Gay resorts costa rica
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Plus, there’s vibrant nightlife and a mix of gay-owned and friendly places to stay.
Playa Espadilla
Right in the heart of Manuel Antonio, Playa Espadilla is where the action happens. These are nice chilled out events to meet other LGBTQ locals and tourists.
Gay bars that are now closed
The following bars appear in search results but are no longer in operation (or at least have no web presence to suggest they are still running):
- Club Venue – San Jose
- Bocho – San Jose
- Buenas Vibraciones – San Jose
- Puchos – San Jose
- Club Karma – Manuel Antonio (now Drunken Monkey)
- MoGamBo BarCafe – Manuel Antonio
Gay Hotels in Costa Rica (& Gay Resorts)
Costa Rica has an impressive number of gay owned, gay friendly and just outright gay hotels and resorts on offer.
Here are some top picks:
Hotel Villa Roca
One of the most famous LGBTQ+ resorts in the area.
Adults-only, and clothing-optional if you’re feeling adventurous.
Features a pool, hot tub, and a poolside bar—perfect for relaxing with a drink.
Prices range from $80-$350 per night, breakfast included.
Tico Tico Villas
Gay-owned and right in the heart of “gay Manuel Antonio.”
Great for longer stays with cozy villas and a pool.
Prices vary from $90-$270 per night.
Coyaba Tropical
Adults-only B&B, perfect for a more intimate, relaxed stay.
Prices start around $150 per night.
La Mariposa Hotel
A 4-star, gay-friendly hotel with stunning views of the ocean and jungle.
Offers an in-house restaurant, lounge, and bar for dining with a view.
Comfortable rooms with views that might just make you want to stay forever.
Casa Del Sol Naciente
A charming gay-friendly option with a welcoming vibe.
Byblos Resort & Casino
Features an in-house restaurant, bar, and even a casino if you’re feeling lucky.
Gorgeous pool surrounded by lush rainforest—nature and luxury all in one.
Playa Espadilla
A 3-star beachside resort with 16 cozy rooms.
Offers a unique restaurant, pool, and spa—perfect for some pampering.
While these spots aren’t exclusively gay, they’re known for being LGBTQ+ friendly, making Manuel Antonio a top destination for queer travelers.
Can I find LGBTQ+ specific events or activities in Costa Rica?
Absolutely!
Check out Gaycations here and submit an enquiry today!
Pura Vida!
Note: This post has affiliate links. However, the nightlife that is on offer does have a laid-back attitude and a young crowd who are pretty open minded
Tortuguero
If you are looking for a jungle adventure, head up to the Northern Caribbean jungle paradise of Tortuguero National Park.
The national park is a rainforest that meets the Caribbean coast.
The best time to visit is during the dry season, from December to April. Just one of two gay-only resorts in Costa Rica, Colours Oasis combines inclusivity with modest luxury, complete with a private terrace sundeck and solar-heated pool. Staying at Kurà also means getting to know the local native tribe, the Borucan people, as their art and devil masks adorn the common quarters here.
Photo: Kurà Hotel
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Guests have access to the fitness centre and spa, eating at the on-site restaurant or at a number of other eateries just 5 minutes down the road. I hope you enjoy!
Gay Costa Rica: The Ultimate Travel Guide
Costa Rica is a small country within Central America. The city’s got a decent public transportation system with buses and taxis aplenty.
Pacuare Lodge
Not just another eco-retreat, Pacuare Lodge stands out for its remote rainforest location, accessed most conveniently by raft (!), near Siquirres 100 kilometres east of San Jose. May empathy and love be the compass that guide us forward and allow us to move forward and build a country that has room for everyone.” — Carlos Alvarado Quesada
Costa Rica also boasts legislation to improve LGBTQ+ rights in Costa Rica.
This includes the recognition of transgender identities on residency cards and declared hormone treatment “in the public interest,” which allows patients to receive the appropriate comprehensive care via the country’s health services.
Same-sex relations have been legal since 1971 and it sounds like Costa Rica is really moving forward.
