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Brazil Gay Travel

Whether you're travelling to Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo or the Amazon, the rhythm of Brazil will seep into your heart and hips.

Big gay Brazil is a treasure trove of natural and cultural sights and experiences. World-famous Carnaval is reason enough to visit the Latin country, while São Paulo’s annual Pride Festival is rumoured to be the largest worldwide. Beach bums will love the pristine coastline. Meanwhile, the Brazilian Amazon is a mecca for nature lovers that must visit at least once in their life. Perhaps best is the country’s robust multiculturalism, combining the flavours, rhythms and fashions of indigenous cultures, West Africa, Portugal, Spain, Germany and more. This is one of only a few destinations we can confidently say there is something for everyone.


Quick Facts

  • Capital City: Brasilia
  • Currency: Brazilian Real (BRL)
  • Languages: Portuguese
  • Best Time of Year to Visit: September & October

LGBT Rights in Brazil

Gay Brazil Travel

Best Places to Visit in Brazil

More Info

Brazil is a famously LGBT-welcoming destination. Public opinion tends to be strong in our favour, and among South American countries, Brazil ranks as one of the friendliest. Of course, the country is extremely large, and attitudes and acceptance change drastically depending on the region. While Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Salvador have become queer meccas, prejudice is still strong in more remote and rural regions.

Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Legal
Right to Change Gender: Legal but requires surgery
Same-Sex Adoption: Legal
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal in some contexts

Brazil is one of the world’s greatest gay hotspots. It is famously accepting of all sexual orientations, with robust gay villages and annual Pride Festivals (São Paulo’s Parada do Orgulhoin is said to be the biggest in the world) in every major city. The massive coastline is littered with gay beaches brimming with bodacious men and women. Meanwhile, LGBT-oriented clubs and bars tend to attract a mixed crowd of hetero- and homosexual patrons looking to samba from dusk to dawn. Of course, we haven’t even mentioned Carnaval, the gayest nongay festival in the world!

Gay Villages in Brazil

Rio—Rua Teixeira de Melo is a beachside neighbourhood and the heart of gay Rio.
Rio—Lapa is a bohemian neighbourhood that’s also very popular with the LGBT community.
São Paulo—Frei Caneca / Consolação is the largest gay strip in the city.
São Paulo—Largo do Arouche / Centro is relatable to New York’s West Village. It’s grittier than Frei Caneca but worth a visit.
Salvador—Although LGBT people are welcome in most areas of the city, The Barra neighbourhood is quite popular with gay men.

Gay Beaches in Brazil

Rio—Farme de Amoedo (AKA Barbie Land) is a gay beach in Ipanema. Look for the rainbow flags.
Rio—Praia de Bolsa in Copacabana right in front of the Copacabana Palace Hotel. It’s nicknamed Bolsa after the bears that tend to frequent it. It’s also popular with the transgender community.
Rio—Praia do Abrico in the Grumari district is a gay-friendly nudist beach.
Rio—Reserva in Barra da Tijuca has a lively LGBT stretch.
Salvador—Porto da Barra

Pride and Gay Events in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro Gay Pride—Annually in September
São Paulo Gay Pride—Annually in February (2021’s festival has been pushed back to June). Famously one of the largest gay Pride festivals.
Salvador de Bahia Pride—Annually in September

Best Gay Bars in Brazil

RioBoate 1140 (Club)
RioBuraco da Lacraia (Cabaret and nightclub)
RioLa Cueva (The oldest gay bar in Rio)
São Paulo1007 (Mixed younger crowd. Nightclub)
São PauloABC Bailão (Legendary bar for the over-50 crowd and their admirers)
São PauloBar da Lôca (Open-air gay punk bar)
São PauloThe Week (The largest, most famous LGBT club in Brazil)
SalvadorBar Caras & Bocas (Gay bar and cabaret)
SalvadorSan Sebastian Salvador (Relaxed club)
SalvadorBoate Tropical (Disco and retro bar/club. Located on an UNSAFE street. Always taxi or uber to the venue)
SalvadorBar Ancora Do Marujo (Drag bar)

Best Lesbian Bars in Brazil

São PauloThe L Club (Friday night, even for lesbian and bisexual women)

5. Salvador

The capital city of Brazil’s Bahia brings together two of the country’s most prominent cultural heritages: Portuguese and Afro-Brazil.

