In many ways Havana may be the perfect gay vacation paradise where tropical weather, white sand beaches, historically preserved neighborhoods, savory flavors, and a booming artistic community is busting through the seems. Also, as of September 2022 gay marriage has also been legalized on the island country. Although it has strong conservative Catholic roots, it is one of the most progressive islands in the Caribbean.
With all that said, traveling to Havana is like traveling back in time. Wi-...
In many ways Havana may be the perfect gay vacation paradise where tropical weather, white sand beaches, historically preserved neighborhoods, savory flavors, and a booming artistic community is busting through the seems. Also, as of September 2022 gay marriage has also been legalized on the island country. Although it has strong conservative Catholic roots, it is one of the most progressive islands in the Caribbean.
With all that said, traveling to Havana is like traveling back in time. Wi-Fi is sparse and expensive so local people barely use it. Some hotels have Wi-Fi, but they are few and far between so don't expect it. Grindr, Scruff, and all the apps for finding queer community aren't readily available or used. Queer people find each other the old fashion way, so make sure to brush up on your gaydar. Ride share apps are non-existent and you might have to consult a paper map or translation book. Many places don't take credit or debit cards and ATMs are not easy to find. This may seem daunting to some, but it's also helped preserved the island's culture and added to it's charm. Depending on what country you are coming from you may need to apply for a certain visa as well.
Havana has two popular neighborhoods where you'll find queers, the hip Vedado and Havana Viejo. There aren't any "official gay bars", but drag shows and queer events are sprinkled throughout open-minded venues. We would suggest checking out the bar's social media accounts and websites, but many are updated sparsely if it has one. Wander through the charming streets, and follow your senses is a great way to explore the city. Make sure to consult our guide, and write down addresses to ask locals or taxi drivers where to go.