The country has a handful of gay-only or LGBTQ+ specific hotels and resorts that are as welcoming as they are comfortable. You can taste traditional Costa Rican food, pick up some quirky souvenirs, and feel the pulse of local life all in one go.
Outdoor Spaces
Need some fresh air? While the sunset alone is enough to keep you rapt, the hotel’s shuttle can whisk you to the beach in no time for kayaking, surfing and whale watching, with facilities in the small town of Uvita.
Fun fact: the president even marched in the Pride parade in 2019!
Tourist hotspots: Places like Manuel Antonio are incredibly welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers, with plenty of gay-friendly hotels, beaches, and nightlife.
Cultural context: Costa Rica is still a largely Catholic country, so while acceptance is growing, it’s good to be mindful in certain areas.
Safety: Overall, Costa Rica is considered safe for LGBTQ+ travelers, especially in the more popular tourist areas.
Origins was built in natural materials by French architects to be the most dazzling property in the region. And it beats with culture, history, and a dash of everyday chaos.
Cultural Attractions
First up, Teatro Nacional. Here’s a quick guide to some of the top LGBTQ+ events you won’t want to miss:
Pride Parade and Pura Vida Pride Festival (San José)
Every June, San José turns into a rainbow-colored fiesta with its annual Pride Parade and Pura Vida Pride Festival.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa
Your first night in Costa Rica can’t get much more perfect than a stay at El Silencio Lodge & Spa, a lodging set within 500 acres of tropical forest reserve, complete with a lazy river and waterfall-laden mountains surrounding. Perfect for those who like their beach days with a side of socializing.
Playitas Beach
For something quieter, check out Playitas Beach, also in Manuel Antonio.
The area is well know for its sprawling freshwater canals and wetlands and (if the name has not given it away) for the many green turles that nest on Tortugueros sandbars.
The forest and surrounding canals are is home to the likes of jaguars, tapirs and manatees.
There are many beautiful hotels nestled into the jungle, with stunning pools from where you can see lots of local wildlife.
You won’t find a gay scene in Tortuguero but that it not why you would come here anyway.
Tortuguero is a truly wonderful and immersive rainforest experience and should 100% be part of your Costa Rica Itinerary.
Gay Bars in Costa Rica
The biggest gay nightlife scene in Costa Rica is in San Jose followed by Manuel Antonio which has a more chilled vibe but rest assured, most bars in Manuel Antonio will be mixed by its very nature of being popular with LGBTQ tourists and locals alike.
I had very little expectations of a big gay night out in Costa Rica but were quickly proved wrong, I had one of the craziest nights out yet in San Jose.
A lot of gay bars in Costa Ricas have the concept that you pay your entry fee and then its an open bar which can be good value but also tricky to manage….
Listed below are the current gay bars in Costa Rica listed by destination.
La Avispa – San Jose
This is a long running (since 1979) gay bar in San Jose and is often open to the early hours of the morning.
They run great drinks promotions and have themed nights including Latin Dance, Reggaeton and Electronica – they simply want you to dance!
Location: Calle 1, Avenida 8 & 10, San José, Costa Rica
Club El Teatro – San Jose
This is one of the larger gay bars in San Jose.
Here you can expect to find drag shows, themed nights such as Glitter & Glam and then dedicated night to celebrities Beyonce and Demi Lovato.
This costs $15-$20 to enter depending on the night and the time you arrive but normally includes an open bar.
Location: Av 16, San José, 10103
Oráculo, Bar and Grill – San Jose
This is one of the more risqué clubs you will find in San Jose.
Wander through Quepos Town or take a 3-kilometre road trip out to Manuel Antonio National Park, a site boasting exotic islands and a nature reserve to rival the Galapagos.
Blending their respective skills in the fields of both architecture and biology, Kurà’s owners designed the hotel to be both stylish and sustainable
Photo: Kurà Hotel
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The city is just a 45-minute drive from Juan Santamaría International Airport, making it a convenient hub for your Costa Rican adventure.
Best Time to Visit
San José is at its best during the dry season, from January to April, when the weather is warm and sunny.