Are the Galapagos Islands LGBTQIA+ friendly?

Since Ecuador became the fifth country in South America to legalise same-sex marriage in 2008, the Galapagos Islands have emerged as one of the friendliest destinations in the world for LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual) travellers. This significant decision not only represents the country's changing social attitudes towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community but also its legal stance with more and more laws being passed awarding the same level of protection traditionally only granted to heterosexual individuals and couples.

This has seen the Galapagos Islands become a safe space for members of the LGBTQIA+ community to travel to in recent years with little to no aggression or stigma, passive or otherwise, shown towards same-sex couples expressing public displays of affection. However, there are exceptions to the rule, especially among the older generations but generally, LGBTQIA+ travellers are wholeheartedly supported and welcomed to the Galapagos Islands and don't need to be discreet or feel confined in any way.

Queer culture in the Galapagos Islands

There's not a clear or distinct 'queer culture' in the Galapagos Islands, largely due to the fact that there aren't that many people who live in the Galapagos Islands to begin with. Only 4 of the 13 major islands (and 6 smaller ones) are actually inhabited making the population for the region just over 25,000 people (according to the last population census in 2010). This doesn't mean that there isn't support for the LGBTQIA+ community though.

Social media sentiment towards members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the Galapagos Islands is relatively positive with the archipelago scoring a 78 on Destination Pride's online analysis tool. This score also takes into account Ecuador's gender identity protection laws, as well as their sexual activity laws and anti-discrimination laws.

Solo travel and room sharing

We put our customer's comfort front and centre at Intrepid, ensuring everyone who books a trip with us feels welcomed and supported, even if they're travelling alone. If you are flying solo, we'll automatically allocate shared accommodation for you with a fellow traveller who's of the same gender (according to your passport information). Prefer a different rooming arrangement? Simply let us know at the beginning of the booking process and we'll get it sorted. Individual rooms may also be available on some tours if you don't wish to share a room.

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