Colombia has some of the most progressive LGBTQ+ laws in South America, and we found Cartagena to be a safe and welcoming destination as a female same-sex couple. While the local LGBTQ+ scene is small and there isn’t much of a gaybourhood, the city is still a great lesbian friendly destination to consider. We highly recommend visiting and we’re sure you’ll fall in love with it the same way we did!

Is anyone else in love with Cartagena, Colombia? Is it already on your bucket list? Let us know in the comments!

Be sure to read our full lesbian travel guide to Cartagena to help you plan your trip:

Cartagena

The post 14 Photos to Make You Fall in Love with Cartagena 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 do what feels right to them.

Keep reading to find out how lesbian friendly Argentina is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

The laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in Argentina are very progressive, and some of the best on the globe. Same-sex sexual activity has been decriminalized since 1853. In 2010 Argentina was the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage, becoming the 10th country to legalize it worldwide. That same year they also legalized adoption for same-sex couples, and since 2013 couples have had equal access to all family planning, including IVF. There is currently discrimination protection in place for members of the LGBTQ+ community in both Buenos Aires and Rosario, and further anti-discrimination laws are pending nationwide. Argentina also has some of the most comprehensive transgender rights laws in the world and in 2014 BBC Mundo stated that “Argentina leads the trans revolution in the world”. Other extraordinary LGBTQ+ laws in Argentina are that gay and bisexual men can donate blood with no deferral period, and gay conversion therapy is banned. Argentina is an incredible leader in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and an exemplary country for equality and inclusion.

Social Climate

Since Argentina’s transition to a democratic system in 1983, they have taken huge steps toward inclusivity and acceptance of our community. A 2013 Pew Research Center poll showed Argentina as the most supportive country in Latin America, with nearly 75% of people being accepting of homosexuality. They rank #15 on the Gay Happiness Index, which is 2nd for Latin American countries, after their neighbour Uruguay. The capital city of Buenos Aires is a very popular destination for LGBTQ+ tourism, and has been called the “gay capital” of Latin America. The high rates of societal acceptance are due to the organizations formed in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s in Argentina, that raised awareness and pushed for LGBTQ+ rights. Attitudes shifted dramatically after this time, and Argentina is now one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly Latin American countries. It is certainly a safe and accepting destination to visit for gay travellers and same-sex couples.

Gaybourhoods

The biggest LGBTQ+ scene in Argentina is definitely in its capital city of Buenos Aires. As the largest city in the country, it is a big recipient of LGBTQ+ tourism and is full of gay culture. Buenos Aires hosts an annual Pride Parade called the Marcha del Orgullo LGBT de Buenos Aires, and it has grown in numbers each year since it started back in 1992. It happens on the first Saturday in November, and in 2018 approximately 100,000 took part in the Pride festivities and events! Buenos Aires also has plenty of gay and gay friendly bars, nightclubs, parties, events, cafes, restaurants, and other venues. Much of the gay scene is in the Palermo District, as well as Recoleta, and Barrio Norte, although it also spreads throughout the entire city. Other destinations in Argentina with notable gay scenes are Cordoba, Mendoza, Rosario, Puerto Madryn, Ushuaia, and Mar del Plata. Cordoba has been hosting their own Pride Parade since 2008, and Mendoza has been hosting theirs since 2011. Argentina also receives a lot of same-sex couples travelling to the country to get married, as neighbouring countries such as Paraguay and Chile do not legally allow same-sex marriage, and Argentina does not have any residency requirements for marriage. Overall, Argentina is a great destination for LGBTQ+ travellers, and a very welcoming country in South America. It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking for somewhere that you can feel safe, while also experiencing some local gay culture.

Our Experience

Steph has spent quite a bit of time in Argentina on previous trips before we met, and we travelled there together in 2019 during a visit to South America. We spent all of our time in the capital city of Buenos Aires! We had an incredible experience and were so impressed with how safe, welcoming, and inclusive the city of Buenos Aires is. We love to travel to countries that recognize our marriage, and it’s so reassuring visiting a place where you know you are protected by law. We felt very safe and comfortable being out and open in Argentina, and had no issues travelling there as a same-sex couple. Our Airbnb host was a gay man who excitedly gave us a long list of LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, and parties, and told us all about being married to his partner. When we were out one night at a live performance, we had a staff member ask us if we were a couple, which never happens! Same-sex relationships seem to be very normalized, and we didn’t get any unwanted attention when being open in public. We even attended a tango lesson where we danced together and nobody batted an eye. Argentinians were very kind and welcoming to us, and we had such a wonderful experience. We definitely hope to return one day! Buenos Aires is a city where we could see ourselves spending a lot more time, and there is so much more of Argentina to see. We would love to go to the wine region together, and maybe attend the Pride festivities one year! Overall, we highly recommend Argentina as a lesbian friendly travel destination for women and couples. We felt completely safe being out and open as a same-sex married couple, and never felt the need to hide our relationship. It’s a wonderful destination and worth adding to your travel list!

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

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

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

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

What To Do

Explore the Barrio Histórico

Colonia’s historic quarter is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a must see when visiting the small city. This area was built by the Portuguese in the 17th century, and is full of cobblestone streets and beautiful architecture. Take some time to stroll around the old town and look out for the City Gate, the Basilica of the Holy Sacrament, and the Colonia Lighthouse.

Relax in Plaza Mayor

Colonia’s main square sits in the centre of town lined with trees, and is a beautiful place to sit and people watch. Be sure to spend some time here soaking up the sun and enjoying the views!

