More than sixty countries still treat homosexuality as a crime including St Lucia and the Maldives, two of the favourite honeymoon spots for straight couples.
Countries that outlaw couples are missing out. LGBTQ+ travellers make up one of the most dynamic and high-spending segments in the global travel industry. According to The Future of Queer Travel, a 2023 report by Globetrender, travel spending by queer travellers is expected to reach US$568.5 billion by 2030.
In these increasingly polarised times, the need for LGBTQ+ friendly travel is greater than ever. As Alicia Valenski, author of Lonely Planet’s The LGBTQ+ Travel Guide explains: “As LGBTQ+ travellers, we can’t assume that ‘everyone’s welcome’ includes us. We just can’t, based on our lived experience.”
Yasmin Benoit, an award-winning asexual activist, writer, public speaker and one of the UK’s most prominent Black alternative models, points out: “I think we need to expand the perception of queer travel because most of the marking you see around it is always focused on Pride and partying, and those aren’t every queer person’s goals for travelling.”
Here at 101 Honeymoons, we have reached out to the gay community along with experienced travel experts to identify the best, and most friendly LGBTQ+ honeymoon destinations.
BRAZIL
Talking about South America in general, Dehouche’s Sales Director, Thomas Robinson, says: “Latin America is one of the most Catholic macro-regions in the world, and off course there are pockets of conservatism, but in fact the region has some of the most progressive LGBTQ+ rights and almost all of the countries are socially liberal, welcoming, and easy to travel in.”
Equal marriage is legal in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and Uruguay, and Bolivia has also recently introduced civil partnership legislation. Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil were among some of the first countries in the world to legalise gay marriage (2010, 2013 and 2013, respectively).
The region also has some of the world’s most progressive trans rights with Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Uruguay recognising some equivalent of Gender Self-Identification. In this sense they are much more forward thinking than the UK. These countries also all have robust anti-gay and trans discrimination legislation.
Robinson adds: “Brazil is one of the world’s best LGBTQ+ honeymoon destinations, from the sophisticated art, architecture, gastronomy and party scene (if that’s what you want) of São Paulo to the carnival culture and sizzling beaches of Rio (which even have famous gay beach huts). You’ll find chic boutique hotels on the beaches of Bahia, and you will feel safe and welcomed all over. Brazilians LOVE a wedding and are very romantic in general, so they’ll be plenty of champagne and rose petals.
“Then as a second option we have a couple of very successful gay honeymoons to Patagonia combining Argentina and Chile – this is a great option to twin a chic city break in Buenos Aires (perhaps with some romantic tango thrown in as well – many people don’t realise that tango started as a dance between men) with the great outdoors, horse riding and glacier hikes in El Calafate. We then cross over the border to Torres del Paine in Chile and wine tasting at Vik Chile south of Santiago – this is perfect for a honeymoon as it’s a remote location with an amazing spa, super cozy and romantic.”
COLOMBIA
Turquoise Holidays flags Portia Hart, who runs three of the most dynamic and exciting hotels and clubs in Cartagena: Blue Apple Beach, Amare and Townhouse, all hubs of creativity, dynamism and inclusion. Hart is an icon for diversity and in collaboration with a number of Cartagenan businesses, she also launched Spread Your Wings, a weekend of events that take place every two months centred around inclusivity and fun.
MAURITIUS
Homosexuality was criminalised in Mauritius until October 2023, and it remains a relatively conservative destination. Gay weddings are not allowed by law in Mauritius, but Mauritians are pretty ‘live and let live’ according to insiders. Same-sex couples who honeymoon in hotels are very comfortable there. Mauritius’s oldest hotel group, Beachcomber is fully supportive of the gay community, and welcomes LGBTQ+ couples. Honeymooners are offered sparkling wine in-room on arrival, a complimentary two-course lunch and a Beachcomber Experience such as a boat cruise at sunset with drinks.
ITALY
Italy is such a top honeymoon favourite, but how does it fare for same-sex couples? The cities come out top. Milan has a renowned queer neighbourhood, Porto Venezia, and the LGTBQ+ community is strong throughout the city. Rome too is welcoming, according to my own daughter who has travelled there with her girlfriend and encountered no problems. They also felt completely safe in Lucca, a more conservative city.
