The Ultimate Queer Travel Guide for San Juan, Puerto Rico
As the weather gets colder, most LGBTQ+ travelers are probably looking for travel destinations where they can shed their winter layers to enjoy some much-needed fun in the sun. So, why not travel south for warmer weather? So, we’re putting Puerto Rico on your gaydar as an option for your next winter getaway.
For American citizens, no passport is required to travel to the US territory. One of the most queer-friendly islands in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico has several annual events and fun activities so you can celebrate Pride year-round in San Juan and beyond its city limits. So, get inspired to pack your bags and explore the sun-soaked island!
Where to Stay
The Tryst Beachfront Hotel
In San Juan, there’s no shortage of LGBTQ+-friendly accommodations. For a high-end, beachfront experience, you can stay at the newly renovated Tryst Hotel, owned by Tristan Schukraft, the founder and CEO of the MISTR. Located in the Condado neighborhood, this boutique hotel features 44 chic appointed rooms, and if you enjoy spending time on a beach (also a perfect spot for a wedding) with DJs playing music to keep the crowd animated and lively; then this is the place for you!
Even if you’re not staying here, you should try to experience the Sunday Brunch at Wicked Lily, an onsite restaurant. Keep those bottomless mimosas flowing while drag artists entertain you and a mixed crowd of late-morning/early-afternoon revelers. It does get pretty busy; so, reservations are recommended.
Coqui del Mar
If you enjoy checking into clothing-optional, LGBTQ+-inclusive accommodations; then you should consider the Coqui del Mar. Although you might think this place is exclusive only to cisgender gay men; well, you’re wrong. Gay owners and couple Rob Villacres and Vianney Le Parquic welcome everyone – no matter how they identify. They’ve made it a point to host weeklong events to attract guests who identify as trans and or as bears to create the ‘all are welcomed’ atmosphere.
Coqui is 420-friendly, exudes a communal vibe, and features 11 rooms, including the Bear Queen Studio room which has a full kitchen, spacious shower (for two or more), and comfy bed. Pack light if you stay in this room because the closet space is limited. The guesthouse also has a small pool, Jacuzzi, a kitchen and living area where breakfast is served Monday through Friday, and an area on the first floor that is regularly stocked with coffee, fruit, snacks as well as alcohol at a cost.
For guests who want to explore more of Puerto Rico, you can book a variety of guided excursions with Puerto Rico Gay Tours, including a Gay Beach Adventure, an El Yunque Rainforest Tour, and a Queer Monument Walking Tour around San Juan. Check with Rob. Reservations are recommended.
In addition to the Tryst Hotel and Coqui del Mar, the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel and Casino, Condado Ocean Club, Aloft San Juan, Dreamcatcher, O:LV, Hotel Palacio Provincial, and Hibird Condado are other LGBTQ+-friendly options to consider when visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Enjoy Puerto Rico’s Best Beaches
With more than 600 miles of coastline on the Puerto Rican archipelago, the perfect stretches of sand await queer sun worshipers looking for the best spots to relax and unwind, including a nude beach near Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Nudists can rent a car for a little over an hour’s drive from San Juan. Guests staying at the Coqui del Mar should also inquire about their naked beach tour. Here are a few more beach recommendations in San Juan and beyond:
- Condado Beach
Known for being the de-facto gay beach of San Juan, travelers do not want to miss the chance to soak up the sun at Condado Beach. Condado Beach and its promenade have something for everyone: swimming and surfing, relaxing in the sun, fine- dining, or world-class shopping. The Tryst Beachfront Hotel is also located on this beach. - Ocean Park Beach
If you enjoy relaxing on a quiet beach without a lot of foot traffic, especially mid-week, then you might want to consider this beach. It is a public beach, but you may want to consider staying at the Numero Uno Beach House or just grab a bite to eat while spending a full day on the beach. - Playa Negra
A favorite of the wild horses, Playa Negra is a must when visiting Vieques. With its striking volcanic sand, Playa Negra remains one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, maybe the world. - Domes Beach
Domes is a popular surfing beach, with plenty of shade under the gorgeous swaying palm trees. Its most striking feature is the giant blue dome that gives this beach its peculiar name (a remnant of an old nuclear plant that never opened). If you’re feeling adventurous, do a bit of exploring and you’ll also find an interactive mural made of recycled materials as well as a swing adorned with wings.
Celebrate Pride and Other Annual Events
Puerto Rico hosts two Pride events – in Cabo Rojo and San Juan – in June, making it the largest Pride celebration in the Caribbean. Every year, Cabo Rojo shines with the most famous parade, the Boquerón Pride. The Pride Parade runs along the main street of El Poblado, while bars and clubs host live music, dancers, DJs, and plenty of entertainment. Over the years, the Pride March has had a significant impact on the larger community, which supports equality and human rights for all.
