Guanacaste is governed by federal Costa Rica law. Learn more
- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, no restrictions
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✔ Recognized
- Discrimination
- ✖ Illegal in some contexts
- Employment Discrimination
- ✖ Sexual orientation only
- Housing Discrimination
- ✖ No protections
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- N/A
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✖ Not banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
💬 Join Equaldex's LGBTQ+ Discord to discuss LGBT rights and chat!
Public Opinion
Guanacaste is lacking public opinion data.
Help expand our understanding of the public's view on LGBTQ+ issues in Guanacaste by sharing a link to a survey from a reputable organization.
Suggest Public Opinion DataHave you lived in or visited Guanacaste?
Share your experience of being LGBTQ+ in Guanacaste.
Take SurveyHistory
Homosexual activity in Guanacaste is legal.
Current status
Since Jan 1, 1971
Censorship of LGBT issues in Guanacaste is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
In Costa Rica, there are no laws restricting the discussion or promotion of LGBTQ+ topics.
LGBT discrimination in Guanacaste is illegal in some contexts.
Current status
Since May 17, 2015
Illegal in some contexts
In addition to the existing HIV/AIDS law, public workers are now also protected. Within federal agencies, same sex partnerships are also required to be recognized as a family when requesting time off for spousal medical emergencies.
LGBT employment discrimination in Guanacaste is sexual orientation only.
LGBT housing discrimination in Guanacaste is no protections.
Current status
No protections
There are no protections from discrimination in housing provided to LGBTIQ+ people in Costa Rica.
Same-sex adoption in Guanacaste is legal.
Current status
Since May 26, 2020
Legal
Adoption was legalized for gay couples when gay marriage became legal. Single individuals (whether gay or straight) have been allowed to adopt equally before then.
Intersex infant surgery in Guanacaste is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
There is no ban on intersex infant surgery in Costa Rica, but it is also not reported.
Blood donations by MSMs in Guanacaste is legal.
Current status
Since Aug 1, 2007
Legal
After many years of activism, Costa Rica lifted the ban on gay and bisexual men donating blood. The ban had originally been put in place due to fear of HIV-AIDS.
Banned (indefinite deferral)
Costa Rica banned gays from donating blood with Executive Decree 19933-S. The Degree was published in the Sept. 13, 1990 edition of the official government newspaper, La Gaceta. The order specifically identified gay men, sex workers, intravenous drug users and others as “high risk” for blood donation, citing concerns about HIV-AIDS.
Conversion therapy in Guanacaste is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
Conversion therapy is legal in Costa Rica but it is reportedly frowned upon.
Equal age of consent in Guanacaste is equal.
Current status
Equal under federal Costa Rica law
Age of Consent in Costa Rica it's 15 years, and it's equal regardless of sexual orientation or gender.
Legal Rights
83 / 100
This region's Equality Index is based on legal rights alone. Please submit survey results that show the public opinion of LGBTQ+ issues in Guanacaste to help improve its accuracy.
Top Contributors
- DaisyGeekyTrans 13 contributions
- vviet93 6 contributions
- Unknownmiles 4 contributions
- danlev 3 contributions
- Mikeylito 2 contributions
- Nathan 2 contributions
- NadaCAT 2 contributions
- JordanB3047 1 contribution
- Simo 1 contribution
- maraya 1 contribution
Guanacaste LGBT Organizations
There are no organizations listed in Guanacaste. Suggest one