About OUT in Costa Rica | LGBTQ+ Community, Mission & Queer Expat Network

Built by Queer Community, for the Queer Community

Our Story

OUT in Costa Rica is a digital community and referral platform designed to make it easy for LGBTQIA+ individuals, families, and allies to connect with the best of queer Costa Rica.

We proudly serve as a vital resource for the LGBTQ community, uniting locals, tourists, expats, and local queer-owned businesses.

Our platform provides a comprehensive directory of LGBTQIA+ businesses, engaging resources, and essential resources for relocation and community support, all curated by passionate queer expats and locals committed to empowerment and representation.

What We Offer

Diverse LGBTQIA+ community members smiling and holding a large Pride flag in Costa Rica, representing inclusion and queer unity.

Our Mission: Connect. Empower. Belong.

We connect the global LGBTQ community to Costa Rica by linking locals, expats, and travelers with safe, affirming, and authentic experiences.

Close-up of a joyful group of queer friends laughing together outdoors, symbolizing connection and community within Costa Rica’s LGBTQIA+ network.

Connect. Empower. Belong.

Our Vision

To make Costa Rica the most visible, connected, and welcoming LGBTQIA+ destination in the world.

Our Values

Safety with Dignity – Every listing is vetted for inclusion and trust.
Authenticity & Lived Experience – Created by queer expats who’ve walked the path themselves.
Radical Inclusivity – Serving all identities, races, genders, and abilities.
Community First – This isn’t commerce; it’s connection.
Hope & Joy as Resistance – Because living freely is the ultimate act of pride.

What We Offer

Two older gay men smiling and embracing in an outdoor setting, reflecting LGBTQIA+ love, belonging, and community in Costa Rica.

Two queer women smiling and leaning in for a kiss while lying together on a colorful beach blanket.

Meet OUT in Costa Rica: Your Guide to the LGBTQ Costa Rica Community

OUT in Costa Rica was created to give LGBTQ travelers, expats, and locals a safe, trusted, inclusive community. Our mission — Connect. Empower. Belong. — guides everything we do, from our verified business directory to relocation resources and storytelling. Learn how we’re building a more visible, connected, and joyful queer future in Costa Rica.

Gay couple smiling as one partner hugs the other from behind on a city street.

Why Queer Joy Is Costa Rica’s Most Powerful Export

Queer joy in Costa Rica is more than celebration — it’s resistance, culture, and economic power. This guide explores how visibility, community, and everyday kindness have shaped Costa Rica into a beacon of inclusion for LGBTQ travelers and expats alike. Discover the stories, people, and pura vida spirit that make queer joy one of Costa Rica’s most powerful exports.

Two queer customers speaking with a café employee while reviewing a laptop screen outdoors.

How Supporting Queer-Owned Businesses Strengthens Costa Rica’s Economy

Supporting queer-owned businesses in Costa Rica creates real impact — from economic empowerment to community visibility. This guide explains how LGBTQ entrepreneurs shape the country’s inclusive tourism economy, why supporting them matters, and how your choices as a traveler or expat help build safety, dignity, and opportunity across Costa Rica.

Queer parents holding their baby outdoors with bright greenery in the background.

How to Move to Costa Rica as an LGBTQ Expat

Thinking about moving to Costa Rica? This LGBTQ expat guide covers everything you need: digital nomad and residency visas, queer-friendly regions to live in, finding housing, navigating bureaucracy, healthcare, cost of living, and building community. Learn how LGBTQ expats create safe, joyful lives in Costa Rica — and how to start your own pura vida chapter.

Two people queer walking along a Costa Rica beach at sunset, one wearing a rainbow towel.

🏳️‍🌈 Is Costa Rica Safe for LGBTQ Travelers? Your 2026 Queer-Friendly Guide

Costa Rica is one of Latin America’s most welcoming countries for LGBTQ travelers. This 2026 guide covers legal protections, where queer visitors feel most at home (San José, Manuel Antonio, Guanacaste, Puerto Viejo), tips for trans and non-binary travel, cultural nuance, relocation options, and practical safety advice. Discover verified queer-friendly places and plan your pura vida getaway with confidence.