Comfortable holiday destinations for black people

[Sparklebaby111]

Hi I feel like I'm hitting a wall.

I was considering a nice hotel in Turkey for a last minute holiday, but I really really can't take the 'lets stare at the black people' routine. Anyone willing to share their experience of holidaying in Turkey - more specifically Antalya/Belek. Where else would you recommend where you weren't stared at constantly? In Portugal we found the other hotel guests - mainly Russians and Germans -to be constantly staring. Now we have our 8 year old, I don't want him to experience this. We went to Mexico last year and loved it - our son is keen to travel the world - bless him! Thanks!

OP - I forgot to say you'll probably want to avoid Bulgaria. Went there over 10 years ago (pre-kids) and was grim. Again, times may have changed and it might be a different experience now.

I'm sorry that in this day and age people are STILL doing this.
Mauritius? lovely beaches, diving, great food...
I would imagine Malaysia and Indonesia would be ok too

Have you considered Morocco? There are lots of black Moroccans so don't think you'd have any problem with the locals there. I'm not black but black friends who've been there said they found it friendly.

Ah, just seen someone up thread had a different experience of Morocco, that's a shame.

In some places in the world staring at people is not seen as rude, it's just what they do, they don't have the social convention not to do it. I know that isn't going to make the OP more comfortable with it though, niether should it, we're all a product of our own culture.

I've been looking at some of your suggestions. I actually feel this is a really good conversation to have. When in Mexico, we took the local ferry to Isla Mujures, rented a golf buggy, explored the island - no one batted an eyelid! Don't need the red carpet to be rolled out, happy to just blend in and love life!

I would also suggest the US.
I assume both you and your husband are black? I ask because mix race couples can get some abuse in the US (from both black and white people). Things might have changed by now though and mixed race couples might attract less attention.
It's difficult, because I've heard even in majority black countries of Africa, the locals can still spot a mile away that you're European and so will still stare at you.

I would recommend Cape Verde. Some lovely resorts, and had a really friendly small island feel. (My experience is from Sal but there are other islands)

The Ayia Napa side of Cyprus is very diverse, and away from the clubbing scene very family friendly. I’ve also enjoyed holidays in Cape Verde (more going on on Sal than Boa Vista).

If people stare I would just stare back at them, do they own the place? I suppose I have developed a thick skin because of my autistic children when I take them out.

I respect your resilience, unfortunately I'm not there yet (hope to be one day). I think we all have experiences that shape us, the truth is don't want to have to ignore racism, prejudice, whether in the UK or abroad....I'm fed up! Sorry for the rant, I love in London so don't really experience this until I venture out!

Consider Cozumel too. Shortish ferry from Riviera Maya. Very laid back island but can have a lot of cruise ship passengers.
Dropped my credit card without realising and a guy chased me down the street to give it back. Oh and no staring or touching. Good food, drink, shopping and beaches.

Caribbean yes. Cuba deffo not.

Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil - loads of good adventure to be had in Central/South America and beautiful beaches

I saw a post about a lady that went to celebrate all the festivals in different regions of Colombia celebrating African roots - it looked amazing

People there may be interested and watch you with curiosity once they see you’re not from there and speak English but it will be good natured with lots of smiles

Been to Belek twice. Really enjoyed it. Got stared at more in Cornwall!

Looking by itself would be tolerable.....just. It does impact my chilled vibe. It's when the staring is overtly sexualised and/or accompanied by racialised sexual comments - if I lick you will you taste like chocolate? Or comments about being black and my bum. When it started happening to my teenage daughters enough was enough.

It's intersectionality in practice. My perceived societal status as a woman compounded by how people with dark skin are considered by many different cultures and individuals. The world is exhausting.

Agree!

Such mixed reviews about Turkey, I wonder if it depends where you stay, the resort or area?

I’m with you. I want to take a stand but it’s hard!

One place to definitely avoid is Menorca. Cala en Porter in particular is largely filled with white British tourists who have been going there for generations and don’t like diversity or different skin colours than their own. I don’t have any useful suggestions apart from to absolutely avoid it!

(or, if we build up the confidence, everyone on this thread should go there en masse together to shake things up!)

Yes to turning up on mass! 😁

there's a difference between staring and STARING though don't you think
as a brown woman in a hijab who does a lot of solo travel, I attract plenty of stares but there are curious stares, pervy stares and there are hostile stares. they are all very different.

The gaslighting on here is disturbing. If you aren’t black and therefore don’t ever have to think about being a black tourist JUST DON’T comment.
Seeing black people somewhere means absolutely nothing and is irrelevant to the conversation.

I think you have a point there as I was surprised by your experience of Portugal as I have only been in Lisbon and there were plenty of local black people there!

Fethiye in Turkey is safe, we never get stares. Portugal is lovely so don't write off all of Europe. Spain, South of France, all great places to holiday.

This makes me so sad. Really sad and angry that in this day and age you have to put up with this. I hope you find somewhere lovely to go and have a fabulous holiday with your little one.