Rio de Janeiro Voted Hottest Gay Destination in the World

Robert Doyle READ TIME: 2 MIN.

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Rio de Janeiro has been selected as the hottest gay destination in the world for the second time in a contest sponsored by TripOutGayTravel.com and MTV.

With 48% of the votes, Rio beat out Madrid, Spain; Portland, Oregon; St. Tropez, France; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Stockholm, Sweden. The candidate cities were chosen by a group of writers and journalists specializing in global travel.

The beaches and nightclubs available in Rio were specifically noted as a result of this recognition. Here's a list of some of Rio's hottest beaches and gay nightclubs.

Beaches

  • Ipanema Beach - Near Ipanema Beach, a street called Farme de Amoedo, is the most famous gay beach spot in Rio. It is very easy to identify, as beach vendors keep rainbow flags as a tribute to their faithful clientele. In the summer, this area is extremely popular.
  • Copacabana Beach - A Rio de Janeiro icon, called "the princess of the sea" for its warmth, charm and beauty, Copacabana Beach is internationally recognized for Rio's New Year's Eve party that welcomes millions of people from around the world. The sidewalk is made up of Portuguese stones in the shape of waves to symbolize the continuation of the sea.
  • Ipanema Beach - Stretching almost two miles from the foot of the Pedra Dois Irm�os to the Ponta Arpoador, the beach at Ipanema is a beach like nowhere else.

    Nightclubs
  • The Week Rio - The Week Rio is located in the historical center of Rio de Janeiro. The DJ line-up consists of national and international DJs considered the best in electronic music. The club has two dance floors with a state of the art sound system, VIP area, lounge and outdoor/pool area. Website: http://www.theweek.com.br/clubes1.php?c=rj
  • Le Boy - Le Boy is the most famous gay nightclub in Rio de Janeiro. The complex includes a dance club, gay baths and an outdoor bar. They
    Website: http://www.leboy.com.br/leboy_site/root.html
  • W Club - Located in Ipanema, W Club is a sophisticated nightclub with a capacity for about 300 people and a selection of parties that happen all week long. Website unavailable.


    by Robert Doyle

    Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.

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