Same-sex marriage may have been legal in the UK for the past decade, but there are still discriminatory laws in place around the world. In fact, in 64 UN member states it is still illegal to be gay making it more difficult for LGBTQ+ couples to travel safely and leaving them forced to consider different factors that heterosexual couples would not usually think about including.
According to research by Asda Money Travel Insurance, nearly 1 in 10 (8 per cent) of LGBTQ+ couples wouldn’t feel confident choosing a honeymoon destination that is LGBTQ+ friendly. Of those surveyed, half (49 per cent) feel frustrated that they must avoid certain countries, while 40 per cent simply feel disappointed. 43 per cent said that when choosing a honeymoon destination, they would want to go somewhere they felt able to show affection in public, but over half (53 per cent) don’t feel safe kissing while abroad and 41 per cent won’t even hold hands.
That’s why Asda Money Travel Insurance has compiled the LGBTQ+ Honeymoon Index 2023 revealing the best romantic destinations around the world for LGBTQ+ couples and has ranked countries based on factors such as marriage equality, safety, how romantic the destination is, how “loved-up” the population is, and the country’s “shareability” factor (how popular the location is on Instagram and TikTok, based on hashtag data).
The research found that Spain was the most LGBTQ+ friendly place in the world with a score of 57 out of 60, closely followed by the UK in second place and Costa Rica in third, both with a score of 55.
The top 10 LGBTQ+ honeymoon friendly destinations are:
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- Costa Rica
- United States of America
- Mexico
- France
- Brazil
- Greece
- Portugal
- Australia
Spain, UK, and Costa Rica are among the top picks for LGBTQ+ couples due to their high scores in marriage equality, safety, and shareability. Spain stands out for its hot weather, stunning beaches, and impressive architecture, as well as its thriving LGBTQ+ community. Spanish entertainment, including film and TV, has been greatly influenced by LGBTQ+ culture, and the country has made progress in supporting LGBTQ+ rights in social and political spheres.
The UK is known for its picture-worthy landmarks, love of football, and classical literature, but also for its large LGBTQ+ communities. Birmingham, Brighton, Cardiff, Liverpool, Manchester, and London are known for their annual Pride festivals, and the country scored highly for marriage equality and travel safety – making it perfect for a honeymoon or romantic holiday.
Costa Rica offers a range of stunning natural features which are bound to leave every tourist in awe. In addition to its breath-taking landscapes, it is also widely considered one of the safest places for members of the LGBTQ+ community to visit. This is because same-sex relationships have been legal in Costa Rica for over 50 years, making it a welcoming destination for all couples. Costa Rica is also one of the most loved-up countries in the world according to the Asda Money Travel Insurance Honeymoon Index, with 85 per cent of the population experiencing love every day.
However, it is worth noting that while queer culture is thriving in Costa Rica, the more rural areas tend to be home to people who have strong religious beliefs due to the country’s Catholic background. It would be wise to plan your trip around the main tourist areas to ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay.
The top-scoring country for each continent:
Best country for LGBTQ+ Romantic Holidays in Africa: South Africa
Best country for LGBTQ+ Romantic Holidays in Europe: Spain
Best country for LGBTQ+ Romantic Holidays in North America: United States of America
Best country for LGBTQ+ Romantic Holidays in South America: Costa Rica
Best country for LGBTQ+ Romantic Holidays in Oceania: Australia
As part of the research, Asda Money Travel Insurance looked at hashtag data from both TikTok and Instagram to discover each destination’s shareability, which was a factor in the overall rankings. Bali (121,981 posts), Hawaii (48,282 posts), and Paris (16,314 posts) were crowned the top three most Instagrammable and TikTok-worthy destinations.
This was further supported by a survey of 2,000 Brits which revealed how UK couples feel about getting married and honeymooning abroad, and the difficulties faced by LGBTQ+ couples specifically. The survey found the top 10 ideal honeymoon destinations for Brits were the Maldives (27 per cent), Hawaii (20 per cent) and Barbados (18 per cent), while LGBTQ+ couples specifically would rather jet off to Amsterdam (58 per cent), New York (55 per cent) or Paris (54 per cent).
When asked about the things they want the most from their honeymoon, nearly half of Brits (49 per cent) agree that great food and drink is the number one priority, while 41 per cent simply want somewhere romantic to enjoy each other’s company.
Interestingly, 59 per cent of LGBTQ+ respondents are more likely to stick to a city break rather than a tropical honeymoon, as they are concerned they might be judged. The Asda Money Travel Insurance Honeymoon Index disputes this, as both Costa Rica and Mexico made their way into the top 10, in third place and fifth place respectively. Both countries scored full marks for marriage equality, while Costa Rica was ranked 36th in the world for LGBTQ+ travel safety, and Mexico came 28th.
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