Even travelers who like to avoid anything remotely “touristy” can not resist the urge to walk the sands of Ipanema while drinking a caipirinha and admiring the beautiful bronze bodies. The rich texture of gay Rio de Janeiro extends beyond the rainbow beach towels of the city’s tourist section, but it’s a great place to start! Continue reading Gay Guide to Rio de Janeiro
Category Archives: latin america
Rio de Janeiro Gay Pride 2020
The 25th LGBTI Pride of Rio de Janeiro will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2020.
Rio’s Pride Parade traditionally begins on Copacabana Beach and runs through Avenida Atlantica.
View the VamosGay Guide to Rio »
Join our VamosGay Rio mailing list and get the latest updates.
Plan your trip now with our guide to the top gay-friendly hotels and places to stay in Rio de Janeiro! And check back for a full schedule of festivities once pride week events are confirmed.
Travel Deals for 2020
Have you realized a new decade is coming? Now is the perfect time to plan your travel for 2020! Here is the VamosGay shortlist of websites with the best travel deals.
Flight Deals & Vacation Packages
Expedia.com – Pretty good for flights, but highly recommended for packages deals. You may find lower rates if you search hard enough on other sites, but when buying an entire package, Expedia customer support is the strong arm you may need to change or cancel an expensive flight and hotel combo.
Iberia Airlines – European carrier with many cheap flights to South America. Add them to your list of sites to search and you’ll be surprised.
TAM / LAN Airlines – The merged juggernaut of South American carriers (now known as LATAM) offers many direct deals.
Skyscanner ★ Editor’s Choice: Lowest Airfares
This site can be simple if you are just looking for the lowest price, but also lets users dig in and compare prices across airline companies and departure dates. SkyScanner.com is great place to squeeze out the lowest price not just for Latin America, but across the globe.
Cheapflights.com – The name says it all. If it doesn’t have the lowest price for an international flight, it will definitely link to it.
Where to Stay
Booking.com – Highly-recommended one-stop shopping for hotels. Consistently low-prices and the option to book without pre-paying makes this a favorite.
AirBnB – Fabulous places to stay across the globe with large number of gay men. If you’ve never stayed with AirBnB before, start browsing and get a discount.
VRBO – A serious AirBnB competitor that is worth checking out. Over the years, VRBO has been luring properties away from other platforms and has a great portfolio of places to stay around the world. Search VRBO.com now and see what’s available.
Getting Around with Uber
Taxis in Latin America don’t have the best reputation. Uber provides a safe and easy option for club hopping or just getting to the airport. Click any of these links for Buenos Aires, Mexico City, Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, and Sao Paulo. (Use the discount code ubervamosgay for a lower rate.)
Tour Guides
Viator Rio de Janeiro – Need a personal tour guide you can trust to show you the best of gay Rio de Janeiro? We recommend Viator’s Guided Tour of Rio de Janeiro’s gay nightlife.
Gay Guide to Santiago Chile
In 2015, Chile legalized same-sex civil unions lifting the nation one step higher on the list of gay travel destinations. Chile’s energetic capital city Santiago has been the epicenter for the country’s flourishing gay culture with a multitude of hotels, restaurants, bars, and adults-only places to visit.
This guide to gay Santiago has a particular focus on the Bellavista neighborhood, the heart of the city which lies between the Mapocho River and San Cristóbal Hill. Bellavista is known as Santiago’s bohemian quarter, with new hip restaurants, boutiques, and avant-garde galleries occupying loft spaces and lordly mansions that punctuate tree-lined streets awash with colorful antique homes. Many of the city’s esteemed intellectuals and artists live in Bellavista, following in the footsteps of its most famous denizen, Pablo Neruda.
In the evening, Bellavista pulses to the beat of music pouring from its many discos and bars. Gay nightlife is easy to find on the colorful Bombero Núñez street. On weekends, there is an evening handicrafts market that runs the length of Pío Nono. The area is served by the Baquedano Metro subway station, located just across the river. (Try our Google map of gay Santiago to help navigate the city.)
Update for the VamosGay 2020 Guide to Santiago
Last year, Chile and a number of other countries were rocked by protests and civil unrest. In October 2019, the capital city Santiago became ground zero for the Chilean protests. Santiago is still one of the top LGBT-friendly destinations and social life continues despite the protests near major landmarks. But, check international news reports and be aware of the situation.
