Gay cartagena

A Couple of Men's Gay Travel Guide to Colombia

The journey we embarked on to Colombia marked our inaugural shared expedition to South America. Daan had, in fact, previously explored Ecuador approximately a decade prior, and we, as a pair, had also ventured into Central America—specifically, Costa Rica. To commence what would become our comprehensive Gay Colombia Travel Guide, we initiated our Colombian escapade by enjoying a few days of leisure under the Caribbean sun. Consequently, our flight path led us from Dresden, making a stopover in Amsterdam, before continuing our journey with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines to Cartagena. During that initial week, our agenda was intentionally low-key; our primary objectives were to unwind and acclimate to the time change within the city colloquially known as the ‘Pearl of the Caribbean’, indulging in swims within the Caribbean Sea beneath swaying palm trees, and thoroughly discovering Cartagena’s historic core.

Bogotá, the capital metropolis of Colombia, constituted the subsequent destination on our comprehensive gay travel itinerary. Moreover, we were genuinely thrilled by the prospect of celebrating Halloween within Bogotá. Following several days spent at an elevation of approximately 2,600 meters, we boarded a flight destined for Medellín, widely recognized as the “City of Eternal Spring”. Our ultimate objective for our Colombian journey involved concluding it with a distinctive glamping experience. Subsequently, our travels would lead us to our forthcoming South American escapade in Peru! This particular guide to Colombia aims to furnish readers with an initial overview of potential explorations across a 13-day journey. Further blog posts, containing supplementary details, will be appended to our Gay Travel Guide Colombia in the ensuing months. For the present moment, however, we invite you to experience Colombia vicariously through the perspective of A Couple of Men.

Gay Bogotá Journey Companion

Positioned at the heart of our Colombian escapade, we allocated a few days to exploring Bogotá. Our exploration commenced with a comprehensive city tour traversing the historical core of Colombia’s capital, during which we endeavored to absorb extensive knowledge concerning the local LGBTQ+ community and recent societal advancements within Colombia. Inevitably, a visit was paid to Theatron, acclaimed as the largest gay bar, dance club, and nightlife complex across the entirety of South America. Furthermore, an essential activity on our Colombian gay travel itinerary involved jointly acquiring Salsa dancing skills and discovering venues offering some of the finest traditional Colombian cuisine.

Gay Medellin Explorer's Handbook 

Medellín, often celebrated as the ‘City of Eternal Spring’, served as the subsequent destination on our Colombian journey. We devoted a period to pedestrian exploration of the urban expanse and its proximate districts, home to approximately 2.5 million residents, and were afforded truly breathtaking vistas of the Aburrá Valley from the renowned Comuna 13, which historically held the distinction of being the city’s most perilous sector. Furthermore, an immersion into traditional Colombian gastronomy is planned, facilitated by participating in a cookingOut experience alongside Esteban, a local gay chef. Nonetheless, the city’s downtown district presents additional allurements, such as the sculptural works of Fernando Botero, which are likewise exhibited at the Museo de Antioquia. Indeed, could any sojourn to Colombia truly be complete without an excursion to an authentic Colombian coffee plantation? We allocated a minimum of one full day exploring the cultivation fields of Karl’s preferred beverage, accompanied by the Cima family. Ultimately, the moment arrived to depart the urban environment and embark on a glamping adventure at an exclusive adults-only site situated in Guatapé. This vibrant municipality, nestled within Antioquia, lies approximately two hours to the east of Medellín and is particularly renowned for El Peñón de Guatapé (alternatively referred to as El Peñol), which is encircled by an intricate system of artificial lakes.

Gay Cartagena Visitor's Guide

Even though our initial destination was the Caribbean prior to delving into the remainder of Colombia, we would recommend concluding your journey bathed in sunshine. Cartagena, Colombia’s notable port city, traces its origins back to its establishment in the 16th century. The city’s historic walled district, home to nearly one million residents, is celebrated for its expansive plazas, distinctive cobblestone thoroughfares, and vividly colored colonial architecture. Due to its tropical climatic conditions and distinct Caribbean ambiance, the city stands as a sought-after coastal getaway, boasting extensive sandy shores. Our intention had been to navigate by boat amongst the islets adjacent to Cartagena; however, we were unable to incorporate this activity into our itinerary. As an alternative, we undertook an excursion to the renowned mud volcano del Totumo and participated in an exclusive canoe expedition traversing the Colombian mangrove forests.

Gay-friendly Accommodations in Colombia

Throughout our sojourn, our lodgings included various establishments that were welcoming to gay individuals. Facilitated by our designated LGBTQ+ tour operator, we encountered absolutely no difficulties at any point. In all the subsequent LGBTQ+ and gay-welcoming hotels, the personnel and administration consistently demonstrated politeness, graciousness, and amiability towards us, as we were journeying as an openly gay pair. However, let us commence by discussing our inaugural destination: Bogotá. Our stay in Bogotá was at the Hotel Estelar Parque de la 93, which featured generously sized rooms, an opulent breakfast spread, and an accessible rooftop swimming pool. The next location on our itinerary was Medellín, where our preference was the Hotel Estelar Milla de Oro, offering a magnificent panorama of the city and equipped with a pair of rooftop whirlpools. Following our urban explorations, we sought refreshing air through a glamping experience in Guatapé, lodging at Bosko. Ultimately, our journey led us to Cartagena on the Caribbean Coast, initially residing at the Melia Cartagena Karmairi before dedicating several days within the city to the Bastion Luxury Hotel.

For further accommodation options, consider: Lodgings in Bogotá | Lodgings in Medellín | Lodgings in Cartagena

Colombia's Stance on Gay-Friendliness?

Broadly, Colombia is widely regarded as one of South America’s foremost LGBTQ+ and gay-welcoming nations, having notably legalized equal marriage rights in 2016. Specifically, major urban centers like Bogotá, Medellín, and Cartagena represent locales within Colombia that are deemed secure and safe for lesbian, gay, and queer voyagers overall, boasting vibrant and expanding LGBTQ+ communities that are progressively gaining societal acceptance. Notwithstanding this, LGBTQ+ individuals undertaking travel are advised to proceed with circumspection when venturing beyond established tourist zones.

Spartacus Gay Travel Guide: According to the Spartacus Gay Travel Guide, Colombia held the 15th position globally in 2020.
Wikipedia LGBTQ+ Colombia: For further information, Wikipedia provides details on LGBT rights in Colombia.
Highlights Pride Events: Notable Pride Events included the Pride LGBTI Bogotá in 2020.

Craft Your Colombian Expedition with Couple of Men:

Regarding this Gay Travel Guide Colombia: Kindly note that our recommendations are presented as mere suggestions, without any assurance that the conditions will remain precisely as described upon your visit. Notwithstanding, extensive research was conducted, and every viewpoint articulated within this piece is unequivocally genuine, bona fide, and veracious. Our profound gratitude is extended to OutInColombia for their gracious invitation, invaluable assistance, and the unique opportunity afforded us to intimately discover Colombia’s welcoming facets for the gay community. Should you require any further elucidation concerning your impending travel arrangements for Colombia, we invite you to follow us and reach out via email, or contact us through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram. Until we meet again on our global travels, we anticipate our next encounter within Cartagena, Medellín, Bogotá, or indeed anywhere across Colombia!

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Karl & Daan.