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 Uruguay is!

LGBTQ+ Laws

The laws regarding LGBTQ+ people in Uruguay are some of the most progressive in all of South America (and maybe even the whole world), due to its strict separation of church and state. Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalized in 1934, and same-sex marriage has been legal since 2013. Uruguay was the first Latin American country to legalize civil unions for same-sex partners, which they did back in 2008, and in 2009 they approved a law for same-sex couples to be able to adopt. Now, same-sex partners have equal access to all family planning including IVF. There has been discrimination protection in place for LGBTQ+ people in Uruguay since 2003, and in recent years the country has made very progressive steps in equality for people of all gender identities. On Uruguayan identity documents, there is an “other” option for those who do not identify as male or female. Other LGBTQ+ rights worth noting are that gay men can donate blood in Uruguay with no deferral period, and gay conversion therapy is banned on minors. Uruguay is absolutely a leader in equality for the LGBTQ+ community, and it’s incredible to see!

Social Climate

In 2016, Americas Quarterly Magazine named Uruguay the most LGBTQ+ friendly country in Latin America. They called it “a model for social inclusion in Latin America”. Uruguay ranks as #5 on the Gay Happiness Index, and polls show that the acceptance of same-sex couples and homosexuality in the country is very high, though numbers suggest that acceptance of trans people is lower. One of Uruguay’s largest annual events is their Pride Parade that takes place in the city of Montevideo in September. It’s been happening since the 1990’s and drew crowds of around 120,000 people in 2018. There is also a Pride Parade that takes place each year in February in Punta del Este, called Punta Pride. In 2016, Uruguay was host to the first International LGBT Rights Conference, with important issues being addressed by activists and politicians from around the world. Uruguay is definitely considered to be a very LGBTQ+ friendly country to visit, and one of the most open and accepting destinations in South America. 

Gaybourhoods

The most prominent LGBTQ+ scene in Uruguay is in the capital city of Montevideo. It is often referred to as one of the most gay friendly cities in the world, with gay nightlife and LGBTQ+ friendly businesses and establishments. While the venues are scattered around the city, there are numerous spots to have a drink, go out dancing, and be around other members of the community. The most popular gay bar is called Chains Pub, while the best known late night venues for clubbing/dancing are Il Tempo and Cain Club. There are no venues specifically for gay women, but all establishments seem to be welcoming of everyone. There is also an LGBTQ+ monument located in the old town called The Plaza of Sexual Diversity and features a granite monolith. The monolith reads “Honouring diversity is honouring life: Montevideo for the respect of every gender, identity, and sexual orientation”. Aside from Montevideo, Punta del Este is also a very welcoming destination in Uruguay. There isn’t a designated gaybourhood, but many gay friendly establishments. Overall, Uruguay is a country where you can absolutely feel safe and welcomed, and also experience some local gay culture. It’s an amazing LGBTQ+ friendly destination in South America!

Our Experience

Steph visited Uruguay for the first time back in 2005, and we visited together on our South American trip in 2019. We spent our time in both Colonia del Sacramento and Montevideo, and absolutely loved it. Knowing that the LGBTQ+ laws in Uruguay are so supportive, we felt completely safe and at ease during our travels. We had a wonderful experience exploring the cities, and felt comfortable being out and open in public at all times. The locals were very welcoming to us, and we didn’t get any unwanted attention. It felt very safe to be open as a same-sex couple. We love visiting countries that support us as lesbian women, and were so happy to experience Uruguay together. Colonia is a beautiful historic city that is both charming and picturesque. We loved spending all afternoon wandering through the cobblestone streets and admiring the colonial architecture. Montevideo is Uruguay’s capital city and is much bigger and more metropolitan. It’s been named the 5th most gay-friendly metropolis in the world, and the 1st in Latin America! We enjoyed exploring the old town, walking along the Rambla, and checking out some late night venues. We would happily return to Uruguay one day, and we would love to go to Punta del Este to enjoy its stunning beaches! We highly recommend Uruguay as a lesbian friendly travel destination for lesbian women and couples, it’s a very special place.

If you’re interested in travelling to Uruguay, be sure to read our Lesbian Guide to Colonia, and our Lesbian Guide to Montevideo!

