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Colombia is fertile ground for adventure and a gay travel paradise. Bogotá is the country’s beating heart, pulsating with activity day and night. Meanwhile, Medellín’s moniker ‘City of Eternal Spring’ says it all. Hiking enthusiasts will love the tropical, multi-day ‘Lost City’ trek. And beach bums will flock to the Caribbean coast, where historic Cartagena awaits. Exhausted by it all? Throw back a shot of Aguardiente, and let Colombia unfold before you.
At least in comparison to neighboring Latin American countries, Colombia is generally gay-friendly. Homosexuality was legalized in 1981 and same-sex marriage was enacted in June 2016.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Legal
Right to Change Gender: Legal
Same-Sex Adoption: Legal
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal
Theatron de Película! is reason enough for LGBT jet setters to consider Colombia. The massive 5-storey venue is the largest LGBTQ+ club in the western hemisphere. As soon as you enter the behemoth, there are 13 “mini clubs” to discover, one of which is even chicas-only.
Bogotá – Chapinero
Bogotá Pride – Annually in June
Cartagena Pride – Annually at the beginning of August (Please note: their Facebook Page seems to be down.)
Bogotá – Theatron de Película! (13 “mini clubs” spread across 5 floors!!!)
Bogotá – Brokeback Mountain (Karaoke Bar)
Bogotá – Punto 59 (Club)
Cartagena – Alquimico (Cocktail bar)
Cartagena – The City Club (Rhumba Club)
Bogotá – Eve inside the mega-club Theatron de Película is chicas-only.
While the gorgeous hillside cityscape is reason enough to visit, the underground art scene and impressive nightlife are bonuses.
In our opinion, this is one of the world’s most photogenic rainforests. Thick jungle clings to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range and plummets directly into the Caribbean sea.
While still relatively unknown, the Lost City Jungle Trek is a beautiful hiking route through Tayrona National Park, reaching its climax at ancient Ciudad Perdida. The circuit takes roughly 5 days to complete.
2. Bogotá
This Andean city is the third highest capital in the world. If the altitude doesn’t take your breath away, the pulsing big-city vibe and booming gay nightlife will. Fun fact: Bogotá is home to the largest LGBTQ+ club in the western hemisphere: Theatron de Película!
Few words can capture the unpretentious beauty of Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. Housed within 13km of stone walls sits a maze of cobblestone streets that beg discovery. Each alley and intersection is lined with immaculately preserved colonial architecture. And when the tropical heat becomes too heavy, dive into the shimmering Caribbean conveniently located at the city’s feet.
Best Time of Year to Visit: While specific recommendations change regionally, March through September is generally considered the best time to go. Whale watchers, in particular, should schedule their visit between July and September. The high season begins in December and ends in February. Finally, while flash floods are common throughout the Andes in October & November, these are the best two months for Amazon jungle treks as the water levels are lower.
Electricity: In Colombia, the power plugs and sockets are of types A and B. The standard voltage is 110 V, and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. For more information, visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com.
Time Zone: Colombia 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: Based on entry requirements, some travellers may be required to show proof of a yellow fever vaccination. 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: A visa is not typically required for American, Australian, British and Canadian citizens travelling to Colombia for fewer than 90 days. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the traveller’s responsibility.
LGBT Rights in Colombia
At least in comparison to neighboring Latin American countries, Colombia is generally gay-friendly. Homosexuality was legalized in 1981 and same-sex marriage was enacted in June 2016.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Legal
Right to Change Gender: Legal
Same-Sex Adoption: Legal
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal
Gay Colombia Travel
Theatron de Película! is reason enough for LGBT jet setters to consider Colombia. The massive 5-storey venue is the largest LGBTQ+ club in the western hemisphere. As soon as you enter the behemoth, there are 13 “mini clubs” to discover, one of which is even chicas-only.
Bogotá – Chapinero
Bogotá Pride – Annually in June
Cartagena Pride – Annually at the beginning of August (Please note: their Facebook Page seems to be down.)
Bogotá – Theatron de Película! (13 “mini clubs” spread across 5 floors!!!)
Bogotá – Brokeback Mountain (Karaoke Bar)
Bogotá – Punto 59 (Club)
Cartagena – Alquimico (Cocktail bar)
Cartagena – The City Club (Rhumba Club)
Bogotá – Eve inside the mega-club Theatron de Película is chicas-only.
Best Places to Visit in Colombia
While the gorgeous hillside cityscape is reason enough to visit, the underground art scene and impressive nightlife are bonuses.
In our opinion, this is one of the world’s most photogenic rainforests. Thick jungle clings to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range and plummets directly into the Caribbean sea.
While still relatively unknown, the Lost City Jungle Trek is a beautiful hiking route through Tayrona National Park, reaching its climax at ancient Ciudad Perdida. The circuit takes roughly 5 days to complete.
2. Bogotá
This Andean city is the third highest capital in the world. If the altitude doesn’t take your breath away, the pulsing big-city vibe and booming gay nightlife will. Fun fact: Bogotá is home to the largest LGBTQ+ club in the western hemisphere: Theatron de Película!
Few words can capture the unpretentious beauty of Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. Housed within 13km of stone walls sits a maze of cobblestone streets that beg discovery. Each alley and intersection is lined with immaculately preserved colonial architecture. And when the tropical heat becomes too heavy, dive into the shimmering Caribbean conveniently located at the city’s feet.
More Info
Best Time of Year to Visit: While specific recommendations change regionally, March through September is generally considered the best time to go. Whale watchers, in particular, should schedule their visit between July and September. The high season begins in December and ends in February. Finally, while flash floods are common throughout the Andes in October & November, these are the best two months for Amazon jungle treks as the water levels are lower.
Electricity: In Colombia, the power plugs and sockets are of types A and B. The standard voltage is 110 V, and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. For more information, visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com.
Time Zone: Colombia 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: Based on entry requirements, some travellers may be required to show proof of a yellow fever vaccination. 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: A visa is not typically required for American, Australian, British and Canadian citizens travelling to Colombia for fewer than 90 days. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the traveller’s responsibility.
As a spicy new addition to our roster of Flex tours, Colombia: Bogotá to Cartagena is overflowing with add-ons and excursions. Here’s a breakdown of each optional activity and why you’ll want to consider booking them.
Read MoreFrom Medellin, Juan David will show you the best that Colombia has to offer on our Gay Tour.
Read MoreWith a little merengue in our hearts, we’ve expanded our repertoire of South American escapes into Colombia with this escape that delivers big cities, small towns, and national parks. In terms of accommodations, we’ve definitely dialed things up for this journey.
Read MoreColombia still has an unsavory and unsafe reputation among some foreigners, so I was pleasantly surprised by its climatic, biological and cultural diversity, its progressive policies and relative security. The great rapport among the host, guides and group members made it a most enjoyable trip.
What an amazing trip. The group/destination leaders were accommodating and very helpful with everything that came up during the trip. They were always willing to answer questions, assist with any issues, and provided us with an amazing experience of Colombia. The group was small, and everyone seemed to get along. I would highly recommend this trip if these local guides are going to be there to assist you with the trip.
