Caribbean Gay Spring Break Festival: Sun, sand, sounds and attendees from around the world

The inaugural Caribbean Gay Spring Break Festival, held March 29-31 in Curacao, drew attendees from at least 13 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Canada and the U.S.

And South Africa too, with a little assistance to this very outlet.

"I was approached a few months prior to the event by a gentleman from South Africa who happened to be planning a trip to Curacao during the Spring Break (Festival)," said Jurandy Regina, the sales and marketing manager at the Floris Suite Hotel – Spa and Beach Club, which was the host venue for two of the festival's three events. "He contacted me since my name was mentioned in (a pre-event story on GoPride.com) – that is how he found out about this event."

Brad, from South Africa, was joined in Curacao by revelers from Guatemala, Bonaire, Ukraine, Venezuela, Trinidad and Tobago, and elsewhere.

The U.S. was represented at the Caribbean Gay Spring Break Festival by attendees from South Florida, New York, Chicago, Charlotte, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

More than 200 attended the relaxing, three-day, sun-filled event.

"The Caribbean Gay Spring Break Festival was the perfect way to end our high season (at the hotel) with a big bang," Regina said. "International and local artists merged with guests from all over the world to celebrate this one-of-a-kind event."

The Friday night (March 29) welcome party at the Floris Hotel rocked into the wee hours of the morning, then spilled to the pool area for some, and the spa area for others.

"The Rainbow Lounge XL happy hour (on March 29) is the perfect way to get to know each other," Regina said. "Since this is a concept party happy hour organized every Friday during the high season at the Floris Suite Hotel, it always draws a mix of locals and visitors. This was the perfect way for the international guests to mingle with the local LGBT community and their friends."

The intensity kicked up on Saturday night with the Kingdom Of Thrones circuit party, held poolside with amazing DJs from Brazil and Amsterdam, plus muscle-packed dancers from Colombia.

Related: Photos from Caribbean Gay Spring Break Festival

DJ Rafael Barreto (Brazil) was the first to spin some memorable sounds, amid flashing lights and rainbow flags. DJ Diego Summers (Amsterdam) was next, and he was shirtless, naturally. DJ Eudes Scofield Freire (Brazil) was last on stage.

Related: DJ Rafael Barreto has been spinning around the world

"I had a blast ... the Caribbean Gay Spring Break Festival in Curaçao lived up to expectations," Barreto said. "I'm glad that everybody enjoyed my live set (and got) nice feedback about it. It feels so good when I see the crowd dancing, smiling and having a good time on the dancefloor."

"Each day was unique with a different genre of music. Friday was more urban/ Caribbean/ Latin vibe. Saturday was all electronic house music and Sunday was party music," Regina said. "The highlight of the event was definitely the (Saturday night) party, with all of the international DJs and dancers performing."

On Sunday, there was a boat trip, which Regina said, "was the perfect way to end the weekend after two days of parties."

"Sailing along the coastline of Curaçao also gives the international guests the chance to see more of the island," he added.

Átila Paixão, who lives in Brazil, said the Curacao event "was an amazing weekend, with a different energy from most of the known circuit festivals around the world."

"In an island full of amazing beaches, the Caribbean Gay Spring Break Festival in Curacao (brought) more than just amazing parties and DJs, it was (held in) a paradise destination (with) an amazing vibe and a wide diversity of people coming from all over the world.

"The Caribbean Spring Break Festival, hosted by Floris Suite Hotel and its amazing team, has the potential to become the next gay hotspot for people looking not just for fun, but much more that it can offer. I can't wait for the next edition."

The next major LGBT event in Curacao will be Curacao Pride, a four-day event scheduled for Sept. 25-29.

"This (is the) seventh-annual Curacao Pride, and each year it gets busier and busier," Regina said.