Negril beach/topless

Old Sep 7th, 2004, 08:16 AM
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Negril beach/topless

I understand that topless is OK on Negril beach, but do people walk to the water , take strolls along the beach topless or is it basically only laying out on the beach tanning, say if you are staying at Couples and want to walk a couple of miles along the beach can you do so topless? It is this way in other locations in the Carribean but not sure about Jamaica
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Old Sep 7th, 2004, 10:21 AM
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It's legal.

Jamaicans don't do it.

A few Americans do.

More Europeans do (and they tend to be there more in summer).

So it's up to you and your comfort level. People will look twice but if you don't mind it's fine.
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Old Sep 12th, 2004, 07:47 AM
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We stayed at Sandals Negril last March04 (going again this March/05). There was definately topless sunbathing within our resort. It took me a couple of days to get up the nerve (as well as some cocktails), but I did it as well. I was great. After the first time, it was nothing...Women would walk from their beachchairs to the water topless.
No one was walking around the resort topless. Women did walk the beach topless. If you did want to take a long walk, I would take something to cover up, as there is a Beaches Sandy Bay (owned by Sandals, but for families) that is a bit further down the beach. We did walk right next door to Hedonism a couple of times. Anyhthing goes there..... There they have the "prude" beach, where people wear clothes... They also hav the nude beach were they only wear smiles... They walk all over the play there topless/naked. If you have any other questions, just ask. We love Negril. It is absolutely wonderful!! I was looking at the Sandals website this morning, and it appears that Jamaica (their resorts anyway) survived Ivan ok. I live in Tampa, so we're currently
keeping a close eye out for Ivan...
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Old Sep 13th, 2004, 10:43 AM
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Liza said it. It all depends on your comfort level. I just got back from there in July, although I did not see any women actually walking the beach like that- just staying within/on the resort.
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Old Sep 13th, 2004, 11:35 AM
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When we were at Beaches Negril in May we took a walk down the beach. I only saw 1 woman sunbathing topless. Didn't even notice til I was right by her. It was not an "in your face" type thing. Now if you stay near Hedonism then it might be a different story. They have a bigger clothing optional group.
If you look good & feel good then do it. If you really should wear clothing then please do! Or else sunbathe in private. Same goes for guys that think it's ok to let it all hang out in a speedo when they really need a girdle. Just my humorous opinion.
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Old Sep 13th, 2004, 01:56 PM
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benj,
I respectfully disagree that one should meet certain physical criteria in order to wear a certain type of swimsuit or go topless or nude where it is acceptable.

Since it's all about lack of body self-consciousness and not about sex, people should feel free to make their own choices regarding how much they choose to reveal.(Of course, anyone who doesn't like what they may see can avert their eyes.)

The VAST majority of the ladies I have seen topless would not qualify to be in Victoria's Secret, but that's their choice.

That having been said, I cannot claim to not have snickered discreetly at the sight of a "banana sling" on an Ernest Borgnine lookalike, but I DO respect his choice to make that fashion decision - as unfortunate as I may find it.
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Old Sep 13th, 2004, 05:20 PM
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Diana,
That's the thing I dislike most about emails & posting messages. There's not an easy way to show when you're not serious or trying to be lighthearted about something. Not like facial expressions or voice inflections.
I was just funning about the clothing comment. Didn't mean to offend. My father-in-law was the worst at wearing a speedo when he shouldn't have & he was in PA! I live in New Orleans so seeing flesh paraded around is nothing new. I think it is funny to see people comment about it & still gawk.

Jamaica is a very relaxed place to be so visitors can relax there too.
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Old Sep 14th, 2004, 04:16 AM
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Hi Benj,

I wasn't really at all offended by what you said, but I really HAVE heard people say in all seriousness that only "pretty" women with "big boobs" and great bodies should go topless or wear a thong.

(Of course, this usually comes from people who are far from the ideal themselves.)

I must admit that I was uncomfortable with topless the first few times I was "exposed" (pun intended) to it (on two occasions because it was not accepted where it was being done).

No offense taken and none intended.
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Old Sep 14th, 2004, 08:46 AM
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Hi thanks for all the replies, I have been to many locations in the Carribean where topless is common, I have been indulging for about 30 years now and feel just as comfortable now at 50 as I did at 20, although I do keep myself in shape it has nothing to do with what I look like, it has to do with how I enjoy the freedom. As a teenager when I visited relatives in Sicily for many years topless was very common and that is how I was raised there during visits. Let me say that in my original post I mentioned walking the beach topless I was talking about along the waters edge, along the surf for a nice stroll maybe of a couple of miles, and yes I always have the hubby carry my coverup.
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Old Sep 14th, 2004, 12:04 PM
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I disagree with those who say it is fine to go topless in Jamaica. You will never see a local do it. I feel when in Rome kind of thing.

