By: Mitch Laffins AKA Darla Gayle
Pura Vida. (pure life). Is there a better way to greet your friends, family, or just random strangers? While exploring Costa Rica you are guaranteed to hear this as soon as you arrive at the airport. Don’t worry gays, Costa Rica is very GAY FRIENDLY! Costa Rica is on the top of the LGBT travel list for many!
Since Costa Rica is very Gay friendly many LGBT people such as myself keep returning to experience the outdoor adventures, scenery, and friendly culture that this country has to offer. I was in Costa Rica three times during 2010 so I am able to give you a more up close and personal look at this gay friendly travel destination.
Costa Rica is a country where you are able to escape your normal routine and get in touch with your inner self. From hiking, relaxing in a hot spring, swimming in the ocean, or zip lining hundreds of feet through the rain forest you are bound to have a gay soulful experience.
San Jose:
San Jose is where most people touchdown on the runway. Some people love to spend a few nights here and then head north to La Fortuna. But many people fly in, rent a car, and head right out to La Fortuna.
San Jose is a great place to get your fix of nightlife. Avispa is one of the larger LGBT clubs in Costa Rica and is always going to provide a fun evening. (always check to see what the nightly events are) Other bars and clubs that are popular: Club Oh, Pucho’s Bar and El Bochinche.
In San Jose you can also get your cruising on. The bathhouses in Costa Rica like many international bathhouses allow you to drink alcoholic beverages while cruising naked for hot locals or fellow travelers. If you are into the arousing type of soul search check out Sauna Club Hispalis and Sauna Paris.
La Fortuna (Arenal Volcano):
La Fortuna is a relaxing city (town). It is not very large at all. Everyone must make the 3.5 hour drive (94 miles) to get there. It is a beautiful destination. You can hike the Arenal Volcano and watch the lava erupt, drive to the back side of the volcano at night to watch the red lava slide down the side of Arenal, take the hike down to the La Fortuna Waterfall which consists of about 470 steps that are not typical steps. Once you are at the bottom, you will be so happy you hiked down, took a swim (at your own risk) and then you will remember you have to hike up. But seriously, it is worth the exercise!
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is on top of the hill above the town of Quepos. It is the gayest place to visit in Costa Rica. There are many gay hotels and gay friendly hotels in this area. The most popular and always the hotel I stay at is called the Hotel Villa Roca. This hotel offers a beautiful pool and also a tucked away hot tub for you to enjoy.
During the day there is a “gay beach” in Manuel Antonio that isn’t quite as gay as it used to be. You can still hike down and across the rocks to get to the beach. Also you can enjoy one of my favorite excursions in Costa Rica right out of Manuel Antonio. You can enjoy a full day of white water rafting with the gay friendly tour company “Unique Tours – Costa Rica”.
At night make sure you check out the local bars and clubs. There is one bar that is a dedicated gay bar in Manuel Antonio called Liquid. There are other bars that are super gay friendly and have gay nights as well like, Barba Roja, Bar Latino and Disco Arco Iris (down the hill in Quepos).
Heading back to San Jose
After a whirlwind drive around Costa Rica (in your rental car) make sure you drive home safely from Manuel Antonio to San Jose. The drive takes about 2 hours or less, (depending on traffic and street conditions). Make sure to stop at local “Sodas”. Sodas are similar to what we would call a taqueria. Sodas often serve the typical plate in Costa Rica called Casado, which consists of rice and beans, meat or fish, fried plantains, and a carrot, tomato, and cabbage salad. Sodas are often in the homes of the local Costa Ricans and have some of the best food I have eaten in Costa Rica!!