Although relatively small in size, roughly around 51,000 square kilometers, Costa Rica is rich in its diverse range of attractions and activities. Whether you choose to visit San Jose’s many museums, be amazed at the cloud forest of Monteverde, bathe in hot springs, watch the Arenal Volcano spews fiery red lava on a starless night or simply sip Costa Rican coffee in the comforts of your resort suite, there is bound to be something for “everyone”.
Costa Rica is a popular destination for gays and lesbians. Despite its being a predominantly Catholic country, the Costa Rican reputation for tolerance and acceptance for gay and lesbian lifestyle has made it a welcoming destination for gay and lesbian travelers. However, the age of consent for any sexual union in Costa Rica is 18. Any adult caught with a minor under 18 will be held criminally liable. Tolerance for gay and lesbian relationships goes only as far as “don’t ask, don’t tell” attitude. Moreover, blatant displays of affection between same sex partners in public places are frowned upon. Obvious displays make many Costa Ricans uneasy especially the more conservative locals in the rural areas. Discretion should be practiced at all times in all places.
Downtown San Jose and the Manuel Antonio area attract the most number of foreign and local homosexuals. San Jose’s gay scene is flourishing. A number of gay and gay-friendly bars, saunas, internet cafes, restaurants and hotels have mushroomed around the San Jose in the past years.
Hotel Kekoldi is the only hotel in downtown San Jose with a private and secluded garden. It is tucked away in a beautiful art deco building away from the noise of the streets of San Jose. It has ten elegant bedrooms. Another gay-friendly hotel is the Hotel Colours San Jose, a tropical gay guesthouse located in the exclusive and quiet Rohrmoser area. The Canyon House is only minutes away from the Juan Santamaria International Airport. It is specifically for gay men only. Canyon House, an intimate Mediterranean villa has five individually decorated guest rooms complete with modern amenities.
Gay or straight, La Avispa Gay and Lesbian Dance Club is a great place to visit. There are two dance floors, pool tables, a large video screen and a bar that offers a wide array of drinks. DÈj‡ vu is a chic bar and nightclub that attracts a large gay and lesbian crowd. Modern techno music pervades. On Saturday nights, there is a drag queen show. Other gay-friendly places are Bogarts City Gay Show Bar and Restaurant and El Bochinche, an upscale bar frequented by gay yuppies.
The area around Manuel Antonio has become exceptionally popular with gay and lesbian tourists despite an untoward incident a few years back when a busload of gay revelers was turned away allegedly upon orders of the Roman Catholic clergy. Located in a secluded area in Manuel Antonio is a gay nudist beach.
Hotel Casa Blanca nestled on a gentle hillside overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park and its radiant beaches is the first resort on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast under gay and lesbian management catering to gay and lesbian guests and their family and friends. Situated on Quepos, Manuel Antonio, Hotel Villa Rocca is gay owned and is exclusively for gays, lesbians and their families and friends. The Villa Rocca is built in a beautifully landscaped garden of tropical plants and exotic wildlife. It overlooks the Manuel Antonio National Park and the great Pacific Ocean. The Plantacion is reputed to be one of the world’s foremost gay hotels. It is a tropical haven perched on a hillside adjacent to the verdant rainforests.
Triangulo Rosa, the first legally recognized gay group in Central America recommends gay-friendly hotels, bars and meeting places in Costa Rica