Five Destinations Where You Can Travel with Pride Year-Round

Whether you prefer tracking elephants across a sun-drenched savannah, snorkelling in tropical seas, or dancing under city lights, we’ve curated five “best for” escapes that have our LGBTQ+ guests grinning from ear to ear. We also asked our friends at OutThere Magazine to share their expert insights into why each destination is so welcoming. So, pack your bags, adventure—and acceptance—await. 

Best for Safari: South Africa

Picture this: you’re perched in a plush safari vehicle at dawn, steaming coffee in hand, while a cavalcade of giraffes saunters past. South Africa—often referred to as the “Rainbow Nation”—has long led the continent in LGBTQ+ rights, making it a stellar choice for savvy travellers. Cape Town’s vibrant neighborhoods and Joburg’s buzzing nightlife set the stage before you head north to Kruger National Park.

• Inclusivity on the savannah: Many safari lodges are proudly LGBTQ+-owned or LGBTQ+-allied, ensuring a judgment-free wilderness experience. 
• All-season adventure: Whether you go in June (our Pride Month) or December, you’ll encounter magnificent wildlife without crowds.
• Cultural immersion: After your Big Five safari, unwind with a wine tasting at a Stellenbosch vineyard or a sunset cocktail in Bo-Kaap, where rainbow-hued facades echo the spirit of Pride.

What the OutThere team say: “They say the greatest luxury is the ability to reconnect—with oneself, with culture and with nature’s untamed beauty. Few places offer this quite like South Africa, the radiant OutThere heart of the African continent. It was the first country in the world to enshrine LGBTQ+ rights into its constitution. For discerning travellers seeking transformative experiences, South Africa offers an exquisite holiday that will offer a mix of landscapes, wildlife, heritage and warm, wholehearted welcomes."

Ready for close encounters in the wild? South Africa’s got your back.

Best for Beach: Thailand

Swap juggling emails for juggling coconuts and turn Thailand’s beaches into your personal playground. Think pastel sunsets, powdery sand between your toes and resorts that roll out the rainbow for every guest. Whether you’re sprawled under a palm reading a book or sashaying through Bangkok’s neon-soaked Silom district, Thailand’s warmth is about more than sunshine.

• Hidden Bay Hideaways: When you need some time to truly unwind, head to Koh Lanta or Koh Lipe. Expect tiny boutique villas tucked among palms, with hammocks strung between coconut trees (and yes, they know exactly how you like your mango smoothie).
• Spa & Serenity: Ever drift off mid-massage? At the adults-only wellness retreats in Phuket and Koh Samui, you’ll find that a two-hour Thai oil scrub can cure pretty much anything.
• Neon Nightlife: Thailand certainly knows how to throw a beach party. If you like to pepper your trip with an invigorating dose of nightlife, you’re in the right place. Fire dancers bring an exotic touch to beach bars where strangers become instant friends.

What the OutThere team say: “As Southeast Asia’s first nation to legalise equal marriage, Thailand’s progressive spirit and heartfelt hospitality make it a haven for LGBTQ+ travellers. From vibrant culture and exquisite cuisine to lush landscapes and luxury resorts, Thailand offers a truly OutThere experience. Head to the southern islands and lesser-known coastal escapes, where time slows, worries fade and every moment is a celebration of inclusion, beauty and the magic of being exactly where you belong.”

Looking for an utterly enchanting escape? Thailand’s waiting to welcome you with open arms.

Best for Families: Portugal

Portugal somehow solves the “kid meltdown” dilemma and the “I-need-a-cocktail” dilemma in one go. From Lisbon’s pastel streets to the Algarve’s hidden coves, everyone in the family finds something to cheer about in this bewitching country. Welcome to the sweet spot where little adventurers run wild, and LGBTQ+ families feel like part of the neighborhood.

• Tiny Explorer Trails: Let the kids loose in Sintra’s storybook palaces, then hunt for crabs in Sagres’s tidal pools—Portugal is proof that learning can be sandy, wet and ridiculously fun.
• Family Pride Parties: Lisbon’s June parade is more confetti cannon than formal march: street performers juggle torches, DJs spin pop bangers, and even grandma can’t resist a little dance.
• Homely Hideouts: In Porto and Lisbon, boutique hotels offer a beautiful base to rest little legs to after a day of exploring.

