What To Do

Stroll Along Palm Canyon Drive

This main street through downtown Palm Springs is very pedestrian friendly! Be sure to spend some time wandering down Palm Canyon Drive checking out vintage shops, boutiques, sidewalk cafes, and restaurants while you soak up the sun.

Go to the Gaybourhood

The Arenas District is where you will find the heart of gay culture in Palm Springs! Arenas Road is packed full of businesses that are committed to welcoming the LGBTQ+ community with open arms. Come here for queer owned shops and restaurants, gay bars and clubs, and the list goes on. Don’t miss it.

Visit the Moorten Botanical Garden

This small, family owned garden has been around since the 1930’s and is the perfect spot to admire desert plants from around the world. There is a small admission fee as well as guided tours you can book in advance, or you can explore on your own. It’s also a great spot to take photos!

Check out the Palm Springs Art Museum

A great way to spend an afternoon if you want to get out of the heat. Check out the local art museum to see beautiful collections of paintings and sculptures.

Go on an Architecture Tour

Palm Springs is well known for its mid-century modern architecture. Take a drive through town and check out some well known architectural landmarks, and admire the many famous houses in the area!

Take the Aerial Tramway

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is the biggest rotating tram in the world, and offers breathtaking views of the area. Ride the tram two and a half miles through Chino Canyon, up to San Jacinto State Park. At the top there are hiking trails, observation decks, restaurants and a visitor centre/museum.

Check out a Festival

Palm Springs hosts tons of great festivals and events each year like Coachella, the Desert Arts Festival, Modernism Week, Stagecoach, the Palm Springs Film Festival, and Palm Desert Food & Wine. And of course there is the annual Pride festival (more on that below)! Plan your visit around the busy events calendar and be sure to book in advance!

Where to Stay

In Palm Springs you will likely want to be close to the centre of town, which means a hotel is going to be your best option! Most homes and Airbnbs are going to be further out, so it is worth it in our opinion to opt for central hotel accommodations. Palm Springs is FULL of amazing boutique hotels that range from intimate and low-key, to over the top and lavish with incredible amenities. Pretty much any hotel you find will include a pool (a must in Palm Springs), so be ready to relax poolside! Some popular properties include The Parker Palm Springs, Avalon Palm Springs, Ace Hotel & Swim Club, Korakia Pensione, Riviera Palm Springs, and the Saguaro Palm Springs. If you’re looking for a certain vibe be sure to do your research, as some properties will have more of a party atmosphere while others will be quieter and more relaxing. If you don’t have your heart set on a particular property, we recommend looking to book hotel accommodations using a tool like Hotels.com if you’re booking in advance. It’s easy to search within a certain price range, and filter for the amenities that you like. They also have a great reward system – for every ten nights you book, you receive one night free. If you’re looking for great deals on last minute accommodations try Hotel Tonight. Their app is extremely user friendly, and you can find some amazing deals if your plans are flexible. Sign up via our link and receive $30 off your first reservation! Palm Springs does have plenty of gay owned and gay friendly hotel properties, but after looking into them we found that they all advertise specifically to gay men. We would love to see something lesbian owned or marketed specifically to lesbians! For gay women and female same-sex couples, you will likely feel most comfortable booking at a regular hotel that is inclusive and welcoming to women.

Where to Eat & Drink

Palm Springs is a great dining destination, and you will be sure to find some top notch restaurants and eateries to check out during your visit. The food scene continues to evolve and offers everything from romantic bistros to casual daytime healthy cafes. Whatever it is you’re looking for, you should have a pretty easy time finding it in Palm Springs! In the mornings, head to a sidewalk cafe in downtown Palm Springs for breakfast or brunch. Popular breakfast spots include Wilma & Frieda, Trio, Cheeky’s, and Grand Central Palm Springs. If you eat plant-based like us, MidMod Cafe is a great option for vegan brunch! For lunch, head to 4 Saints restaurant in the Kimpton, Wexler’s Deli, the old school classic Sherman’s Deli, or King’s Highway diner. In the evenings, great dinner options include longstanding steakhouse Mr. Lyons, modern Japanese restaurant Sandfish Sushi, farm-to-table Workshop Kitchen & Bar, and mega popular Vietnamese hotspot Rooster and the Pig. Palm Springs also has a thriving happy hour and bar scene, there are plenty of great places to grab a drink while you’re in town! For tropical cocktails head to Bootlegger Tiki, for happy hour beers go to Village Pub, and for cool vintage vibes head to Seymour’s. There are also tons of amazing hotel bars like High Bar at the Kimpton Rowan, Draughtsman at Arrive Palm Springs, El Jefe at The Saguaro Hotel, and the Amigo Room at Ace Hotel & Swim Club. If you’re looking to have a drink in a specifically LGBTQ+ friendly space, check out Blackbook Bar & Kitchen, Retroroom Lounge, and other great gay hotspots in the Arenas District. Enjoy!

Lesbian Friendly

As mentioned, Palm Springs is a very gay friendly travel destination! Similar to other LGBTQ+ travel hotspots much of it is catered toward gay men, but Palm Springs does have a lot of events for lesbian women. Southern California as a whole is very welcoming to the community, and the state is very liberal when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights. Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity is banned, and same-sex couples have equal legal rights. Palm Springs is definitely very progressive, and we would consider it to be a very safe and inclusive travel destination. The biggest lesbian event in Palm Springs is of course Dinah Shore, which is an annual 5 day party/festival. It’s actually considered one of the largest lesbian events in the USA and the world! Aside from Dinah, Palm Springs Pride (which happens annually each November) also offers a lot of lesbian events including The Dyke March and several lesbian parties. The LGBT Community Centre of the Desert keeps a running list of the many other events and meet ups for women in Palm Springs, you can check that out here. This tourism page also has a lot of great info on events and local community groups! We felt very comfortable being out and open during our visit to Palm Springs, and we saw plenty of other same-sex couples while we were there. If you’re looking to be around the community, definitely head to the gaybourhood – the Arenas District. Here you will find plenty of gay owned businesses, bars, and clubs. You will also find plenty of Pride flags in the windows of businesses all over downtown. It’s so nice to feel welcome and know that a travel destination is inclusive of our community! If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway in Southern California that is lesbian friendly, be sure to add Palm Springs to your list!

How to Get Around

Walk

Downtown Palm Springs is very walkable, and there is plenty to see! We highly recommend walking down Palm Canyon Drive and exploring the rest of the downtown area on foot if you can.

Bike

Palm Springs is a great city to bike in because it’s very flat and has plenty of bike lanes. A lot of the hotels will offer bikes for guests to use during their stay, and there are also a couple of places you can rent bikes in town.

Ride Share

Both Uber and Lyft are available in Palm Springs and are a very convenient way to get around. There should be plenty of drivers available if you need them! If you’ve never used a ride share before, click the links above for discounts on your first rides!

Taxi

If you don’t want to use a ride share app, taxis are also available in Palm Springs. You should have no problem hailing a cab in downtown Palm Springs on weekends, but it may be trickier during the week and in different parts of the city. You can always call and order a car if needed.

Rent a Car

The most convenient way to get around Palm Springs is to rent a car and drive! Having your own vehicle is a great way to get around the city and also gives you the option of exploring other parts of Southern California on the same trip! Palm Springs is only a couple of hours away from LA or San Diego, and less than an hour from Joshua Tree. We rented a car for our trip from Hertz, which is the company we almost always use. They have a great loyalty program that allows us to earn points toward free rentals!

Public Transportation

Palm Springs does have public transport which can be a great affordable option for getting around the city. Check out more information on the Sunline Transit system here.

Is anyone else in love with Palm Springs? Let us know in the comments!

Be sure to read our articles for other Southern California destinations like Joshua Tree!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Palm Springs, California appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Explore the Town

Visiting the small town of Joshua Tree almost feels like you’re stepping back in time. It feels beautifully nostalgic and is a must visit. The “downtown” is small and has a simple general store and other locally owned shops. Be sure to stop by and know that your spendings will go directly back to the merchants and residents! Our favourite spot in town was definitely Joshua Tree Coffee Co. If you happen to visit over a weekend, swing by the Joshua Tree Farmer’s Market for locally grown produce and handmade goods.