Bars & ClubsA to Z listing of every bar, lounge, and club. |
HotelsGay-friendly places to stay in Santiago. |
Restaurants & CafesMeals to remember, or just a late night snack. |
Sex & SaunasAn up-to-date list of Santiago’s hottest spots. |
Gay-Friendly Paraty & Villa Harmonia
One of the most popular gay-friendly bed-and-breakfast in Paraty, the charming destination just outside of Rio de Janeiro.
Paraty is best described in the Lonely Planet Guide to Rio de Janeiro as …
… a nature-lover’s paradise, offering some of southeastern Brazil’s prettiest coastal and mountain scenery. Dozens of pristine beaches are easily accessible by boat or bus, while inland, the Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina protects a lush remnant of mata atlântica (Atlantic rainforest).
Throughout the year, Paraty brims with Brazilian and international vacationers. The town’s cosmopolitan flavor is further enhanced by the multitude of artists, writers and chefs, both Brazilian and foreign, who have settled here.
Villa Harmonia is well located within walking distance of Paraty’s main attractions. The well-staffed bed-and-breakfast is very gay friendly, although, expect the over half of the guest to be friendly heteros. For gay couples, we highly recommend booking the “superior room with the garden view. Click below for more info, photos, and to check availability.
View hotel details/lowest rate
Paraty is full all year, but the high season starts in November and continues through March. In 2020, Carnival runs from Friday, February 21 and run through a wild extended weekend to Tuesday, February 26. But, we recommend the week before Carnival in Paraty. And Villa Harmonia is an excellent place to spend it!
Gay Guide to Buenos Aires
Legendary nightlife, extraordinary architecture … and porteños (the Spanish word for the men of the port city Buenos Aires.) These are a few of the many of the reasons why Argentina’s capital city remains a gay travel mecca. Our 2019 guide to the Buenos Aires’ bars and clubs is an excellent way to find the best of the city.
Booking.comFor gay travelers, the city’s pride parade (the Marcha del Orgullo Gay) often takes place on first Saturday of November (this year, 29th Annual Pride Parade is scheduled to start at 11am on Saturday November 2, 2019.) This date is perfectly timed with the start of spring in South America. Tourists will find warm temperatures, hot guys, and blooming jacaranda trees.
International flights to Buenos Aires are frequent, but not cheap (check for flight deals to EZE airport.) A few years ago, visitors from certain countries are required to pay a “reciprocity fee” before entering Argentina, but this fee for US citizens has been revoked.
For general tourist information, we still recommend the Lonely Planet: Guide to Buenos Aires. Combine it with our up-to-date gay guide below and you will fall in love with Buenos Aires!
Bars & ClubsA to Z listing of every bar, lounge, and club. |
HotelsBest gay-friendly places to stay in BA. |
Restaurants & CafesUse our Google Map to find over a dozen popular places. |
Visit MontevideoTake a short trip and discover this gay-friendly city. |
Bars & Clubs of Gay Buenos Aires
Navigating nightlife in BsAs (the shorthand code for one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world) is easy. Each of the neighborhoods is walkable, or accessible by a short metro or cab ride. Recoleta and Palermo are have the most options. Pick any of the gay-friendly hotels of Buenos Aires from our list and you will be in the center of almost everything. (There are even options for gay tango!)
Nightlife starts late with many places opening doors at 11:30PM. Early birds should try bars like Sitges, Peuteo, and Flux Bar before hitting big clubs like Glam and Amerika (pictured above.) Restaurants also stay up late and can be great pre-club options. Use the VamosGay Google Map to Gay Buenos Aires to find over a dozen popular places to eat and navigate your night of bar crawling.
And, don’t forget … our list of gay friendly hotels and places to stay in Buenos Aires will give you the best perfect spots to rest between parties. In 2019, Gay Pride will take place on Saturday, November 2nd starting at 11am at the Plaza de Mayo and ending at 6pm at Plaza Congreso.
Amerika
Size matters! And it doesn’t get much bigger than Amerika.
Full review & details for Amerika »
Bach Bar
Simple bar with a local following. Gay men and lesbians, but much more popular with the ladies.
Visit Bach Bar on Facebook »
Chupitos Bar
Festive place with a wild menu of specialty shots, and bartenders that keep the party rolling.
Full review & details for Chupitos Bar »
Contramano
Daddies, and Hustlers, and Bears … Oh My! Experience one of Buenos Aires’ oldest gay bars.
Full review & details for Contramano »
Euphoria
Relatively new addition to the row of gay and gay-friendly bars on Gurruchaga street. During the week, it’s one of the few options open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as the weekend.
