In 2025, queer travel is no longer about finding the few safe spaces, it’s about exploring the world on your own terms. Whether you’re seeking community, culture, or luxury, these LGBTQ+ destinations stand out not just for their beauty, but for their inclusivity, history, and authenticity. At Impact Encounters, we don’t follow guidebooks—we follow the stories, the locals, and the energy. Here are our favorite places to explore this year.
7 Stunning Places Where Queer Travelers Can Feel Seen, Safe, and Celebrated
South Africa: Cape Town
We’ve been leading tours to South Africa for over four years, and it’s no accident that Cape Town has become our #1 destination. As soon as post-pandemic travel resumed, we were on the ground scouting, connecting, and curating experiences that reflect the city’s vibrant queer energy. South Africa legalized same-sex marriage in 2006, and Cape Town is widely regarded as Africa’s LGBTQ+ capital.
From luxury safaris and intimate wine tastings in Stellenbosch to engaging with local LGBTQ+ activists and nonprofits, Cape Town offers a rare blend of adventure, activism, and soul. We love mingling with our local friends there. It’s not just a destination, it’s a homecoming.
South Africa
Mexico – Mexico City & Oaxaca
Forget what you think you know about queer travel in Mexico. While Puerto Vallarta is the go-to party spot, cities like CDMX and Oaxaca are where authentic queer culture thrives. We’ve fallen hard for the energy of Zona Rosa, the soul of Frida Kahlo’s home, and the mezcal-fueled LGBTQ+ tastings that bring strangers together like family.
From pre-Hispanic gender history to dazzling street art and underground queer clubs, Mexico offers rich layers of culture, rebellion, and resilience. It’s a country that pulses with authenticity, and our groups always leave feeling connected to something deeper.
Colombia – Bogotá & Medellín
Colombia’s LGBTQ+ transformation is nothing short of extraordinary. Once considered one of the world’s most dangerous countries, it’s now one of Latin America’s most progressive when it comes to queer rights. Medellín, in particular, has emerged as a gay travel gem: walkable, vibrant, and full of flavor.
We’ve taken five groups here and the feedback is always the same: “Can we stay longer?” From dancing in open-air clubs to dining in queer-owned cafés in El Poblado, it’s a sensory delight. Meanwhile, Bogotá’s cooler climate is balanced by its warmth toward LGBTQ+ travelers, especially in queer-owned bookstores, boutique hotels, and Zone G’s stylish, welcoming cafés.
No post found!
Thailand –Bangkok & Chiang Mai
Thailand is a land of joyful contradiction: old and new, sacred and wild, traditional yet deeply accepting. Legal protections are still evolving, but the cultural embrace of gender diversity is real and radiant.
Bangkok Pride is a blast of color, music, and energy, while Chiang Mai offers a more tranquil side of Thai queer life, with trans-led tour groups, craft workshops, and spiritual healing. Time your trip with Songkran (Thai New Year), and you’ll witness one of the most euphoric, liberating celebrations on Earth.
Portugal – Lisbon & Porto
Portugal’s queer scene may be small, but it’s mighty. Lisbon feels like a love letter to artists and dreamers: queer fado singers, feminist bookstores, politically engaged locals, and a stunning coastline that makes every sunset feel personal.
In Porto, art and wine intersect beautifully. We often host queer-led wine and gallery walks, and always encourage travelers to visit in June when Portugal’s Pride events feel more like neighborhood block parties than corporate parades. It’s fun, it’s honest, and it’s deeply welcoming.
New Zealand
New Zealand might just be the most naturally beautiful and spiritually healing country we’ve visited. Its legal and cultural support for LGBTQ+ travelers is strong, and the presence of takatāpui (queer Māori identity) adds another layer of meaning to every visit.
Our trips here include eco-lodges run by queer couples, self-drive itineraries through volcanic terrain, wine-and-cheese farm stops, and plenty of solo time to breathe. Whether you’re looking for nature, culture, or space to reflect, New Zealand delivers in full.
Croatia – Dalmatian Coast & Beyond
Croatia is coming into its own as a premier LGBTQ+ destination, and we’ve seen it firsthand. Our 2025 private charter along the Dalmatian Coast sold out in record time, and our guests are still raving about it.
From Zagreb’s long-standing Pride celebrations to the emerging scenes in Split, Hvar, and Rovinj, Croatia offers Mediterranean beauty with an inclusive twist. Legal protections are solid, the food is phenomenal, and the landscape (coastal cliffs, ancient towns, crystalline water) is unforgettable.
Croatia (sold out!)
Travel That Transcends
Each of these destinations offers more than a vacation, they offer a new way of seeing the world. At Impact Encounters, we create travel experiences that reflect who you are, who you love, and how you want to move through the world. These aren’t just trips. They’re transformations.