Gay-Friendly Tour Operators

Whether or not you’re staying at the Blue Chairs Resort, the Blue Chairs Concierge (Blue Chairs Resort, tel. 322/222-5040, www.hotelbluechairs.com [1]) is more than happy to help you find the gay tour or outing you’re looking for to pass the time, get to know the area, or just meet new friends. They can arrange for anything from home-visit massages to horseback rides.

Speaking of horses, Boana Horseback Riding (tel. 322/222-0999, www.boana.net/tours.htm [2]) is a great way to get to know the area beyond the highway, bars, and beaches—the lushness of the jungle once you go beyond the beaten track is breathtaking.

While Diana’s Tours (tel. 322/222-1510 or 322/222-6506, www.dianastours.com [3]) began as a specialty, offering a day-cruise for women, they can help you with any local tour that sounds interesting, and will steer you in the direction that’s right for your comfort level. Call them first or stop in at Blue Chairs Resort.

The very lavender Doin’ it Right (U.S./Can. tel. 800/808-4486 or 800/936-3646, www.doinitright.com [4]) offers a list of gay travel adventures in Mexico as well as Costa Rica. Locally they represent a number of gay-owned and gay-friendly establishments.

The marine biologist Oscar Frey of Ocean Friendly Whale Watching (tel. 322/225-3774, www.oceanfriendly.com [5]) is available for private tours catering to the gay community. While most other tours are gay-friendly, there’s nothing wrong with having a professional gay guide who knows what he’s talking about. He specializes in groups so if you have one, call him first.

For sailing, try Coming About Sailing School (Pat Henry, tel. 322/222-4119). Pat Henry sailed around the world in eight years and wrote the book about it. She’ll talk about her adventures if you ask, but what she really likes to do is to help you to connect with the amazing sea that she was so intimately related to for so long on her solo trip.

At Spanish Experience Center (República de Chile 182, 5 de Diciembre, tel. 322/223-5864, www.spanishexperiencecenter.com [6]) you can learn Spanish while taking a cooking class or a tour of the city. The owners believe in getting you involved in the community, since that’s where you’ll learn the language more quickly. Easy class schedule with rolling rates based on daily, weekly, or monthly attendance.

The gay-owned Unique Concierge (Basilio Badillo 429, Zona Romántica, tel. 322/222-6233) will provide those services that you either may not want to do for yourself, such as visa extensions and paying bills, or making the contacts for party planning and maintenance. They also feature a consignment shop.