Alternative spot for locals in Valparaíso
Calle Blanco 298
Valparaíso, Chile Google map »
Have drinks and tapas with the porteños a few blocks away from Plaza Sotomayor. It’s a great place to hang after a long day of walking the hills of Valparaíso.
The playlist at Exodo is a great selection of alt rock, electronica, and even some Chilean pop classics.
Everything but the kitchen sink to give you a midweek good time. Continue reading Club Instinto
Planning a trip to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, or Uruguay? From our travels to all four countries we’ve created the following list of must-have apps for gay men. (And don’t forget our guide to mobile data and SIM cards.)
Essential! Google Maps over the years has evolved into one of the best ways to navigate unknown territory. The latest update provides the best public transportation directions available. And for walkers, try plugging one earbud in to listen to turn-by-turn audio directions to avoid walking to avoid exposing your mobile phone while barcrawling at night. (Pre-load our Google Maps for Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, and Sao Paulo for offline browsing.)
One note for Buenos Aires, the Moovit app is a highly recommended supplement to Google Maps with some of the best tips for the city’s public transportation system.
We assume most visitors will be walking, taking the bus/metro, or being driven by taxi, but for visitors who will be driving, the Waze app is essential too. And after you finish driving, Onde Parar is the best way to find a parking spot (only available in Brazil.)
More popular, and more available, than Uber in Latin America, the 99Taxi app uses both contracted drivers, and the existing pool of yellow and white taxis. Options like the ability to pay via PayPal are great. One downside is drivers who accept your request and then cancel if a better option appears. 99Taxis was recently in the news after one of their homophobic drivers expelled a gay couple in Rio during Carnival. The company quickly terminated the driver from their service.
This recommendation is mostly for Americans, since the extremely popular WhatsApp is one of the most downloaded mobile apps in the world. In Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America, everyone already knows the app allows free messaging, photo/video sharing, phone calls over wi-fi, and location sharing.
“But, I’m not one of the those types of guys who uses Grindr.” Yes, the world’s most popular mobile app for gay men does have a slutty reputation, but Grindr is what you make it. You can create a G-rated profile stating that you are only looking to meet new people … Or, create and X-rated profile looking for sex. Enjoy Grindr and be safe!
Other hook-up apps with sizeable populations in Latin America are Hornet, Scruff, Adam4Adam, and Disponivel (more about that one below.)
What began as a hook-up website whose biggest competitor was ManHunt (remember them?) has since made the leap into the age of mobile apps to be one of the most popular ways to find men in Brazil. The Disponivel app’s interface now has an English option, but often reverts, or has untranslated Portuguese elements.
Still on top after all these year! If you must have one app for general city info and tourism recommendations (in English), TripAdvisor is the way to go. If your phone has enough storage space, try Foursquare, Yelp, and Vespa.
No, we don’t have a mobile app, but we do have a mobile website! Choose the “Add to Home Screen” option and you’ll see a shiny new icon on your phone which will take you to our listings for restaurants and nightlife whenever you need them.
A 36 year-old businessman will file a claim with the organization “Rio Without Homophobia” against a driver hailed using the 99taxis app (a popular alternative to Uber in Latin America.)
The plaintiff and his boyfriend were ejected from the car in the dead of the night on Avenida Almirante Barroso in downtown Rio. The reason for expelling the couple? One boyfriend fell asleep during the ride resting his head on the other’s shoulder.
They claim the driver informed them “I think you better leave. I don’t want perversion in my car.” as reported by Brazilian newspaper O Globo.
The couple had just left the popular Carnival bloco “Bunytos de Corpo” at 2AM.
The story of the homophobic 99taxis driver sparked a firestorm on Brazilian social media. Shortly thereafter, 99taxis issued a statement in a follow up story by O Globo announcing that the driver in question had been dismissed.
Rio’s most popular gay nightspot! Continue reading Le Boy
Over ten thousand athletes from 206 different countries will converge upon Rio de Janeiro for the 2016 Summer Olympics. The biggest sporting event on the planet promises to attract a record number of tourists. To assist them, the city of Rio has created an English-language guide full of attractions and useful tips. (Try our guide for getting a mobile data and SIM card in Brazil.)
