LGBTQ+ Friendly Travel in Colombia
Renowned worldwide for its diverse landscapes, vibrant nightlife and wealth of fascinating cities, the South American nation of Colombia has been vaulted to stardom in recent years.
With international visitors flocking to its Caribbean coast and incredible Andes mountains in abundance and as an added bonus, this sprawling nation serves as a particularly alluring destination for LGBTQ+ visitors in particular.
Colombia’s larger cities support a wide variety of gay friendly areas for visitors to enjoy. Citizens are granted the right to same sex marriage, the right for same sex couples to adopt children and the option for adults to legally change their gender. These rights cement Colombia’s status as one of South America’s most progressive nations in regards to gay issues.
While Colombia has undergone a major transformation over the last 20 years and although Catholicism is still strong here, Colombian society is often considered more tolerant compared to its neighbours. It is, however, worth noting that the macho attitude still persists somewhat in rural areas, particularly near the coast.
Colombia’s progressive legal rights and protections has won the country the title of best LGBTQ+ emerging destination at the FITUR 2017 travel trade show in Madrid and is one of the reasons why Colombia was considered the leading LGBTQ+ Destination in South America in 2018, by the World Travel Awards.
As LGBTQ+ travellers to Colombia, you are very unlikely to face any practical problems, especially in touristy areas. As with most countries in the world, there will always exist an element of homophobia, particularly in rural communities around the coast.
Travel can be stressful in many ways and navigating a vacation as a member of a marginalized community can make the journey exponentially more difficult. Yet when it comes to South American countries, Colombia’s largest cities offer a particularly accepting environment that is perfectly suited for gay visitors.
Whether you are hoping to explore the nation’s hip nightclubs, discover the pristine beauty of its national parks, find a new favourite dish or experience all three in one day, both Colombia and BnB Colombia Tours are certain to offer a truly memorable experience that is in equal parts welcoming and captivating.
LGBTQ+ travellers are natural thrill seekers and Colombia’s great outdoors has a variety of landscapes, making any type of adventure sport you can imagine possible. From hiking in the Amazon rainforest to paragliding over the Andes for breathtaking views over Bogotá, to kayaking along rivers escorted by pink dolphins to diving with whale sharks on the Pacific coast. In Colombia, the only limits are the ones you put on yourself.
Colombia is a destination that can be visited throughout the year. In terms of weather, it varies depending on where you go, as altitude primarily dictates the climate. The capital city, Bogotá, lies in the Andes mountains at an altitude of 2,640m/8,661 feet.
Bogotá is much cooler than other parts of the country, with average temperatures between 12- 14 °C/54- 57°F throughout the year. On the other extreme, Cartagena and the coastal areas have a very humid, tropical climate with average temperatures staying well over 27°C/80°F throughout the year.
Medellín, on the other hand, is the perfect compromise between the two. The weather here is more spring-like, with average temperatures at around 15- 18 °C/59-65°F throughout the year.
For this reason, Medellín is famed as the City of Eternal Spring.
The two principal cities, Bogotá and Medellín, each have a large gay neighbourhood, especially Chapinero in Bogotá, where you can find the mega-club Theatron, the largest LGBTQ+ club in Latin America.
On the Caribbean coast, Cartagena is Colombia’s most visited city and also very popular with LGBTQ+ travellers. Colombia is definitely a country with appeal for LGBTQ+ travellers thanks to its many fascinating places of interest.
Consider planning a trip around one of the many festivals taking place throughout the year. Some of the best include the carnival in Barranquilla in February, the Medellín Flower Festival in August or the Salsa Festival in Cali in September.
LGBTQ+ dating apps in Colombia
When using dating apps in Colombia, Hornet and Grindr are among the most popular for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly with gay men.
Grindr is primarily a hook up app, but people can find friends on there too. Be extremely cautious when meeting people you do not know and always in a public setting.
However, you may find language barriers, so it is a good idea to have a basic understanding of Spanish.
