San jose costa rica gay clubs
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We also saw plenty of wildlife including the famous red eyed tree frog!
White Water Rafting – Wave Expeditions
We were super excited to go white-water rafting with Wave Expeditions– an activity we had been keen to do!
This was really well organised, and led by fun, knowledgeable guides. There are plenty of organised buses and transfers available, but they are very expensive.
This innovative style adds an experimental and exciting twist to the drinking experience. They have shows and themed parties.
Location: Avenida 14, Calle 9
CAFE MILAGRO Bar & Restaurant – Manuel Antonio
Cafe Milagro is long noted to be gay friendly. You are able to use the common facilities of Banana Azul while staying here.
Hotel & Spa Aninga – Tortuguero
During my time I stayed at the beautiful Hotel & Spa Aninga.
Activities for Gay Travellers in Costa Rica
I had an action packed 10 day itinerary whilst in Costa Rica, here are some of the unmissible activities to do during our stay:
Sunset Cruise with GayTours – Manuel Antonio
Every Wednesday and Saturday GayTours run a sailing trip.
During the night it becomes a trendy upscale dance club and lounge. 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.
Their staff are very diverse and you can just be yourself here and relax.
The bed and breakfast is set in two renovated Spanish Colonial buildings, it has 5 rooms, a pool and a jacuzzi.
Book here
Teva Hotel & Jungle Reserve
A modern eco hotel with on-site jungle hiking trails.
Its open every night and you can expect strippers, gay erဝtic n*ked shows, gay darkroom, shows, underwear nights, n*ked nights etc.
Location: Calle 11, Av 8 & 10, upstairs
El 13 – San Jose
In the daytime this place is a café. Help the community and share your piece of mind
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User photos from C3 LAB:
It's always best to view a place from the eyes of the visitors.
Costa Rica is one of the most gay friendly countries in Central America.
Here is a little bit of history on why Costa Rica is a gay friendly country.
In the last ten years, gay marriage was a hot topic for the presidential elections. You should go and explore:
- Playa Espadilla
- Playa Playitas
- Playa La Mancha
What to pack for Costa Rica?
Check out our full packing list for everything you might forget:
How to get to Costa Rica?
The most likely route to entry will be flying into San Jose, the capital.
Additionally, the restaurant at C3 Lab promises a sensory delight with its menu, designed to offer an exceptional culinary experience.
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We try to keep this information updated, but always check their website for updated information. The majority can be found in either Manuel Antonio or San Jose, however there are a couple of great options in Puerto Viejo.
Colours Oasis Resort LGTBIQ Plus Property – San Jose
This is a luxury boutique style hotel in San Jose.
It’s gay and straight friendly welcoming all but does advertise itself as an LGBTQ property.
User comments
Have you been to C3 LAB and have something to say? 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.
Read more about it here.
Book here
Tico Tico Villas – Adults only – Manuel Antonio
Tico Tico Villas is gay owned and run by Eugene.
We stayed here when we were in Manuel Antonio and loved it. It is gay owned and very LGBTQ friendly.
They have a great restaurant and a daily happy hour.
It has a jungle-view swimming pool, reliable high-speed internet, and abundant nearby wildlife like macaws, toucans, and monkeys.
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.
It's worth noting that the sauna tends to be busier in the early evenings and after work hours, rather than late at night.
Club Hispalis is situated a long block away from the National Museum, and it is recommended to use Uber for easy access.