

Cuba is a different kind of country, mostly because of its history and the actual consequences it and for that reason it is now at its best! If you are going for the first time, having a tour guide with you to show you around and explain a lot of things will enrich your experience on this great island.

Havana Music - PixabayTo enjoy the country and understand its rhythm and its sights it is better if you have an idea of all the history and gossip that this island has behind buildings, streets, landscapes, food, cocktails, behaviors, words and people.

In Cuba people laugh at their own problems and anything can inspire a joke, a song, a dance or whatever that means joy and you can see and sense how carefree our people are, in spite of all the problems and struggles.

Again, Cuba is a different kind of country full of fun and a sense of freedom to enjoy every minute with no rush.

As a tour guide I always welcome my future friends at the airport, and having a smiling face welcoming you at the airport can be very cheering.

I love the idea of waiting for complete strangers that I’m going to be with for days. The adrenaline of not knowing how it’ll be like.

Cuba - PixabayWe head in Havana in an old American car with AC to make the experience even more interesting. Havana it is a like a live museum of cars, and we are all so used to see them going around, but I know that people also come to Cuba to live the contrast of the old 40ies and 50ies with the influence of modernity.

One of the first things I make clear it is that living and being in Cuba is a big exercise of patience, because there are many things that are hard to find easily, a lot of stuff must be gotten with old fashion means, you are going to be offline most of the time. Things here are not like you know them at home. Cuba in many ways seems to have stopped in time and closed the door, but left the window open and there is a lot coming in through that window

Some people have asked me “don’t you get bored of saying the same thing in the tours every time?” and the answer is no, because the interaction makes it different, the feedback and the individual interests make a change and the information might be basically the same, but again, the interaction does its magic.

For smokers and drinkers Cuba is like a paradise since here you can smoke and drink almost everywhere. For those who love music and dance, it is the same, in fact, there will be a time in which you’ll long for silence because there is music all around.

If you like jogging you can choose the sunrise or the sunset when the weather is cooler and do it through El Malecon with the Ocean on one side and the city on the other side, take little breaks seating in the same Malecon surrounded by fishermen, guitar players, people in love, friends laughing, old cars passing by, sellers, tourists, locals, all type of people, and the best thing: it is really safe. You can even walk around after midnight in the Old Havana without fear.

For night life there are options that can’t be missed. If you want to experience gay bars you’ll have more than 3 options, you can also do some kind of gay hopping since two of them are near each other in the gay friendly neighborhoods. In Havana some things can happen just fast and you can suddenly find a concert or a party going on anywhere.

Cuba - PixabayThere are places in the country that are so worthy to see, and two of them are Viñales and Trinidad.

Viñales it is like one of the most beautiful country sides of Cuba.It will be hard not to fall in love with the sights and the tranquility, the pure air, the food and even the nightlife which is way different than Havana.

Trinidad it is a city that never changed its looks, the colonial architecture it’s original, nothing fake,
The good thing is that the locals mingle with the travelers very well and the American influence in the Cuban culture through the history until nowadays it is very alive.

Gay life in Cuba is not something forbidden anymore, and you’ll find amazing how supportive people can be. Most of the more popular restaurants and bars have gay owners or a story related to a gay character, or gay waiters, so you don’t have to be in a gay friendly neighborhood to enjoy, In fact, it is more likely that you’ll have more fun in a mixed place than in a gay bar. There is always the great gay beach that is just 20 minutes from Havana.

Farewells are always hard and the feeling of becoming friends can come so easily in Cuba, maybe it’s the weather that makes us like that, because even the tourists become more friendly, it can be the alcohol with the music and the heat, you don’t know until you know, but there is a magic in the air of this little country that makes people happy, and believe me, you’ll go home or wherever you are going next feeling luckier and better.

OutINCubaOUTINCUBA comes to you from California Wine Country where we have been offering LGBTQ wine related tours for over ten years. We fell in love with Cuba when a family member married a Cuban and we have traveled to Cuba many times to meet family there and to explore more offerings for our guests. We offer custom designed, legal LGBTQ tours to Cuba through ” Support of the Cuban People”. We do not partner with any government owned businesses in Cuba. Our goal is to help support our LGBTQ team, friends and their families.

We have assembled a team in Havana of four of the best LGBTQ guides. We will show you the “Other Side” of Cuba. We work with seven Havana gay welcoming Casa Particulars that are privately owned inns. All of them are located in Old Havana in what we consider the best and most exciting locations. One of our favorite guides is Andres, who will welcome you at the airport with a sign and a smile to assist you in your Cuban adventure. He can show you art due to him being an artist himself. Take you to private showings at artist studios. Take you out dancing at exciting LGBTQ clubs. There always the great gay beach, Play Este but 20 minutes from Havana that is amazing with the best swimming.

