The joy and passion of queer life in these Caribbean hotspots are unparalleled

There is only one place you can find a tropical lifestyle that is full of spirit, flavor, and rhythm: Puerto Rico. Embrace the heritage, unbridled joy, passion, and pride like a Boricua, the name given to people of Puerto Rican descent. While many travelers head to Puerto Rico to bask in the sun-soaked beaches, the Island truly comes alive after dark, with the sounds of music, drag performances, laughter, and cheers echoing from the corners of the metropolis to the endless stretches of sand and sea.

The LGBTQ+ community leans into the Boricua way of life, which is warm and welcoming and loves to celebrate — perfect for Puerto Rico’s distinctive and dynamic nightlife experiences. Those who come to discover some of the lushest scenery in the world (including El Yunque, the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System) can also experience inclusive, celebratory queer culture. Best of all, no passport is required for U.S. travelers to experience everything paradise has to offer.

GayCities highlights three hotspots where you can fully immerse yourself in the intersection of nightlife and paradise.

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With nearly 300 beaches and 300 miles of coastline, Puerto Rico is a must-visit destination for discovering the Boricua way of life.

Dance the night away in San Juan

Naturally, San Juan is the obvious choice for people experiencing Puerto Rico’s Boricua magic for the first time. The capital city hosts two of the Island’s three Pride celebrations and has been the central hub for queer activism. With a drag scene flourishing for over half a century, drag queens and transgender performers from all over the Caribbean move here to launch their careers. Their legacy dates back to the 60s and 70s when legends like Lady Catiria inspired future generations like Nina Flowers and Cynthia Lee Fontaine.

Whether you’re staying at one of the city’s guesthouses, boutique hotels, or upscale resorts, the districts of Condado and Santurce are the closest resemblances to a “gayborhood.” SX The Club, Oasis Tapas & Lounge, and Tía María’s Liquor Store are just a few of the popular gay bars and clubs in the area. Remember, locals embrace a nightlife culture and love to dance all night long, so take that disco nap!

The Boricua spirit embodies every corner of the city. Don’t be surprised when unassuming markets or streets turn into outdoor parties as the moon takes over the sky, like in La Placita. San Juan is a revolving door for pop-up events and art exhibitions, so you never know what you may discover during your visit.

Surf, eat and leisure in Rincón

The action in Rincón revolves around surf culture, where the  famously laid-back atmosphere draws in people of all types who hope to bask in “the town of beautiful sunsets.” Although the gay nightlife scene is liveliest in San Juan, Rincón has a welcoming community and bars where all types of people mingle. The Boricua way of life creates a unifying culture for fun and allyship.

Echoing the concept of happy hour, the surfers do “sundowner,” which means enjoying food and drinks with the sunset. There are no explicitly gay bars because the community rallies around inclusivity. Some of the town’s most popular establishments are Calypso’s Tropical Bar at Maria’s Beach and Big Kahuna Bar + Restaurant at Casa Verde.

Visitors might come for the waves but stay for a thriving culinary scene with no shortage of food trucks, eateries, and cocktails. Of course, the most Boricua thing you can do is dance to the rhythms of the town. In Puerto Rico, every block is fair game for a dance party. Music lies at the heart of its culture, and you’ll find that where there’s a will, there’s a beat — and a groove.

Get ready for your glow-up in Vieques

Vieques is one of the few locations where travelers can use “hidden gem” unironically. The laid-back Island offers a chance to enjoy a less bustling Caribbean paradise. (Introverts or those looking to decompress, this is for you.) Vieques is only accessible from mainland Puerto Rico, which is a short 20-minute flight by charter plane or a ferry ride from Ceiba that terminates in Isabel Segunda.

Saint Voodoo’s Mar Azul, one of the most beloved bars in town, boasts two of nightlife’s best offerings: affordable drinks and stellar views, but music and dancing can be found all along the 20-mile-long Island. Nature, however, is part of Puerto Rico’s DNA, so don’t limit yourself to a traditional definition of nightlife. After all, this is a town where hundreds of horses roam free, and a night under the stars is the only elixir you need.

Live Out. Live Boricua and discover Puerto Rico. Visit discoverpuertorico.com