Big Gay Winter Destinations To Beat The Blues

Sweltering to shivery and decadent to diehard… here are our top spots to shine through the darkest days of the year.

Why hunker down through the coldest season of the year when you can spend a few days anywhere but at home? Fortunately for LGBTQ+ travellers, we have a world of gay winter destinations that range from lazy and luxurious to aggressively adventurous. You can even celebrate the New Year in Cuba or Thailand.

Vietnam & Cambodia – For Ancient Ruins & Amazing Cuisine

On this 13-day hybrid land tour and cruise of the mighty Mekong River, we’ve packed in as many ancient temples and floating villages as possible! Begin with three days in Siem Reap, where we’ll explore Angkor Wat and enjoy Phare Circus. Then we board our elegant river ship for 8 relaxing days, including an overnight in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Once the cruise portion wraps up, we’ll spend 2 more days discovering the bustling charisma of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). As far as big gay winter destinations go, this one sets the bar high!

Our Vietnam & Cambodia: Mekong Gay River Cruise departs in March 2025, and if that isn’t enough South East Asian culture, you can extend your trip by adding on our Vietnam: Hanoi & Ha Long Bay Gay Cruise.

India ~ For Colourful Charm

India is not a top-of-mind destination for many queer people. In fact, homosexuality was only decriminalized in 2018. On the other hand, Manvendra Singh Gohil, son of the Maharaja of Rajpipla, is the first openly gay prince in the world. The land is chaotic and colourful. Magic and majestic. It’s also home to the only party on Earth more colourful than Pride: Holi, the Festival of Love. Queer life is concentrated in Mumbai & Delhi…but there’s plenty to see, hear, and taste in the second most populous country on Earth.

Join our Holi Festival Foray which departs in February (or March, depending on the year).

Cuba – A Sun-Soaked Gay Winter Destination

Cuba is on the cusp of embracing its queer side. In fact, Mariela Castro – daughter of Raul Castro – has been a long-standing and outspoken LGBTQ+ ally. The country has begun celebrating International Day Against Homophobia, and there’s a rather decent gay scene in Havana. If you’re American and curious, we can even book your trip – legally – thanks to our ‘Support for the Cuban People’ tours.

Our New Year Fiesta tour gets saucy every December, and our Cultural Cuba tour takes place every November and February.

New Zealand ~ For Milford Sound & Epic Landscapes

Jacinda Ardern – New Zealand’s former Prime Minister – made a splash as the youngest female head of state in the world. Suffice to say her country is on the right side of progress. Not to mention…winter for North America is summer down under, so you can look forward to long bright days on your sojourn. Enjoy an overnight cruise to picturesque Milford Sound, hike through valleys surrounded by the soaring Southern Alps, visit a renowned winery in Gibbston Valley, or try bungee jumping in Queenstown, where it was born!

Our Active South Island Expedition departs every February.

Costa Rica ~ For Pura Vida

Manuel Antonio National Park has been an LGBTQ+ hot spot for decades. It boasts parties, a queer resort, and the only LGBTQ+ bar outside of San José (where nightlife rivals the wildlife). Consider a weekend in the capital before venturing further into the rainforests to explore their boundless biodiversity. As far as gay winter destinations go, this is one of the most tropical ones!

Get soaking wet on our Gay Eco-Adventure in March.

Tanzania ~ For Serengeti Safari Realness

Setting our sights on the Serengeti, we’ll experience nearly everything this gorgeous country has to offer. Prepare to be amazed by the Big Five – Lions, Elephants, Buffalo, Leopards, and Rhinoceros – before venturing into the Ngorongoro Crater, an ancient volcanic caldera teeming with natural wonders. Our hand-picked lodges are plush, comfy, and sure to have you saying Hakuna Matata (no worries)!

Join us on our Tanzania: Gay Serengeti Safari every January, which can be combined with our Rwanda: Gorilla Trek Extension (below).

Rwanda ~ To Visit Gorillas On A Volcano

This is truly one of the most unique tours. We’ll visit the Volcanoes National Park, home to many endangered mountain gorilla families, where we’ll get close (but not too close) to some of our nearest genetic relatives. On top of that, we’ll explore the bustling markets of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city, where you’ll witness the country’s incredible progress since its tumultuous past.

Join us on our Rwanda: Gorilla Trek Extension every January, which is easily added on to our Tanzania: Gay Serengeti Safari.

Australia ~ For Mardi Gras, A Gay Winter Party Like No Other

Australia is like the sexy love child of the United Kingdom and North America, with bonus marsupials and killer arachnids. It’s the biggest island and the smallest continent in one, and Aboriginal Australian culture is amongst the oldest on earth. While some of the earliest immigrants were felons bound for penal colonies—which may explain the country’s rowdy rural reputation—it’s also home to some of the most cosmopolitan cities on Earth. Australia has made globally renowned contributions to queer culture, from Sydney Mardi Gras to Her Royal Highness of Pop. Kylie Minogue.

Spend Summer Down Under in February.

Thailand ~ *THE* Gay Winter Destination

From the streets of Bangkok to the island of Phuket, gay travellers love Thailand’s diverse landscape. That’s why it’s one of our most popular destinations. The Land of Smiles boasts more beaches than any other Southeast Asian destination, making it the perfect gay winter spot. The mountainous north is known for its culture. There are multiple cities with raucous gay scenes where you can drink fresh coconut water by day and throw back shots with Kathoey (trans performers) by night. Or, for a more peaceful adventure, head to Krabi, where many resorts are only accessible by longtail boat. And let’s not forget Thai cuisine. It’s delicious. Sweet. Spicy. And sensational. Consider taking a cooking class so you can keep the memories simmering at home.

Join us in December for our Thailand New Year Celebration, in February on our Temples & Beaches tour, or in April to Celebrate Songkran Thai New Year & Water Festival.

Let Out Adventures warm up your winter holiday plans. Contact us to start the conversation!