4. The Amazon Basin

While Brazil’s largest rainforest continues to face larger and larger threats, it is still one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and home to all of the country’s poster children, including toucans, macaws and pink dolphins.

3. São Paulo

This vibrant city hosts the largest Pride Festival in the world and the largest gay club in Brazil (The Weekend).

2. Iguaçu Falls

On the border of Brazil and Argentina, 275 roaring falls collide, creating what is widely considered the most beautiful waterfall in the world.

1. Rio de Janeiro

No gay tour of Brazil would be complete without an afternoon on either Ipanema or Copacabana beach sipping caipirinha and watching gorgeous sun-kissed Brazilian men and women walk by. As the sun dips, ride the gondola up Pão de Açúcar for an otherworldly sunset. Finally, allow the rhythm of this festive city to take control of your hips as you samba your way through endless LGBT-welcoming bars and clubs.

Best Time of Year To Visit: If you’re looking to experience Carnaval, you’ll need to book during high season (Dec–Mar). For those interested in just a beach getaway, we recommend the shoulder seasons (Apr & Oct). Finally, a visit to the Amazon or Pantanal is best between July and September.

Electricity: In Brazil the power plugs and sockets are of type N. The standard voltage is 127/220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. For more information visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/brazil/.

Time Zones: Fernando de Noronha Standard Time (GMT-2), Brasilia Standard Time (GMT-3), Amazon Standard Time (GMT-4), Acre Standard Time (GMT-5)

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.

Other Vaccinations: The WHO recommend the following vaccinations when travelling to Brazil: Measles, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Rabies, Yellow Fever. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.

Visas: Travellers from the US, Canada and Australia require an e-visa which must be applied for well in advance, more details can be found here. Exceptions may apply and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller.

Last updated on Sept 24, 2021. Disclaimer: The information provided was accurate at the time of publishing, but cannot be guaranteed.
LGBT Rights in Brazil

Brazil is a famously LGBT-welcoming destination. Public opinion tends to be strong in our favour, and among South American countries, Brazil ranks as one of the friendliest. Of course, the country is extremely large, and attitudes and acceptance change drastically depending on the region. While Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Salvador have become queer meccas, prejudice is still strong in more remote and rural regions.

Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Legal
Right to Change Gender: Legal but requires surgery
Same-Sex Adoption: Legal
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal in some contexts

Gay Brazil Travel

Brazil is one of the world’s greatest gay hotspots. It is famously accepting of all sexual orientations, with robust gay villages and annual Pride Festivals (São Paulo’s Parada do Orgulhoin is said to be the biggest in the world) in every major city. The massive coastline is littered with gay beaches brimming with bodacious men and women. Meanwhile, LGBT-oriented clubs and bars tend to attract a mixed crowd of hetero- and homosexual patrons looking to samba from dusk to dawn. Of course, we haven’t even mentioned Carnaval, the gayest nongay festival in the world!

Gay Villages in Brazil

Rio—Rua Teixeira de Melo is a beachside neighbourhood and the heart of gay Rio.
Rio—Lapa is a bohemian neighbourhood that’s also very popular with the LGBT community.
São Paulo—Frei Caneca / Consolação is the largest gay strip in the city.
São Paulo—Largo do Arouche / Centro is relatable to New York’s West Village. It’s grittier than Frei Caneca but worth a visit.
Salvador—Although LGBT people are welcome in most areas of the city, The Barra neighbourhood is quite popular with gay men.

Gay Beaches in Brazil

Rio—Farme de Amoedo (AKA Barbie Land) is a gay beach in Ipanema. Look for the rainbow flags.
Rio—Praia de Bolsa in Copacabana right in front of the Copacabana Palace Hotel. It’s nicknamed Bolsa after the bears that tend to frequent it. It’s also popular with the transgender community.
Rio—Praia do Abrico in the Grumari district is a gay-friendly nudist beach.
Rio—Reserva in Barra da Tijuca has a lively LGBT stretch.
Salvador—Porto da Barra

Pride and Gay Events in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro Gay Pride—Annually in September
São Paulo Gay Pride—Annually in February (2021’s festival has been pushed back to June). Famously one of the largest gay Pride festivals.
Salvador de Bahia Pride—Annually in September

