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LGBT Holidays in the Caribbean

The Caribbean is THE place to go for couples in love. There is such a wide array of activities to experience as well as gorgeous beaches, amazing hotels, friendly people, not to mention the food and music.

Islands vary considerably and although there has been an amount of homophobia on some islands in the past, gay couples can now generally visit most Caribbean Islands without any worries.

Islands vary considerably and although there has been an amount of homophobia on some islands in the past, gay couples can now generally visit most Caribbean Islands without any worries.

The most gay- friendly islands are said to be the Dutch and French Islands such as Aruba, Curacao, Saba and Bonaire. Dutch St Maarten and French St Martin have long had a gay-friendly reputation and there are many beaches and bars where gay and straight couples coexist peacefully.

The exclusive French Island of St Barts has been called one of the most gay-friendly islands in the Caribbean with its gorgeous beaches and high end dining.

The island of Curacao has been very public in its embrace of gay travellers with its many gay friendly hotels and attractions. It “encourages gay and lesbian travellers to visit its island and experience its “live and let live” atmosphere for themselves” say the Curacao Tourist Board. They have a dedicated website – www.gaycuracao.com which lists gay-friendly weekend hot spots.

The US Virgin Islands offer a friendly and tolerant attitude throughout the islands. St Croix, in particular, has become a mecca for gay travellers.

Cancun in Mexico has earned its reputation as an LGBT party hotspot particularly during the Cancun International Gay Festival held each May. Playa Del Carmen is also just a 45 minute drive away with its gay friendly beach clubs, bars and shopping malls. Mexico’s hottest gay resort, however, is Puerto Vallarta, a charming town with excellent facilities and beautiful beaches, known as the gay capital of Mexico!

Although there aren’t many places in the Caribbean where same-sex couples can legally marry, there are many destinations where you can hold symbolic ceremonies. In particular, the Secrets resorts in Mexico are more than happy to arrange same-sex symbolic ceremonies as well as The Hard Rock Hotels in Mexico and the soon to open Hard Rock Hotel In Aruba.

Occidental Hotels & Resorts offers same-sex wedding ceremonies at its resorts in Mexico, Costa Rica and Aruba.

Wedding packages are available at all Allegro, Occidental Grand and Royal Hideaway properties and can be customized to suit the couple’s requirements.

So if you are thinking of a holiday for any reason in the Caribbean and want some expert advice give us a call 0845 313 3101 and ask for Lisa, your Caribbean expert.

Lisa's trip to Thailand and Singapore

By Lisa Mousley • January 8, 2025
After first going back to Vietnam for a few nights, this time to the busy bustling Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to see our son, we then flew to Phuket and enjoyed a relaxing few days on the beach in Khao Lak. Staying at the lovely beachfront property of Ramada Resort by Wyndham. Bed & breakfast is fine to do here as there are so many lovely restaurants within walking distance to try a different one every night. The food in Thailand is amazing and there is something for everybody, even the fussiest of eaters. From here there is the opportunity to do a boat trip across to the Similan Islands, an established National Park with impressive limestone scenery both above and below the water. From Khao Lak, we were then picked up by minibus and transported a couple of hours to Khao Sok National Park, where we were staying at The Elephant Camp at Elephant Hills. Staying in tented accommodation (but with flushing toilets and showers!) we had the chance to get up close, stroke and feed the elephants at the camp that have been rescued from various places throughout Thailand. Surrounded by stunning scenery, this was an amazing experience. Our second night at Elephant Hills was 3 hours journey away from the Elephant Camp, by road and boat. Staying at The Lake Camp on Cheow Larn Lake, once again in tented accommodation but over the water. Here we had a couple of relaxing days spent kayaking, swimming, wildlife and bird spotting and paddle boarding amongst more amazing scenery. After Elephant Hills we then had a private transfer down to Krabi where we spent a few nights on the bustling Ao Nang Beach. This resort is very different to the quieter Khao Lak with lots of tourist shops, bars, hotels, hostels etc. It was a great place to experience the tourist side of Thailand. There are many boat excursions from here across to the Phi Phi Islands, Maya Bay (where ‘The Beach’ was filmed), Hong Lagoon etc where more limestone pinnacles and islands can be seen.
A sign that says time out market lisboa on it

