During LGBTQ pride month, the world celebrates inclusion and diversity. But which destinations in Latin America and the best places to do that?
Finding a welcoming vacation destination is important, regardless of when you travel. But the month of June is an especially good time to consider the places that truly roll out the rainbow carpet, as several destinations in Latin America showcase their inclusiveness with vibrant LGBTQ pride parades and celebrations. From Mexico to the Caribbean, from Central to South America, you’ll find LGBTQ-friendly destinations that celebrate pride. We’re going to highlight a few of the top LGBTQ pride celebrations in Latin America.
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Airbnb recently published its own listing of the top 50 worldwide pride celebrations, based on the total nights booked on its platform over respective pride weekends. Latin America scored particularly well in the top five:
- Vienna, Austria (June 10-12, 2022)
- São Paulo, Brazil (June 17-19, 2022)
- Mexico City, Mexico (June 24-26, 2022)
- Marseille, France (July 1-3, 2022)
- Puerto Vallarta, Mexico (May 20-22, 2022)
- Seattle, USA (June 24-26, 2022)
It shouldn’t be a surprise that São Paulo ranks high, since it hosts what is, by many counts, the world’s largest LGBTQ pride celebration. Brazil has long been one of Latin America’s most welcoming countries for LGBTQ travelers, and while the nation’s current president may be far from the most progressive, Brazil as a whole remains a relatively friendly place to visit. São Paulo also scored an impressive third place in the “Top 10 trending Prides versus 2019” category, indicating big growth in terms of year-over-year surges in nights booked for pre-pandemic pride events.
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LGBTQ pride in Mexico City scores an impressive third place in this listing, which is also not surprising, since Mexico City is one of the largest cities in the world and is also one of the most progressive cities in Latin America (it was the first in Latin America to legalize same sex marriage). The Mexico City pride march is one of my favorite pride events in the world, and I’ve attended several times (you can see my video and photos of last year’s Mexico City pride here).
While much smaller in size, the city of Puerto Vallarta is Mexico’s highest-profile destination for LGBTQ travelers looking for a beach vacation. Its gay beach, countless LGBTQ-friendly businesses (including LGBTQ bars, clubs, hotels and restaurants) make this a perennial favorite for many travelers, and pride celebrations make it an even more festive place to visit.
Another vacation rental company, HomeToGo, has also come up with its listing of the top pride festivals in the world for 2022. Latin America did well in the rankings, with São Paulo coming in at number 7 (in between London, Madrid and Amsterdam), Mexico City scoring in 9th place, and Buenos Aires and Bogota ranking at number 20 and 26, respectively. Argentina has long been a favored LGBTQ vacation destination, and Colombia has gained a devoted following among LGBTQ travelers in recent years, so it’s good to see Bogota scoring impressively. HomeToGo determined its rankings based on the following criteria: excellent travel connections, vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife, LGBTQ+ friendly laws, and affordable accommodation.
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In highlighting the latest LGBTQ travel trends, Airbnb also cited the results of a recent study conducted by Gay Times, which survey 15,000 LGBTQ-identifying people. Here’s what they found:
● Nearly two-thirds of LGBTQ+ respondents embraced travel abroad as restrictions eased throughout the pandemic, making travel a key priority for the community
● 60% of the community seek out LGBTQ+ experiences while traveling emphasizing the importance of Pride celebrations and destinations showcasing their inclusiveness and diversity.
Wherever and however you celebrate pride this month, I hope it’s a memorable experience. Please feel free to share your questions and travel tips about LGBTQ travel in Latin America!
I’m a travel writer, travel blogger and Mexico travel specialist, and I love sharing travel tips to make your next vacation or business trip better. I also have a new memoir coming out this year: Prepare for Departure: Notes on a Single Mother, a Misfit Son, Inevitable Mortality and the Enduring Allure of Frequent Flyer Miles. Pre-publication sales start in May 2022 and the book publishes in July 2022.
Please feel free to share your comments, experiences and questions about Mexico travel and Latin America travel and vacations!
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