For the many gay tourists who will be visiting the Cidade Maravilhosa, we have created the VamosGay Guide to the 2016 Olympics in Rio. It will build upon our current listings for gay-friendly hotels, restaurants, bars and clubs … and even places to hook up.
The opening ceremonies will take place on August 5 and the Olympic Games will run until the closing ceremony on August 21.
Bookmark vamosgay.com/olympics-2016-rio to view the complete city guide later this year. And, follow VamosGay on Twitter, and Facebook to get the latest updates for #Rio2016.
Guide to LGBT Pride Parade 2016 »
The world’s largest LGBT pride parade in São Paulo Brazil will commemorate its 20th anniversary with a focus on transgender rights. The Parada do Orgulho LGBT de São Paulo is scheduled for Sunday, May 29, and will fill the streets of South America’s largest city. (In 2013, parade organizers estimated over 5 million revelers from across the globe converged on the city’s parade.)
The decision to spotlight transgender rights in 2016, according to the Association of the LGBT Pride Parade [in Portuguese] is to both recognize the role of transgender individuals in the fight for LGBT rights, and to gain momentum in the push for Brazil’s Gender Identity Law. This new legislation (named for João W Nery, Brazil’s first declared male transsexual) is currently under review.
Guide to LGBT Pride Parade 2016 »
Click for our 2016 gay guide to Rio »
Performances take center stage at this long-standing nightspot. Continue reading Il Tempo
Uruguay’s capital city, Montevideo, is surprisingly easy to navigate. The city shoulders the coastline of the Rio de la Plata, and a 14 mile long stretch of waterfront (known as La Rambla) connects six neighborhoods of interest to gay travelers: Ciudad Vieja, Centro, Palermo, Punta Carretas, Parque Rodo, and Playa Pocitos.
The following is a short list of gay-friendly places to stay with easy access to museums, restaurants, and nightlife. Contrary to the stereotype of homophobic machismo, Uruguay is famous for its live-and-let-live attitudes. Expect a warm welcome at the front desk of any of the places listed below.
Waterfront hotel with lovely views located in the Punta Carretas section (located between gay-friendly beach Playa Pocitos and Parque Rodo.)
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Intimate guesthouse situated in a 1930s Art-deco building offers modern rooms and individual kitchens.
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Editor’s Choice 2016
Stylish and spacious, The Esplendor is well designed with luxury amenities. (The Esplendor’s gorgeous rooftop view is shown at the photo above.) Using our Google Map of gay Montevideo, you will see the hotel is within walking distance of many nightspots and tourist attractions. Surprisingly, the rates are consistently low. Click below to view photos and get more info on the Esplendor.
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Great inexpensive option near many of the city’s museums that you could use as your base of operations as you explore Montevideo’s rich history. Try to snag one of the rooms with a view of Rio de la Plata for an extra-special stay!
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Simple gay owned-and-operated guest house. Staying at La Puerta is great for those on a budget who would like to stay with friendly helpful guests who are full of insider tips.
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The gay alternative to AirBnB is now available in Latin America! Click below to browse gay-hosted apartments across Montevideo.
Ranked as one of the top five hotels in Montevideo, My Suites is a jewel of a hotel located on gay-friendly Pocitos beach. The hotel’s bar is a destination for wine aficionados and is one of the main attractions of the hotel. Click below to view photos and learn more about My Suites.
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Five-star luxury in the heart of Montevideo. This is the place for wealthy visitors looking for a flawless stay within walking distance of many of Montevideo’s gay and cultural attractions.
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Over in the Punta Carretas section, the other five-star option is the Sheraton Montevideo. Some travelers’ have reported that the neighboring Dazzler Montevideo is a close 2nd choice for a luxury stay in Punta Carretas.
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Not to be confused with the stylishly modern Esplendor, the Splendido is a low-cost option in the old city center directly across the street. The Splendido is a cheap hotel, but its reviews are very good.
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Reviews are excellent for this bed-and-breakfast where guests really would like to spend “one more night.” They have a fireplace, a terrace, and many other charming amenities.
