If the unique culture of gay New Orleans still isnt Caribbean enough for your tastes, consider traveling a little farther into the sea. Puerto Ricans are American citizens, but their culture is wonderfully different while still familiar. For American citizens, that means you dont need a passportnor a visa! While the majority language is Spanish, you can still get around speaking English. Still, its fun to test your memory of your high school Spanish as a sign of respect for your hosts.
Despite the relative newness of the gay scene in PR, the island already boasts a good number of gay-friendly clubs, restaurants, hotels, and bars. For up-to-date local info on gay and lesbian events on the island, look for the local gay information and travel newspaper, Puerto Rico Breeze, when you get off the plane. When it comes to nightlife in Puerto Rico, two districts in the capital city, San Juan, are your best bets for unforgettable nights out: Condado and Santurce. Condado gets the overall gold for nightlife fun but Santurce is home to the most gay and gay-friendly discotecas and bars. Our vote? Give each district a go and let us know which you prefer. San Juan also offers plenty of daytime activities including historic fort tours, the Bacardi Rum Distillery, historic cathedrals, and a myriad markets and plazas.
So, whats the main reason youre thinking about a Caribbean vacation? Beaches! Puerto Rico has lots of sandy beaches, and they are diverse enough to please any taste. Some of the beaches offer plenty of things to do, such as trying a sail boat, riding a personal water craft and more. If you prefer quiet solitude, many of Puerto Ricos beaches will fit the bill. I like to switch back and forth. One day Ill go to a beach filled with lots of activities; another day, I might pack up my summer book and secure my quiet place.
If you prefer not to use every day playing or sunning on a beach, I suggest going on a day trip. You might quickly be in a completely different environment on this island. Are you interested in hiking, climbing, spelunking or kayaking? You can do all of those activities just a short distance away. Although Puerto Rico is relatively small, you may spend your time doing a a large number of interesting activities.
On par with the islands vast bio-diversity, the cultural diversity of Puerto Rico is rich and intriguing. Puerto Rican culture today is a rich combination of the three different cultural groupsAfrican, Taino (Amerindian), and Spanishthat have historically come into contact on the island. Both cultural festivals and a variety of museums are available throughout the year to facilitate your learning about the unique political and cultural history of this island.
If you are interested in investigating other warm spots for your gay travelor travel for anyone, think about any of these other alternatives:
BustlingSingapore
Sydney
Sinful Las Vegas
However you choose to spend your time in PR, dont forget to relax while enjoying the beauty, adventure, and romance of this diverse island!