Visit the National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is an incredibly unique region where the Colorado and Mojave deserts come together. It is stunningly beautiful and unlike anything we’ve ever seen! You can visit the park year round, and it spans about 800,000 acres. Admission for one vehicle is $30 and that gives you a 7 day permit to the park. You can also get individual passes if you enter the park on foot or bike. There is no cell service inside the park so be sure to plan accordingly, but there is wifi at the visitors centres if you need it! The park is huge and even during high season you will have plenty of room to hike, camp, explore, and enjoy. (If you do plan on camping be sure to book in advance). Some of the most popular landmarks in the park include Hidden Valley, the Barker Dam, Skull Rock, Arch Rock, Cholla Cactus Garden, Keys View, and the 49 Palms Canyon Trail. We also recommend doing your own exploring outside of the big attractions, because every inch of the park is truly gorgeous!

Attend an Annual Festival

Joshua Tree hosts a lot of different festivals each year including arts expos, film festivals, music festivals, and more. Check out the local event calendar to plan your visit!

Where to Stay

Camping is very popular in Joshua Tree! Aside from that, Airbnb is the best option, in our opinion. There aren’t a lot of hotels or inns in the area, and it’s really the kind of place that you want to experience like a local. Airbnb has tons of cool and unique listings in the area that will give you comfortable accommodations close to the town and the national park. We opted for a cozy little house close to an entrance of the park, and we had a full kitchen, laundry, and a big backyard. There was also a hot tub, which was perfect for relaxing and stargazing in the evenings! We highly recommend checking out which houses are available when you’re planning your trip. Especially if you’re travelling with a bigger group, this is a perfect option. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to set up a profile and save on your first stay!

Where to Eat & Drink

The food scene in Joshua Tree is definitely quite limited, but there are a few great spots to check out in town. Natural Sisters Cafe is a great locally owned restaurant that offers healthy, organic food with plenty of plant-based options. For something a little more lively, there’s the restaurant at 29 Palms Inn. They offer lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, along with a full bar menu and live music some nights! The inn has been a Joshua Tree staple for more than 90 years. Aside from the limited selection of restaurants and cafes in the area, the best thing to do for food, in our opinion, is to come prepared! We did a big grocery shop at Trader Joe’s before we arrived in town, and we prepared most of our meals at our Airbnb. It was great to be able to make breakfast in the mornings, and pack ourselves a lunch to bring into the park. We also brought a bottle of wine to enjoy in the hot tub! We highly recommend planning to prepare some of your own food in Joshua Tree, especially if you are planning a longer stay.

Lesbian Friendly

Southern California is very welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, and has many popular destinations for same-sex couples and gay travellers. Unlike cities like LA, San Francisco, and Palm Springs, which are overflowing with gay culture, Joshua Tree is a small town with no specific gaybourhood. That being said, the area certainly has a laid back, hipster, artist feel, and is certainly progressive and safe. The locals we came across in the town were all very kind and friendly, and we had no issues at all being open with our relationship in the park around other travellers. The state of California is very liberal when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, and they have been leaders in the equality movement for a number of years. The state legally bans discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and same-sex couples have equal legal rights. We would definitely consider California to be a progressive state that is welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers, and we can certainly recommend Joshua Tree as an inclusive travel destination. A couple of years ago, Joshua Tree National Park shared a photo of a same-sex couple on their Instagram account to celebrate Pride, and of course there were plenty of angry comments (because the internet is full of homophobes). Park officials combatted the backlash by reminding everyone that “national parks are a safe space for all”, and asserting that “hateful comments would not be tolerated”. We love seeing support like that! If you’re looking for a unique getaway in Southern California that is lesbian friendly and incredibly beautiful, be sure to add Joshua Tree to your list!

How to Get Around

Rent a Vehicle

The best way to get around Joshua Tree is to rent a vehicle and drive! The national park is huge and very easy to access by car. There are main roads that take you through the park and plenty of pull offs. For popular attractions and hiking spots there are well maintained parking lots, and for smaller attractions there is lots of room to pull off on the side of the road. Having your own vehicle to get around the national park and the town of Joshua Tree is definitely going to be the easiest way to get around. It also gives you the option of exploring other parts of Southern California on the same trip! Joshua Tree is only a couple of hours away from LA or San Diego, and less than an hour from Palm Springs. We rented our car from Hertz, which is the company we almost always use. They have a great loyalty program that allows us to earn points toward free rentals!

Has anyone else fallen in love with Joshua Tree? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Joshua Tree, California appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Visit the Gaybourhood

Head straight to the heart of gay culture in Seattle, and visit Capitol Hill. Full of gay and gay-friendly shops, bars, and clubs, this neighbourhood can’t be missed. You’ll also find plenty of rainbow crosswalks!

Go to Pike Place Market

This public market sits on the waterfront looking out over Elliott Bay. It’s one of the oldest farmers’ markets in the US and has become very popular with travellers and tourists. Don’t miss the unique shops, fresh produce stands, family owned eateries, and famous Seattle gum wall.

Discover Seattle Underground

This unique walking tour takes you through a network of tunnels and passageways underneath downtown Seattle’s Pioneer Square.

Seattle Centre

This complex is the centre of arts, education, sports, and entertainment in Seattle! Come here for the famous Space Needle (the city’s most notable landmark), along with numerous theatres, museums, arts centres, and sports arenas. There is so much to see and do here so be sure to add it to your list! Seattle Centre also hosts PrideFest every June.

Spend Some Time in the University District

Head to this relaxed neighbourhood for cute and quirky cafes and eateries, as well as wonderful museums and art galleries. The University of Washington also has a beautiful campus to visit.

Enjoy the Green Space

Seattle is full of beautiful parks and gardens, so be sure to spend some time enjoying its green space. Check out Kubota Garden, Chihuly Garden, Gas Works Park, Discovery Park, Kerry Park, Washington Park Arboretum, Volunteer Park, Carkeek Park, and Green Lake Park just to name a few.

Discover Ballard

Get out of the bustling city centre to visit the trendy waterfront neighbourhood of Ballard. The Ballard Locks are a popular attraction, and this is also a great spot for craft breweries and amazing restaurants.

Take the Bainbridge Island Ferry

This ferry route takes you across Puget Sound, from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. Enjoy stunning views of the city and the water!

Visit Belltown

Known for its great restaurants and live music venues, this neighbourhood is also home to Seattle’s most unique movie theatre, Cinerama.

Check Out Fremont

This bohemian neighbourhood is worth a visit for its quirky shops and public art pieces. It’s small and walkable, so be sure to stop by to enjoy its uniqueness. The Fremont Sunday Market is also worth adding to the list!

Where to Stay

There are so many great places to stay in Seattle! Every time we visit we look for accommodations in a different neighbourhood so we can discover a new area. If you want to be central to many of the main attractions in the city, you’ll want to stay in Lower Queen Anne, Belltown, the Waterfront, or Downtown Seattle. This way you will be close to many great restaurants, exciting nightlife, Pike Place, and Seattle Centre! If you’re looking to be in the heart of the gaybourhood and surrounded by LGBTQ+ culture in Seattle, be sure to look for accommodations in Capitol Hill. If you want a local feel, you may want to try something in Ballard. Outside the hustle and bustle of the city centre, Ballard offers a laid back neighbourhood vibe and still plenty to do.

If you’re looking to book hotel accommodations in Seattle, our favourite tool is Hotels.com. It’s easy to search within a certain price range, and filter for the amenities that you like. They also have a great reward system – for every ten nights you book, you receive one night free. We recently stayed at The Maxwell Hotel in Seattle, a great dog-friendly option in a perfectly central location. Perfect if you like travelling with your pet and enjoy fun boutique hotels! Click here to read all about it.

If you like using Airbnb like we do, it’s definitely worth taking a look to see what’s available in Seattle during your stay. We’ve stayed in Airbnb accommodations all over the city, and find that it’s a great way to experience different neighbourhoods like a local. We always find great homes that are private, fully equipped, and priced very affordably. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to set up a profile and save on your first stay!

Where to Eat & Drink

Seattle’s food scene is impressive and brings together plenty of different cultures and cuisines. While we are always most excited about the great plant-based options, the city will surely satisfy any foodie. The first stop on your list should be Pike Place Market, with an impressive collection of food stalls and fresh seafood. If you’re vegan like us, be sure to check out Plum Bistro for dinner or weekend brunch, (a Capitol Hill favourite, and always one of our go-tos!) Another must for vegans (and everyone else) is Mighty-O Donuts. With locations all over the city, it’s the best spot for vegan and organic treats. Another veggie friendly favourite is Chaco Canyon Organic Cafe. With several Seattle locations, it’s the perfect place to grab a healthy lunch while you’re out exploring. If you want to try some of the seafood that the PNW is famous for, you may want to check out Walrus & the Carpenter in the Ballard neighbourhood. Nearby is Ballard’s Annex Oyster House, and other popular spots include Westward, Elliot’s Oyster House, and Seastar Restaurant. For Asian cuisine, go to the long standing sushi restaurant Maneki, and for fine dining try Canlis. There is truly something for everyone! With plenty of amazing dining options ranging from casual to upscale, you’ll surely discover something you love.

