Gay Trips: Packages In Chile

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 | Author: Howie Holben

Chile is a popular destination for gay trips due to its unique geography, which allows travelers to visit volcanoes, enjoy beautiful beaches, ski or snowboard the Andes and spend a night on the town in Santiagos gay district all in the same day. Chile is a country rich in landmarks and varied landscapes including the Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, the penguin colony at Mirador de Chepu, the Easter Island statues, Elqui Valley in La Serena (which is steeped in legends about extraterrestrial activity) and exquisite architecture and churches that dot the cities, countryside and coastline.

With many cultural, historic and natural attractions to choose from, Chile offers a variety of options for gay trips, which include snowboarding or ski strips to world-renowned Andes resorts, touring Chiles wine country, pilgrimages intent on experiencing the countrys deep tradition of Catholicism and exploring churches, family vacations on the beaches of Vina del Mar, sightseeing adventures to take in the breathtaking landscapes of Patagonia and learn of ancient island civilizations, or urban excursions centered on experiencing the cosmopolitan culture and nightlife in Santiago.

While Chile will certainly not soon be mistaken for a bastion of gay rights, the macho Chilean culture that is deeply influenced by the military and Catholicism is slowly becoming more welcoming to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The center of gay culture in Chile lies in Santiago, where folks on a Chilean gay vacation will find the most acceptance and the highest concentration of gay-owned and gay-friendly establishments. The Barrio Bellavista, a trendy neighborhood with quaint cafs, shops, eateries and clubs is home to the majority of Santiagos gay clubs, bathhouses and hangouts. While you will not see rainbow flags hanging from balconies or couples holding hands walking down the street, you will see gay magazines displayed in newsstands and couples enjoying espresso at cosmopolitan sidewalk cafs.

The gay-owned Spanish restaurant, Capricho, is a popular first stop for a night out in Bellavista, often followed by drinks a one of the local gay bars and dancing into the early hours of the morning at one of Santiagos gay clubs. Options for clubbing range from discos much like those found in most large cities to risqu clubs with live sex shows. It is common to begin a night out with dinner around 9 or 10pm, followed by a lively night of escapades that may not end until the sun is coming up. There are also several bathhouses ” often called saunas ” in Santiago, including a more upscale option catering to professionals. As in the U.S., HIV is a concern and precautions should be taken to ensure a safe, enjoyable gay vacation in Chile.

The fact that Santiago is the most accepting city in Chile for a gay vacation, coupled with its central location for ease of exploring all that Chile offers, this capital city is one of the most popular Chilean locales for gay vacations. Whether you are planning a Chilean gay vacation for you and your partner, your family, or a group of single friends, working with a travel agency that is accustomed to organizing gay holidays in Chile is your best bet for ensuring a safe, fun trip that you will always remember.

A writing with hints for gay trips to Chile by Howie Holben. His firm, Spirit Journeys, provides a great gay tours for singles and they have wonderful gay tours pacakges too.