1) Tulum, Mexico

Why it’s great: affordable living, tropical client right on the Caribbean Sea
Facebook Group: Gay Tulum

If you’re looking for a lively coastal destination with an open heart, look to Tulum, Mexico in Quintana Roo. The Caribbean beaches, tropical climate, and affordable cost of living make this one of the top cities for LGBTQ expats to make their home. Mexico legalized same-sex marriage and gender identity as of 2018, taking great strides toward embracing equality like Tulum has done for many years.

Insiders recommend queer hotspots like La Guarida and Fruits to get your nightlife fix. Tulum’s white beaches bring more fun in the sun during the hot seasons, as well. Check out Queer in the World’s page to learn more about what places Tulum among the top expat destinations for gay men. 

Click here to check out Expatsi’s country guide for Mexico.

2) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Why it’s great: massive Pride festival annually, gay district right by the beach
Facebook Group: Gays Rio de Janeiro

Our next city takes us to the heart of queer culture in South America. With over 5 million people, Rio de Janeiro shows off its beating heart in its annual Carnival celebration and vibrant LGBTQ community all year long. Brazil ranks among the best countries for queer people, supporting gay marriage and gender identity in its human rights laws. 

With its gay district located near Farme Gay Beach, Rio offers a hot and sunny life for gay expats. Check out Copacabana and The Week for popular nightlife spots. You can also see what Queer in the World recommends for must-see cultural immersion. 

Click here to check out Expatsi’s country guide for Brazil.

3) Buenos Aires, Argentina

Why it’s great: temperate climate, affordable cost of living, very LGBTQ-friendly
Facebook Group: Gay Expats Buenos Aires

Argentina is another country that’s a destination for gay men in South America. Buenos Aires, in particular, has led the way for queer representation since guaranteeing gay rights in 2002—the first city on the continent to do so. 

Buenos Aires draws many LGBTQ expats with its open embrace of gay culture. Experience life on the Atlantic by checking some of its hotspots like Casa Brandon and Babieca. For those gay expats living out their golden years, there’s even a gay retirement center, founded by Argentina’s first married lesbian couple.

Click here to check out Expatsi’s country guide for Argentina.

4) Madrid, Spain

Why it’s great: cool Mediterranean climate, anti-discrimination laws, entry into Europe’s Schengen Zone
Facebook Group: Urban Gay Clubbers

We head across the Atlantic for the first of four European cities on this list. One of Spain’s most tolerant cities, gay expats have fostered a thriving community in Madrid for many years. The Chueca district serves as the de facto center of queer life, though it is far from the only LGBTQ-friendly space. Madrid’s city hall estimates that some 500,000 LGBTQ people live here, making up about 10 percent of the whole population!

Madrid shares this inclusive culture annually through events like LesGaiCineMadrid, its LGBTQ movie festival, and Madrid Pride—the biggest Pride event in Europe. Located in central Spain, this lively city grants gay expats easy access to Portugal, France, and the rest of the European Union.

Click here to check out Expatsi’s country guide for Spain

5) Cartagena, Colombia

Why it’s great: tropical climate on the Caribbean coast, active gay scene, edge of Central & South America
Facebook Group: Comunidad Gay Cartagena

If you’re seeking tropical weather with a more relaxed pace, look no further than Cartagena. This Colombian city welcomes all to its Rumours music festival, an annual LGBTQ event. The country also leads the Americas in supporting queer rights, establishing same-sex marriage, gender transition, nonbinary identity, and non-discrimination laws over the last twenty years. 

Located near the Panama border, Cartagena provides ready access to both Central and South America. Its affordable cost of living draws gay expats, too: a single man can live here for about $1500 USD per month. Be sure to explore the city’s Caribbean beaches for fun in the sun all year long.

Click here to check out Expatsi’s country guide for Colombia.

6) Catania, Italy

Why it’s great: queer friendly, rich cultural heritage on the eastern side of Sicily
Facebook Group: Serate Gay Catania

Editor’s note: Italy has elected a right-wing government in 2023, which may cause issues for some queer expats. As of July 2023, they’re trying to remove same-sex parents from their children’s birth certificates. This issue may not affect you, but we did want to mention it here.

