Puerto Rio is an island you will want to explore and most visitors will begin their journey in the capital, San Juan. The city has some great things to see and do, so it is worth spending a few days exploring the popular neighbourhoods of Old San Juan. Santurce and Condado are at the heart of gay San Juan.

The following areas of Gay Puerto Rico are the most popular with international visitors.

• The old town, with its cobbled streets and Spanish Architecture is compact and easy to walk around.
• Condado has become more gentrified over the past few years and is where you will find the gay beach scene.
• Santurce is full of energy and has five LGBT clubs along Calle Condado between Ponce de León and Carmen, and six more to the east, around Ponce de León between Diego and San Jorge.  People gather at the bars and clubs around La Placita square for cheap drinks and delicious street food.
• Ocean Park is mostly a residential neighborhood, but it has a handful of gay-owned hotels. Its beach is one of the best, and it’s never crowded.
• Isla Verde is where the old-money crowd lives. It’s a snooze of a neighborhood, but there are some wonderful resorts and boutique hotels.

Tip! When visiting bars outside the tourist zones of Old San Juan and the Condado always take a taxi there and back. Make sure the bar is open before your taxi leaves, as the clubs in Santurce and beyond tend to open and close without much warning.

Popular Gay Bars

• Tia Maria – very popular with a mix of locals and tourists
• SX Club – Strippers, gogos and more, dance floor.
• The Bear Tavern – Opens early evening – bears and friends
• Oasis – A 3 in one venue complete with bar and restaurant.
• Finally, no trip to San Juan is complete without a visit to the Caribe Hilton Hotel, where Ramon “Monchito” created the very first Pina Colada. The hotel is the most recognisable on the Island and is the only one with a private beach.

Late Night Clubs and Cruising

• Circo – Nightclub For dancing, drag shows gogos and more. Also host a popular Drag Bingo evening. Peak hours are 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.
• Xteamworks is a gay bathhouse/sauna. Popular late at night.

• Santella –  in the busy Santurce district serving elegant and authentic local dishes. Order the Empanadillas (‘tiny’ empanadas), ‘Morcilla’ Spring Rolls, and Ahi Tuna Mini Tacos to start.
• La Casita Blanca – Traditional old-school restaurant with 12 different dishes each day.
• Cocina Abierta – Charming outdoor space where you can enjoy local cuisine like freshly-caught red snapper or paella.
• If variety is the spice you’re craving, head to Lote 23, the outdoor “gastronomic park” which is equal parts food court, cocktail garden.