Gay Friendly Cuba
Bars, Accommodations and Beaches
Cuba has become a bit more gay friendly in recent years but you should still ask around to
find the most comfortable gay-friendly hotels, private houses for rent and gay nightlife spots in Cuba.
The gay scene is tolerated in some cities and some locations more than others so you need to
do some research before you go then ask around for gay bars and gay friendly lodging in Cuba.
The transvestite movement is big in Havana so if that's your thing, you should find plenty of
men to entertain you. Ask around about gay parties in Havana called Fiestas de diez pesos then enjoy the ride...
you know what I mean.
The Cine Yara on La Rampa at L street in
Vedado Havana is a good place to look for action. Of course there is the Malecon which is Havana seawall
boulevard. EVERYONE loves to hang out there.
The lesbian scene is very much underground so girls, if you are looking for gay women in
Cuba, you are going to have to look around pretty hard.
You can read more about being gay in Cuba but don't expect
a gay pride parade in Cuba. There was
a Queers to Cuba tour in 2007 so maybe you
can get more information from that article.
In May of 2011, the IDAHO parade was held in Havana in celebration of the International Day Against
Homophobia.
Resources for Gays in Cuba
The Canadian website Gay Cuba offers this video interview with
Mariela Castro (Raul Castro's daughter) and head of the Cenesex ministry (yes, that is really the name of the
ministry in charge of sexual awareness in Cuba). It is located in Vedado Havana at #460 Calle 10.
The Gay Scene in Havana Cuba
According to Christopher Baker's Moon Handbook, in Habana Vieja which is Old Havana, the El
Café Mercurio on Oficios between Lamparilla and Amargura attracts a gay crowd. A transvestite show is hosted at the
Sociedad Cultural Rosalía de Castro at Avenue de Bélgica #504 alto between Máximo Gómez and Dragones
Streets.
In Centro Habana, the Castropol (Malecón #107 at the corner of Genios street has a drag
cabaret Monday though Thursday at 11:30 p.m.
La Pampa at Marina #102 on the corner of Vapor street is a smoky, down-to-earth disco while
in Vedado, the La Arcada at Calle M or M street is known to be open 24 hours and is always packed. The cramped,
humid Club Tropical at Línea and F is open till 3am and occasionally acts as a gay venue, as does the steamy cellar
bar, Club Saturno at Línea between 10 and 12 streets, open till 2:30am.
Gay Travel and Accommodations in Cuba
Current information regarding gay travel in Cuba is very hard to come by
but GayClubList.com offers some private houses
for rent in Cuba for gays and the AnswerBank offers some information. Our
sister site Cuba Casas is a great resource for finding
Casas Particulares or private houses for rent in Cuba. Try to find a private house with a separate entrance or
try to rent an entire house or apartment so you don't even have to deal with the
owners once you move in.
Maybe you need a gay Cuban travel guide?
Cuba – The Next Great Gay Travel Destination?
by Craig Kimbrough of Fexuxe.com
A new revolution is quietly brewing in Havana, Cuba which could
make it the next great gay travel destination. Only two hours from Atlanta, the gay scene in Havana is beginning to
sizzle after years of repression. Raul Castro’s daughter, Mariela, has even participated in a gay rights march and
Brokeback Mountain has been seen on government television.
While gay life is still largely underground, one of the most
amazing scenes occurs every night in Havana starting at about 11:00 pm where La Rampa Street and the Malecon, an
ocean front walk, intersect. On weekends you’ll see hundreds of guys strolling, chatting, and playing guitars all
night until the sun rises. Talk to the right people and you’ll get an invitation to one of the private home parties
that pop up in different locations throughout the week.
If you would like a small splurge, head over to the basement of
the National Theatre on a Friday or Saturday night for their cabaret/dance party. You’ll see hundreds of young Cuban men looking...
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