I spent 12 days in Ecuador with my wife. We packed light. We carried a small rainbow pin on my bag. And you know what? We felt seen, most of the time. Not every moment, but most.
Here’s what felt real, what felt warm, and what I’d do again. I’ll keep it plain. Simple, true, and a bit chatty, like we’re having coffee.
If you’re still in the “where should we go next?” phase, this list of gay-friendly travel destinations I’ve actually loved might nudge you toward your next stamp.
Quick Trip Map (the “where we went” part)
- Quito (4 nights) with day trips to Mindo and Papallacta
- Baños (3 nights)
- Montañita on the coast (3 nights)
- Guayaquil (1 night, just a stop before our flight)
I’ll tell you what worked, what didn’t, and a few tiny surprises.
Quito: Big City Vibes, Big Views
We stayed at Selina Quito in La Floresta. Artsy area. Murals. Coffee spots. A cat that sat on the steps like it owned the place. Staff used my wife’s name without a blink. That set the tone.
- Plaza Foch at night had a party feel. We held hands there and felt fine.
- Old Town by day felt grand and calm. La Ronda street gets cozy at night; we kept PDA low and it was all good.
- We rode the TelefériQo up the mountain. The air was thin. The view looked unreal. I took too many photos of clouds.
- One night we ended up at a small drag show near La Mariscal. The host joked with us, in Spanish and Spanglish. Fun, silly, sweet. A guy at the next table gave us a thumbs-up when we kissed. Tiny moments matter, right?
June has Pride events in Quito. We missed the parade by a week, but banners were still up. The vibe lingered. People smiled at our pins.
Food notes: Try canelazo (hot spiced drink) in the cold air. It tastes like a hug.
Day Trip: Mindo (Birdsong and Chocolate)
We took a bus to Mindo for a day. Birds everywhere. We did a small chocolate tour. Rich smell, warm slabs, sticky fingers. Not a “gay scene” spot, but totally friendly. A woman at the café said, “Bienvenidas,” and placed two spoons in one bowl. No fuss.
Soak Stop: Papallacta Hot Springs
Steam and pine and quiet. Couples float here—straight, gay, everything. We cuddled in the pool, soft and easy. Staff was professional and kind. Bring a warm layer; the air gets chilly when the sun dips.
Baños: Adventure, Baths, and That Famous Swing
Baños is cute and bold at the same time. Rainbow flags? We saw a few. It felt chill for us.
- We booked canyoning with Geotours. Helmets, laughter, cold water down the back of my neck. The guide asked if we were married. We said yes. He said, “Felicidades,” and meant it.
- Thermal baths at night were crowded but fun. We kept it PG. People did not stare.
- We took a truck to the “Swing at the End of the World.” Corny? Maybe. But wow. I screamed, then laughed, then did it again.
We stayed at La Casa Verde across the river. Quiet, green, birds in the morning. The owners smiled like old friends.
The Coast: Montañita’s Late Nights
Montañita is a party town, like spring break grew up and learned to surf. It’s not a gay bar scene, but it’s mixed and open.
- We danced at Lost Beach Club. Loud beats. Everyone sweaty and happy. Two guys kissed near the bar; no one blinked.
- We stayed at Selina Montañita. Front desk didn’t flinch at “one bed.” Our room faced the street, which meant music until late—bring earplugs if you’re an early sleeper. If the club beats keep you inside for the night and you’re curious about some queer-friendly online fun, skim through this in-depth Streamate review for a rundown of how the cam platform works, performer etiquette, and how to keep your browsing safe and respectful.
- Daytime was slow. We ate ceviche under a shade tent and watched surfers wipe out and get back up. We felt safe walking the main strip together.
Side note: Montañita showed us how handy local classifieds can be for finding pop-up parties and LGBTQ-friendly hangouts. Back in the States, we sometimes get that same intel online. If your travels ever route you through southern Oregon, take a peek at the Backpage Klamath Falls listings to scope out meet-ups, nightlife tips, and community events before you roll into town.
If you want a calmer beach day, take a taxi up the coast. We liked Playa Olón. Soft sand. Gentle water. My wife napped. I read a bad thriller and loved it anyway.
Guayaquil: One Night, Good Lighting
We treated Guayaquil as a layover. We walked the Malecón 2000 before sunset and climbed up to Las Peñas for views and pastel steps. After dark, we used Uber. It felt smart, not scared—just city sense.
Laws, Culture, and How It Felt
- Same-sex marriage is legal (from 2019). Big deal, and you can feel it in the cities.
- In Quito and Baños, we held hands in public without worry. In small towns, we kept it light. A read-the-room kind of thing.
- We met a taxi driver who asked, “Amigas?” I said, “Es mi esposa.” He smiled and told us about his sister’s wedding. People surprise you.
Nerd note: The Constitutional Court decision that sealed the deal is summarized well in this Library of Congress brief, and if you want the story with a bit more color, Al Jazeera’s coverage captures the jubilation in the streets.
For more resources on traveling safely and proudly, we found the guides at OutProud super helpful before we left. Their jam-packed itinerary breakdown in these Ecuador gay travel notes gave us the confidence to map our own route.
Was it perfect? No. A server in one tiny café avoided eye contact with us. That stung for a minute. Then a woman at the next table told us her cousin moved to New York with her girlfriend, and we all laughed about winter coats. That helped.
Where We Slept and Why I’d Pick Them Again
- Selina Quito (La Floresta): Creative vibe, fast Wi-Fi, friendly staff. Easy walk to cafés.
- La Casa Verde, Baños: Peaceful, birdsong, sweet deck for coffee.
- Selina Montañita: Social, clean, loud at night; great if you want to meet people.
We also peeked at Casa Gangotena in Quito’s Old Town. It’s fancy and beautiful. If you want high romance, that lobby glows.
Getting Around Without Fuss
- Rides: Uber worked in Quito and Guayaquil. In smaller towns, we used taxis and asked the hotel to call them.
- Money: US dollars. Keep small bills.
- Phones: We grabbed a Claro SIM at the mall. Movistar also works. WhatsApp is king; drivers use it.
- Language: Basic Spanish helps. “Una cama grande, por favor.” Simple and clear.
Food That Stuck With Me
- Bolón de verde (green plantain ball with cheese or pork) for breakfast. Heavy, but in a good way.
- Ceviche on the coast. Bright and fresh.
- Hornado (roast pork) in the Andes. Crispy bits. I still think about it.
I skipped cuy. My wife tried it. She said, “Once is enough.”
Safety: What We Did, What Worked
- We kept phones out of back pockets.
- We used Uber at night in big cities.
- We saved Google Maps offline.
- We shared taxi plates in WhatsApp with each other. Habit, not fear.
Most days felt easy. Common sense went a long way.
Best Time to Go (from how it felt)
- The Andes were cool and dry in June. Bring a jacket.
- The coast was warm and sticky. Bring light clothes.
- June Pride made Quito feel extra bright.
If you want whales, go to Puerto López from June to September. We didn’t have time, and yes, I’m still kicking myself.
What I Wish I Knew Before
- Montañita is loud. Book a room away from the main strip if you need sleep.
- Altitude in Quito is real. Drink water. Walk slow on day one.
- Some small towns get shy about PDA. Smile, read the room, keep holding hands when it feels right.
Ponder