In a Polygamous Relationship? Here Are 5 Countries That Share Your Views

Polygamy was not regarded as an uncommon practice for much of human existence. Records show that it was a part of life all over the world dating back thousands of years to the time of Ancient Mesopotamia and Babylon. With polygamy-acceptance far less widespread today, vacationing can be a complicated business for travelers in polyamorous relationships.

Whether you are in such a relationship or simply want to explore a freer concept of love, here are five countries in five different regions of the world where your poly vacation wish can come true.

1. South America – Brazil

Polygamy status: Technically illegal but decriminalized; civil unions between multiple members are permitted due to a loophole in the law.

There is probably no other country that personifies the ‘free love’ vibe as Brazil does. That is why it’s no wonder that it takes the top spot on our poly-friendly list.

Brazil has a history of acceptance of non-traditional unions. Two recent cases received widespread publicity and really drove home the nation’s welcoming attitude. The first was a case of three women who had their civil union formalized in 2015. The second was a man and two women who joined together in a civil union the following year.

While Brazil is arguably leading the way in terms of polyamorous acceptance, it already has been an established premier tourist destination for decades. The vast stretches of sun-kissed sand, colorful festivals, and a national propensity towards fun and frolic make for intoxicating adventures.

2. The Middle East – United Arab Emirates

Polygamy status: Legal; government welfare payments to husband with multiple wives

Tourists may love the sights and wonders of the UAE, but male residents actually get paid by the government if they have multiple wives in this desert country! The nation, together with many others in the region, has long accepted polygamy (exclusively by men) as a legal practice.

Over just a few short decades, the UAE has used its vast reserves of oil to transform itself from an almost featureless, arid desert into an international tourist attraction. It is home to the world’s tallest building, some of the planet’s most luxurious hotels, and even its very own snow-covered indoor ski resort.

It is common to see men with several wives and their children together in public. The government subsidizes domestic payments but not for the first wife, making it more affordable to play house from the second marriage onwards.

3. The Pacific – Solomon Islands

Polygamy status: Legal but seldom practiced today

While its Pacific Ocean neighbors, Fiji and Vanuatu get the lion’s share of tourists, the Solomon Islands sets itself apart with its acceptance of polygamy. It has been a common practice for tribal chiefs to take multiple wives longer than anyone can tell and it has even been recorded in their folklore.

This was not because of the chiefs’ elevated status but rather that each marriage had to be formalized through payment to the woman’s tribe (marriage within a tribe is prohibited). The currency? Pigs, porpoise teeth and shell money.

The Solomon Islands don’t just make this list for their open concept marriage. Situated in the vast Pacific, they are just as beautiful as the Fijian islands and boast some of the same stretches of pristine white beaches that make vacationers love its neighbors. The nation is especially renowned for its gorgeous diving spots.

4. The Far East – Tibet

Polygamy status: Illegal since 1981 by laws of the People’s Republic of China; unenforced and apparently widespread in rural areas.

High up in the Himalayas in what is known as the Roof of the world, all that clear air has led to some pretty profound realizations, including that polyandry is the way to go. The practice of one woman marrying two men, usually brothers, is common in Tibet largely for practical economic purposes.

When multiple brothers marry the same woman, it prevents their valuable arable land from being divided through inheritance. There is also the advantage of more manpower available to work on the same farm area.

Tibet is one of the most inaccessible regions of the world, thanks to its remoteness and surrounding inhospitable terrain. However, those very factors give Tibet an ethereal, almost otherworldly beauty. Vast plains as far as the eye can see on one side and towering mountains on the other, it truly is the adventure holiday destination of a lifetime. And, in the vast, uninhabited spaces, there’s no one to hide your polygamous relationships from.

5. Africa – Kenya

Polygamy status: Legal for men to marry as many wives as they wish

Polygamy was granted as a right exclusively to men in this East African nation in 2014. It was already widely practiced in the community through customary marriages prior to legalization. The law essentially only removed the first wife’s veto on the matter if the husband and subsequent wife consent to the union.

The latest figures tell us that approximately 10 percent of the married population, which equates to over 1.5 million Kenyans, are currently in a polygamous relationship.

But Kenya is far more than a polygamy paradise. It is more a wildlife haven and virtually the birthplace of the safari. Its famed savannahs are home to some of the largest populations of wild African wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, and hippos. You will also find the three big cats, lions, cheetahs, and leopards, here. Visit the Masai Mara National Reserve between July and October to witness the Great Migration from the Serengeti.

Before You Go

Just a tiny note of caution before you fly off to your poly paradise. Through our research, we know that these five countries are the best destinations for poly couples to vacation. However, that welcoming atmosphere does not always equate to legality, particularly if you are a foreigner. For a safe and problem-free holiday, adopt a ‘don’t ask-don’t tell’ approach and you’ll be just fine.