Since a lot of Europeans go to the Mexican Caribbean, topless sunbathing is fairly common. I've been down there many times and I don't believe I've ever seen totally nude. If you want someplace quiet and somewhat away from it all, check out Tulum. Tulum is noted for it's alternate lifestyle, off the grid feel. The wide white sand beach just goes on forever, and many spots are deserted. I wouldn't be surprised if there are some clothing optional spa type places in Tulum. Have you been to the locogringo.com website? - tons of info on this whole area.

I would look to the Caribbean instead. I believe you're much more likely to find what you describe someplace there. Mexico is basically a conservative country and nude sunbathing really isn't all the thing most places (outside the lifestyle or naturist resorts you say you don't want). You do see topless more over on the Caribbean/Mayan Riviera side because of the euro-influence as already mentioned.

I've spent 20+ trips in Mexico, Puerto Vallarta, La Paz, Cabo San Lucas and can count on one hand the times I've ever seen anyone topless, and I've never seen anyone nude.

Look at Negril Jamaica, for example, that seem closest to what you describe, and there are several resorts on the gorgeous "7-mile beach" there that have clothing optional beaches but are not nude resorts per se.

Whether people are doing it or not, it is culturally inappropriate in Mexico and is interpreted in a negative way. Try Spain.

I've seen a couple of ladies arrested here in PV for going topless, it's actually illegal.

St. Barts is the perfect place for nude sunbathing. Heck I even dropped my trunks to swim nude there. Never could lay on the beach that way but my GF Helen at that time had no problems. Just not done in Mexico unless you can find a really isolated beach.

St. Martin....Orient Beach has nude sun bathing.

About ten miles south of Loreto, which is about mid-way down the Baja peninsula, there is (or was) a resort that catered to nude sun bathing by setting aside a small beach area as clothing-optional, also had clothing-optional hot tubs.

I heard it was full of chubby pale Canadians, but never had the urge to check.

Loreto is a bit hard to get to, there is a flight from LAX, not sure how many other places in the US you can fly in from. The town itself is pretty small and peaceful, mainly a place to fish or dive or whatever, so maybe not what you want. The only time I've been there was to meet a boat we had chartered for a multi-day live-aboard fishing trip.

Here's a link that mentions the clothing-optional resort: http://www.travel-wise.com/north-america/mexico/loreto.aspx

Sample quote: "This resort is one of the few with a "clothing optional" area which is discreetly situated at the south end of the property. Folks can stretch out along the private beach or lounge in the hot tub au naturel."

Sorry Bill_H, but that doesn't sound all that appealing -lol!!! Seriously check out at lesat the Caribbean side or better yet a Caribbean island instead.

What Dude said. Some women topless at resorts in Playa del Carmen is the usual during high season but it is not the norm. Especially on the weekends when there are a lot of locals at the beach with families.

Thanks to everyone for the responses. Very helpful for sure. I have heard of Tulum and it has certainly peaked our interest. Sounds like we may or may not find exactly what we're looking for in Mexico but won't know till we try! Does anyone have thoughts on Couples resorts in Jamaica? In all honesty it looks beautiful but I have a feeling it may cater to older couples. Am I way off in my assumption?

Are you asking about the Couples resort in Negril? There's an excellent Negril forum over at Trip Advisor where this resort is often mentioned.

Try St. Martin. Perfectly acceptable there. The Latin countries are heavily Catholic and are quite put off by topless sunbathing and public nudity. Having said that, why not get a private condo with your own rooftop or balcony?

The French side of St, Martin OK BUT not the Dutch side. You will must definitely be arrested in my old home.

MOST of the Caribbean islands are as conservative as Mexico when it comes to nude sunbathing so research carefully!

Jamaica does NOT allow nude sunbathing on public beaches. It is acceptable/common at some resorts but does not reflect the island culture.

St. Barts and the French side of St. Martin have beaches where topless and nude sunbathing are acceptable.

suze, reread your travel guide.

sassy_cat, I'm curious what you are referring to with your last comment? "Reread your travel guide"... about what exactly?

Any comments I made above were from personal observations from being in Mexico and Jamaica, not something I read in a guidebook.

suze on Apr 7, 12 at 2:21pm
I would look to the Caribbean instead. I believe you're much more likely to find what you describe someplace there. Mexico is basically a conservative country and nude sunbathing really isn't all the thing most places (outside the lifestyle or naturist resorts you say you don't want). You do see topless more over on the Caribbean/Mayan Riviera side because of the euro-influence as already mentioned.


suze on Apr 8, 12 at 8:48pm
Sorry Bill_H, but that doesn't sound all that appealing -lol!!! Seriously check out at lesat the Caribbean side or better yet a Caribbean island instead.


I read these comments and thought they were misleading and I disagree.
How do you know that you see more topless on the Caribbean/Mayan Riviera of Mexico?
What was wrong with Bill's suggestion?

IMO European influences aside Mexico and the Caribbean are culturally similar with regard to nude sunbathing.

