Our Guide to Gay Puerto Rico

Culture

Puerto Rico is a land of contrasts and in the gay-o-sphere of the island there is no exception. A joyful people, Puertoricans love to party and they love their families, and they love their friends, and in that order-- family and then friends. Sunday's are dominated by familiar visits which though obligatory, are fully embraced. It is not uncommon to see four generations together at the beach having a picnic and all four generations enjoying the same food, music and company.

Culture

With this much familiarity one would think gayness would be a problem. Its not. Travis and I lived in a VERY rural part of Puerto Rico and we were not only embraced-- we were adopted. We also never discussed the obvious. The catchphrase is discretion.

This is not to say one has to hide in the closet-- on the contrary-- the whole culture is flamboyant in its own way and Puertoricans LOVE their drag queens like rock stars, but being a small island with a BIG population where everyone knows the neighbor of your aunt's cousin's second cousin's best friend-- circumspection is often the watchword even in San Juan.

Culture

All that aside, after over 30 years of living in and visiting Puerto Rico, I have never felt threatened or in anyway intimated by the residents here, and suggest you enjoy all the island has to offer without fear of judgement. I would also suggest good manners and prudence in more rural areas, but that is more out of respect to the older and more conservative rural folks than to encourage self-repression. Again, discretion is the better part of valor

Beach Wear Culture

Some folks come to Puerto Rico expecting nude beaches or at the very least, the slimmest and skimpiest of bathing attire. Not so. Puertoricans are inherently modest people and most wear long board shorts or basketball shorts to the beach, and it is not uncommon to see people, even in the ocean, in shirts and tank tops. Boards shorts (by my observation) seem to be the preferred Sunday afternoon attire these days. It also bears mentioning, most men keep their shirts ON in public. It may be open to only two buttons, but the shirt will most likely be on.

Day Wear Culture

If you are touring about during the day, the normal outfit is athletic shoes (BRIGHT) and sportswear or khaki shorts, a woven open front shirt (three buttons open at least) and deck shoes with peds. A straw hat or baseball cap (with a rolled brim) is also common against the sun which can be brutal in the tropics. If you don't like getting wet, carry a small umbrella as it rains several times a day, often heavily, but usually for a only a few minuets.

Evening Wear Culture

Puertoricans DRESS. If you are going out to dinner wear nice jeans, a woven shirt or a polo and good shoes. Heading to the disco-- leave your shorts and flip flops at home. Skinny jeans, pegged legs, skate shoes (or deck shoes) woven, brightly colored shirts or a collared knit are all good. Likewise nice shorts will pass with nice shirts; and jeans with a tee shirt or tank top will fly with nice shoes. Its all about looking put together. Puertoricans use cologne. A lot. Be forewarned.