What the OutThere team say: “Progressive, safe, and effortlessly inclusive, Portugal enshrined same-sex marriage in 2010 and lives its values daily. A destination where every kind of family, especially LGBTQ+ and non-traditional ones, is truly welcomed. From sun-drenched Comporta to storybook Lisbon and Sintra, the country offers rich culture, world-class cuisine and seamless travel. But what sets it apart is its spirit: warm, accepting and without judgment. Here, families aren’t just accommodated, they’re embraced. In Portugal, you don’t have to explain who you are. You simply arrive, exhale and belong. And that is true luxury.”

Being pestered for an unforgettable family trip? Portugal’s the one.

Best for Adventure: Costa Rica

If your spirit animal rides zip lines and your heartbeat syncs to river rapids, Costa Rica is your Pura Vida paradise. It’s a place where “eco-luxe” means treehouse hammocks by day and starlit hot springs by night. Whether you’re surfing Pacific swells or unwinding in jungle hammocks, Costa Rica’s ‘pura vida’ mantra is pure joy for explorers.

• Canopy Courage: Strap into a harness and sail through the rainforest canopy—monkeys swinging above you, toucans calling in the distance and not a car horn in earshot.
• Raging Rapids: Grab a paddle for white-water rafting that’ll have your heart pounding harder than your morning espresso—then unwind in volcanic hot springs that feel like Mother Nature’s own jacuzzi.
• Give-Back Getaways: Stay at friendly eco-lodges that handpick local conservation and community programmes to support—so your thrill ride helps protect wildlife (and human rights) at the same time.

What the OutThere team say: “For LGBTQ+ travellers seeking something altogether different, Costa Rica delivers adventure with substance. This is a country where nature takes centre stage—cloud forests swirl in mist, beaches stretch untamed and wildlife seems to outnumber people. But what makes Costa Rica truly stand out is its confidence as a progressive haven in Central America, where same-sex marriage has been legal since 2020 and the welcome is refreshingly genuine because of its laid-back Tico culture. Whether trekking volcanoes or unwinding in a rainforest lodge, the freedom and equality here runs deeper than the landscape.”

Dreaming of an adventure that pushes boundaries? Costa Rica beckons.

Best for a City Break: Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona thumps with life: Gaudí’s whimsical architecture, tapas bars spilling onto cobblestones and an LGBTQ+ scene that sparkles from El Raval’s hidden speakeasies to Sitges’s legendary Pride beach parties. It’s the kind of city break that feeds your soul, one where you can toast your liberty on a rooftop overlooking the Mediterranean. Barcelona is calling—and trust us, you’ll want to say “sí.”

• Gaixample greatness: The Eixample district (also known as “Gaixample”) brims with chic cafés, art-deco hotels and rainbow flags fluttering in the breeze.
• Midnight merriment: From sultry flamenco nights to open-air electro beats, Barcelona’s nightlife is as varied as it is vivacious.
• Cultural deep dive: Tour the Picasso Museum by day, then marvel at the Sagrada Família’s stained-glass glow at sunset.

What the OutThere team say: “Barcelona is the ideal city break for luxury LGBTQ+ travellers who are after a blend of culture, style and inclusivity. Its deeply rooted queer culture pulses through neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarter and Eixample, where chic boutiques, lively bars and hidden rooftop retreats create spaces of authentic expression and celebration. From sipping cava at a Michelin-starred restaurant to wandering sunlit terraces, Barcelona offers a sense of belonging, freedom and effortless luxury tailored for travellers who value both individuality and community.”

Squeezing a city break into your busy schedule? Prepare to be wooed by Barcelona.

Pride Isn’t a Date on the Calendar

Every time you pack your passport, we want you to rest assured you can travel with pride. We’ve handpicked these five destinations because they’ve won the hearts of our LGBTQ+ travellers again and again. Are you craving a barefoot sunset, a family road trip through sun-drenched villages, or a rollicking city break where you can dance until dawn? Let us know your dream, your non-negotiables, even your silly quirks (mohair socks in the safari tent, anyone?), and we’ll build an itinerary around what makes you feel most alive. So put our specialists to the test, and let’s start plotting your next adventure.