Top Safety Tips, especially if using dating apps:
- To stay safe, be aware of your surroundings and always know your limits.
- Never accept drinks or food from a stranger or leave your drink unattended. Do not at any time drink past your capability to make responsible decisions.
- Women may find that they receive quite a bit of attention from Colombian men.
Most of the time, it is just harmless flirting and you do not need to worry.
Nevertheless, take precautions when approached by a stranger, especially in bars and nightclubs.
If you are not interested, do not be too friendly. - Before travelling, learn a few Spanish phrases to reject any unwanted advances. This can help you get out of an uncomfortable situation.
- Solo travellers are more often a target for street crime.
Walking around cities and towns during the day is generally safe, with the normal precautions applicable.
However, wherever you are always ask about the safest areas and be sure to take a taxi/Uber over walking late at night. At all times, walk with confidence and purpose and never carry too many valuables with you.
Each of the cities has a thriving gay scene with a wide range of bars, clubs and even neighbourhoods of their own. Colombia has never looked so good for LGBTQ+ globetrotters.
Here are some of the country’s top LGBTQ+ destinations:
Colombia’s gay scene is booming and gay Bogotá is leading the movement, alongside equally hedonistic Medellín, with all-night parties centred in Chapinero.
While care should still be taken in less developed areas, gay life in Bogotá is out and proud, underlined by a colourful social tapestry on full display during the carnivalesque Pride Parade in late June or early July.
Bogotá is one of the best cities to celebrate Pride in Colombia thanks to the large number of annual festivities that take place there.
For over twenty years, the city has been the centre of Colombia Pride for the LGBTQ+ community, and today the celebration is one of the best in all of South America.
Bogotá
Just as colourful is Bogotá’s culinary scene, which brings hearty regional classics such as cheesy arepas, wrapped tamales and empanadas to the deserved attention of the world.
It is easy to have a trouble-free vacation here. Today, you will find boutique hotels, fancy stores and world-class restaurants, all of which drive Bogotá to become one of South America’s trendiest capitals, while still maintaining a fair amount of grit.
Experience all night gay parties in Chapinero, stunning natural surroundings and a modern food scene that will leave you wanting more.
Bogotá’s Chapinero gaybourhood alone is home to the most gay bars in all of Colombia. However, Chapinero’s principal draw comes from the legendary super club that is Theatron. Possibly the most famous gay club in the world, Theatron is more of an adult playground holding a labyrinth of different clubs within. There are close to twenty different dance floors and no night ever plays out the same.
This renowned nightclub is regarded as one of the largest gay clubs on the planet, with guests gathering in droves on Saturdays to enjoy the diverse music selection along with the weekly drag show. While fiestas are commonplace in Bogotá, arrive in July for the street party of them all, Bogotá Pride.
Medellín, A City Transformed
If Medellín is not your first stop in Colombia, you will surely hear about the wild nightlife and liberal atmosphere in gay Medellín even before arriving.
A major theme of this thriving city is social transformation and this ideal has led Medellín to embrace the diversity of those who live there.
The second largest city in Colombia, Medellín, is home to a thriving LGBTQ+ community and this influence can be seen as you explore this fabulous destination. So it will come as no surprise that Medellín holds the biggest LGBT+ community outside of Bogotá, much of which is on full display.
Track down gay life easily in the city, by heading to the hip neighbourhood of El Poblado around Parque Lleras. As well as hosting mixed bars, clubs, restaurants and grand shopping areas, Poblado is where most gay clubs and LGBT+ events take place. You may also choose to brave the rough and ready bars around downtown or keep it sophisticated within the residential area of Laureles.
Medellín Pride takes place at the end of June, bringing the celebration into the streets. In fact, the entire community, not just those who identify as LGBTQ+ comes together to celebrate during the month of June, taking over the streets of Medellín as part of a grand fiesta.
In 2023 it attracted around 90,000 attendees and culminated in an all-night party in Parque de las Luces. At other times, make your own fiesta with a hike up to the Hills of Three Crosses or arrange a relaxed gay meeting at the Park Ciudad del Rio on weekends, the perfect place to wind down after a noteworthy night out.