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

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

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What To Do

Visit the Plaza Independencia

The beautiful Plaza de la Independencia sits in the centre of Montevideo, and is the perfect jumping off point for a day of sight seeing! Separating the city’s downtown from its historic old town, the plaza is a popular attraction with some well known architectural landmarks. Be sure to check out the Gateway of the Citadel, the Artigas Maosoleum, the Palacio Salvo, and the Teatro Solis.

Explore the Ciudad Vieja

Montevideo’s old town is called the Ciudad Vieja, and is a great place to get lost for a day. It has plenty of history and cultural museums if that interests you, as well as a lot of other popular landmarks. Look out for the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Plaza Matriz, as well as some beautiful views of the water from San Juan Gate. There is also a popular historic market called the Mercado del Puerto with plenty of bars and restaurants, as well as a lively nightlife scene with cocktail bars scattered around the area.

Enjoy the Peatonal Sarandi

The historic old town also has an amazing pedestrian zone called the Peatonal Sarandi. It starts at the Ciudadela and runs down to the Rambla. Here you will find plenty of shops, businesses, cafes, and galleries, and it’s a great spot to people watch and enjoy the energy of the city.

Stroll Along the Rambla de Montevideo

This avenue wraps along the coastline of the entire city, and is the longest sidewalk in the world! The promenade is a popular spot for walking, cycling, fishing, and roller skating, and is a beautiful place to enjoy the views of the water. The Rambla is extremely important to Montevideo and has even been proposed as a World Heritage Site. Be sure to spend some time here soaking up the sun.

Explore Downtown Montevideo

Avenida 18 de Julio, is the main commercial street running through the city’s downtown. Named after the date of Uruguay’s first constitution, it’s a very important avenue in Montevideo and a great jumping off point for exploring the city centre.

Check out the City Beaches

If you’re looking to get out and enjoy some of the beautiful beaches Montevideo has to offer, there are plenty of city beaches you can visit! The closest is Playa Ramirez, and a little further out are Pocitos Beach, Playa Verde, Carrasco Beach, Playa del Buceo, and Malvin Beach. A perfect way to escape the city and relax!

Where to Stay

Montevideo is a fairly big city, and deciding where to stay really depends on what you’re looking for. If you decide to go the hotel route, most hotels in Montevideo are located in the downtown area and along the nearby beaches. There are both big chain hotels as well as smaller boutique hotels to fit every price point. If you choose to stay in the downtown area, you’ll be very close to the historic old town and you will definitely find some affordable options. If you want to stay in one of the beautiful areas near the beaches, you’ll be farther away from the city centre but in a really lovely spot by the water. 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 Montevideo. We were able to find an Airbnb in the old town for our stay, but there were very few apartments to choose from. If you enjoy using Airbnb like we do, it’s definitely worth taking a look to see what’s available and hopefully you can get lucky like we did! We found a full studio apartment with a kitchen for $36CAD/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

The food scene in Montevideo keeps getting better and better, and is especially geared toward meat eaters. While the culinary offerings are quite diverse, the city is very popular for barbecue and steak. We noticed a small but growing trend in health conscious establishments focused on vegetarian or fully plant-based menus, but not as many as in nearby Buenos Aires. A popular spot for meat eaters is the Mercado del Puerto, a historic port market where you will find plenty of steakhouses. For cozy cafes, try La Farmacia in the old town or Cafe Gourmand and Escaramuza Libros in the city centre. For more upscale dining, Jacinto is a very popular spot for dinner, and Toledo is the place for tapas. If you’re vegan like us, and looking for plant-based options, Natural Food & Market is the perfect spot for lunch, Barra 7 is great for late night eats, and Bambu is a wonderful vegetarian buffet. Montevideo also has a vibrant nightlife scene with plenty of bars and music venues scattered around the city. You really can’t go wrong! Some popular spots include Baar Fun Fun, Patagonia Brewing Co, and the Montevideo Wine Experience. Keep reading for some specifically LGBTQ+ friendly bars and venues.