If you’re looking to grab a drink in Seattle there are plenty of great options. If you want to be around other people in the LGBTQ+ community, be sure to go out to one of the many hip bars in Capitol Hill. If you’re looking for great beer, check out Elysian Brewery, Fremont Brewing Company, Reuben’s Brews, Rooftop Brewing Company, or Cloudburst Brewing. These are just a few of the top craft breweries in the city, there are many more! If you’re into wine, be sure to check out French wine bar Le Caviste, or for a great selection of local PNW wines try Bottlehouse. With more local and sustainable options and everything on tap, be sure to add Footprint Wine Tap to your list. For cocktails don’t miss Canon, one of Seattle’s best cocktail bars boasting the largest spirit collection in the US. Nearby is Needle & Thread, a speakeasy offering bespoke cocktails. If you’re a serious coffee drinker, Seattle’s cafe culture will impress you! The city is known for it’s coffee being the birthplace of Starbucks (the original cafe is in Pike Place), but it has plenty of great coffee. If you’re into espresso head to Vivace, the cafe that popularized latte art in America. Victrola is also great for espresso based drinks, and they have four quirky locations around the city. If you’re a third wave coffee drinker, check out Analog for a nice selection of single origin roasts and a chill vinyl playlist kind of vibe. Be sure to check out the small batch roaster Lighthouse Roasters and Elm Roasters for amazing single origin beans that are locally roasted with precision. If you want a truly Seattle coffee experience, be sure to sign up for one of Herkimer Coffee’s cupping sessions to sample the latest ethically sourced, single origin roasts. Lastly, grab a pour over at one of the first Seattle third wave roasters, Slate Coffee Roasters.

Lesbian Friendly

The laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in Washington state are some of the best in the US, and it’s often referred to as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly states in America. Same-sex marriage has been recognized in Washington since 2012, and LGBTQ+ people are fully protected from discrimination. The state also criminalizes hate crimes that are motivated by homophobia or transphobia, and conversion therapy has been banned on minors since 2018. Both the city of Seattle and the state of Washington are welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers, and Seattle itself has an impressive local gay scene. It’s definitely a very lesbian friendly destination to visit! We always feel safe and comfortable being an open couple in Seattle, and have had some wonderful travel experiences in the city over the years. There is plenty of local gay culture, and the scene is thriving in Capitol Hill (the city’s designated gaybourhood). There is plenty of LGBTQ+ nightlife including a long standing lesbian bar called Wild Rose, which is owned and operated by women. Other LGBTQ+ venues are spread through Capitol Hill and Pike/Pine and include Pony, Neighbours Nightclub, R Place, Crescent Lounge, Madison Pub, and many others. Seattle also has an LGBTQ+ centre that hosts events and offers public services, as well as tons of lesbian meet-up events. There’s even a group that does gay speed dating! As you can see, Seattle is a great city for lesbian women and couples. We never have any issues showing affection in public, holding hands in the street, or taking couples photos together. It feels so nice to visit destinations that are inclusive of our community and where we can feel just as safe as we do at home. It you’re looking for a fun city with tons to do and a great local gay scene, then definitely add Seattle to your travel list!

How to Get Around

Walk

The different areas of Seattle are quite walkable. We always do a lot of exploring on foot and find that it’s a great way to experience the city. If you’re able, we recommend spending some time walking around to get a good feel for things! Watch out for some steep hills and remember to bring an umbrella because it does rain a lot.

Rideshare

Both Lyft and Uber are available in Seattle, and are a great option for getting around the city.

Taxi

There are plenty of taxis in Seattle which make it easy to get around without a vehicle. You can call a cab by phone or easily hail one on the street. Rates are reasonable but likely more expensive than using a ride share app.

Public Transportation

Seattle has an extensive public transportation system that includes bus service, streetcars, light rail, and water taxis. You can get an Orca card that works like cash on buses, trains, and ferries, and you can manage your balance online. For information regarding transportation rates and schedules, visit Seattle’s official transportation website.

Drive

If you do drive to Seattle, it’s a fairly easy city to drive in. We often drive down from Vancouver and have a vehicle during our trip to get around the city. Street parking is very straight forward, and you’ll have no problem getting around if you use Google Maps or something similar. There is often a lot of construction so be prepared for some traffic, but nothing too bad!

Bike

Seattle has a great bike network, and a lot of people get around by cycling. There are several bike shares and plenty of bike parking around the city. Some hotels offer free bikes during your stay so you can take them out for a spin while you’re visiting! Be sure to follow proper etiquette and follow local laws when cycling.

Has anyone else fallen in love with Seattle? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Seattle, Washington appeared first on Lez See the World.

Whistler in the Winter 

Winter is of course the busiest season on the mountains! Whistler Blackcomb is world class and offers incredible skiing and snowboarding, along with plenty of other winter sports and activities. Visiting during the snowy months is certainly most popular, and around the holidays the area is especially festive. At the base of the mountains is a village with carollers and holiday decorations to get you in the spirit of the season. You can go skating on the outdoor rink and check out all of the beautiful light displays along the pedestrian pathways in the village! Be sure to check out the Whistler tourism website when you’re planning your winter visit to see what events are happening! 

Winter Activities 

Ski or Snowboard

With more than 200 marked trails and an incredible apres-ski scene, skiing and snowboarding at Whistler Blackcomb can’t be beat. The resort offers rentals, lessons, and even heli-skiing! 

Go Snowshoeing 

If you’re new to winter sports, snowshoeing is a perfect introductory activity. You can do self-guided trails or join a tour, and there are even dog-friendly snowshoe trails is you want to bring along your pup.

Visit the Tube Park

A no-experience-required downhill activity, snow tubing at Whistler is fun and family-friendly.

Try Winter Ziplining 

If you’re looking for more of a thrill, Whistler offers plenty of winter ziplining options! 

Go Snowmobiling 

There are plenty of guided snowmobile tours if you’re wanting a scenic look at the backcountry. There are tours to suit all levels and even some that can accommodate families with small kids.

Take the Peak2Peak Gondola

For stunning 360 degree views of the mountains, glaciers, lakes, and forests, don’t miss out on this incredible experience.

Check Out the Sliding Centre

Since hosting competitions during the 2010 Olympics, the Whistler Sliding Centre has opened to visitors for self-guided tours, as well as bobsleigh and skeleton experiences! International competitions are also held here, so you may even be able to catch a race!

Lesbian Friendly

Canada is known as one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world, and the Vancouver area is most definitely welcoming to lesbian travellers. (Click here to read our full article about how lesbian friendly Canada is!) One of the reasons we love travelling in our home country is because we feel so free to be ourselves. Our trip to Whistler was no different! Everyone was warm and welcoming, and we spent our visit being openly affectionate as a couple. It always feels amazing to explore a destination hand in hand without a second thought. Whistler is an inclusive community and we can definitely recommend it as a lesbian friendly travel destination. They even host their own pride festival! Whistler Pride & Ski Festival happens every year in late January/early February and has been running since way back in 1992. It’s now one of the biggest LGBTQ+ ski weeks in the world! Head to the Whistler Pride Website for more information.

Has anyone else visited Whistler in the Winter? Let us know in the comments! 

The post A Lesbian Friendly Winter Getaway to Whistler, Canada appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Enjoy the Beautiful Beaches

There are so many gorgeous beaches on Aruba, you may not even have time to visit them all! All of the beaches on the island are public, and they have the most incredible soft white sand and turquoise waters. Some spots to definitely check out are Palm Beach and Eagle Beach on the West side of the island, Arashi Beach and Catalina Beach further North, Divi Beach, Drulf Beach, and Surfside Beach near Oranjestad, and Baby Beach, Rodger’s Beach, and Boca Grandi on the East side. Enjoy!

Explore the Desert

Aruba’s desert landscape makes it an incredibly unique island. It’s definitely worth taking a break from the beaches to head to the centre of the island to explore some of it’s interesting desert terrain. We recommend visiting the Ayo Rock Formation, as well as the Casibari Rock Formations, which are huge rock clusters in the middle of Aruba. There are trails going through the formations as well as beautiful viewpoints, and they are definitely worth a visit. In the same area there is Hooiberg, a dormant volcanic formation that sits 165 metres high. You can hike up to the top and enjoy the stunning 360 degree view of the island.

