For the most part Puerto Rico is more LGBT-friendly than other countries in the Caribbean. Homosexual acts are not illegal, LGBT citizens and visitors benefit from laws against discrimination, and there are gay-friendly areas in Ponce and San Juan. Similar to other parts of the world including the United States, the youth are much more accepting of the LGBT community than older generations.

That being said, attitudes towards homosexuality in Puerto Rico are considered to be at least as conservative as those found in the American Bible Belt, mostly due to the island’s Roman Catholic heritage and a culture where a sense of “machismo” is still present. Open hostility is rare, especially toward foreigners, but like anywhere else we advise you always remain observant of your surroundings.