Tired Of Bear Runs? These Bear-friendly Trips Don’t Involve Running

By Andy Stark

Don’t get me wrong, I love bear runs (gay bear events) and I’ve been attending them for over fifteen years. Maybe I’m getting older, or the novelty has worn off, or I’ve developed a post-pandemic phobia of crowds, which I Google’d and it’s called Enochlophobia. Werk. But long weekends getting toasty in a beef-drenched pool surrounded by hairy heartthrobs, furry bellies and runway-quality sunglasses are beginning to seem, dare I say, monotonous.

Luckily, my newfound proximity to gay travel has opened this bear’s eyes to trips I never knew existed, and as I’ve gotten to know the ins-and-outs of these adventures, several have struck me as oso appealing. If you’re eager to discover something new with a more diverse crew, here are a few bear-friendly LGBTQ+ group tours to consider.

Costa Rica

With its easy accessibility from North America and year-round warmth, Costa Rica is one of the most bear-friendly escapes you may have never considered. Our Eco-Adventure departs in late-March, when temperatures are moderate and (ahem) bear-able.

We’ll begin in fabulous San José at the Gran Hotel. It’s smack dab in the middle of downtown and walking distance from everything. With plenty of gay bars and attractions to choose from (Gold Museum, anyone?), you’ll certainly fall in love with the city, but the real adventure begins when we’re whisked away to Costa Rica’s famed Arenal Volcano. We’ll spend two days at Arenal Springs Resort which features a to-die-for pool, hot springs, and plenty of room to lounge around and check the apps.

The next two days will be spent at our sustainable (and all-inclusive) forest bungalows at Rio Perdido in Bagaces, where we’ll enjoy a zip-lining experience through the jungle. You can also soak up some rays by the pool, check-in to the spa, or simply explore the jungle surrounding the resort.

Finally, we end up at Tamarindo Beach, a gem situated on the Pacific coast, where we’ll hop aboard a catamaran for a day cruise. With the wind in our sails, we’ll likely see pods of dolphins, sea turtles, flying fish, and maybe even breaching whales. Halfway through, we’ll drop anchor and practice our cannonballs in the azure blue ocean. Later in the evening, we’ll enjoy tropical sunset cocktails and a beachside BBQ dinner.

If a Costa Rican Eco-Adventure sounds like your kind of jam, check out the full itinerary here.

Jordan

While this tour is officially an extension of our Egypt Nile River Cruise, it’s perpetually popular and many guests enjoy it as a standalone adventure. While Jordan can be hot, our tours run in March and November, when temperatures are within reason.

After we land in Amman, we’ll take a private transfer to the Dead Sea Marriott. Once we’re settled, it’s time for a salubrious float and an exfoliating mud bath, which is said to have numerous healing properties! Ask nicely and a guide might just apply the mud like sunscreen.

From there we’ll check in to Memories Aicha Luxury Camp. Think 5-star glamping with air-conditioning and hotel amenities. We recommend upgrading to the Panoramic Tent which comes with a crazy view of the starry night sky from the comfort of your bed.

To fully explore the Mars-like landscape, we’ll hop in some sweet pickup trucks for a thrilling ride that follows in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia.

For the finale of our trip, we’ll be Indiana Jonesing it through the many caves, tombs, monuments and ancient sacrificial sites that make up the Rose City, ending at the world-famous Petra. Full disclosure: there will be some walking involved, however once we’re inside the canyons and out of the sun, temperatures generally stay cool.

We’ll end our day and the trip with an authentic dinner and music under a Bedouin tent to truly connect with Jordanian culture.

If this sounds like your sort of adventure, scope out the full schedule here, or combine it with an Egypt Nile River Cruise for a comprehensive experience.

India

India is delightfully over-the-top. It’s bold, buzzing, and packed with sensory overload in the best possible way. Among the many forms of transportation we’ll use to navigate through the chaos are auto-rickshaws. These nifty little cars let us weave through city streets with just the right amount of breeze and bravado. Keep an eye out for the occasional cow crossing the street!

Next up? The Taj Mahal. No filter needed. This marble monument to eternal love has seen centuries come and go, but it’s never witnessed a group of bears turning up in coordinated linen looks. It’s big, it’s dramatic, and honestly? Same. We’ll take it all in at sunrise, when the light hits just right and everyone looks like a snack (even before breakfast).

From there, we’ll tour ornate palaces and forts where the royal drama is served hot and heavy: patterned walls, colorful archways, and thrones that might fit two if you cuddle.

But the real climax (ahem) is our private Holi party. Because you haven’t truly bonded until you’ve tossed fuchsia powder at your fellow bear while dancing to Bollywood bangers with a lassi in hand! No random crowds here, just our crew, some killer beats, and rainbow-splattered selfies you’ll be posting for months. Come dressed in white, leave looking like a tie-dyed daddy having a spiritual awakening.

Our 12-day Holi Festival Foray covers the highlights and hidden gems of Rajasthan in northern India! Even better, we stay at decadent 5-star hotels (with sweet, sweet air conditioning) the entire way.

Croatia

We’ve saved the best for last, as our Croatia Gay Dalmatia Cruise is hands down the most bear-friendly trip we run. It’s also one of our most popular cruises so we recommend booking as early as you can.

After we land in Split, we’ll bond with our fellow shipmates over local fare at an included dinner. Disco nap if you need to, but this is the night to go out. Academia Club Ghetto and X Club are the places to be.

Muster up because we’re off to board our private luxury yacht, the Rhapsody, for a 7-day cruise along the historic Dalmatia coast. This ship has everything – spacious cabins, (some) private balconies, multiple bars and lounges, a glorious sun deck – plus, our very own chefs.

The immaculate itinerary has us island-hopping to charming ports unreachable by larger cruise ships, like Bol, Hvar, Vis, Korčula, and Trstenik. Our yacht pulls right into these ports, docking with ease and allowing us to hop on and off at will over the course of the day. Some days, we’ll even hit multiple ports in one day.

But prepare for the most epic finale, because we end the cruise in Dubrovnik.

These days, most bears know Dubrovnik as King’s Landing from Game Of Thrones. If only your 2019 GoT viewing party could see you now, sailing in like Daenerys Targaryen with the wind in your chest hair. There is no shame, shame, shame in it.

After a guided walking tour and cable-car ride up to the mountain overlook, we’ll settle in for an included gourmet dinner – a feast for kings (and queens).

If Croatia is a must-see, check out our Croatia Gay Dalmatia Cruise for a look at the full itinerary. This one always sells out far in advance, so don’t be dragon, ‘cuz the cabins will be gone faster than Robert Baratheon in season one!

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Bear with me here…

If you made it this far and you’re still wondering what a gay bear run is, I can tell you it doesn’t involve running. However, bears do tend to move with haste when we’re thirsty. Or when there’s a sale on flannel shirts.

Like me, most of my bear friends enjoy the bear run scene. Many of them are simply unaware there’s an alternative form of gay travel, and while I’m certainly not advocating for my friends to forego bear runs, I do believe there’s merit in exploring the world, meeting unique people with interesting perspectives, indulging in authentic local cuisine, and gaining a diverse array of friends along the way.

And don’t worry, the bear runs will still be there when you get back 🙂