Best Gay Bars in Brazil

RioBoate 1140 (Club)
RioBuraco da Lacraia (Cabaret and nightclub)
RioLa Cueva (The oldest gay bar in Rio)
São Paulo1007 (Mixed younger crowd. Nightclub)
São PauloABC Bailão (Legendary bar for the over-50 crowd and their admirers)
São PauloBar da Lôca (Open-air gay punk bar)
São PauloThe Week (The largest, most famous LGBT club in Brazil)
SalvadorBar Caras & Bocas (Gay bar and cabaret)
SalvadorSan Sebastian Salvador (Relaxed club)
SalvadorBoate Tropical (Disco and retro bar/club. Located on an UNSAFE street. Always taxi or uber to the venue)
SalvadorBar Ancora Do Marujo (Drag bar)

Best Lesbian Bars in Brazil

São PauloThe L Club (Friday night, even for lesbian and bisexual women)

Best Places to Visit in Brazil

5. Salvador

The capital city of Brazil’s Bahia brings together two of the country’s most prominent cultural heritages: Portuguese and Afro-Brazil.

4. The Amazon Basin

While Brazil’s largest rainforest continues to face larger and larger threats, it is still one of the most biodiverse places on Earth and home to all of the country’s poster children, including toucans, macaws and pink dolphins.

3. São Paulo

This vibrant city hosts the largest Pride Festival in the world and the largest gay club in Brazil (The Weekend).

2. Iguaçu Falls

On the border of Brazil and Argentina, 275 roaring falls collide, creating what is widely considered the most beautiful waterfall in the world.

1. Rio de Janeiro

No gay tour of Brazil would be complete without an afternoon on either Ipanema or Copacabana beach sipping caipirinha and watching gorgeous sun-kissed Brazilian men and women walk by. As the sun dips, ride the gondola up Pão de Açúcar for an otherworldly sunset. Finally, allow the rhythm of this festive city to take control of your hips as you samba your way through endless LGBT-welcoming bars and clubs.

More Info

Best Time of Year To Visit: If you’re looking to experience Carnaval, you’ll need to book during high season (Dec–Mar). For those interested in just a beach getaway, we recommend the shoulder seasons (Apr & Oct). Finally, a visit to the Amazon or Pantanal is best between July and September.

Electricity: In Brazil the power plugs and sockets are of type N. The standard voltage is 127/220 V and the standard frequency is 60 Hz. For more information visit https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/brazil/.

Time Zones: Fernando de Noronha Standard Time (GMT-2), Brasilia Standard Time (GMT-3), Amazon Standard Time (GMT-4), Acre Standard Time (GMT-5)

Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: We’re dedicated to ensuring our tours are safe for everyone, but it is our belief that each traveler has a responsibility to protect themselves and their fellow travellers from COVID-19. As of May 1, 2023, Out Adventures no longer requires guests to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination on most of our tours. If vaccination is a requirement for entry, or on select cruises, this will be communicated at the time a trip is confirmed to depart. Before booking, we recommend that you read our COVID-19 Information Page and our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions to understand what we’re doing to minimize risk, and what will happen if you contract COVID-19 before or during an Out Adventures tour.

Other Vaccinations: The WHO recommend the following vaccinations when travelling to Brazil: Measles, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Rabies, Yellow Fever. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.

Visas: Travellers from the US, Canada and Australia require an e-visa which must be applied for well in advance, more details can be found here. Exceptions may apply and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller.

Last updated on Sept 24, 2021. Disclaimer: The information provided was accurate at the time of publishing, but cannot be guaranteed.


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Rick & Jack

It was such a great experience! Loved the small group.

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My husband and I did the Argentina tour in October 2022. It was such a great experience! Loved the small group – 7 of us. Really got to know everyone. Great guides too – Tomas and Alf! Of course we love Buenos Aires! The rainbow hills/mountains were spectacular. The train ride to the clouds was a great experience. Riding bikes in Mendoza to the wineries – the scenery with the snow covered mountains in the background and vineyards in the foreground – stunning! Looking forward to our next trip in 2023 with Out Adventures!

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Argentina: Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls & Mendoza
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Our Argentinian escape was amazing! Out Adventures let us relax and enjoy all that Argentina had to offer, having planned every detail to ensure a smooth experience. We had 10 wonderful days packed with fun, food, and adventure – touring, biking, boating, wine tasting, and dancing!

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