Visit the Capital City of Oranjestad

The capital of Aruba is called Oranjestad, and sits about halfway down the island on the South coast. It’s a charming town with a beautiful marina and seafront. It also acts as a cruise ship port and has many shops and boutiques, as well as waterfront restaurants and eateries. Be sure to spend some time exploring the area!

Discover the National Park

The Arikok National Park takes up nearly one fifth of the island, and is home to plenty of unique attractions. Plan a visit here if you would like to see caves, cultural heritage sites, a natural pool, secluded bays, and different rock formations. There is a small entrance fee to the park that goes toward conservation and educational programs, but there is definitely plenty to see! Be sure to have a vehicle that is up to the task if you plan to drive yourself. You can also take guided tours of the park, and some areas have very rough terrain and can only be accessed by a 4X4.

See the California Lighthouse

A major attraction on the island of Aruba is the California lighthouse. Sitting at the Northwest tip of the island, the lighthouse was named after a ship that crashed nearby in the late 1800’s. It’s a gorgeous place to watch the sunset, or just take in the incredible views.

Go Snorkelling

Aruba is a great place to go snorkelling and appreciate the sea life in the clear blue waters. There are plenty of snorkelling tours on the island, or if you have your own gear, you can snorkel off of several beaches on your own. Be sure to keep your safety in mind, as the water can be quite rough with strong currents in some places. Some of the best beaches for snorkelling are Arashi Beach, Boca Catalina, and Malmok Beach.

Where to Stay

There are some great options for accommodations on Aruba! If you’re interested in staying in a hotel or resort, most of them are located in the Palm Beach area on the Northern coast of the island. This is an excellent spot to stay if you’re looking to be right on the water, with easy access to some of the most beautiful stretches of beach. There are also some hotels in the capital city of Oranjestad which is close to all of the shopping, as well as many cafes and restaurants. You can expect both of these areas to be pretty lively! They would be great choices if you like to be near all the action. If you’re looking to book hotel accommodations in these areas, our favourite tool is Hotels.com. It’s easy to search within a certain price range, and filter for the amenities that you like. They also have a great reward system – for every ten nights you book, you receive one night free. The other option for accommodations in Aruba is Airbnb. Many of the listings are also in the Palm Beach area as well as Oranjestad, but offer some very affordable alternatives to the big hotels and resorts. If you’re wanting an Airbnb in more of a local neighbourhood, a great spot to look is Noord. It’s close to Palm Beach but much quieter, and easy driving distance to everywhere you will want to go. There are also some Airbnb listings in the more remote areas of the island, if you’re looking to be somewhere more secluded. If you plan to rent a vehicle, Airbnb can be a great option as it allows you to stay outside of the busier tourist areas. We stayed in a beautiful apartment in Noord, because we wanted a local experience. It was a short drive to all of the beaches we wanted to visit, and very central to everywhere that we planned to explore. If you enjoy using Airbnb like we do, it’s definitely worth taking a look to see what’s available! Our one bedroom apartment had a full kitchen, and an adorable backyard patio for only $45US/night in the low season. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to set up a profile and save on your first stay!

Where to Eat & Drink

We were incredibly impressed with Aruba’s food scene! Not only does it have plenty of adorable beach shacks, cafes, and healthy daytime eateries, it also has some truly amazing fine dining. We were especially impressed with how many diverse cuisines were offered, and plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free options. If you have any food sensitivities or eat a plant-based diet like we do, Aruba is extremely accommodating! Our favourite spot for breakfast or lunch was Eduardo’s Beach Shack on Palm Beach. Be sure to stop by for beautifully crafted smoothie bowls, as well as plenty of baked goods and healthy lunch options! Another great casual daytime option is One Happy Bowl in Oranjestad. Some other spots that really impressed us were Fishes & More in Palm Beach, and Papillon a French/Caribbean restaurant in the same area. Elements at Eagle Beach does an incredible lunch and dinner, and also offers beautiful beach views. Faro Blanco is an Italian restaurant located next to the California Lighthouse and is a must-do for the best sunset on the island! Hadicurari offers great beachside ambiance, and Ike’s Bistro is a wonderful choice for a romantic meal. We also loved Yemanja and Cuba’s Cookin, both in the capital city. Be sure to try as many cafes and restaurants as you can, as well as have a drink at one of the many beachside bars. There is so much to discover in Aruba, and there is truly something for everyone. Enjoy!

Lesbian Friendly

Aruba has some of the most progressive LGBTQ+ laws in the Caribbean, making it a great travel destination for lesbian women and couples. Same-sex sexual activity is legal, and there have been discrimination protections in place since 2012. The island doesn’t yet recognize same-sex marriage, but same-sex registered partnerships have been legally recognized since 2016 (the Aruban parliament being the first in the Caribbean to legalize same-sex unions). You can check out our full post on how lesbian friendly Aruba is here. The public’s attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community has come a long way, and now the official Aruba tourism website excitedly welcomes LGBTQ+ travellers, claiming that the island celebrates diversity. We had a very positive experience visiting Aruba as a married lesbian couple, and had no issues being open around the locals and other travellers. We held hands, showed affection, and kissed in public without anyone giving us a second glance. We also booked an Airbnb apartment with a local host as an open lesbian couple, and he welcomed us warmly. We really enjoyed our time on the island and would highly recommend it as a lesbian friendly destination in the Caribbean. While there isn’t a lot of gay culture, all hotels, bars, and other establishments call themselves LGBTQ+ friendly. There is a designated gay bar in the capital city of Oranjestad called 7 Club Lounge, and everywhere on the island feels safe and welcoming. When speaking with some locals, we were told that other same-sex couples and members of the community have no issues living on the island and going out with their partners. We got the impression that it’s quite an inclusive culture in Aruba!

How to Get Around

Walk

Different parts of the island are quite walkable, such as the capital city of Oranjestad as well as the Palm Beach area. If you’re staying in one spot during your trip, you won’t have any trouble getting around on foot. If you do plan to do more exploring, you’ll want to look into additional modes of transportation.

Rent a Vehicle

If you want to have the freedom to explore the entire island during your stay, we highly recommend renting a vehicle! We rented a car for our week long stay, and we’re so glad we did. It gave us the opportunity to explore the busier tourist areas, as well as the more remote locations on Aruba. We drove into the desert, along the entire South coast, and all the way to the beaches on the East side of the island. If you plan to stay on the paved roads and just visit the main sights, a regular car is all you’ll need. If you want to drive into the national park and on the dirt roads up on the North part of the island, you’ll need a 4X4 or ATV.

We rented our car from Tropic Car Rental and had an amazing experience. The owner, Hans made the process as easy as possible. He sent over all the paperwork in advance and had someone waiting to bring us to our car when we arrived at the airport. We highly recommend renting a car with Tropic!

Taxi

There is no ride sharing in Aruba, so taxis are your only option if you’re looking for car service on the island. The taxis in Aruba are fairy expensive, with a starting rate of $6 USD, and on Sundays and holidays there is an additional surcharge of $3 USD. The taxis don’t have meters, so be sure to ask for the fixed rate before your journey. Hotels and restaurants in the resort areas and in Oranjestad are always happy to call you a cab, and taxis are easy to hail in the busy areas.

Public Transportation

The public bus, Arubus is a great way to get around if you’re sticking to the resort areas and the capital city. Buses run from 5:45am to 11:30pm daily, and service is every 15 minutes until 6pm and every 40 minutes from 6pm-11:30pm. Rates are affordable at $5 USD for a round trip and day passes are available for $10 USD.

How to Stay Connected

Roaming charges on your cell phone can really add up while travelling. One thing we like to do when we visit a new country, is buy a local SIM card. The pay-as-you-go mobile plans from local service providers are typically much less expensive than roaming plans and travel SIM cards. In Aruba, it’s very simple to get a SIM card and get connected right away. If you fly into the Queen Beatrix International Airport, you will find a kiosk for the national service provider Digicel when you exit the baggage claim area. Bring your passport and phone to the kiosk and select the plan you want. The customer service representative will get you all set up, and you’ll be connected immediately. We got week long unlimited talk, text and data plans for $28 USD.

Has anyone else fallen in love with Aruba? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Aruba appeared first on Lez See the World.

When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to do what feels right to them.

Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Aruba is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

The LGBTQ+ laws in Aruba are some of the best in the Caribbean, with fairly progressive legislation for LGBTQ+ rights. Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Aruba, and there have been discrimination protections in place since 2012. The Aruba criminal code prohibits “unfair discrimination and incitement to hatred and violence” on various grounds and includes people of homosexual orientation. Same-sex marriage is not yet legal on the island, but because Aruba is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Aruba does recognize same-sex marriages from the Netherlands and other “Caribbean Netherlands” islands such as Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. Since 2016, same-sex registered partnerships have been legally recognized in Aruba, and hopefully same-sex marriage will be the next step! At this time there are no adoption rights or access to IVF for same-sex couples, as well as no legal protection for transgender individuals. Hopefully we will continue to see steps toward full equality and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in Aruba.

Social Climate

Aruba, along with the rest of the “ABC Islands”, is generally considered to be one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in the Caribbean. The Aruban parliament was the first in the Caribbean to legalize same-sex civil unions back in 2016, despite opposition from the Roman Catholic Church. While the public opinion is certainly not as positive as in the Netherlands, things have certainly come a long way in the past ten years. There are several LGBTQ+ rights advocacy groups and associations on the island, and there are various establishments that advertise as being LGBTQ+ friendly including hotels, resorts, and eateries. The official Aruba tourism website states that they “welcome LGBTQ+ travellers with open minds and hearts”, and proudly claims that the island celebrates diversity. It goes on to say that all resorts, restaurants, and nightclubs on the island are LGBTQ+ friendly. All this considered, Aruba can definitely be considered a LGBTQ+ friendly island to visit!

Gaybourhoods

The LGBTQ+ community in Aruba seems small and there isn’t a designated “gaybourhood”. That being said, there is a gay club in the capital city of Oranjestad called 7 Club Lounge that offers drag shows, karaoke, and bingo nights! It’s fairly quiet on weeknights but tends to be busy on Fridays and Saturdays. Other nightclubs appear to be quite inclusive, and the entire island calls itself LGBTQ+ friendly. There are even some LGBTQ+ events like the annual “Rainbow Night” hosted by T.H. Palm & Company. Many businesses on the island openly show their support, like the Aruba Marriott resort which lit up their palm trees with the rainbow flag to celebrate Pride Month. Overall, Aruba is definitely a Caribbean destination where you can feel welcome as a same-sex couple or LGBTQ+ individual.

Our Experience

We visited Aruba together on a trip to the Caribbean in the Fall of 2019 and completely fell in love with it! We stayed for one week at the beginning of October (which is considered Aruba’s low season), and the island was very peaceful and quiet during our time. We stayed in an Airbnb apartment in the Noord neighbourhood, which is nearby the Palm Beach area, and rented a car to explore as much of the island as we could! We had an incredible visit. We felt safe knowing that Aruba openly welcomes LGBTQ+ travellers and that the country has anti-discrimination laws that protect us. We had no issues at all with safety, and felt completely comfortable being out and open. Our Airbnb host was local to the island and greeted us warmly as a married lesbian couple. Everyone we met throughout the week was kind and respectful when we mentioned we were spouses, and we never felt the need to hide our relationship. We spent the week relaxing on the gorgeous beaches, exploring the desert, and eating at all of the incredible restaurants we found. Aruba is a beautiful and unique little island, and we’re so happy we visited! We would love to return one day and continue eating our way through all the vegan restaurant menus. We definitely recommend Aruba as a lesbian friendly travel destination for gay women and same-sex couples!

If you’re interested in travelling to Aruba, be sure to read our Lesbian Guide to Aruba! 

Have you been to Aruba? Share your experience in the comments below!

View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!

The post How Lesbian Friendly is Aruba appeared first on Lez See the World.

When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to do what feels right to them.

This article is very special for us because we’re sharing about our home country! We are so proud to be Canadian, and we have so much love and admiration for the place we call home. We feel very fortunate to be from a country that celebrates diversity, and accepts our community.

Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Canada is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

The laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in Canada are among some of the best in the world, and it is often referred to as one of the most gay friendly countries on the globe. Same-sex sexual activity has been legal since 1969, and same-sex marriages were made legal nationwide in 2005 after many of the country’s provinces were already recognizing them. Some Canadian provinces were allowing same-sex couples to adopt back in 1996, and since 2011, all provinces and territories have allowed it. There have been anti-discrimination laws in place since 1996 for people of all sexual orientations, and since 2017 for people of all gender identities and expressions. In most provinces and territories, schools have designed anti-bullying programs in place to protect all students, including those that identify as LGBTQ+. The Canadian Criminal Code explicitly prohibits hate propaganda against LGBTQ+ people, and the Canadian Government has been especially supportive of the community in recent years, as the governing party changed from moderate/conservative to liberal. In 2017, the Prime Minister of Canada issued a formal apology to members of the LGBTQ+ community for any and all oppression they’ve endured, and promised to stand with them. In 2018, a bill was passed allowing any person who was convicted of homosexual acts prior to 1969 to have the record of the conviction destroyed. Canada has been, and continues to be, a leader for LGBTQ+ rights in the Americas and around the world!

Social Climate

A global survey from 2013 showed 80% of Canadians accepting of homosexuality, and Canada’s major political parties have all supported LGBTQ+ rights in varying degrees. People are generally very accepting of same-sex couples and other members of the community, and Canada is frequently called one of the most gay friendly places in the world. Its major cities all have vibrant gay communities, and each summer huge Pride celebrations are hosted across the country. The Pride festivities usually have many politicians in attendance, including the Prime Minister as well as provincial and municipal representatives. Canada ranks #6 on the Gap Happiness Index, and opinions form the general public continue to improve. This year in 2019, the Royal Canadian Mint released a new one dollar coin that “commemorates 50 years of progress in recognizing the rights of LGBTQ2 Canadians”. It’s been 50 years since homosexuality was decriminalized in Canada and it’s important to recognize how far we’ve come! Of course there is always still more work to do, but Canada is absolutely a very LGBTQ+ friendly country to visit. It’s an incredible destination for gay travellers looking for an open and accepting place!

Gaybourhoods

Canada has a “gaybourhood” in nearly every major city in the country. The most prominent would be Vancouver’s Davie Village, Toronto’s Church & Wellesley neighbourhood, Montreal’s Gay Village district, and Ottawa’s Bank Street Gay Village. Smaller cities also have noteworthy gay culture including Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Halifax. Canada is a big place, and there are LGBTQ+ safe spaces found in many cities across the country. Gay and gay friendly bars, nightclubs, organizations, groups, and the list goes on. The gaybourhoods are all welcoming and inclusive of women, and lesbian travellers will have no problem finding an awesome gay scene during their travels. If you want to visit certain Canadian cities during their Pride celebrations, head to Victoria at the end of June, Vancouver at the start of August, Calgary at the end of August, Winnipeg at the end of May, Toronto in mid June, Ottawa in mid August, Montreal in mid August, or Halifax in mid July. Canada is a country where you can absolutely feel not only safe and welcomed, but celebrated! It is an amazing LGBTQ+ friendly travel destination, and we are so proud to call it home.

Our Experience

We were both born in Canada and are so proud to be Canadian! Together we’ve lived in Vancouver, Toronto, and Niagara Falls, and we’ve also travelled extensively across the country. We’ve visited 9 of the 10 provinces, and have spent time in all of the major Canadian cities. We’ve driven coast to coast and travelled through the mountains, the prairies, and the maritimes. We can’t recommend it enough as a travel destination! There is so much to see in our beautiful country, and it is such a welcoming place. We feel very accepted and supported when we’re at home, and we’ve had great experiences travelling around Canada. Even in smaller cities and more suburban areas, attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community are quite positive. We always feel comfortable being out and open, and we never feel the need to hide our relationship. We feel safe knowing that the law protects us, and that our country stands with our community. We wish that every LGBTQ+ person on the globe could be so fortunate, because it is what we all deserve! We highly recommend Canada as a lesbian friendly travel destination for both solo women and lesbian couples, and we can’t say enough good things. Of course we think everyone should visit our home city of Vancouver (it’s amazing!), but there are so many incredible destinations in our big country. Whether you like urban city destinations, quiet islands, mountainous regions, or arctic adventures, Canada has it all. Our favourite areas to recommend are beautiful BC including Vancouver, the Okanagan, Whistler, Vancouver Island, and the Southern Gulf Islands. As well as the Rocky Mountain region in Alberta, including Banff and Jasper. In the big province of Ontario, Toronto cannot be missed, as well as the surrounding lakes and nearby Niagara region! In the French-Canadian province of Quebec, Montreal and Quebec City are both wonderful destinations. Further East, the Maritime provinces are truly amazing. Prince Edward Island is one of our favourite places in the country, and Nova Scotia is so special. Come visit!