More info and updates on the EuphoriaBA Instagram
Furiosa
Weekend parties (mostly at Club Niceto on Saturdays)
More info and events on the Furiosa Facebook
Fiesta Puerca
Saturday night dance party (mostly held at Teatro Vorterix) with a young mixed crowd.
More info and events on the Fiesta Puerca Facebook
Fiesta Jolie
Young and fun! Every Wednesday.
Full review & details for Fiesta Jolie »
Flux Bar
The best happy hour cocktail.
Full review & details for Flux Bar »
Glam
Editor’s Choice 2019: Best Thursday Night Club (Saturday’s are hot too!)
Full review & details for Glam »
Jungle Bar
Show place and cruising bar.
Visit Jungle Bar on Facebook »
KM Zero
Strippers and drag continue to draw tourists to one of Buenos Aires most well known bars.
Full review & details for KM Zero »
Ma.Cho
Catch these parties when you can! Fun young crowds of locals. Ma.Cho parties are occasionally in nightclubs like Glam, but sometimes at trendy rooftops, and even pools! Visit our MaCho gay parties in Buenos Aires page for links to the latest party. Sometime you can even catch them in Montevideo!
Full review & details for MaCho
New Inside
Lively gay gastropub and a nice option for drinks and a bit to eat before 10pm. Also, a fun spot on to spend a late Sunday afternoon.
More info and events on the New Inside Facebook
Peuteo
Editor’s Choice: Best Bar Buenos Aires 2019
Full review & details for Peuteo »
Sitges
An easy first stop for tourists visiting Buenos Aires.
Full review & details for Sitges »
Work Bar
On Thursdays and Sundays, drink specials attract a nice selection of men. DJs are the main attraction on Fridays.
More info and updates on the Work Bar Facebook
Zoom
Have a friendly beer … or a hardcore encounter at this bar/bathhouse hybrid.
Full review & details for Zoom »
Peuteo Palermo SOHO
A must visit in on of Buenos Aires trendiest neighborhoods.
Coco BelLavista (Club Principe)
A trashy good time. Continue reading Coco BelLavista (Club Principe)
Hotels of Gay-Friendly Buenos Aires
From luxurious five-star hotels to charming bed-and-breakfasts, the following short list of gay-friendly places to stay in Buenos Aires is a diverse selection.
Nearly all are located the three biggest gayborhoods of Palermo, Recoleta, and San Telmo. Many of them a short walk from the gay bars and clubs of Buenos Aires.
Algodon Mansion
Set in the upscale Recoleta neighbourhood, Algodon Mansion offers chic rooms with free Wi-Fi and complimentary wine. Guests can relax in the sauna room and enjoy the rooftop swimming pool and sun deck.
View hotel details/lowest rate
Art Factory Palermo
Chic and lively hostel located in the trendy Palermo district. The walls of Art Factory’s rooms outdoor seating area feature a dazzling array of colorful works from local artists.
View hotel details/lowest rate
BA4U Apartments
Gay-owned and operated apartment service in Buenos Aires. A good choice for long-term stays in BA for those looking for apartments loaded with amenities.
View hotel details/lowest rate
Be Trimos Hotel (formerly Axel)
The fabulous gay hotel chain Axel Hotels has closed its Buenos Aires location. But, under new management, the hotel retains its impeccable designer décor, garden views of the trendy San Telmo district. The hotel’s pool is still popular, but with less eye-candy.
View hotel details/lowest rate
Che Lulu Guesthouse
Fully furnished apartments and rooms with shared bathrooms with touches of designer style. Full kitchens and private patios.
View hotel details/lowest rate
Faena Hotel
Five-star design hotel offering plush accommodation in upscale Puerto Madero. The Faena Hotel is also the home of the opulent Tango Rojo.
View hotel details/lowest rate
Home Hotel
Boasting an outdoor swimming pool, spa facilities and a chic garden, Home Hotel is an excellent option (some rooms feature spa baths, private terraces and city views.)
Home Hotel also offers DJ nights in the garden every Friday during the summer season, and guests can chill out with a drink at the cocktail bar before stepping out in Palermo, a neighborhood full of shopping and nightlife options.
View hotel details/lowest rate
Legado Mitico Buenos Aires
Stylish boutique hotel featuring spacious rooms with thematic décor inspired by the Argentinean culture and history. Click below for more info and a photo gallery of Legado Mitico’s rich interior design.
View hotel details/lowest rate
Lugar Gay Bed & Breakfast
Located in the San Telmo neighborhood, Lugar Gay is a great option near many of Buenos Aires’ architectural landmarks and tango attractions. Friendly staff are the main attraction. Private rooms are available as well as dormitory/hostel-style lodging.