Experience the welcoming atmosphere in this vibrant city and let Bnb Colombia Tours design your bespoke adventure.
Cartagena, Jewel of the Caribbean
Considered one of Colombia’s most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations, Cartagena is a fortress city with a spicy Caribbean climate in the north of Colombia.
Visitors are welcomed with open arms, inviting them to explore its fascinating culture and heart-warming community.
Open-mindedness is a clear characteristic illustrated throughout the city and travellers can find the LGBTQ+ scene of Cartagena woven into the historic Getsemaní neighbourhood.
With iconic bars and clubs, this is a destination that you will explore long into the night.
Cartagena also hosts one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world. This annual August event is accompanied by the Rumours Festival, a celebration of music and dance.
With a beautiful backdrop against the Caribbean Sea, this unique jubilee will leave everlasting memories.
Delving into a culture is not just a celebration of the past, but also a way to honour the present and the people who live in the communities.
Experiencing international wonders is not just something that delights the soul; these experiences also expand your horizons as you learn more about the world around you and step into your role as a global citizen.
Open your heart and mind to the wide range of diverse experiences that await as you embark on a Bnb Colombia Tours tour through the incredible country of Colombia.
Cartagena
Barranquilla, The Golden Gate of Colombia
Birthplace of Shakira’s hips, Barranquilla is, of course, a force to be reckoned with in its own right.
Like Cartagena, Barranquilla has a Caribbean soul, basking in a tropical haze on the delta of the Río Magdalena, where mangrove forests inch out towards the Caribbean. The fourth-largest city in Colombia and home to a large concentration of writers, artists and musicians, Barranquilla will win you over with its joyful approach to a life centred on the charming streets and plazas around Paseo de Bolívar, the historic centre. As well as an infamous carnival to rival the likes of Rio, Barranquilla goes one better with a day-long parade dedicated to the LGBTQ+ community.
This is Barranquilla Gay Carnival, an event talked about all over the country for its vivacious celebrations and epic gay parties.
Come to gay Barranquilla towards the end of February to experience the entire festival. With events taking place in advance, before culminating in the unapologetically camp Guacherna Gay Parade, officially declared as part of Barranquilla’s Cultural Heritage by the city council.
The dance-happy residents of Cali welcome you to their city of Salsa, the nation’s third largest metropolis guarded by the 26 m/85 feet Statue of Cristo Rey, located high up in the Hill of the Crystals.
Host of the World Salsa Festival every September, Cali moves as one to Afro-Colombian rhythms throughout its diverse barrios and vast club network, all year round.
Dance until dawn at any of the exciting gay parties hosted during Salsa Festival or come earlier for Cali Pride in June, when gay events take over the entire city.
At all other times, the Cali gay scene refuses to stop thrusting its hips, particularly within Comuna 3, just south of the Parque Natural Bataclán.
Barranquilla
After a full day of festivities, the joyous Guacherna Gay Parade is the principal event of the night. The concluding celebration begins with the crowning of the Gay Carnaval Queen, who then leads the way for the spirited parade.
Colombia is a vibrant nation, full of passion and energy that in recent years has become more and more understanding of different sexualities and individual gender expression.
In the last two decades, younger generations across all of South America have been extremely vocal about supporting the LGBTQ+ community, transforming the world around them step by step.
Today, Colombia is one country in the region that welcomes travellers of all expressions, with annual pride festivals and celebrations around the nation.
Whether you are looking for all the best things to do in Bogotá during Pride month, or you want a vacation that explores all of Colombia, BnB Colombia Tours can help you plan the trip of a lifetime. We will ensure the cities you are visiting are safe and full of activities. Then when you want to travel off the beaten path, our team will find the best local guides to lead the way.
Like to create or customize a fantastico package tour of Colombia? Use our Plan My Trip page to start planning your dream Colombian vacation now!