We work with other gay welcoming Casa Particulars throughout Cuba. In Vinales and also Trinidad. We will arrange transportation on your own or have one of our guides travel with you. We offer private cars..bus arrangements and taxi info.

Our tours are small. Usually couples, singles or four friends. We do offer large tours if requested. Our offices are in California and we are here to answer and discuss any thoughts you have on your time in Cuba. You can call us to just talk CUBA!

Cuba Gay Travel Resources

 

Starlight Sailing Charters – Gay US Virgin Islands Sailing Tours

Starlight Sailing Charters

Starlight Sailing Charters provides friendly and fun private sailing vacations aboard the large, modern, and luxurious sailing yacht, Starlight. Starlight sails November through May in the wonderful Virgin Islands and Eastern Caribbean.

During Summer Months, Starlight sails from Sag Harbor, New York on exquisite Hamptons day charters and sailing vacations. A Starlight vacation is wonderful for a special occasion, or a fantastic way to relax and escape in paradise. Starlight accommodates up to six guests, but is also appropriate for smaller groups and solo travelers.

Captain Toby Stull is your host for charters exploring paradise in the Virgin Islands, St Maarten and St Barths, Antigua and Lower Caribbean. With a lifetime of sailing experience and a decade chartering in the Caribbean, Capt. Toby knows exactly where to bring guests and how to tailor your experience depending on your desired activities aboard.

Our vacations can be booked as “captain-only,” on which guests eat half their lunches and dinners at local Caribbean restaurants, or “all inclusive” where a chef joins to prepare all meals. Either way, Delicious onboard meals can be suited to all types of dietary restrictions. Also, the Captain’s adorable yet unobtrusive boat dog, “Bamboo,” joins on all charters.

See the Starlight Sailing Charters Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

AREA Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals

Colorful Gay Curacao – Chicago Pride

Gay Curacao

One of the first things that catches your eye on the beautiful, colorful Caribbean island of Curacao is, the colors. Specifically, the colorfully-painted homes and businesses.

But there was a time when almost every building in gay Curacao was white, nothing else.

Then, legend has it, a former governor of the island suffered from severe headaches – and he believed the sun’s reflection off the white buildings made his headaches worse. So he mandated that building exteriors be painted any color but white.

That array of colors is one of the calling-cards of Curacao, a Dutch island that is about 40 miles from Venezuela, encompassing about 171 square-miles with a population of about 160,000.

Later it was learned, according to lore, that the governor was a shareholder in the island’s only paint store.

Nonetheless, Curacao is one eye-appealing island.

It’s like the pride flag came to life on homes and businesses.

By Ross Forman – Full Story at GoPride

Curacao Gay Travel Resources

Visiting Cuba: 10 Things To Know Before You Go – Globetrotter Girls

Visiting Cuba - Dani

Cuba had been on my travel wish list for a long time. Every time I visited the Yucatán, I thought about hopping on a flight to Havana from Cancun, but somehow it never happened. The restrictions for Americans to travel to Cuba played a big role in this during my first two visits to Mexico in 2010 and 2012, but in 2017, the timing was finally right.

I found a $100 flight deal from Cancun to Havana, and thanks to the ease of travel restrictions for Americans along with new flight routes from the U.S., my friend was able to fly directly from New York to Cuba. (Side note: The joy was short-lived. After Trump’s new restrictions, I am glad that we went to Cuba this year. If you are a US citizen, read this NYT article to find out how you can visit Cuba under the revised Cuba policies).

Even though getting to Cuba from North America has become easier, the country itself is not particularly easy to travel in. I did a lot of research before my trip to make sure I knew what I’d be getting myself into, and that I would be able to prepare accordingly, from dealing with two currencies to arranging transportation around the country in a place where I couldn’t just hop into a rental car like I’d done in Mexico a couple of weeks prior.

Of course, despite detailed research, it was impossible to find out everything I needed to know, and some things I learned as I traveled the country (the fact that there are more tourists than available seats in public buses, for example!).

To help make sure your trip goes as smoothly as possible, I wanted to share with you the ten things I think you need to know before traveling to Cuba.

By AUTHOR – Full Story at SOURCE

LOCATION Gay Travel Resources

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Pink Condos on Sunset Beach – Lesbian Owned Accommodations in St. Croix, USVI

Pink Condos on Sunset Beach

Periodically we’ll feature one of our properties here to let our readers know about some great gay friendly places to stay:

Truly paradise, The Pink Condos have it all, beach, sunsets, snorkeling, relaxation and privacy!!!

Featuring four 1BR, 1 Bath condos and a 2 BR, 2 bath unit on one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean.

Wake up every morning to the beautiful blue water and watch the post card sunsets in the evenings from your private spacious balcony.

See the Pink Condos on Sunset Beach Expanded Listing on Purple Roofs Here

Gay Friendly Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels, and Vacation Rentals in the US Virgin Islands