Clubs, sex parties and seeking partners
Page last reviewed 4.6.2026
Seeking sexual partners when travelling
If you are looking for sexual partners while travelling, it is a good idea to learn about the local dating and hookup culture before your trip. What ways of meeting sex partners are commonly used in the country?
When you open a dating app in a new country, it may attract a lot of attention from local users. This can result in many more contacts than usual.
Unfortunately, stigma and discrimination are still a reality for sexual and gender minorities in many countries. In some places, homosexuality is criminalised and prohibited by law. For this reason, it is advisable to consider disabling location services in dating apps, so that your exact distance is not displayed. When travelling to countries where homosexuality is criminalised, it is important to take additional safety precautions, not only when seeking sexual partners.
When looking for hookups, it is a good idea to think in advance about where you want to meet.
Consider whether you want to invite someone you do not know directly to your hotel room. A safer alternative is to meet first in a public place.
If you are travelling with friends or partners but are not seeking out sexual partners together, you can improve your safety by letting them know where you are going and sharing your location. You can also agree on simple safety check-ins, such as sending a message when you arrive or after a set amount of time.
When travelling alone, it’s a good idea to tell someone, such as a close friend or family member in your home country, where you are and where you plan to go.
Clubs and sex parties
Popular gay tourism destinations often offer far more opportunities for hooking up than Finland. In many places, seeking sex may also be a more open and visible part of social life, and club culture can differ significantly. In many countries, there are plenty of men-only bars, which are intended only for gay men. Some clubs may only allow men to enter.
Clubs can select their customers even based on arbitrary criteria, which we are not used to in Finland. Factors such as age, gender, style and overall appearance can influence whether a person is allowed entry by a bouncer.
People often go clubbing significantly later than in Finland, and the parties continue until the morning. In other words, there is never a last call. Alcohol consumption in clubs may be relatively low, while drinks such as water can be expensive. Please note that tap water is not safe to drink in many countries.
Cruising refers seeking casual, one-time and often anonymous sexual encounters in specific locations. These places may include beaches, parks, public toilets, gay saunas, and highway rest areas.
Cruising bars are intended for having drinks and sex. When travelling, it is a good idea to find out in advance what kind of venue you are visiting. In some clubs, you may also encounter transactional sex, where sex is offered in exchange for money or other benefits. In unclear situations, it is best to communicate openly before a sexual encounter and ask whether anything is expected in return.
What is your safer sex strategy?
Before travelling, it is a good idea to think about your personal boundaries and safer sex practices. What does safer sex mean to you? What are you comfortable with, and with whom?
You can protect yourself from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections by using a condom and/or dental dam during oral sex, or a condom with lubricant during intercourse. HIV can also be prevented by using PrEP medication and getting regularly tested for STIs.
It is also important to consider your use of alcohol and drugs while travelling. Intoxicants can lower inhibitions but also impair judgment. For this reason, consent is especially important when someone is under the influence.
Everyone has the right to set and change their boundaries at any time, including during sex. Personal autonomy and boundaries must always be respected, including when seeking sexual partners, attending sex parties, or having sex while intoxicated.
Many events and places follow the safer space principles and have designated harassment contact persons. You can contact them if you experience any harassment or inappropriate behaviour.