How to Choose Best Destination for an LGBTQ+ Honeymoon

Many destinations actively welcome LGBTQ+ travelers. But queer couples looking to celebrate their unions should still take a close look at where they honeymoon, according to Love Inc., a wedding publication focused on inclusivity. Its first-ever National LGBTQ+ Honeymoon Travel Safety Index, launched last fall, ranks all 50 states and the nation’s capital based on safety and overall welcoming vibes. 

Among the top 10 U.S. destinations for LGBTQ+ honeymooners, according to the study, are Washington, D.C., Hawaii, Massachusetts and Oregon. At the other end were states including West Virginia, South Dakota, Alabama and North Dakota. 

“Every couple deserves a honeymoon that’s not only romantic but also safe,” said Love Inc. founder and editor-in-chief Brittny Drye. “Anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, rising hate crimes and book bans aren’t just political talking points. They have real consequences for our community, and especially for the wedding industry at large.”

California also ranks in the top 10, and couples can find opportunities to celebrate romance in a variety of destinations in the Golden State, according to Anna Luquingan, a travel advisor with Peekture, a Virtuoso agency. “I often recommend Sonoma wine country, especially for couples seeking an experience that feels intimate, romantic and unhurried,” she said, noting the popularity of hotels including West Sonoma Inn & Spa and the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. “Sonoma is inclusive, warm and genuinely welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, allowing couples to feel comfortable, seen and celebrated.”

Even Florida, which is not in the top ten, is home to several welcoming destinations — including Key West, where properties such as the Hyatt Centric Key West offer romance packages, and La Concha Key West, Autograph Collection, which provides proximity to LGBTQ+ nightlife. Further north, in Fort Lauderdale, options include the male-only The Grand Resort & Spa and beachfront B Ocean Resort and Beach House Fort Lauderdale, a Hilton Resort. In DelRay Beach, meanwhile, Crane’s Beach House is known for its involvement with the LGBTQ+ community and offers hotel suites and villas. 

Welcoming International Destinations

Outside of the United States, travel experts recommend a variety of destinations for LGBTQ+ honeymooners. “Thailand continues to set the standard for inclusive luxury,” said Duncan Greenfield-Turk, founder at Global Travel Moments. “Whether it’s a private villa at Four Seasons Koh Samui or a wellness-focused stay at Six Senses Yao Noi, the country’s genuine warmth and openness make it a natural choice for LGBTQ+ honeymoons.”

He also praised South Africa’s offerings. “South Africa offers a rare combination of wild beauty and sophisticated hospitality, all within an inclusive, progressive culture,” he said. “A recent couple of ours combined a safari at andBeyond Phinda Private Game Reserve with wine tasting in the Cape Winelands and time in Cape Town’s vibrant LGBTQ+ scene. It was equal parts adventure, intimacy and meaning, which ultimately led to the kind of journey that deepens connection.”

Europe is also a big seller, according to Richard Krieger, director of Sky Vacations, who reports strong demand at Out World Journeys, his company’s queer travel brand. “It will come as no surprise that Greece tops the list,” he said. “What’s interesting is that honeymooners are shifting away from Mykonos and Santorini — as lovely as they are — choosing instead to experience lesser visited islands like Paros, Milos and Naxos. We also see a trend with couples wanting to see Greece beyond the islands, traveling to the Peloponnese, staying in breathtaking Costa Navarino at luxury properties like the W, The Romanos and the Mandarin Oriental.” 

Hammock Cove Antigua. (Photo Credit: Elite Island Resorts)

Portugal is another rising star, Krieger added. “We’ve seen Portugal — specifically Lisbon and Porto — entering our top destinations,” he said. “Honeymooners like the mix of a beautiful town like Porto, perfect for food, wine, countryside and cruising the Douro River. And of course, the evergreen European city destinations of Paris, London, Berlin and Amsterdam are always popular. Our Out World Journeys team also notices an increase in queer couples wanting to travel to Asia, specifically to Japan.” 

The Caribbean and Mexico for Queer Couples

Closer to home, the Caribbean and Mexico continue to attract LGBTQ+ honeymooners seeking sun and a warm welcome. Puerto Vallarta is a standout, according to Jason Wright, founder of Paradise Weddings. “Puerto Vallarta is one of the safest and most loved LGBTQ+ honeymoon spots in Mexico and the Caribbean,” he said. “It’s long been a welcoming, gay‑friendly city with legal same‑sex marriage, a vibrant nightlife and a beach culture with zero attitude.”

In Puerto Vallarta, Wright recommends the adults-only Almar LGBT Luxury Resort, as well as the Blue Chairs Beachfront Resort. 

Mexico’s welcoming vibe extends well beyond Puerto Vallarta, of course. In Cabo San Lucas, Corazon Cabo Resort & Spa attracts honeymooners with expansive ocean-view suites and private sunset sails. At the same time, the Thompson Zihuatanejo earns praise for its inclusivity and beautiful, beachfront design. Along the Riviera Maya, the adults-only UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya delivers a polished, all-inclusive experience with a variety of honeymoon packages. 

In the Caribbean, Wright points to Aruba as a memorable option for couples. “Aruba is one of the most LGBTQ‑friendly islands in the Caribbean,” he said. “Same‑sex marriage is legal, pride events are celebrated and the tourism board actively promotes inclusion. It's perfect for couples who want Caribbean beauty for their honeymoon.” His favorite hotels there include the adults-only Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort and Renaissance Wind Creek Aruba Resort. 

Also topping Wright’s Caribbean list is Curaçao, which he says “consistently ranks as one of the most LGBTQ‑friendly Caribbean islands. The locals are welcoming, it has inclusive events, and that laid-back beachy Caribbean vibe.” His hotel recommendations for Curaçao-bound honeymooners include the Floris Suite Hotel. 

Elsewhere in the region, Elite Island Resorts, which operates properties in the Caribbean and Panama, has forged an increasingly high profile among LGBTQ+ travelers at Hammock Cove Antigua, where private dining and wine tastings are among the romantic offerings. 

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