Costa Rica: Gay and Lesbian

The gay scene in Costa Rica is more vibrant than perhaps one would expect. There are many hotels, particularly in San José that advertise their selves as being gay friendly. Costa Rica is well known for being the most tolerant and therefore gay-friendly country in South America. There is a sizeable gay scene in the capital city of San José, with bars, clubs, saunas, restaurants, and an Internet café, as well as a gay hotel and beach in Quepos, on the Pacific coast. In Costa Rica, gay travellers need to keep in mind that although the country’s constitution protects homosexuals, the Catholic heritage of the national culture still leads to some personal condemnation. Just be careful outside of the capital, but in general Costa Rica is a good spot for a gay and lesbian holiday.