Have you been to Canada or are you a fellow Canadian? Share your experience in the comments below!

View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!

The post How Lesbian Friendly is Canada appeared first on Lez See the World.

When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to do what feels right to them.

Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Colombia is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

The LGBTQ+ laws in Colombia are some of the best in Latin America, with very progressive legislation for LGBTQ+ rights. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized back in 1981, which started a wave of progress over the last several decades. Same-sex couples were first legally recognized back in 2007 when same-sex couples were granted some legal rights, and in 2016 the Constitutional Court legalized same-sex marriage. Same-sex couples are also legally recognized as families, and have equal rights to adoption and IVF. There is discrimination protection in place for members of the LGBTQ+ community, and there has been since 2011. It’s illegal to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people in the workplace, in education, in businesses, and anywhere else. Hate speech against the community is also illegal. Colombia also has a law that allows LGBTQ+ people to safely express affection to their partners in public. The law is protected by a Constitutional Court ruling, and is a national policy put in place to protect the community. Other extraordinary laws in Colombia include no restrictions or deferral period for blood donation, no restrictions for LGBTQ+ people serving in the military, and a “neutral” option on birth certificates when referring to gender. Colombia’s laws are certainly impressive! They’ve made equality and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community a priority, and we can only hope that other Latin American countries will follow their example.

Social Climate

The public opinion amongst Colombians is still quite conservative in regards to the LGBTQ+ community. Despite very progressive laws and support from Colombian politicians, the general public appears to still be catching up. While there are thriving gaybourhoods in different parts of the country, there are still reports of discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community. Polls show relatively low (but growing) support from the public on issues like same-sex marriage and same-sex adoption, even though they are both legal. That being said, things are moving in the right direction! Former mayors and members of Congress have openly supported the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and there have been openly gay ministers in the government. There is also growing representation in the mainstream media, with television programs featuring more and more gay characters and same-sex couples. There is also a growing number of Colombians coming out as members of the community, which is an excellent indicator that people are feeling more safe to live their lives openly. Colombia can definitely be considered an LGBTQ+ friendly country to visit based on their extremely supportive laws, but it’s always important to keep your personal safety and comfort level in mind.

Gaybourhoods

The biggest LGBTQ+ scenes in Colombia can be found in the cities of Bogota and Medellin. Bogota is the country’s capital, and has a gaybourhood concentrated in the Chapinero area. It’s definitely geared more toward men with plenty of gay bars, clubs, and bath houses, but it also includes the only LGBTQ+ community centre in the country. It was opened in 2006 and offers legal advice and counselling to members of the community. Bogota also hosts a Pride event in June, which includes an annual march and plenty of Pride parties! Medellin is also considered to be a very welcoming city in Colombia. A small gay scene can be found in the Parque Lleras area, with other establishments scattered around the city in the Laureles neighbourhood, and Poblado. Finally, Cartagena (which is where we visited) is a beautiful city and worth considering! Because it is a port city and very popular with tourists, it’s also quite LGBTQ+ friendly. There are a couple of gay bars in the old town and the Getsemani neighbourhood. Overall, Colombia is a country where you can certainly feel welcomed and also experience some local gay culture. Be sure to consider your own comfort level and stay safe while visiting this South American destination!

Our Experience

We visited Colombia together on a trip to South America in 2019, and spent our time in the beautiful city of Cartagena! Cartagena is a popular port city on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast, and is a beautiful beach destination with a historic walled city. We completely fell in love with it! It always feels really nice to travel to a country that legally recognizes our marriage, and Colombia was no exception. When we presented our customs card together upon entering, we were treated kindly and respectfully when we said we were spouses. We felt safe and comfortable being out and open in Cartagena, and had no issues while visiting. We didn’t receive any unwanted attention, and never felt the need to hide our relationship for safety reasons. We had a really lovely visit and spent our time exploring the old town, and soaking up the beautiful beach views. Cartagena is busy with tourists and felt very safe. Colombia is a lovely country and we’re so glad we visited! We would love to return one day and visit the bigger cities like Bogota and Medellin. We can definitely recommend Colombia as a lesbian friendly travel destination for women and couples, and encourage you to do your research so that you can feel safe and comfortable during your visit.

If you’re interested in travelling to Colombia, be sure to read our Lesbian Guide to Cartagena!

Have you been to Colombia? Share your experience in the comments below!

View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!

The post How Lesbian Friendly is Colombia appeared first on Lez See the World.

When we’re travelling to a new destination as a lesbian couple, there are a few things we take into consideration to figure out how lesbian friendly it is. We like to know what the LGBTQ+ laws are in that country, as well as what the social climate is. In some places the laws and the feelings of the local people don’t necessarily match. We also like to know if there are any “gaybourhoods” or areas that are especially lesbian friendly. This blog series is meant to inform other lesbian travellers about different destinations around the world, and help empower them to travel more openly when it is safe to do so. We will be sharing our experiences in each country as well as our recommendations, but as always we encourage everyone to do their own research. We can only speak to our own experiences, and everyone has a different comfort level when it comes to being out and open while travelling. The travel destinations that an LGBTQ+ person chooses, and the way in which they travel is a very personal decision, and we encourage everyone to only do what feels right to them.

Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Iceland is!

LGBTQ+ Laws 

Iceland is very progressive with their laws regarding LGBTQ+ people, and they were actually the first country in the world to have an openly gay head of government. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in 1940, same-sex marriage has been legal since 2010, and same-sex registered partnerships have been recognized in Iceland since 1996. Same-sex couples can also adopt children, and they have equal access to IVF. There is excellent discrimination protection in place for LGBTQ+ people, and has been since 1996. They have continually updated their anti-discrimination laws to include more members of the community, most recently those of all gender identities. Overall, Iceland has amazing LGBTQ+ laws, and is often regarded as one of the most gay friendly countries in the world.

Social Climate 

The public opinion in Iceland is definitely in favour of the LGBTQ+ community, with the majority of the population being in favour of same-sex marriage and other related social issues according to recent Gallup polls. In 2015, Iceland ranked as the #1 country on the Gay Happiness Index, a survey published by the LGBTQ+ social network PlanetRomeo, to determine the quality of life for gay men around the world. In 2015 The Church of Iceland voted to allow same-sex couples to marry in it’s churches, and in 2016 the President of Iceland participated in the Pride events for the first time in the country’s history. There is now LGBTQ+ acceptance across all avenues in Iceland, including the government, the church, and the local residents, and it is in thanks to the LGBTQ+ activism that started there in the late 1970’s. By bringing LGBTQ+ issues into the public eye, community groups were able to raise awareness and in turn, change societal attitudes to become more accepting. Iceland then became a world leader in LGBTQ+ rights by being the fourth country to legally recognize same-sex partnerships, and the ninth country to legalize same-sex marriage. Now, rates of acceptance and support for the LGBTQ+ community in Iceland are among the highest in the world.

Gaybourhoods

If you’re looking for the best LGBTQ+ culture in Iceland, definitely head to the capital city of Reykjavik! There you will find pride flags flying in the streets, as well as LGBTQ+ friendly hotels, bars, and nightclubs. They also host amazing Pride festivities every August, with their Pride parade being one of the country’s largest annual events. Similar to other international cities, the gay scene in Reykjavik is mostly geared toward men, but that being said, it is very inclusive of everyone. There aren’t any specifically lesbian venues, but the most well known LGBTQ+ bar is called Kiki Queer Bar. Other gay friendly venues include Gaukurinn, Bravo, and Kaffibarinn. Iceland also has a LGBTQ+ resource website called Pink Iceland with plenty of expert information.

Our Experience

We had a really incredible experience in Iceland together! We based ourselves in the capital city of Reykjavik, and did day trips to explore the amazing nearby sights. We stayed in an Airbnb in the city centre, and rented a car to self drive the South, Central, and West regions of Iceland. It gave us a really authentic travel experience and we highly recommend this style of Iceland adventure. We explored the famous Golden Circle, the South Coast, and the Snaefellnes Peninsula, as well as the incredible Blue Lagoon, and the Laugarvatn Fontana Geothermal Baths. We saw waterfalls, geysers, lava fields, natural hot springs, crater lakes, national parks, black sand beaches, fishing villages, mountains, and volcanoes. Iceland is such a special country with so many unique natural wonders, making it an unforgettable place to travel. We felt very welcomed and supported while exploring Iceland, and we loved that our marriage was legally recognized. It makes a big difference to us knowing that the laws of a country protect us as lesbian women, and we felt very safe travelling there. In the capital city of Reykjavik, we were very comfortable being out and open, and found the locals to be welcoming in all aspects. It felt similar to other European cities in the way that people seem to live their lives freely, and don’t seem concerned with what others are doing. Outside of the city, we still felt perfectly safe. A lot of Iceland is quite remote and we explored all over the country, but the locals in the smaller villages didn’t give us any feelings of disapproval. People were kind everywhere we went, and we didn’t receive any unwanted attention. Many of the top destinations and attractions in Iceland are full of tourists, and we felt comfortable in those places as well. At the famous Blue Lagoon, we snuggled up to one another and nobody seemed to bat an eye. It feels amazing to travel in a country where we feel safe and comfortable to be ourselves! We highly recommend Iceland to other lesbian couples and solo lesbian travellers.