Lesbian Friendly

Uruguay has some of the most progressive LGBTQ+ laws in South America, and is very LGBTQ+ friendly, even by global standards. Click here for more on how lesbian friendly the country of Uruguay is. Montevideo has been called one of the most gay friendly cities in the world, and is very welcoming of travellers. Uruguay legalized same-sex marriage back in 2013, and they’ve had discrimination protections in place for the community since 2003. We felt very safe travelling to Montevideo as a lesbian couple, and had no issues at all while we were exploring the city. We showed affection in public, held hands in the street, took couple photos togethers, and booked an Airbnb with a local host as a married couple. We never felt the need to hide our relationship to stay safe, and everyone we met was very warm to us. Montevideo is one of the few cities in the world with a monument to recognize our community. In 2004, The Plaza of Sexual Diversity was created, featuring a large granite monolith in the shape of a triangle (referencing the pink triangles worn during Nazi persecution). The monolith reads “Honouring diversity is honouring life: Montevideo for the respect of every gender, identity, and sexual orientation”, which is pretty incredible! In terms of a gay scene or “gaybourhood”, the LGBTQ+ establishments in Montevideo are scattered around the city rather than being concentrated in one area. As usual, the gay nightlife is geared toward men, but establishments are still welcoming of gay women. The most popular and well known gay bar/late night venue is called Chains Pub and is located downtown near Plaza de la Independencia. For late night dancing, the most popular gay club/disco is Cain Club, which is also located downtown. Il Tempo is another gay disco located further out of the city centre, close to Playa Ramirez. Montevideo is definitely a lesbian friendly spot to visit in Uruguay. If you’re looking for a welcoming South American city to check out, be sure to add Montevideo to your travel list!

How to Get Here and How to Get Around

Ferry

To get to Montevideo 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.  Buquebus offers two options to get to Montevideo – a direct ferry, and a ferry and bus combination through Colonia. The direct ferry is faster, but more expensive, and the combination offers more sailing times, but will take longer. The direct sailing time from Buenos Aires to Colonia is approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, and the ferry and bus option will take roughly 4.5 hours. 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.

Bus

Getting to and from Montevideo by bus is also very straight forward. If you’re travelling by bus, most likely you’ll be coming from Colonia or Punta Del Este. There are multiple daily bus departures with Turil, Cot and Copsa. 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. Urubus is a great website for booking tickets ahead of time, and has multiple languages to choose from for convenience. 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 3 hour trip from Colonia or 2 hour trip from Punta Del Este will be very comfortable.

Walk

The different areas of Montevideo are very walkable, and great to explore on foot. In the old town, the pedestrian street is perfect to stroll along, and the Rambla is a beautiful walk along the water with incredible views. It’s more difficult to walk between the different neighbourhoods in the city, but each area in itself is quite pedestrian friendly.

Bike

We saw a lot of people riding bikes in Montevideo, and it definitely seems like a good way to get around. Just be mindful of the cars on the road, because the drivers tend to drive very close to cyclists. There is a city bike share called Movete, where you can pick up a docked bike and return it to any designated spot in the city.

E-Scooter

The mode of transportation we were most excited to see in the city is the e-scooter network. Montevideo has both Lime and Grin scooters, and they both work the same way. Once you have the app (the Lime app is the same for all of their scooter networks worldwide), you can unlock any scooter you see and take it for a ride. Once you’re finished, simply park the scooter in a spot that’s out of the way, and lock it using your phone. Riding along the Rambla on a scooter is a great way to see the area, although we’d be hesitant to ride everywhere in the city because the cobblestone streets might make for a bumpy ride!

Taxi/Rideshare

Taxis and Ubers are plentiful in the city. Rates are quite a bit higher than in Argentina because of Uruguay’s high gas prices, but they’re still much lower than what we’re used to in North America. Taxis in Uruguay have an evening/Sunday and daytime pricing scale, so expect your rate to be different depending on the time of day.

Public Transportation

There is no subway system in Montevideo, but the bus network is reliable and inexpensive. Buses don’t run late, but there are more taxis on the road after public transportation hours end, so you’ll never be stuck.

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

The post Lesbian Travel Guide to Montevideo, Uruguay 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.