Mexico & Central America
LGBTQ+ travel in Costa Rica
Marriage equalityLegal status
Is Costa Rica LGBTQ+ friendly?
The most welcoming country in Central America; San José has a gay scene and Manuel Antonio is popular. Rural areas are more conservative.
LGBTQ+ laws
| Status | |
|---|---|
| Same-sex relationships legal | Yes |
| Same-sex marriage | Yes |
| Civil unions or partnerships | Yes |
| Legal gender change | Yes |
| Anti-discrimination law | Partial |
LGBTQ+ friendliness by place in Costa Rica
| Place | Rating |
|---|---|
| La Fortuna | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| San José | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Tamarindo | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Manuel Antonio | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Santa Teresa | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Monteverde | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Puerto Viejo | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Nosara | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Tortuguero | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Jacó | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Uvita | 3/5 · Tolerant, but be discreet |
| Playas del Coco | 4/5 · Welcoming |
| Sámara | 4/5 · Welcoming |
LGBTQ+ friendly by place
- La FortunaLGBTQ+ friendly
- San JoséLGBTQ+ friendly
- TamarindoLGBTQ+ friendly
- Manuel AntonioLGBTQ+ friendly
- Santa TeresaLGBTQ+ friendly
- MonteverdeLGBTQ+ friendly
- Puerto ViejoLGBTQ+ friendly
- NosaraLGBTQ+ friendly
- TortugueroLGBTQ+ friendly
- JacóLGBTQ+ friendly
- UvitaLGBTQ+ friendly
- Playas del CocoLGBTQ+ friendly
- SámaraLGBTQ+ friendly
Sources
- ILGA World database
- US State Department travel advisory
- GOV.UK foreign travel advice: Costa Rica
- Government of Canada travel advice: Costa Rica
- Visit Costa Rica (ICT): digital nomads
- Speedtest Global Index: Costa Rica
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.