If you’re interested in travelling to Iceland, be sure to read our Lesbian Guide to Reykjavik!

Have you been to Iceland? Share your experience in the comments below!

View our library of How Lesbian Friendly Is… articles here!

The post How Lesbian Friendly is Iceland appeared first on Lez See the World.

What To Do

Snap Photos of the Iconic Golden Gate Bridge

This famous architectural masterpiece is an absolute must-see in San Francisco. You can walk, bike, or drive across the bridge, and the views from both sides are stunning. Our favourite view points are from the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Centre where you can get up nice and close, and from Baker Beach, which is the perfect spot to watch the sunset and get some gorgeous photos of the bridge.

Explore Golden Gate Park

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park is huge, and has so much to see and explore. It’s a great place to go for a run or hike, take a scenic walk, enjoy the beautiful gardens, visit the museums and galleries, have a picnic, and do some great people watching. The park stretches all the way to the beach on one side, and to the Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood on the other. You can spend plenty of time here and it’s definitely an important staple in San Francisco!

Chill in Haight-Ashbury

The Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood of San Francisco is the spot to experience some historic hippie vibes. This is where the hippie counterculture was born in the 1960’s, and today it’s a fun mix of vintage clothing shops, record stores, independent boutiques, bookstores, and quirky cafes and restaurants. Sitting on the edge of Golden Gate Park, it’s certainly worth taking the time to stroll through The Haight and soak up the unique energy of this historic neighbourhood.

Eat and Drink in the Mission District

If you’re looking for a cool hipster vibe, be sure to explore San Francisco’s Mission District. Rooted in Latin culture, this neighbourhood is full of classic taquerias, and trendy eateries. Explore this area and along with amazing eats, you’ll find incredible street art in Clarion Alley and Balmy Alley, as well as the best view of the city skyline from Dolores Park.

Visit Fisherman’s Wharf

On San Francisco’s northern waterfront sits the very popular Fisherman’s Wharf. While it is a busy tourist area, it’s worth a visit to see beautiful views of Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay, and Alcatraz Island (the famous prison turned museum). Another highlight is the colony of sea lions that collects on Pier 39 to sunbathe.

Explore Chinatown

Located near the waterfront and on the edge of the financial district, is San Francisco’s Chinatown. Full of authentic eateries and bustling shops, it’s a great spot to explore and maybe catch a street festival!

Admire the Painted Ladies

San Francisco is full of beautiful Victorian Homes, and the Painted Ladies are a row of houses that have become very iconic. They sit on Steiner St. and can be viewed best from Alamo Square Park. You might recognize them from various film and television appearances, including Full House! (For Full House fans, you can also visit the Full House home, which is nearby on Broderick St. and is now owned by the show’s creator, Jeff Franklin!)

Show Your Pride in the Castro District

If you’re looking for the heart of gay culture in San Francisco, you need to head to The Castro! This area is overflowing with gay bars and clubs, and is also home to the GLBT Historic Museum, the Human Rights Campaign Action Centre and Store, and the Rainbow Honor Walk, a memorial tribute to noteable LGBTQ+ people. This neighbourhood is booming with gay history and culture, and cannot be missed.

Weave Down Lombard Street

Near Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street is a famous hill in San Fran with a steep incline and numerous hair pin turns. The views from the top are absolutely gorgeous, and makes it a popular spot for tourists to come and walk or drive down it.

Shop at Union Square

In downtown San Francisco, Union Square is a large public plaza at the centre of the city’s shopping and theatre district. Surrounded by many hotels and inns, it’s a popular spot for tourists, and is full of boutiques, gift shops, and department stores. If you’re looking for the cosmopolitan heart of San Francisco, be sure to visit Union Square.

Ride the Historic Street Trolleys

San Francisco is famous for its cable cars that run on three routes in the city. The Powell-Mason line, and the Powell-Hyde line both start/end in and around Fisherman’s Wharf, and are a great way to see some of the iconic San Fran spots. If you don’t want to wait in line, watching them go by is fun too!

Along with the iconic cable cars, San Francisco has a fleet of antique street cars that run on it’s municipal rail lines around the city. With a collection of trolleys from all over the world, the most well known vintage vehicles run along Market Street and The Embarcadero. You can ride the route from The Castro all the way to the famous ferry building, and along The Embarcadero to Fisherman’s Wharf. Or if you’d just like to catch a glimpse of these historic street cars, keep an eye out when you’re along the route!

See the AIDS Memorial Quilt

If you’re interested in LGBTQ+ history, the NAMES Project Memorial AIDS Quilt is being displayed in San Francisco until the end of 2019. The quilt was constructed as a memorial in celebration of the lives that have been lost to the AIDS pandemic. It’s the largest piece of community folk art in the world, and can be seen at the San Francisco Grace Cathedral through the end of the year.

Enjoy all the Green Space

San Francisco is home to so many beautiful park spaces. Aside from well known Golden Gate Park, other noteworthy spots include The Presidio, Twin Peaks, the Japanese Tea Garden, Crissy Field, Mission Dolores Park, and the San Francisco Botanical Garden.

Take a Day Trip to Monterey Bay

South of San Francisco on California’s central coast, sits Monterey Bay. With Santa Cruz on it’s North end, the city of Monterey on the South end, and Carmel-by-the-Sea in neighbouring Carmel Bay, this region has so much to offer. Known for it’s beautiful scenery and welcoming communities, Monterey is a really amazing spot to visit with gorgeous beaches, stunning coastlines, charming towns, and so much natural beauty. If you’re looking for a little getaway from the city that has laid back beach vibes and spectacular coastal views, click here for our lesbian guide to Monterey Bay!

Raffinee’s Family Friendly Recommendations

Not only is San Francisco a great city to visit alone or as a couple, it’s also an amazing destination for families! We asked our friend and fellow blogger Raffinee for her top ten family friendly spots and activities in San Fran, and she gave us her list to share with you! Raffinee and her wife Michaela are Bay Area locals, and moms to three toddlers born 7.5 months apart. They put together a list of some amazing things to do in San Francisco with little ones. For more LGBTQ+ family content, check out Raffinee’s blog Raff Out Loud, and follow her on Instagram.

Top Ten Family Friendly Spots & Activities in San Francisco

1. Baker Beach – We love this one for its easy beach access, amazing views of the Golden Gate, and the fact that it’s dog friendly! Definitely our favourite beach in the city hands down!
2. Dolores Park – A super fun park in the heart of the city with lots to keep the little ones busy, including some really long and big slides! Fun fact: Dolores Park is also known as Gay Beach, and during Pride it gets packed with people celebrating! It also offers a great view of the city from on top of the hill!
3. The Presidio – an awesome place to have a picnic with the family with Bay views! Then you can rent a bike from Sports Basement and cross the Golden Gate!
4. The Ferry Building – A great indoor marketplace buzzing with unique finds, coffee, and all different kinds of delicious food!
5. The Sea Lions at Pier 39 – This is seasonal, but if you can catch them it’s a must! It’s so fun to watch them plop in the water only to climb back up again. Our kids get a kick out of it every time!
6. Ferry to Sausalito – Sometimes it’s fun to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, and head to the other side of the Bay! Driving over the Golden Gate Bridge is great too, but taking the ferry is a whole experience on its own, and offers unique views of the city and the bridge.
7. Civic Center Playground – This is a relatively new, super funky play space in the Civic Center. It’s awesome!
8. Ocean Beach – A beautiful long stretch of open beach. We love grabbing food to go from the delicious vegan place Judahlicious, and taking it to the beach to watch the waves!
9. Philz Coffee – This isn’t a family friendly activity, but let’s be honest, parents need their coffee! You can’t visit San Fran without grabbing a Philz. The Mint Mojito is our favourite!
10. San Francisco Pride – I can’t not mention Pride in San Fran! It happens in June, and it’s one of our favourite events to attend with our kids in the city! So much colour, so much happiness, and SO MUCH LOVE!

