The Most Gay Friendly Caribbean Islands

The Caribbean might not be the first destination that springs to mind for a gay-friendly vacation. That being said, the Caribbean is a very big place stretching from the southeastern coast of the United States to the northern shores of South America. It consists of more than 7,000 islands, islets, cays, and reefs, though only about 100 islands are significantly inhabited.

Gay rights vary considerably across the Caribbean islands. The islands range from independent countries to overseas territories (colonies, essentially). The overseas territories are governed by a wide range of countries, from the USA, the UK and the Netherlands. 

Jamaica is the least gay-friendly Caribbean island. Unless you’re an intrepid traveler determined to visit the birthplace of Bob Marley and Grace Jones, we wouldn’t suggest adding Jamaica to your bucket list. But in Puerto Rico, the birthplace of Ricky Martin (si, papi) you’ll find a very welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ travelers.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the most gay-friendly islands in the Caribbean, including Aruba, Puerto Rico and Curaçao.

Aruba

A Dutch overseas territory, Aruba gives you the dream Caribbean island experience with the liberal laws of the Netherlands. You really get the best of both worlds. The Netherlands, perhaps the most liberal country on earth, legalized gay sex way back in 1811. The UK didn’t get around to decriminalizing gay sex until 1967! There’s an old joke about how liberal the Netherlands is, told from the perspective of the mayor of Amsterdam: “We were having problems with crime so we legalized it.”

Back to Aruba! You can spend the day lounging on Eagle Beach or Palm Beach, exploring the island’s rugged side with a Jeep or ATV tour through Arikok National Park, or snorkeling at Mangel Halto and the Antilla shipwreck. Unlike many Caribbean islands, Aruba has a desert-like landscape, with cacti, rock formations, and natural bridges rather than dense rainforests. Its dry climate and location outside the hurricane belt also make it a reliable year-round destination. 

Beyond nature, Aruba’s unique Dutch-Caribbean heritage, seen in Oranjestad’s colorful colonial architecture and its blend of European, Latin, and Creole influences. Whether it’s kite surfing at Boca Grandi, or dining at local seafood shacks, Aruba is one of our favorite island destinations and it's super gay-friendly.

Puerto Rico

As we established in the intro, Puerto Rico is a very welcoming place if you’re LGBTQ+. It’s an American territory but not technically a state - yeah, it’s confusing. Gay marriage is legal in  Puerto Rico so it’s worth considering if you’d like a Caribbean gay wedding and honeymoon.
Be sure to explore Old San Juan, where cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and historic forts like Castillo San Felipe del Morro reflect the island’s Spanish colonial past. For nature lovers, El Yunque National Forest has rainforests, waterfalls, and hiking trails, a contrast to the island’s stunning beaches like Flamenco Beach in Culebra and Playa Buyé on the main island. 

What sets Puerto Rico apart from other Caribbean islands is its blend of Latin American and U.S. influences, with a buzzing nightlife scene, world-class restaurants, and the birthplace of reggaeton music - and did we mention Ricky Martin?!

Curaçao

Curaçao stands out for its blended Dutch, African, and Latin influences, reflected in its cuisine, music, and languages, with locals speaking Papiamento, Dutch, Spanish, and English. Unlike more resort-driven islands, Curaçao has a laid-back, local feel, with fewer all-inclusive resorts and more opportunities to explore authentic Caribbean culture. You can twin Curaçao with Aruba if you’d like to get the best of both worlds and enjoy the more rustic Curaçao experience, which contrasts nicely with Aruba’s more touristy and luxurious offerings.

Curaçao, a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, had long recognized same-sex marriages performed in the Netherlands but did not allow same-sex couples to marry on the island itself. This changed when the Court of First Instance ruled in favor of marriage equality, stating that the existing marriage laws, which only recognized heterosexual couples, violated Curaçao’s constitutional protections against discrimination. If a Caribbean gay wedding appeals, you can fly from Miami to Curaçao directly in 3 hours. With that seed planted in your mind, we’ll move onto the most exclusive Caribbean island.

Mustique

Mustique is a private island in the Grenadines, known for its seclusion, luxury villas, and celebrity visitors, including Princess Margaret and David Bowie. It’s a playground for royalty and the super-rich. The island was purchased by Colin Tennant, 3rd Baron Glenconner, in 1958. He turned this tiny island into one of the most luxurious destinations on earth. 

The island is privately owned although it’s technically part of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. While St. Vincent and the Grenadines take a more conservative approach to sexual relations, Mustique occupies a unique position as it’s privately owned. The global elite who flock to Mustique have no qualms about your sleeping arrangements: they only care about your bank balance or whether you have a title.

Mustique was depicted in The Crown in seasons three and four. Watch those episodes to get a sense of how decadent and exclusive the island is. It’s a great place to lounge by the beach in a kaftan.

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