Links for Gay & Lesbian
travelers to Costa Rica
We have listed below a number of gay-friendly, establishments, including bars and discos, restaurants, hotels, travel agecies, organizations, gyms, publications and galleries in San José as well as in the rest of Costa Rica.
We are continuously updating this list so if you know a place we should add to this page, let us know.
Bars and Discos
Alfonsina y El Mar – bar and restaurant – Tibas
Amnesia – disco club with strippers – Avenida 2, Calle 8
La Avispa – disco, bar, giant tv and cafe – Calle 1, 223-5343
Baccarat – dance club – Avenida 8, Calle 5 & 7, 233-5797
Los Bigotitos (Bambu) – bar and restaurant – San Pedro
El Bochinche – art deco, boca bar – Calle 11, Avenida 10 y 12
Boy Bar International/Kilates – disco, techno, pop – Tibas
Bramadero Tico Bar – frente de CoopeMontecillos, Alajuela
Buenas Vibraciones – Paseo de los Estudiantes, frente al Mas X Menos
Casa Mía – garden bar, music, games – Santa Ana
Los Cucharones, disco – Avenida 6, Calle 0 y 1, 233-5797
Deja Vu – disco club – Avenida 14-16, Calle 2, 223-3758
Faces – bar and restaurant, mostly women – 50 este de Matute
Karma – bar with live music – Avenida 8, Calles 3 y 5
Marguiss Tavern – bar – 250 south of Llobet in Alajuela
El Pueblo – village of disco, bars, restaurants and shops – north of Barrio Amon
Puchitos – bar – Avenida 8, calle 11
La Taverna – bar – Calle 1, 221-9226
La Tertulia Tavern and Restaurant – 100 e, 150 n of the church of San Pedro
La Torre – disco – Calle 7, Avenida Central & 1
Tucan – disco – 257-2091
Unicornio – bar – Avenida 8, 221-5552
Restaurants
Café Mundo – Avenida 9, Calle 15, lunch and dinner, 222-6190
Kashbah Restaurant – 150 N. of Hotel Europa, Mon.-Thurs. 11-11, weekends 11 til midnight, gay Sunday brunch, 258-0774
Marcel’s – Located inside Hotel Colours, lunch and dinner, 296-1880
Hotel/Guesthouses
Colours Costa Rica – Boulevard Rohrmoser, 296-1880
Joluva Guest House – calle 3bis, # 936 (223-7961)
Hotel Kekoldi – Barrio Amon 223-3244; fax: 257-5476
Hotel Santo Tomás, Avenida 7, Calles 3 y 5, 255-0448; fax: 222-3950
Travel Agents/Tour Operators
TATA Travel Adventures
American Adventures – 292-1233; fax: 292-4598, contact: Juan Paniagua or Miguel Alfaro
Calypso Tours – 256-2727; fax: 256-6767, contact: Hanzel Sanchez
Tiquicia Travel – phone/fax: 296-3578, contact: Yerick Chaverri or Cristian Araya
Maguines Travel – phone/fax: 283-4510; web site: www.gaycostarica.com/maguines; contact: Manfred Gutierrez
Macaw Tours – phone/fax: 224-5430, email: MacawScott@aol.com
Gyms
Obelisco Gym #2258 – Paseo Colon, 256-8802
Compact Body Gym – Rohrmoser
Cipreses – Curridabat 253-0530
Publications
Gente 10, available at many bookstores as well as gay establishments.
Organizations
ILPES – 253-7625
Triángula Rosa (Pink Triangle) – 223-1370
Galleries
Galería Roberto Lizano, Avenida 7, Calle 3, 222-0894
Galería José Vargas, 100 m norte de Banco Nacional de San Rafael de Heredia, 260-5720
Other Destinations
Costa Rica offers something for everyone: rafting, hiking, relaxing on the beach, bird-watching, surfing, diving, and the list goes on. Here are a few gay-friendly establishments in some of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations.
Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio is Costa Rica’s most spectacular beach and is also the most popular destination for gay travelers.
Café Milagro & Casa de Café – gourmet coffee and more, 777-1707
La Casa del Sol – 20 rooms, kitchenettes, pool, boardwalk to beach, 777-1805, fax: 777-1311
Cockatoo Bar – helpful management, great views, 777-1728
Costa Rica Adventure Travel – Ask about gay rafting trips. Offers rafting, sea kayaking, horseback riding, sportfishing, ect. 777-0805, fax: 777-1262.
El Colobrí – bungalows and apartments, pool, laundry service, beautiful garden, phone/fax:777-0432
Costa Verde – 2 pools, restaurant, 500 meters from the beach, views. Specify accommodations in the adult section. 777-0584, fax: 777-0560
Dulu Restaurant and Bar – 1 km from Quepos, hilltop views, Costa Rican cuisine, 777-1297
El Gran Escape Restaurant and Fish Head Bar – Cold beer, great seafood, 777-0395 fax: 777-0765.
Hotel California – 70 acre property, ocean view, pool, jacuzzi, restaurant, 777-1234, fax: 777-1062
Hotel Casa Blanca – exclusively for gays/lesbians and their friends and families. Great views, 2 pools, sundecks and gardens. phone/fax: 777-0253
Jardin Gourmet Restaurant – Costa Rican and Mediterranean foods, 777-1728.
Lynch Travel Service – Calle Central, Quepos, Full-service travel agency, 777-1170, fax: 777-1570
Makanda by the Sea – views, quiet jungle setting, pool, jacuzzi, poolside bar/restaurant, trails, 777-0442, fax 777-1032
Maracas – Costa Rican and international cuisine, 2 pools, restaurant, snack bar, disco, great sunsets, 777-0707
Sibu del Pacifico – Offers trips parasailing, boating, waterskiing, snorkeling, dolphin watch cruises, sunset coastline tours, sportfishing, etc, phone/fax: 777-0935
Villas Selva Gifts – Gay-owned and operated, gifts and crafts as well as beach paraphenalia, Avenida 2 in Quepos, 777-1192.
Monteverde
Arco Iris Lodge – Bungalows surrounding a lush garden, restaurant, friendly and very helpful management, 645-5067 fax: 645-5022
Arenal Volcano
Villa Decary – Tilarán 2 kilometros este de Nuevo Arenal, 694-4132, fax: 694-4330, includes nature trails with beautiful views of lake Arenal
Nosara
Colours Beach House – Gorgeous white sand beach, 3 bedroom beach house, 296-1800 or 1-800-ARRIVAL from the US
Peninsula de Osa
Quillotro – An incredible place to see virgin rainforest, helpful management and a variety of accommodations. phone/fax: 383-6336
Puntarenas
Casa Yamaya – Women-only guesthouse, feminist intercultural and educational exchange center, reservations required, helpful managment, 661-0956