One way to encounter rural Italy with no problems is to stay at Castelfalfi, once an abandoned medieval Tuscan hamlet, now a thriving estate with rolling countryside, olive groves, ancient vineyards and woodland and elegantly-renovated villas. It’s a place for all honeymooners to come for slow travel and authentic Italian culture. And of course one of the most romantic experiences in the world is boarding the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Venice or Portofino (book with Kirker Holidays).
Also check out The Luxury Holiday Company and Citalia for all things Italy.
SOUTH AFRICA
Mahlatini has been proudly curating luxury, tailormade getaways for LGBTQ+ couples for more than two decades and its staff know which destinations go the extra mile to make couples feel welcomed, safe and celebrated.
South Africa remains one of the top travel spots for LGBTQ+ travellers and is often their first recommendation. Discrimination based on sexual orientation was outlawed in 1996, and the country has a long-standing commitment to LGBTQ+ rights. Cape Town, dubbed South Africa’s “undisputed gay capital” by the TravelGay website, offers world-class beaches, a thriving nightlife, luxury accommodation, and rich cultural experiences. Couples can also combine the Cape with a Big-Five safari in the Greater Kruger region.
Nikki McGreevy, Sales Manager at Mahlatini, says: “Creating a LGBTQ+ friendly itinerary means a little extra planning but you can trust our team to plan a beautifully crafted holiday, with your safety as a top concern. Even with some destinations, such as South Africa, particularly welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, our advice is always to act discreetly; appreciate the local culture and be sensitive to their values.”
KENYA
Kenya’s Maasai Mara may not feel like the obvious choice due to more restrictive legislation, but Mahlatini has had many LGBTQ+ couples travel to Kenya and return with glowing reviews. As Simon Beck, Director of Orbital Communications, who visits Kenya regularly, says, “Kenya is a very inclusive country and the LGBTQ+ community is warmly welcomed where lodges and communities want to show everyone the world-famous experiences of the iconic African safari. A honeymoon in Kenya is wildly romantic and filled with action-packed adventures – the warmth of lodges like Angama will leave you connected to how special the Kenyan people are and how incredible the wildlife is year-round in the Mara.”
SEYCHELLES
For more seclusion and luxury, the Seychelles is a much-loved honeymoon choice. It’s also the only Indian Ocean destination where homosexuality is legal, making it especially appealing to gay couples. The island’s tropical charm, privacy and exceptional five-star resorts make it one of the world’s most iconic spots for a romantic escape. Whether couples want to fly to the Seychelles after an African safari or visit exclusively, we recommend spending time on the main island of Mahe before venturing to a sister island such as Praslin or La Digue, or one of the exclusive private island resorts such as Fregate.
CURACAO
It has to be said up front that the Caribbean cannot be regarded as a gay-friendly region with a whole host of islands outlawing homosexuality. However, Aruba and Curacao, Puerto Rico and St Martin are all gay friendly and super romantic. If you want an all-inclusive resort-based honeymoon, Sandals has been gay-friendly since 2004. Previously its ‘couples only’ policy meant straight couples only. It is now ‘adult only’, and has a new resort in Curacao. One of Sandals’ top travel agents, Jake Goodenough from The Destination Lounge, renewed his vows with his husband at the resort last year.
THAILAND
Thailand is one of Asia’s most welcoming and inclusive countries for LGBTQ+ travellers, known for its warm hospitality and live-and-let-live culture. Same-sex marriage is now legal in Thailand. The Marriage Equality Act, effective from January 2025, makes Thailand the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. Buddhism, the dominant religion, promotes tolerance and does not condemn homosexuality, contributing to a socially accepting environment.
Gender diversity is openly visible in Thai society, with kathoeys (trans women/ladyboys) commonly represented in media, entertainment, and hospitality. Bangkok will host WorldPride in 2028, highlighting Thailand’s progressive stance and global significance within the LGBTQ+ travel space. LGBTQ+ nightlife thrives in Bangkok (Silom), Chiang Mai, and Phuket, while serene escapes like Koh Samui and Khao Lak offer inclusive, discreet luxury.
Thailand’s Tourism Authority’s Go Thai Be Free is a dedicated LGBTQ+ travel campaign promoting welcoming experiences across the country. Honeymooners are spoilt for choice here when it comes to romantic experiences and places to stay. Turquoise Holidays recommends 137 Pillars in Chiang Mai, Kimpton Kitalay in Koh Samui and The Sarojin in Khao Lak as particularly welcoming to LGBTQ+ couples. Inspiring Travel has a huge amount of experience in this region and excels in honeymoon bookings for all.