In San Juan, Pride – usually held at the beginning of June – is lively, full of life, and several noteworthy places that are popular with locals and tourists alike. The bars along Avenida Condado in San Juan’s gay district host parties and events throughout the week leading up to the Pride March. The city’s Santurce neighborhood is booming with restaurants and nightlife. Much of the Pride action is centered around La Placita where you can check out the nightlife at the little bars that spill onto the plaza.
Looking for more queer-friendly events to add to your itinerary for the perfect Puerto Rico vacation? Click here to discover more ways to celebrate love and Pride on the Caribbean islands year-round.
Turn Up and Experience San Juan’s Nightlife
The island holds the title for the most LGBTQ+ nightlife in the Caribbean as well as the most LGBTQ+-owned businesses in the Caribbean. For queer late-night revelers, you can’t leave San Juan without experiencing its diverse nightlife. Here’s a quick list of a few bars and clubs to consider adding to your list of places to check out:
- Kweens Klub – This is the place to go if you enjoy watching international drag artists perform. The bar has a huge dancefloor and outdoor area to mix and mingle with locals.
- La Sombrilla Rosa – Located in Old San Juan, this small bar on Calle San Sebastian is the place to go if you want the margaritas to flow. It welcomes both gay and straight locals and it has become a popular neighborhood bar and hangout.
- Oasis – Located in the Condado neighborhood, this local favorite offers the vibes of a friendly neighborhood bar with a welcoming staff and happy hour deals, including a $5 two-for-one special for Medalla, the local beer. Oasis also features go-go dancers!
- SX The Club – Looking for a dive bar in San Juan? This is it! The small bar gets crowded quickly. It features are long bar in the front and one in the back, close to the dance floor. The dimly lit bar also has a few spots and a backroom for patrons who feel a little frisky.
- Tía María Liquor Store – This bar is a fun bar with a warm and welcoming vibe, which would probably explain why it attracts a diverse mix of LGBTQ+ folx.
- Toxic Night Club – As soon as you walk into this bar, guests will feel the welcoming vibe and also an ideal spot for nonbinary folx. From drag show performances to impromptu vogueing sessions, the crowded spot always gives space for those who want to express themselves fully and authentically.
Travel Tip: Make sure you take plenty of cash to have on hand just in case there is a cover charge to get into these bars and to ensure you keep the drinks coming during your night out. Unlike the mainland of the US, some bars do not accept credit cards.
Explore the Sights Beyond San Juan
As mentioned before, Puerto Rico Gay Tours offers a variety of fun excursions such as a Queer Monuments Tour of San Juan that includes stops at the Rainbow Welcome Arch, the Pride Pier, and the Pulse Nightclub Memorial. Depending on your travel interests, you can take a 90-minute mini-boat tour; learn how to make delicious rum cocktails after a tour at Ron de Barrillito, the oldest distillery in Puerto Rico; and experience the island’s culture and food through The Spoon Experience‘s immersive tours. Rent a car and extend your stay in Puerto Rico to explore the sights beyond the city limits of San Juan.
Adventurous queer travelers should consider visiting the following places:
- El Yunque National Forest and Fajardo – Experience the second-longest zipline in the world and the largest in the US at El Yunque National Forest! After a hike, go swimming in waterfalls. You can spend a couple of nights in Fajardo (a 25-minute drive from El Yunque) to explore its beaches and nature reserves, and you can also take a ferry to explore Culebra and Vieques, where a Bioluminescent Bay experience awaits.
- Cabo Rojo/Boquerón – The west coast of Puerto Rico is known for its beautiful, barely-developed beaches, the pink sand flats, stunning cliffs, and the queer-friendly town of Boquerón – home to the 2nd largest Pride celebration in Puerto Rico. Boquerón Beach is a popular weekend destination for LGBTQ+ locals from all over the island. Situated right on the water, the town has a single main street lined with restaurants, shops, and bars. If you’re driving from San Juan, you’ll find Finca el Girasol, a sunflower field perfect for photo ops, and the best Mofongo on the island at Jannelly’s Kitchen Restaurant.
- Rincon – Once a secret surfer paradise, Rincon has become increasingly popular for the vacationer looking for a laid-back vibe. Like the rest of the west coast of Puerto Rico, there are lots of unique and local restaurants, shops, and bars, but no big hotels. Rincon is less than an hour from Cabo Rojo, so LGBTQ+ travelers can easily be combined into a single trip or an optional day trip from either location.
- Ponce – Abundant in historical and cultural riches, Ponce, also known as La Perla del Sur (the Pearl of the South), is Puerto Rico’s second-largest city. Visit the town and explore the local art, architecture, gastronomy, and cultural excitement, with easy access to beautiful southern beaches such as Caja De Muertos, El Tuque, La Guancha, and the Hilton’s Beach, a public beach behind the Ponce Hilton Resort.
For more travel inspiration and information, visit Discovery Puerto Rico’s website.