Lisbon City Break

By Alison Butterworth • December 19, 2024
Day 1 We arrived in Lisbon after a short flight from Manchester to Lisbon with Ryanair. After just a 30 minute private transfer we arrived at the lovely hotel – Browns Boutique Hotel in the Baixa area in the heart of Lisbon. Breakfast was included but this was taken at its sister hotel – Browns Central Hotel over the road. There was a great selection at breakfast and all the staff were very pleasant. They gave us a map of the city and lots of tips on getting a Lisbon Travel card to use on all public transports- bus/trams etc. Our first stop was at the Time out Market. Selling all different types of food and drinks to suit everyone’s taste, it had a great bustling atmosphere. En-route we strolled down Pink Street, which is a vibrant street and famous for its colourful hanging umbrellas. It is a trendy spot with lots of bars and restaurants and the odd local busker.
Freddie Mercury Statue in Montreux

Montreux, Switzerland.

By Lisa Mousley • December 18, 2024
A Short Break With a Difference

Lake Garda & Venice

By Nicola Heaton • December 6, 2023
Poiano Resort, Lake Garda Nicola and her family enjoyed their summer holiday at Poiano Resort, Lake Garda this August   The resort has amazing views of the lake and offers great facilities including an Olympic-sized swimming pool.   The hotel read full story The post Lake Garda & Venice appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.

Emma’s Mediterranean Cruise on P&O Arvia

By Lisa Mousley • December 6, 2023
Having got married in March, we decided to take a Mediterranean Cruise on board P&O’s Arvia as our honeymoon, later in the year. Cruise Ports The ports we visited included La Coruna, Barcelona, Alicante, Marseille and Cadiz.   I loved read full story The post Emma’s Mediterranean Cruise on P&O Arvia appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.

Top Ten Things to do in Madeira

By Lisa Mousley • November 2, 2023
TOP TEN THINGS TO DO IN MADEIRA Madeira is a beautiful Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, known for its stunning natural landscapes, mild climate, and a wide range of outdoor activities. Here are the top 10 things to do read full story The post Top Ten Things to do in Madeira appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.

Alison’s Brilliant Bali Holiday

By Lisa Mousley • August 17, 2023
50th Birthday Bali Holiday! We had planned to take a holiday to Bali in 2020 for my husband’s 50th birthday, but, due to Covid, we had to cancel. Three years later, and for another big birthday, we finally got there, read full story The post Alison’s Brilliant Bali Holiday appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.

LISA’S AMAZING VIETNAM EXPERIENCE

By Lisa Mousley • March 29, 2023
Lisa recently enjoyed an amazing holiday to Vietnam. She was there to visit her son, who currently lives there, but before doing that her and her husband, John, and daughter, Charlotte, spent a fantastic 10 days travelling around Vietnam, discovering read full story The post LISA’S AMAZING VIETNAM EXPERIENCE appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.

Touring Austria with Inghams:

By Lisa Mousley • November 30, 2022
Sensational scenery and charming details We caught up with Inghams’ own Julie Franklin, Head of Agency Sales who recently returned from a wonderful week in Austria, wisely having done a twin-centre holiday visiting both Saalbach and Zell am See. In read full story The post Touring Austria with Inghams: appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.

My Time in Venice by Emma

By Lisa Mousley • March 30, 2022
Venice Short Break Venice really is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. There really is something extremely charming and romantic about the city.   Getting to Venice After arriving at Marco Polo Airport, we walked a read full story The post My Time in Venice by Emma appeared first on Chic Boutique Travel.
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