Top 5 Gay and Lesbian Friendly Destinations in the Caribbean

According to Travel Expert Robert Curley

With its fun-in-the-sun destinations, carefree attitude, and myriad couples-oriented resorts, the Caribbean seems an ideal vacation spot for gay and lesbian couples. But not all Caribbean islands are created equal: some (notably the French, Dutch, and U.S. islands) roll out the welcome mat for gay couples, while others, like Jamaica, Barbados, and the Cayman Islands, have a reputation for homophobia. With the help of the travel experts at Gay.com, here's my picks for the top Caribbean destinations for gay travelers.

1. St. Barts
With its laissez-faire French culture and a myriad of private villas to choose from, St. Barts is has been called the most gay-friendly island in the Caribbean. This is the place to get lost in the Caribbean for a few days, far from the cruise-ship crowds.

2. St. Martin/St. Maarten
Both Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin have long had a gay-friendly reputation, with many private villas for rent and beaches and bars where gay and straight couples peacefully coexist. St. Maarten's reputation was sullied somewhat by a 2004 incident where a gay couple was assaulted near a popular beach bar, but island tourism officials were quick to apologize, and the island remains near the top of the list for many gay Caribbean travellers.

3. Puerto Rico
Gay travelers in Puerto Rico will find the Caribbean's only real gay nightlife scene: San Juan highlights include the Atlantic Beach Bar (with a weekly drag show) and clubs like Eros. On both the mainland and the island of Vieques you can find gay-friendly resorts, and gay travelers in Puerto Rico have the benefit of protection by U.S. antidiscrimination laws.

4. U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands -- St. Croix, in particular -- has become a mecca for gay travellers, many of whom wind up at the welcoming Sand Castle on the Beach Resort in Fredericksted. Gay travellers can expect a friendly and tolerant attitude throughout the U.S.V.I., and if public displays of affection are not exactly embraced, the reaction is not likely to be more than a second glance.

5. Curacao
While some Caribbean island privately welcome gay travellers, Curacao has been the most public in its embrace: "With exceptional gay friendly hotels and attractions, [Curacao] encourages gay and lesbian travellers to visit the island and experience its 'live and let live' atmosphere for themselves," says the Curacao Tourist Board, which has launched a marketing campaign aimed at gays and lesbians and includes information on gay-friendly hotels and clubs on its website.

Which Islands are Gay Friendly?Gay Caribbean Report CardQT Magazine