4. COSTA RICA

A court decision on same-sex marriage is pending in Costa Rica where, encouragingly, some 2 per cent of the population (80,000 people) came out to fly their rainbow flags at last year’s San José Pride. Known as the Marcha y Festival de la Diversidad, it has evolved to become one of Central America’s biggest gay events. Next year, Costa Rica hosts the Ella International Lesbian Festival. It will be the first time the festival will be held outside of Europe. While appealing to the LGBT visitor might not yet be officially sanctioned, many travel businesses and community members here are making things happen.