Five affordable places to visit as a LGBTQIA+ vegan

Travel writer Calen Otto shares five budget-friendly destinations that are LGBTQIA+ inclusive and vegan-friendly, offering tips for affordable adventures

When I first started traveling a decade ago, crossing the Pacific Ocean and touching down in Chile to spend a year abroad, I had never been outside of the United States. On top of that, I had just gone vegan during my senior year in high school, not knowing much about veganism but inspired to reduce harm to animals as much as possible. A few years later I would come out as queer, a conclusion I would have never arrived at had my heart and mind not been opened by the ethos of veganism. These three topics – travel, veganism and queerness – became incredibly important to me over the next decade and reshaped my life.

Now, as an avid traveller who has always been on an incredibly small budget, I’ve been submerged in vegan and queer-friendly destinations across the globe; sometimes searching them out, sometimes falling into them by chance. No matter the location, they all share a common thread: a sense of compassion, a tone of openness and acceptance, and the desire to make communities safer for human and non-human animals alike.

If you’re a queer and vegan traveller ready to set out on an adventure, you may be curious about ideal destinations. Unfortunately, no place is 100% safe for queer people or totally vegan-friendly, but vibrant communities and reverence for the beyond-human world exists in every country. Here are some of my favourite destinations:

1. Bangkok, Thailand

On the 23 of January 2025 Thailand became the first country in Southeast Asia to legalise same-sex marriage. Celebrated by mass weddings and Pride parades, this legal change affirmed what was already in existence. Thailand is not only affordable with an average meal costing around 150 baht (or £3.43), but it has many local restaurants that serve up delicious plant-based meals at an even smaller price.

Additionally, while visiting Elephant Nature Park (a 100% vegan animal sanctuary) in Chiang Mai I had the most delicious cuisine of my life. A short flight or overnight train from Bangkok, the sanctuary goes above and beyond to provide hearty plant-based choices while informing visitors about the damaging role animal agriculture plays in elephant capture and abuse.

When it comes to other destinations to visit, Bangkok’s main LGBTQ+ spot is in Silom, especially neighbourhoods Silom Soi 2 and 4.

2. Mexico City, Mexico

If you’re looking for culture, history and gaiety, look no further than Mexico City. Home to the iconic Frida Kahlo museum and a short jump to Teotihuacan – holder of the Temple of Quetzalcoatl and Pyramid of the Moon – no amount of time in this location would suffice. There’s always something new to explore, ancient history to steep in, and colourful food to savour. Top of the list is Paxil, a 100% vegan seafood food truck that specialises in endless variations of mouth-watering tacos for around 40 pesos each, or £1.54.

3. Lisbon, Portugal

Visiting Lisbon in September or November lands you there just in time for Queer Lisboa or Queer Porto, two annual LGBTQ+ queer cinema events. Even outside of these events, queer travellers can enjoy a diverse community, affordable and easily navigable public transport, and endless plant-based food. With twenty-six 100% vegan listings on HappyCow, travellers can choose from a long list of international dishes.

Aside from the queer districts in the city, be sure to visit Sintra, a short and whimsical day trip from Lisbon. There you can explore colourful castles, storybook gardens, and mossy chapels. 

4. Berlin, Germany

Another queer and vegan-friendly destination in Europe is Berlin, known for its long history of LGBTQ+ culture. In the 1920s it emerged as a safe haven for gays and lesbians, but faced severe challenges in World War II and various other time periods. Today, you’ll find over 170 bars, clubs, and spaces for LGBTQ+ folks, including BOILER, a contemporary queer three-story bathhouse. Once you’re relaxed, head over to She Said, a feminist bookstore featuring female and queer authors.

Those lucky enough to visit in July can experience Berlin’s Lesbian and Gay City Festival, Europe’s largest street festival of its kind. Thousands upon thousands of visitors will enjoy music, activism, cultural experiences and joyful affirmation during this energetic two-day extravaganza.

5. Antigua, Guatemala

Same-sex sexual activity has been legal in Guatemala since 1871. Though many trans and queer citizens still face daunting legal and social challenges, tourists and locals still recognise Antigua, Guatemala as a low-key queer hotspot.

Situated in southern Guatemala, Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its cobblestone streets, deep cultural roots, and awe-inspiring volcanic backdrop. There you can take affordable vegan-friendly street food tours and cooking classes focused on cultural dishes, coffee and chocolate.

Calen Otto is a non-binary and anti-speciesist activist, host to the Unruly Podcast, and author of The Art of Unruly Travel on a Budget, a guide to traveling the USA and beyond as ethically and creatively as possible. You can follow them on Instagram to learn more about their upcoming queer and vegan-friendly group trips to unique destinations all over the world.