I think it is viewed as a tad disrespectful.


(And my 2 cents-- I love seeing people comfortable with themselves no matter what the weight, etc.)
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Old Sep 15th, 2004, 11:53 AM
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I do not agree, if you go to St Martin you do not see the local people topless do you? and it takes place on all their beaches. It is the the matter of acceptability of an area or an island. It is not often you see African Americans or black islanders topless as they are not sun worshipers as Caucasians are, so to state if the locals do not do it than no one else should makes no sense, if you visit islands such as Bermuda, US Virgin islands, British Virgin islands and many other islands where they are vigilant and make sure topless does not take place than it doesn't. Islands where it does take place it does because it is acceptable by that islands government.Visit st Barts it is widely practiced, but are there any African Ammericans there? no but it is practiced widely by the locals. On most islands the locals visit the beaches very early or very late mostly because of their sensitivity to the sun, and late in the day I have seen local women topless when it is cooler and the beach is more empty. You also have to think about the fact that many locals do not go topless as they live there and see the same people day after day and that may also account for their modesty of seeing friends while topless. I have been to Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao it is quiet common there to see toplesness but once again you do not see the local people indulging. We spent 24 days in Curacao and meet and stayed with many local people and they had no problem with topless on the beaches. So your statement "when in Rome do as the Romans do" is a poor choice of comparison.
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Old Sep 15th, 2004, 02:34 PM
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someone else's opinion from Negril .com

"
Keep in mind that all the posts saying that "many stroll the beach topless" are referring only to FOREIGN visitors.

In the near 15 years I've been travelling to Jamaica, I've NEVER seen a Jamaican woman go topless. If it keeps the tourists happy, they don't make a fuss BUT -- isn't it always wise to follow the old adage "when in Rome, do as the Romans do"..............? Pleny of revealing outfits at the dancehall (or the go-go clubs, as someone else mentioned), but never nude or topless, particularly on the beach.

Personally, I think it's more respectful of the host country NOT to treat it as your own private playground and abandon all notions of local decorum.

Just MY opinion"

"I was told many years ago by a Jamaican lady "bring something to cover up once you are entering into town (over swim suit,) respect the Jamaicans!!!" It's a respect thing forsure!!!!!!! "

When I go to other places I do try to respect local customs...

I dont think you'd be the only one if you were topless but due to their customs I opt not to.
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Old Sep 16th, 2004, 04:12 AM
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Well of course the people strolling the beaches are tourists, they have traveled many miles from many locations to enjoy what they do not have available to them at home probably, and yes I research every island before I make a decision to visit so I do not offend someone, if I choose an island that is not OK with topless than I do not indulge, but to say the locals do not do it makes little sense when most locals are not on the beach at the time most tourists are or visit more less touristy beaches, and how did the conversation go from the beach to town, of course one would cover up when leaving the beach no one here has implied topless is taking place on the streets or in town. I respect and follow the attitude of the island and what takes place on a particular beach, do the locals from Miami go topless on South Beach? no, but you damn well know it is very widespread, it is a matter of regulation by the authorities, would I go topless in the Caymans, hell know because I know it is illegal and it is made very public it is illegal, so if it is allowed as in Jamaica tahn to indulge is not a disrespect to the local people, if it were I think more of an issue of stopping it would be made rather than allowing it to take place.
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Old Jan 21st, 2012, 03:16 PM
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The locals in Miami certainly DO go topless on South Beach, probably more often than the "tourists". I agree that discretion is appropriate when in town, but in the several times I have been to Jamaica, I can assure you that the locals are much more concerned with selling you their "stuff" than in what you are or are not wearing. What really offends them is not half naked tourists, but rather the intense poverty on much of the Island outside the tourist areas. So if you are down there helping the local economy you will be appreciated, regardless of how you are dressed.
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Old Jan 22nd, 2012, 07:35 PM
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I agree with CarolDI. There is intense poverty off the beach, and whatever you can do to help will be appreciated. Despite what you may have heard or read, some Jamaicans can be quite conservative, and it is not the local custom to go topless or naked on the beach. Most people won't care what you're doing, but you might be subject to some comments or hassles unless you're strictly on a designated nude beach ( like at Hedonism or the one that used to be close to Coco La Palm).
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Old Jan 22nd, 2012, 08:33 PM
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stbarts,
We have been to Aruba many times. Love Aruba! Have never seen topless in Aruba...beach, pool, anywhere. You say it is common in Aruba...where?
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Old Jan 22nd, 2012, 08:34 PM
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Just realized this thread is from 2004! Likely will not get an answer!
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