Gay ecuador
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The pendulum has swung, not to the opposite extreme, but to a middle ground where nobody other than some in the Church and a few fanatics seems to object. Ecuador doesn’t have any gay hotels but there are gay-friendly options. Even though you’re constitutionally protected from discrimination in Ecuador, you’re not immune from old-fashioned machismo and religious intolerance like in the United States or other countries that are traditionally more open-minded.
Same-sex PDA (public displays of affection) are not common and might get you a few uncomfortable stares; however, it’s not uncommon to see gay singles and couples hanging out freely in known gay areas like “La Mariscal” in Quito.
However, we welcome gay-friendly travellers of any gender. If you have a straight relative or friend who would feel comfortable traveling with our group, then we're sure that the sentiment will be mutual. The newish Malecon 2000 is the main attraction for many residents of the city. Gay venues and areas are concentrated mostly in larger cities like Quito and Guayaquil.
DO I NEED A VISA FOR ECUADOR?
Citizens from only 11 countries in the world require a visa for Ecuador: China (burgundy passport), Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia and Senegal.
Things like anti-discrimination laws on the basis of sexual orientation were introduced, the age of consent for both LGBTQ+ people and heterosexuals was equalized and in June 2019, Ecuador’s highest court made an epic ruling requiring the government to recognize same-sex marriages.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
ABOUT ECUADOR
IS ECUADOR SAFE FOR (GAY) TOURISTS?
Ecuador is one of the South American countries with more LGBT rights’ protections and one of the few with marriage equality (June 2019).
Some of the events in 2023 included a self-defense class, human rights workshops, how to officially change one’s name and gender on their government ID, health workshops, HIV and STI testing, and a drag show. Each island has its own unique landscape, ranging from completely barren spaces littered with volcanic rocks to stunning white sand beaches that meet crystal-blue waters.
Interesting Attractions to Visit in Ecuador
COTOPAXI NATIONAL PARK
Located near Latacunga in Ecuador, Cotopaxi is the highest active volcano in the world.
Located on the edge of the city center, the aerial lift takes guests over 2000 feet up to the top of Pichincha Volcano from where you can easily see Quito from one end to the other in addition to incredible views of the Andes Range.
BAÑOS
Thrill seekers need to look no further than the small town of Baños.
But check the bars out if you like. During the week, there is not much to see here, but on the weekends, this little town gets colorful and busy, especially on Saturday mornings when the locals begin to display their goods in the market at Poncho Square. There are also a few travel agencies in Quito who directly market to the LGBTQ+ community offering tours around the city, into the Amazon and to the Galapagos Islands.
Biography
David Duran is a freelance travel writer who has contributed to various publications including Fodor’s Travel, the New York Post, Travel + Leisure, and more.
The events are mainly educational and supportive workshops and are conducted in cooperation with other organizations serving the LGBTQ+ Community. Montanita is first and foremost a suffering town, but it’s transforming into a mini hippy paradise.
Experiencing Ecuadorian Food
Ecuador is made up of four major regions: the Pacific Coast, the Amazon, the Andes and the Galapagos Islands.
In cities like Guayaquil and Cuenca, LGBTQ+ travelers will have no problem finding hotels, bars and restaurants with diverse crowds with a welcoming attitude. He’s visited all seven continents and more than 80 countries, co-authored a book on travel guides, filmed a travel show pilot currently under development and moonlights as a luxury travel advisor for one of the largest travel agencies in the world.
Featured image by @alec.mcleod.3 via Instagram
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But for everyone else, it’s also a great place for hiking and camping as well as a spectacular place to enjoy nature.More importantly, small ships have less environmental impact and help the economy of small, Ecuadorian-owned companies.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRAVEL ASSISTANCE AND TRAVEL INSURANCE?
ARE THERE ANY STRAIGHT MEN, WOMEN OR KIDS IN YOUR GROUP TOURS?
The large majority of our travelers are gay males.
It also produces content related to LGBTIQ+ human rights, cases of femicide, trans femicide, and hate crime, as well as communicational campaigns and the creation of the Cuenca Queer Comic that addresses fictional and non-fiction stories related to the rights of the LGBTIQ+ population in Cuenca and Ecuador.
Travel to and around Cuenca
None of the LGBTQ+ Cuenca residents interviewed identified any hotels, hostels, or guesthouses in Cuenca as specifically targeted to the LGBTQ+ community, though there was agreement that all the accommodations in Cuenca are likely to be LGBTQ+-friendly.
In the Amazon, travelers can find shamans that use traditional rainforest medicines from the ancient past, while in the Andes, the villages offer rare markets selling everything from textiles to exotic fruits. The park has more than 275 lakes and waterfalls to enjoy.
NEW CATHEDRAL
This massive cathedral is in the heart of Cuenca and features a series of sky-blue cupolas.
This will be announced while on tour. Everything here is created by hand with skills that have been handed down one generation to the next. In cities like Quito and Guayaquil, travelers will likely find more open-minded people.