Culture Q Travel Guide: Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico always greets its guests with ¡bienvenidos!...and we at CULTURE Q are excited to discover this unrivaled Caribbean getaway with its vibrant culture, year-round warm weather, spectacular scenery, and dozens of one-of-a-kind experiences. Puerto Ricans – who culturally are a fusion of Taínos, Africans, and Spaniards – are welcoming, friendly, and strive to make everyone's visit memorable. They don’t just invite you to the party; they want you to dance.
The people of Puerto Rico call themselves “Boricua”, a unique name that honors their Island heritage and the vibrant spirit of their people. Boricua [boh-ree-kwah] is more than a word to identify a person from Puerto Rico. It’s a way of life. On the Island, you’ll be surrounded by more than their crystal clear water, you’ll be surrounded by love, support, equality, and freedom. They encourage you to Live Out, Live Boricua.
The Island embraces diversity and inclusion. That’s why this archipelago is the LGBTQ+ Capital of the Caribbean, boasting a lively LGBTQ+ scene with plenty of activities and attractions throughout the Island. Also, Puerto Rico celebrates two annual pride parades where we can celebrate inclusivity, equality, and – above all else, love!
The most popular LGBTQ+ events in Puerto Rico are Puerto Rico Pride in Condado and Orgullo Boquerón (Boquerón Pride), typically celebrated the second weekend of June (and sometimes again in the winter), featuring drag shows and rainbow-colored floats, both parades end by the beach. Some say that Boquerón’s celebration is bigger and wilder than the one in San Juan, as it becomes the epicenter of fun, joy, and colorful parties for a whole weekend.
Another festival you should plan your visit around is Claridad, a multi-day celebration in late February where music, arts, and street food collide. If you visit during November, be sure to catch the Puerto Rico Queer Film Festival, a week-long festival that features both local and international shorts and full-length films covering LGBTQ+ themes.
As far as interesting cities go, San Juan is the capital of Puerto Rico and the center of history and culture. As a city where the old meets the new, San Juan is the most popular launching point for most Puerto Rico vacations. Shop along the upscale neighborhood Condado (where Pride Puerto Rico is held in June), explore cultural attractions, colorful murals, and chic restaurants and bars in Santurce, or take in impressive fortresses and castles designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Old San Juan. Dive into history by day and tap into the city's vibrant nightlife after dark. San Juan's neighborhoods are packed with gay-friendly bars and clubs. Some of the most popular locations are El Cojo, Kweens Klub, A Pedir de Boca, La Esquina de Polo, Tía María Liquor Store, Zal Si Puedes Minibar, and La Sombrilla Rosa. While Puerto Rico’s accommodations embrace all types of guests, there are a few that are owned by gay couples and dubbed as gay lodgings, including Casa de Amistad in Vieques and Coquí del Mar in San Juan. So whether you're a food-centric traveler, history buff, art lover, sightseeing enthusiast, music seeker, beach bum, or a little bit of all of that – San Juan has an adventure waiting just for you.
Located on the Island’s southwest coast, Cabo Rojo is a popular town with stunning and dramatic landscapes and protected beaches! This laid-back yet charming municipality is home to Boquerón, one of the most popular beachside neighborhoods that feature kiosks, themed restaurants, local shops, and a relaxed atmosphere. The town celebrates two pride festivals a year, one in summer and another one in winter when the weather is still warm! Energetic parties, powerful marches, and a lot of pride flood the Poblado in Cabo Rojo.
As a commonwealth of the U.S., Puerto Rico has adopted laws that protect and grant rights to members of the LGBTQ+ community. Since July 2015, same-sex couples can apply for marriage licenses and celebrate weddings on the Island and also have the right to adopt.
Among other laws and protections, civil rights laws forbid discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, public transportation and facilities, business transactions, and housing in Puerto Rico.
They don’t call Puerto Rico the Island of Enchantment for nothing! It's easy to fall in love with the smallest of the Greater Antilles where you can go from lying on the beach to ziplining over mountains; from sipping an espresso at a coffee hacienda to swimming in a natural pool in the rainforest; from exploring a 500-year-old fortress to strolling through quaint museums and galleries.
The weather stays around 78 degrees all year and with nearly 300 miles of coastline, you can have a sun-kissed vacation any time, all without the need for a US passport. The Island's high season is between November and February (which is roughly how long the holiday season lasts on the Island), so if you're planning your stay during those dates be sure to book your hotel early!