Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
don't tell' level. Same-sex couples are unlikely to be the subject of harassment, though
public displays of affection might attract unwanted attention.
Since 1998 there have been laws on the topics to protect 'sexual option', and discrimina-
tion is generally prohibited in most facets of society, including employment. And though the
country is becoming increasingly more gay friendly along with the rest of the world, this tra-
ditional culture has not always been quick to adopt equal protection.
Legal recognition of same-sex partnerships has been a hot topic since 2006 and was a
major point of contention in the 2010 presidential race. In January 2012 Costa Rica's
primary newspaper
La Nación
conducted a poll in which 55% of the respondents believed
that same-sex couples should have the same rights as heterosexual couples. Then in July
2013 the Costa Rican legislature 'accidentally' passed a law legalizing gay marriage, due to
a small change in the bill's wording. At the time of writing, it had not been vetoed; however,
the country's courts have not granted marriage rights to couples who have applied thus far.
The undisputed gay and lesbian capital of Costa Rica is Manuel Antonio; while there,
look for the gay magazine
Playita
. The monthly newspaper
Gayness
and the magazine
Gente 10
(in Spanish) are both available at gay bars in San José.
Agua Buena Human Rights Association
( 2280-3548;
www.aguabuena.org
)
This noteworthy nonprofit organization has campaigned steadily for fairness in medical
treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS in Costa Rica.
Center of Investigation & Promotion of Human Rights in Central America
ORGANIZATION
LGBT
(CIPAC; 2280-7821;
www.cipacdh.org
)
The leading gay activist organization in Costa Rica.
International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association
(IGLTA; in USA 954-630-1637;
www.iglta.org
)
Maintains a list of hundreds of travel agents and tour operators all over the world.
TOURIST INFORMATION
Toto Tours
( 800-565-1241, in USA 773-274-8686;
www.tototours.com
)
Gay-travel specialists who organize regular trips to Costa Rica, among other destina-
tions.
TOUR