Visit the El Faro Lighthouse

Colonia’s iconic lighthouse is certainly worth a visit. You can pay a small fee to climb up to the top and enjoy stunning views of the Rio de la Plata. It dates back to the 1850’s and is located on part of the ruins of an ancient convent.

Discover the Old Harbour

Colonia has a beautiful waterfront with walking paths, a small pier, stretches of sandy beach, and stunning views. Be sure to walk down to the harbour and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. You might even see some rowers on the water.

Take a Walk down Avenida General Flores

In the heart of the city, this main street is where you will find most of the shopping, cafes, and restaurants. It’s not just a popular spot for tourists, but is also very busy with locals. It’s certainly worth it to go for a stroll, and enjoy the lively environment.

Where to Stay

Colonia del Sacramento is very small, and most accommodations are right in the centre of town. There are only a couple of chain hotels, and there are plenty of smaller inns and boutique hotels all for very reasonable prices. If you choose to stay somewhere near the old town, you will be within walking distance to all of the sites! If you’re looking to book hotel accommodations, 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. Outside of hotels, there aren’t a lot of accommodation options in Colonia. We were able to find an Airbnb for our stay, but there weren’t many apartments to choose from. If you enjoy using Airbnb like we do, it’s definitely worth taking a look to see what’s available! We found a full one bedroom apartment with a kitchen and patio for $33CAD/night. If you’ve never used Airbnb before, click here to set up a profile and save on your first stay!

Where to Eat & Drink

Colonia is very small, but there are plenty of cafes and restaurants scattered around the city centre and the old town. Don’t be afraid to go exploring down the side streets to find a cute patio for a meal or a drink. We did notice that there isn’t a lot of diverse cuisine, and we struggled to find plant based options and really healthy food. Our favourite spot that we came across which was on the Avenida General Flores, was called Irene’s Natural Foods. Be sure to check it out for lunch or dinner if you’re looking for something vegan! If you don’t have any dietary restrictions, some popular places to eat include Charco Bistro, El Buen Suspiro, and Lentas Maravillas. And if you’re looking for a nice cocktail, head to Gitana Gastrobar. This one is also a perfect spot to watch the sunset, which is absolutely gorgeous in Colonia!

Lesbian Friendly

Uruguay has some of the most progressive laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in all of South America, and possibly some of the best in the world! Same-sex marriage was made legal in 2013, and they’ve had discrimination protections in place since 2003. Click here for more on how lesbian friendly the country of Uruguay is. We felt very safe exploring the city of Colonia as a same-sex couple, and had no issues at all while we were visiting. We held hands and showed affection in public, took photos kissing in the street, and booked an Airbnb apartment with a local host as an open lesbian couple. We never felt the need to hide our relationship for safety reasons, and we found the locals to be very warm and welcoming to us. Because Colonia is so small, there really isn’t a “gay scene”. If you’re looking for gay culture in Uruguay, it will definitely be best to visit nearby Montevideo! In Colonia, the city is quiet and quaint, and you won’t find any gay bars or rainbow crosswalks. But that being said, it’s a very welcoming place and is certainly a lesbian friendly spot to visit in Uruguay. If you’re looking for a picturesque destination with old historic charm, don’t hesitate to add Colonia del Sacramento to your list!

How to Get Here and How to Get Around

Ferry

To get to Colonia del Sacramento from Buenos Aires, Argentina, you can take a ferry across the Rio de la Plata. There are a few different companies to choose from, but in our opinion the fastest and best option is Buquebus. You can book your tickets online in advance, and they have several sailings per day so it’s easy to choose a departure that works with your schedule. The sailing time from Buenos Aires to Colonia is approximately 1 hour. Be sure to arrive at the Puerto Madero terminal in Buenos Aires at least an hour before departure time (the ticket says to arrive two hours before, but nobody actually does). Once you arrive, you can check in with an agent and check any larger pieces of luggage. After check in, you’ll head upstairs and go through exit immigration for Argentina, as well as entry immigration for Uruguay. There is also a nice waiting area with a cafe before you board. When you arrive in Colonia, you’ll be about a 10-15 minute walk from everywhere in town!

Bus

Getting to and from Colonia by bus is also very straight forward. Most likely, you’ll be going to or coming from Montevideo, and there are multiple daily bus departures with Turil and Cot. If your schedule is flexible, it’s no problem to buy your ticket at the bus station when you arrive, but we’d recommend purchasing your tickets ahead of time online to ensure you have a seat. If it’s a weekend or holiday, then you should definitely book ahead of time, as buses can get busy! The buses are inexpensive, tend to be on time, and have wifi, so the three hour trip to or from Montevideo will be very comfortable.

Walk

Colonia del Sacramento is very small and walkable. If you’re able to, exploring the city centre and the old town is great to do on foot! Nothing is too far, and you can easily see the main sights all in one day.

Taxi

Since Colonia is so small it’s unlikely that you’ll need a taxi, but there are taxis available if you want one. If you’re arriving at the ferry terminal or bus station with luggage, you can easily find a taxi to take you to your accommodations. Be sure to have your taxi driver run the meter rather than offer you a flat rate.

Golf Cart

Driving around town in a golf cart seems to be popular way for tourists to explore! There are several rental companies around town, and they are easy to find, especially near the bus station and ferry terminal. You need your driver’s license in order to do a rental, and there’s no need to book advance. You can rent by the hour or by the day, and it’s a fun way to get around town!

Has anyone else fallen in love with Colonia del Sacramento? Let us know in the comments!

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay appeared first on Lez See the World.