Maybe it’s island life for you, enjoying the sea breeze on the coast of some Mediterranean island. For this, we head back to Europe and find new sights in Catania, a city on Sicily’s eastern coast. 

Queer in the World highlights Catania’s rich cultural heritage, while others rank it among the best countries for LGBTQ expats. Same-sex activity has been legalized since 1890, while workplace discrimination was banned in 2003, helping to foster a more welcoming place for all. And don’t sleep on the Italian food!

Click here to check out Expatsi’s country guide for Italy.

7) Guayaquil, Ecuador

Why it’s great: tropical climate on the Pacific Ocean; legalized gay rights; entry into South America
Facebook Group: Amistad Gay Guayaquil

Like Brazil and Argentina, Ecuador leads the way in creating welcoming spaces for gay people in South America. Guayaquil offers a gateway to the Galapagos Islands and beach life on the Pacific while sitting close to Central America like Cartagena, Colombia. Same-sex marriage and gender self-determination have been legalized here since 2019 and 2016, respectively.

In terms of nightlife, Guayaquil offers laid-back spaces like Rayuela and live music destinations like Diva Nicotina. And don’t sleep on cultural gems like the Malecón 2000 promenade and Las Peñas neighborhood on your next scouting trip. You’ll even be able to use the US dollar!

Click here to check out Expatsi’s country guide for Ecuador.

8) Barcelona, Spain

Why it’s great: city of over 5M people on the Mediterranean Sea coast; access to EU; thriving gay culture
Facebook Group: Circuit Gay Barcelona

For our 8th destination, we hop back over the Atlantic and onto the Mediterranean coastline for Barcelona. Known for mild winters and hot summers, this massive Spanish city embraces its queer culture with a rainbow of gay shops, clubs, and bars. The Gaixample, an area of the Old Left neighborhood in the Eixample district, puts you right in the middle of LGBTQ life here.

Barcelona’s rich history also beckons gay expats seeking cultural immersion. Sights like Gaudí’s Sagrada Família cathedral and Catalan modernist architecture make the transition to Spain worthwhile. The Mediterranean beaches beckon those who seek the waters, while the extensive gay nightlife scene will keep you moving into the morning. We’ll even organize the scouting trip.

Click here to check out Expatsi’s country guide for Spain.

9) Porto, Portugal

Why it’s great: moderate climate on the Atlantic coast; renowned nightlife on the EU’s western edge
Facebook Group: Gay Expats Porto

Our last European city on this list takes us to Portugal, a popular country for U.S. expats to call home. The second largest city after Lisbon, Porto has built quite the LGBTQ community through its underground offerings. Celebrated spots like the Invictus drag club, the Pride Coffee gay cafe, and queer saunas offer opportunities to make new connections here.

For the more reserved gay expat, Porto invites you to sample the port wines that take its name as their own. There’s also a wide variety of cultural events throughout the year, ranging from the NOS Primavera Sound music festival to Porto Wine Fest. You’re sure to find the activities that fit your vibe here. You’ve even got Spain just across the border!

Click here to check out Expatsi’s country guide for Portugal.

10) Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Why it’s great: moderate climate on the Atlantic coast; renowned nightlife on the EU’s western edge
Facebook Group: PV Gay Permanent Residents

Our final city in this top 10 list takes us back to where we began in Mexico. Puerto Vallarta has long been a destination for gay expats from the U.S., favored as much for its Pacific beaches as its welcoming atmosphere. By day, you’ll meet other LGBTQ people around the Blue Chairs  club on Los Muertos beach or visit the Botanical Gardens Vallarta.

You’re also sure to find new gay-friendly experiences around Zona Romántica, a vibrant district paved with cobblestone streets and lined with vendors, trendy galleries, and queer-friendly bars. If embracing Mexico’s storied history is more your speed, branch out from your new home to explore towns like San Sebastián del Oeste, Talpa, and Mascota.

Click here to check out Expatsi’s country guide for Mexico.

So there’s our 10 best cities for a gay male expat. This particular list leans heavily on hotter climates and easy access to the beach, as Steve chose in his consultation. Obviously, there is no one-list-fits-all for expats of any persuasion. Maybe you prefer colder weather or life in east Asia—or somewhere totally different!

Whatever fits your vibe, we’re here to help you find it. Take the Expatsi Test or schedule a consultation with us to find out where you should move to.