Brazil is a famously LGBT-welcoming destination. Public opinion tends to be strong in our favour, and among South American countries, Brazil ranks as one of the friendliest. Of course, the country is extremely large, and attitudes and acceptance change drastically depending on the region. While Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Salvador have become queer meccas, prejudice is still strong in more remote and rural regions.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Legal
Right to Change Gender: Legal but requires surgery
Same-Sex Adoption: Legal
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal in some contexts
Brazil is one of the world’s greatest gay hotspots. It is famously accepting of all sexual orientations, with robust gay villages and annual Pride Festivals (São Paulo’s Parada do Orgulhoin is said to be the biggest in the world) in every major city. The massive coastline is littered with gay beaches brimming with bodacious men and women. Meanwhile, LGBT-oriented clubs and bars tend to attract a mixed crowd of hetero- and homosexual patrons looking to samba from dusk to dawn. Of course, we haven’t even mentioned Carnaval, the gayest nongay festival in the world!
Gay Villages in Brazil
Rio—Rua Teixeira de Melo is a beachside neighbourhood and the heart of gay Rio.
Rio—Lapa is a bohemian neighbourhood that’s also very popular with the LGBT community.
São Paulo—Frei Caneca / Consolação is the largest gay strip in the city.
São Paulo—Largo do Arouche / Centro is relatable to New York’s West Village. It’s grittier than Frei Caneca but worth a visit.
Salvador—Although LGBT people are welcome in most areas of the city, The Barra neighbourhood is quite popular with gay men.
Gay Beaches in Brazil
Rio—Farme de Amoedo (AKA Barbie Land) is a gay beach in Ipanema. Look for the rainbow flags.
Rio—Praia de Bolsa in Copacabana right in front of the Copacabana Palace Hotel. It’s nicknamed Bolsa after the bears that tend to frequent it. It’s also popular with the transgender community.
Rio—Praia do Abrico in the Grumari district is a gay-friendly nudist beach.
Rio—Reserva in Barra da Tijuca has a lively LGBT stretch.
Salvador—Porto da Barra
Pride and Gay Events in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro Gay Pride—Annually in September
São Paulo Gay Pride—Annually in February (2021’s festival has been pushed back to June). Famously one of the largest gay Pride festivals.
Salvador de Bahia Pride—Annually in September
Best Gay Bars in Brazil
Rio—Boate 1140 (Club)
Rio—Buraco da Lacraia (Cabaret and nightclub)
Rio—La Cueva (The oldest gay bar in Rio)
São Paulo—1007 (Mixed younger crowd. Nightclub)
São Paulo—ABC Bailão (Legendary bar for the over-50 crowd and their admirers)
São Paulo—Bar da Lôca (Open-air gay punk bar)
São Paulo—The Week (The largest, most famous LGBT club in Brazil)
Salvador—Bar Caras & Bocas (Gay bar and cabaret)
Salvador—San Sebastian Salvador (Relaxed club)
Salvador—Boate Tropical (Disco and retro bar/club. Located on an UNSAFE street. Always taxi or uber to the venue)
Salvador—Bar Ancora Do Marujo (Drag bar)
Best Lesbian Bars in Brazil
São Paulo—The L Club (Friday night, even for lesbian and bisexual women)
5. Salvador
The capital city of Brazil’s Bahia brings together two of the country’s most prominent cultural heritages: Portuguese and Afro-Brazil.
4. The Amazon Basin
While Brazil’s largest rainforest continues to face larger and larger threats, it is still one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and home to all of the country’s poster children, including toucans, macaws and pink dolphins.
3. São Paulo
This vibrant city hosts the largest Pride Festival in the world and the largest gay club in Brazil (The Weekend).
2. Iguaçu Falls
On the border of Brazil and Argentina, 275 roaring falls collide, creating what is widely considered the most beautiful waterfall in the world.
1. Rio de Janeiro
No gay tour of Brazil would be complete without an afternoon on either Ipanema or Copacabana beach sipping caipirinha and watching gorgeous sun-kissed Brazilian men and women walk by. As the sun dips, ride the gondola up Pão de Açúcar for an otherworldly sunset. Finally, allow the rhythm of this festive city to take control of your hips as you samba your way through endless LGBT-welcoming bars and clubs.
Best Time of Year To Visit: If you’re looking to experience Carnaval, you’ll need to book during high season (Dec–Mar). For those interested in just a beach getaway, we recommend the shoulder seasons (Apr & Oct). Finally, a visit to the Amazon or Pantanal is best between July and September.
Electricity: In Brazil the power plugs and sockets are of type N. The standard voltage is 127/220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. For more information visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/brazil/.
Time Zones: Fernando de Noronha Standard Time (GMT-2), Brasilia Standard Time (GMT-3), Amazon Standard Time (GMT-4), Acre Standard Time (GMT-5)
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.
Other Vaccinations: The WHO recommend the following vaccinations when travelling to Brazil: Measles, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Rabies, Yellow Fever. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
Visas: Travellers from the US, Canada and Australia require an e-visa which must be applied for well in advance, more details can be found here. Exceptions may apply and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller.
Last updated on Sept 24, 2021. Disclaimer: The information provided was accurate at the time of publishing, but cannot be guaranteed.