Where to Stay

There are a lot of things to consider when choosing where to stay during a visit to San Francisco. Depending on how you’ll be getting around (keep reading for tips on transit around San Fran), what you plan to do and see, and what kind of experience you’re looking for, there are a lot of great options! Keep in mind that accommodations in San Francisco are very expensive. If you have a car to explore the city, consider staying further outside the city centre to lower your accommodation costs. If you’ll be getting around by city transit, you’ll want to stay somewhere more central and can look out for a good deal. Our go-to platforms for booking travel accommodations are Hotels.com and Airbnb. San Francisco has tons of hotel options in all price ranges, and Hotels.com has great prices as well as an excellent rewards program. For every ten nights you book, you get one night free. Airbnb also offers good accommodation options in a city like San Francisco, and you’ll likely get a lot more for your money going this route. With beautiful rooms in Victorian homes, quirky artist spaces, and cozy garden studios, you can find a lot of unique spaces in the city. This also gives you more of a local’s perspective, and can be the perfect way to experience San Francisco. If you’ve never used Airbnb, you can click here to save on your first stay.

To find the best neighbourhood to stay in, it all depends on what you’re looking for. For the best gay vibes in the city, you can stay in the famous Castro District or the trendy Mission District, and for a laid back gay friendly spot, try the more residential neighbourhood of Bernal Heights. For all the hippie feels you’ll want to stay in Haight-Ashbury, and for something more cosmopolitan, try something near Union Square. If you want to be in the bustling tourist area, opt to stay by Fisherman’s Wharf and the Marina, or the charming North Beach neighbourhood. If you’re super outdoorsy, you might choose something near the Presidio, or Golden Gate Park. San Francisco is overflowing with amazing districts and neighbourhoods, all with unique things to discover. Consider your travel style and what you hope to get out of your stay in the city, and you’ll be able to choose the perfect spot for you.

Where to Eat & Drink

One of the amazing things about San Francisco, is how multicultural the food scene is. The city caters to a lot of different dietary needs, and includes many different cuisines, sure to satisfy every foodie! While you’re exploring the different neighbourhoods in San Fran, be sure to check out the unique culinary offerings in every corner of the city. The Mission District is the spot to find amazing Mexican and Latin American food, our favourite being Gracias Madre, a vegan Mexican restaurant. Haight-Ashbury is where you should go for quirky cafes and great plant based options including VeganBurg. The Shizen Vegan Sushi Bar is an absolute must for Japanese cuisine, as is Ananda Fuara on Market Street for new age vegetarian. You can find plenty of amazing Asian and Asian Fusion restaurants, our faves being Indochine Vegan in the Mission, Golden Era in Mid-Market, and The Lucky Creation in Chinatown. Scattered around the city are tons of health conscious cafes serving nourishing food, like Judahlicious near Ocean Beach, Vegan Picnic near the Marina District, and Nourish Cafe near the Presidio. Greens Restaurant is the place to go for a beautiful waterfront dining experience, and an excellent veg menu. There’s definitely something for everyone, and so much to discover in the San Fran food scene. Be sure to branch out and try something new, and you won’t be disappointed! The same thing goes for great spots to grab a drink in the city. Keep reading for some great gay and gay-friendly bars, and be sure to check out some of San Francisco’s many craft breweries, like Black Hammer Brewing, Cellarmaker Brewing, Harmonic Brewing, Anchor Public Taps, Barrel Head Brewhouse, Barebottle Brewing Company, Standard Deviant Brewing, Triple Voodoo Brewery, Seven Stills, and more.

Lesbian Friendly

One of the truly amazing things about San Francisco, is how diverse and LGBTQ+ friendly it is. There are so many gay and gay-friendly establishments, and the whole city is very welcoming of the community. San Fran is definitely one of the most gay-friendly cities we’ve ever visited in our travels, and it’s a big reason why we love it so much! The state of California is progressive, open minded, welcoming of travellers, and quite LGBTQ+ friendly as a whole. They are seen as one of the most liberal states in the US when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, and they have been leaders in the fight for equality on numerous occasions. California was the first state to legalize same-sex domestic partnerships in 1999, and they legalized same-sex marriage for the first time in 2008, and again in 2013 after the ban was lifted. The state has legally banned discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, and same-sex couples have equal marriage rights, and equal access to family planning. California has also banned conversation therapy on minors, and public schools are required to teach LGBTQ+ history in their curriculum. All of this makes California very progressive, and much of it is thanks to the gay liberation movement that started in San Francisco in the 1970s. After the New York Stonewall riots in 1969, people started organizing in San Fran to promote gay rights and fight for equality. What is now the San Francisco Pride celebration, traces back to 1972 when the first Gay Liberation Day Parade took place. Today, San Francisco is considered one of the most prominent LGBTQ+ communities on the globe. It is often referred to as the original gay-friendly city, because of its integral part in the history of LGBTQ+ activism. 

We have always felt very welcomed as a lesbian couple in San Francisco. There is never any hesitation to show affection to one another in public, or be open about our relationship. The city feels like a gay paradise, and is bursting with Pride from every corner. While the gay heart of the city is in The Castro, this neighbourhood can definitely be more male dominated. That being said it’s still very inclusive of the entire community and entirely worth checking out. Other popular neighbourhoods for lesbian women in San Fran are the Mission District, as well as Bernal Heights. Similar to other cities, San Francisco doesn’t have any specifically lesbian bars, after the main lesbian establishment closed down within the past couple years. There are however, lesbian events that happen weekly and monthly in the city at different venues, including 13 Licks, Mango, and UHAUL. There’s even a Meetup Group for San Francisco Lipstick Lesbians! Other lesbian friendly spots in the city include Wild Side West in Bernal Heights, Twin Peaks Tavern in The Castro, El Rio in the Mission District, QBar in The Castro, Toad Hall in The Castro, and The Cafe in The Castro. San Francisco is definitely a city where lesbian travellers can feel safe and accepted. There is so much gay history and gay culture to be appreciated, and a lot of safe spaces to go and be around other lesbian women.

How to Get Around

If you’re staying in a central spot in San Francisco, it’s best to leave the car behind. Parking fees at San Fran hotels are extremely high, and it’s definitely possible to navigate the city without driving. If you do plan to drive, day parking can be tricky to find sometimes, but there are many spots around the city that offer free street parking. We usually prefer to explore on foot, but we took a car on our last visit to San Fran and found we were able to cover a lot of ground. There are a lot of different ways to explore San Francisco, so you can choose whichever suits you best.

On Foot

San Francisco is very hilly, so walking between different areas isn’t ideal. That being said, when you’re exploring a neighbourhood, the best way to see it fully is on foot. Spots like Haight-Ashbury, The Castro, and the Mission District, are full of quirky shops and great cafes, and strolling the streets is the best way to experience the culture first hand.

Public Transportation

The main public transportation service in San Francisco is Muni. Muni includes transit buses, light rail, streetcars, and the iconic San Francisco cable cars. Muni provides great options for getting around while you’re in the city, but they don’t provide service in and out of San Francisco. If you’re paying with cash, adult fares will cost $2.75, but if you use the MuniMobile app, or a clipper card, they’re only $2.50. With the MuniMobile app, you can purchase tickets ahead of time using a credit card online, which makes taking transit very convenient. If you plan to use other public transportation in the Bay Area, getting a clipper card might be a good option, because you can use the same card for all Bay Area public transit networks including Muni, Bart, Cal Train, City Coach, San Francisco Bay Ferry, and others. The clipper card costs $3, but is definitely worth it if you plan on using transit networks other than Muni. The SFMTA is a great resource if you want an in-depth look at getting around San Fran and the Bay Area.

Ride Share

Lyft and Uber are very popular in the city, and are great supplemental transportation options. Since parking can be hard to find, hopping in and out of a ride share can save you a lot of time. San Francisco even has a ride share called Homobile, a non-profit organization that offers transit for the LGBTQ+ community on a donation basis. How cool is that!?

Bike Share

San Francisco has a bike share network called GoBike. GoBike is a docked bike share system, and has bikes all over the city. If you’re brave enough to tackle those San Fran hills, or want to take a ride down Lombard St, then GoBike is a great option! One way rides start at $2, and you can even pay using your clipper card. If you want to give your legs a break, you can opt for the GoBike Plus, which is a pedal assist electric bike!

Has anyone else fallen in love with San Francisco? Let us know in the comments!

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