Travelers visiting Montevideo as a side trip from Buenos Aires will find Uruguay’s food scene similar to Argentina’s. There is a huge Italian influence. Beef is plentiful. And the dinner hour starts at 8PM and extends well into the night.
This list of gay-friendly food destinations in Montevideo includes some of the city’s best fine dining establishments and simple places to grab a chivito, the big-and-tasty national sandwich of Uruguay. Check out the VamosGay Google Map of Montevideo to navigate one of the most gay-friendly cities in Latin America!
Bacacay 1306
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Mon – Sat 10AM – 1AM
Views of the majestic Teatro Solis make Cafe Bacacay a popular destination. They have a full restaurant menu and their steak & fries are as popular as the coffee & pastries. Simple decor. Friendly service.
Durazno 1402
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Sun 12PM – 8PM
Tue – Fri 11AM – 1AM
Sat 12PM – 3AM
Ranked as the #1 destination for desserts in Montevideo, Candy Bar Palermo has much more than sweets. It is also one of the city’s best restopubs with great food and well-crafted cocktails. Sunday brunch from 12 to 4 is highly recommended, but beware the space is small and may be crowded.
Luis de la Torre 502
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Mon – Sat 9AM – 12AM
Not really gay or straight … just a great restaurant at the top of the list of the places to try a chivito, the national sandwich of Uruguay, which consists primarily of a thin slice of filet mignon, with mozzarella, tomatoes, mayonnaise, black or green olives, and may often include bacon, fried or hard-boiled eggs and ham.” El Tinkal is located near the Rambla (Montevideo’s waterfront) and is a good place to fuel up for a long walk.
Luis de la Torre 502
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Sun – Sat 8PM – 12AM
Fine dining at one of the best restaurants in Montevideo! Browse the Francis website and work up an appetite for seafood, salads, and their parrilla menu of grilled steaks, ribs, barbecued chicken and lamb.
Perez Castellano 1442
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Tue – Sun 12PM – 4PM
Thu – Sat 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
One of the top 10 places to eat in Montevideo is also gay-friendly … and an excellent option for vegetarians and vegans in a city full of carnivores. (But, don’t worry, La Fonda’s menu includes a few options of chicken, fish, and red meat to keep everyone happy.) Make a note of the restaurant’s hours for lunch and dinner above. La Fonda has a tendency to open a bit later and close a bit earlier than advertised.
Reconquista 587
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
With a small menu of salads, sandwiches, and sweet treats similar to what one might find at the cafe of a museum, La Pasionaria is a charming place to have a snack and browse its boutique of items from Uruguayan artists.
Avenida 18 de Julio 1350
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
This traditional diner with a full menu is famous for its hot dogs. Gay travelers can’t resist taking selfies in front of the restaurant’s logo La Pasiva (Spanish slang for “the bottom role in gay sex.”) The restaurant’s logo also includes a cartoonish boy ready to swallow a gigantic sausage! The restaurant chain has several locations. La Pasiva on Avenida 18 de Julio is the most iconic and sits at the center of gay Montevideo.
Av. Gonzalo Ramírez 1483
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Mon – Fri 12PM – 3:30PM & 8PM – 12AM
Sat 12PM – 4PM & 8PM – 1AM
Sun 12PM – 4PM
One of Montevideo’s best parrilla restaurants with great grilled meats and Italian dishes is also one of the city’s longtime gay-friendly dining destinations. La Cocina de Pedro stellar menu is matched with exceptional service.
Solano Garcia 2455
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Mon – Sat 12PM – 4PM
Lunchtime delicacies and pastries. Philomene Cafe is the place to enjoy tea-for-two with your pinky finger extended.
Canelones 1985
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
⛔ Update 3/3/2016 Currently closed with no status on when it will re-open. We will update this listing if more info becomes available.
Theo is a gastropub with solid menu featuring creative daily specials. Aside from the food, Theo has cultivated a crowd of attractive young gay guys. (Is the masculine bearded logo of Theo trying to tell us something?) Check the Theo Facebook page for events like live music on Thursdays.
