Posted in Editorials
The Caribbean is one of the most popular vacation spots on the planet. The climate, the food, the beaches and the clear blue waters make it an irresistible destination. It can be a bit of a minefield for LGBT+ travellers though. The islands of the Caribbean are not often hailed as gay-friendly destinations. That being said, some are far more welcoming to gay travellers than others.
In this guide to the most gay-friendly islands in the Caribbean, we'll give you the lowdown on the places with the most gay-friendly laws, the best hotels for gay travellers and much more. From Dutch overseas territories to the former stomping ground of Princess Margaret and David Bowie, we'll introduce you to a series of fabulous places and luxury hotels.
The Caribbean boasts 28 island nations and more than 7,000 individual islands in the region. In terms of luxury, you will be hard pressed to find resorts as lucky to benefit from the year round weather that the Caribbean can...
Tailor-Made
If you’re looking for something above and beyond pure paradise then look no further. Renowned for the quintessential Caribbean experience – think white sands and swaying palm trees – Aruba and Curacao is one of our favourite twin-centre Caribbean holidays....
Tailor-Made
Puerto Rico is something of a hidden gem. It’s a Carribean island but it’s an American territory, although it retains some administrative independence. The islands of Barbados and St Lucia seem to get all the attention, but Puerto Rico should...
Tailor-Made
Riviera Maya is the place to be on Mexico’s Caribbean coast. Cancun is the most tourist-friendly part of the country. It’s packed with luxury resorts. The sprawling Zona Hotelera is a district that’s comprised – as the name suggests –...
Curacao is one of the most gay-friendly islands in the Caribbean. As a Dutch overseas territory, Curacao was governed in accordance with Dutch law: Holland is one of the most liberal countries on earth. The island gained its independence from Holland in 2010, but the locals still have Dutch passports and the island has Dutch political and cultural characteristics.
It’s just 40 miles from the coast of Venezuela. In the capital Willemstad you’ll find many colorful Dutch colonial buildings. It’s also a great beach destination – there are 35 beaches to explore.
The island of Curacao has been inhabited for around 6000 years. It’s been governed by many empires, giving it a notably polyglot culture. The locals speak Dutch, Spanish, Papiamentu (the local language) and English.
Fun fact: Former Curacao governor Albert Kickert decreed that all the buildings of Willemstad must be painted in colorful hues. The city was whitewashed like a Spanish village at that point in time. It turned out that he owned a paint company that gained a huge injection of cash after his decree. Curacao now has laws in place to stop such activities.
Aruba is a Dutch overseas territory. It’s a more developed island than Curacao. As with Curacao, Aruba is a great destination for winter sun. You’ll find many excellent beaches to explore in Aruba, from quiet ones like Eagle Beach to more buzzing beaches.
Be sure to check out Arashi Beach, or try your hand at surfing and watersports on Hadicurari and Boca Grandi beaches. At the heart of the island is the capital Oranjestad, which hosts weekly folk-themed events and has designer boutiques galore. Check out the Archeological Museum to learn more about fascinating American Indian heritage.
Aruba is one of the most gay-friendly places in the Caribbean. It’s governed in accordance with Dutch law, although it’s been self-governed since 1986. Tourism is the key sector of the Aruban economy. Despite Aruba’s strong links to Holland, you’ll find considerable American influence in Aruba, ranging from the food to the style of the bars.
Mustique is one of the most glamorous and gay-friendly islands in the Caribbean. Purchased by Colin Tenant in 1958, it became the stomping ground of the upper classes and celebrities. Princess Margaret had a holiday home on the island, and later David Bowie purchased a villa in Mustique.
The fashionable life of the tiny island centred around The Cotton House, and it still does to this day. Formerly a cotton warehouse, The Cotton House was designed in 1968 by Oliver Messel. Some legendary parties have taken place in Mustique. Lady Anne Glenconner, Colin Tenant’s wife, drew attention to Mustique when she published her autobiography, chronicling her husband’s eccentric devotion to bringing Mustique to life.
Mustique is a tiny island and there aren’t that many accommodation options. It’s all about luxury and exclusivity. That being said, the options on offer are quite impressive. If it’s good enough for Princess Margaret it should tick all the boxes.
Tailor-Made
The Islands of Tahiti are home to an abundance of luxury resorts and hotels, many of which boast world-class reputations. Amongst these is a selection of smaller, and more intimate destinations that offer a more private and personalized experience of...
Tailor-Made
Mauritius is one of the pearls of the Indian Ocean. Unlike its Indian Ocean neighbor the Maldives, Mauritius is comprised of one single island. Mauritius is considered to be a great beach destination, especially on the north side of the...
Tailor-Made
See the rarefied charms of the Maldives in the South. You’ll find some of the world’s finest coral reefs and dive sites. From underwater villas to premium luxury all-inclusive resorts, we’ve got the lowdown on the best of the best...
Tailor-Made
Six Senses Laamu & Gili Lankafushi embody the best of Barefoot Luxury in the Maldives. You’ll experience all the luxuries you can desire at both of these resorts while walking everywhere without shoes: the main restaurant at Gili Lankanfushi is...
Tailor-Made
You’ll find an abundance of marine life in the Baa Atoll. It’s a Unesco-designated Biosphere Reserve. Hanifaru Bay is the place to be if you want to go diving and see manta rays and sharks swimming around the atoll. You...
Tailor-Made
Perhaps two of the most beautiful resorts in the Maldives, Milaidhoo and Nautilus are ones to put on your list. As the Maldives is a magnet for high-end tourism, many hotel brands and entrepreneurs have opened dazzling resorts. For a...
“Stellar service. Stellar products. Stellar people and it gets so much better when you pick up the phone and call.”
“Super client centred service. From first contact I have had warm, efficient, friendly and flexible service.”
“I’m confident in giving Out Of Office a 5-star review! They are one of the leaders in this space without a doubt.”
We want to ensure you have the best experience with us so we’ll keep working on your itinerary until perfect. You will have your own personal dedicated member of our team who will help build the perfect trip for you.
Call our travel experts on +44 (0)20 7157 1570
We pride ourselves in the number of clients that are referred to us by our existing customers. Our 5* Trustpilot rating is important to us, so we encourage you to browse our reviews. They speak for themselves and that's why you are in safe hands.
020 7157 1570
info@outofoffice.com
To start planning your trip, please call us or complete the enquiry form and one of our team of experts will contact you as soon as possible for an initial consultation to discuss your travel plans in more detail.
All the prices on our website do not include flights. We can, of course, arrange them for you.