What didn't sound appealing about Bill_H's suggestion was this part...
<I heard it was full of chubby pale Canadians>

Topless does happen more frequently on the Caribbean/Mayan Riviera of Mexico because there are more resorts that cater to that than those on the Pacific Coast like Cabo, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta. How do I know this? From friends who vacation on that side vs my experience on the other side, that's how.

And you most definitely CAN be topless or fully nude at several of the resorts in Negril.

<How do I know this? From friends who vacation on that side vs my experience on the other side, that's how.>

OK, heresay whatever.
I've seen zero people topless on the Caribbean/Mayan Riviera of Mexico after 5 or 6 trips to the region so I don't think it's commonplace.
Funnily enough the number of topless sunbathers on either coast of Mexico has never come up in conversation with friends.
Must admit I don't think I know anyone that would actually take a head count of naked people and I wouldn't consider it a significantly relevant survey if they did.

Yeah, you can sunbathe nude at several resorts in Negril but it's not permitted on a public beach and that's because the Caribbean culture is essentially conservative. Jamaicans tolerate topless sunbathing for the sake of tourism.

You suggested the OP look to the Caribbean as Mexico is a conservative country.
My point was that generally the Caribbean has a similarly conservative culture and as the OP wanted 'someplace where it's totally acceptable to be nude on the beach' but didn't want a 'lifestyle resort' it isn't the best fit.
$t.Barts would fit the bill except the bill would be high

<Funnily enough the number of topless sunbathers on either coast of Mexico has never come up in conversation with friends>

Well it comes up quite frequently on internet travel forums. It comes up near weekly on the various Trip Advisor destination forums.

Agree with Suze as to The Mayan area. Lots of Europeans have pretty much put this issue to rest there as far as topless goes.
On The Costa Grande (Zihuatanejo) Coast you occasionally see a gal topless who almost always is a European. Now I've never seen one arrested but lots of disapproving looks. Also it's maybe 2 or 3 a year while I am in residence.

I also agree with Suze as far as the Riviera Maya and Cancun area. We have seen topless women whenever we have visited. Mostly Europeans. I suppose if you go to resorts that cater to mostly Americans, you won't see much of it.

I'll keep a look out next time I'm there lol!
I am European but I'm not so fond of Playa now it's become so busy so I don't stay there.
I like Akumal and it does have a high % of American tourists but I haven't seen anyone topless in Cancun either. Is it permitted at the pools or only the beach?
It can't be as prevalent as in the Mediterranean where it is more culturally accepted and where it seems bikini tops are in short supply!

I think it's a shame that the local culture is disrespected for the sake of tourism but not surprised.

Thanks for more votes people. sassy_cat, Truly I've got no horse in this race, with no personal plans of sunbathing nude in Mexico or any other public place for that matter... it's just I am pretty darn sure my original statement, that you would find more people doing it on the Caribbean side of Mexico was correct.

I live on the Caribbean side and there is a measure of toplessness on the beaches especially during high season. It does make me cringe though especially on the weekends for the local Mexican families with children. It is disrespectful. But, if you're in a place like Playacar where the shorefront is lined with AI's, there is not a lot of locals there and it wouldn't matter much. I've only seen one nude guy in the past 10 years on the beach but it was in the north area which used to be less crowded. Now, with the extension of 5th ave the beach is populated to the north also. Not as busy as in Playa central but not isolated like it was.

sass_cat,
It is usually not permitted at the pools and is limited to the beach.

Thanks schmerl, that makes sense as I nearly always walk along the beach in Cancun in the mornings before or after breakfast and again at sunset. I usually spend the afternoon sitting in the shade by the pool so I'm not on the beach at peak tan time.

I agree suze that even with this info I'm not planning to sunbathe nude in Mexico anywhere/anytime.

When, my husband & I were on the beaches of Tulum in 2010, we saw several nude males on a couple of beach areas with no regard to the local residents. These fellows were walking around the beach areas. They were not just sun-bathing. I thought that they could have been a little more discrete. I have nothing against nude sunbathing. But, do it discretely, in a private area on the beach where you do not offend the local people.

Copal in Tulum has nude sunbathing, but since more than 1/2 of their land was grabbed for redevelopment, it is rather small, and is still primitive, but Gorgeous. After Jan. 2011 being there for a week, mid-week a rather tall, hefty man showed up everyday after rather obviously having taken VIAGRA, if you get my drift, w/a Giant Flagpole waving while he lounged around on his back and kids ran around w/their nude hippied parents. And the terribly overweight 50ish couple who were real flaunters as well...Never again. Wasn't for me.

Maybe I should change some of our requirements. Sounds like what we want just really doesn't exist with the exception of St Barts and that is way out of our budget. I should make a note that we really want an adults only resort. Not interested in dealing with any kids while on our vacation.

This site lists adults only clothing optional resorts. There are a couple Couples Resorts in Jamaica.
http://www.cmtravelonline.com/adult-vacations/clothing-optional-resorts