The Most Queer-Friendly South American Countries For LGBTQ Digital Nomads

A white man takes a work call from a lounge chair

As someone who has been self-employed for more than a decade, I have often fantasized about working remotely from adventurous locations. Working remotely offers the freedom not just to work from anywhere that excites you, but the chance to save money by moving to a destination with a cheaper cost of living than the place you call for. Last but not least for LGBTQ digital nomads, working remotely can offer the chance to live in a location with LGBTQ-friendly laws. That’s something queer folks in the US can’t take for granted these days, unfortunately.

South America is an ideal remote work location in many ways. If you are an American like I am, the time difference is relatively minimal. Depending on where you go, you may be on the same time zone. This makes it easier to keep up with friends and family, be present for work meeting, or take client calls and meetings while still keeping to a relatively ‘normal’ work schedule.

The cost of living in South America is generally lower than in the US, which means you can save money.

The weather is pleasant year round, which means more time to hike, kayak, or relax at the beach if that’s what you enjoy.

While some countries in South America are experiencing political challenges, there are other places that offer a stable and peaceful lifestyle. Even more exciting, they have broad social and political acceptance for LGBTQ lives. If you are an LGBTQ digital nomad, you can live and work without needing to hide who you are!

If all this has you excited, keep reading to discover the best countries in South America for LGBTQ digital nomads.

The LGBTQ Digital Nomads Guide to South America

The countries on this list all have laws and policies that support LGBTQ rights, and they all have digital nomad visas you can apply for.

Depending on where you live currently, these laws may be better or worse than the legal protections you enjoy. As always, not everyone within the LGBTQ community may enjoy the same rights and protections for reasons that have to do with bias.

Below is a general guide to the best places in South America to work remotely if you’re queer, but as always you should think about your identity, your needs and your comfort level before making any decisions.

Argentina

Drone shot of Argentina traffic going around a rotary, with high rise buildings in the background

Argentina may be a majority Catholic country, but it also has some of the most progressive attitudes on queer rights. It was the first country in South America to legalize same-sex marriage in 2010, and per Equaldexย it supports gender-affirming care and recognizes nonbinary gender identities.

Maybe queer travelers are catching onto this face, because Argentina is one of the Latin American countries named as a top LGBTQ travel destination in 2024, along with fellow queer-friendly countries Colombia and Brazil.

Most expats base themselves in the capital city of Buenos Aires and enjoy the vibrant culture, coworking scene and high speed internet โ€“ all things that support the remote work lifestyle. As you might expect Buenos Aires also has a big queer scene to explore.

The cost of living has been on the rise in Argentina, which means it is no longer a budget nomad destination. This digital nomads Argentina site will help you explore some baseline costs and evaluate if living in Argentina makes sense for your budget and goals. 

Visa process:ย You receive a 90-day via upon arrival and can apply for a 6-month digital nomad visa through the Argentineย Ministry of the Interiorย (renewable for another 6-months if desired). Foreigners need to provide proof of employment. As of this writing no income requirement has been announced.ย 

Brazil

Brazil is one of the most LGBTQ-friendly countries in South America, with legendary Pride parades worth traveling for. Since 2022, they’ve had a digital nomad visa.

The political climate is Brazil is more peaceful now that Lula has returned to office for a third time. If Brazil has been on your wish list and you didn’t feel safe going there while Bolsonaro was in office (I know I held back), this may be the perfect time to try remote work in Brazil.

Brazil offers a low cost of living, warm weather year round, vibrant culture and varied landscapes. You can live in the middle of one of the most vibrant cities in the world, enjoy a rural mountain hideaway, or set up in the island digital nomad hub of Florianรณpolis, which has tons of coworking spaces and a friendly nomad community to welcome you.

Cities like Rio tend to have a lot of English speakers, and they also tend to be more LGBTQ-inclusive. If you venture to a more remote location, people may not be as welcoming and there may be a language barrier.

Internet connectivity tends to be strong in the big cities like Sao Paolo and Rio, and variable if you travel to more rural areas of Brazil.

Visa process: You have to apply for your Brazil digital nomad visa at a consulate and bring all the required documentation, which includes proof of income, proof of employment, and health insurance coverage.

Colombia

High rise buildings next to a river in Bogota, Colombia, one of the most popular cities for LGBTTQ digital nomads.

Colombia has been at the top of nomad lists for a long time, with a large expat community centered around Medellรญn and another in the capital of Bogota.

The country has made huge strides since 2016, when the government signed a peace agreement with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. However, there are still valid reasons to be concerned about your public safety. Black and indigenous Colombians continue to experience violence and oppression, according to Human Rights Watch.

Petty crime like pickpocketing remains a concern, including in expat hubs like Medellรญn, Cartagena, and Bogota. And while the country hasย progressive laws and policies, queer and trans Colombians may experience harassment, including violence.

As long as you are aware of these risks and take precautions, Colombia can be a welcoming and inclusive country for remote work. There is a vibrant nomad social community based in expat-friendly cities, great weather year-round, and lots of nature to explore on weekend trips to beaches and mountains.ย Not to mention, the cost of living lets you save money!

Visa process:ย A Colombia digital nomad visa costs $177 and is good for two years! To be eligible, you must earn at least $684/month and show proof of employment, income and health insurance. You can apply for the entire family on a single form.

Uruguay 

A blue and white church building against a blue sky

Did you know Uruguay is the third best country in the world for LGBTQ rights?

I didnโ€™t either.

But it isโ€ฆand although Uruguay does not recognize third genders, it offers a strong LGBTQ rights record in every other respect, according to Equaldex. Not only on are the laws on our side with support for same-sex marriage and gender-affirming care, social attitudes support LGBTQ lives.

Since Uruguay is politically stable, it’s a good place to consider relocating if you appreciate the Latin American culture and climate, but are worried about the economic and political instability that countries like Venezuela are experiencing, or the inflation hikes in Argentina, which make it hard to budget and control your spending.

Uruguayโ€™s digital nomad visa is pretty new, which might be why the country doesnโ€™t make those โ€œbest ofโ€ lists. The expat community is small, so this isnโ€™t the best choice for social butterflies. But if you want work life balance, proximity to amazing beaches, and great wifi, Uruguay could be your next destination!

Visa process:ย The visa process is easy. After you enter Uruguay on a tourist visa, you can apply for a digital nomad visa lasting 6 months. Itโ€™s eligible to renew for another 6 months. You have to certify that you can support yourself financially but there is no stated income requirement for digital nomads.


So there you have it – the most LGBTQ-friendly places in South America for digital nomads!

If you are curious about the adventure but want a structured group environment, look for remote work opportunities from organizations like Remote Year, which runs queer nomad trips to inclusive destinations to help novice nomads adapt to life on the road with the support of a cohort of like minded and welcoming peers!