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-   -   Nudist colony trip report? (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/nudist-colony-trip-report-529746/)

tinathetoad May 17th, 2005 10:53 AM

Nudist colony trip report?
 
I have been doing some research on a trip for next year to Mexico and have come across many things on nude hotels and such.

Has anyone ever been; what is it like...do you go to dinner nude and everything or what.

Guess it makes for easy packing and no lost luggage...lol

tinathetoad May 17th, 2005 10:54 AM

let me say, I am just curios...not going to one..just curious

tinathetoad May 17th, 2005 11:02 AM

I guess they are called Nudist resorts...not colonys.

suze May 17th, 2005 11:45 AM

You might want to post your inquiry on the Latin America branch since it is Mexico you are asking about.

Diana May 17th, 2005 12:41 PM

Hi Tina,

I just got back from Mexico two weeks ago, and can perhaps answer some of your questions...

We spent two weeks on Isla Mujeres (topless), Tulum (topless or nude), and Playa del Carmen (topless).

Of the three, Tulum is the only area where (to my knowledge) there are clothing optional beaches and resorts. Most of Mexico is NOT permissive of total nudity.

On Isla Mujeres, the entire beach is public, and about 20 to 25% of the women are topless - mostly European women with a few Americans thrown in.

In Tulum, the beach is very wide and long, and there are usually few people there so plenty of privacy. There are several clothing optional resorts, and the whole beach of Tulum is pretty much known to be co and/or topless.

In Playa del Carmen, the beach is public, and there are about 15 to 20% topless - again mostly Europeans, and a few Americans.

The only kind of strange thing we saw during the trip was a woman doing naked yoga in Tulum and standing on her head, with her legs apart. That kinda startled my husband - and not in a good way...

I went topless in all three locations, and it's really not a big deal since it is common in the region. I just started doing it last year, and find I enjoy it, but I don't foresee EVER being interested in a co resort or doing the totally nude thing. (Some things just DON'T need to see the blazing sun imho.)

At strictly co resorts, I think most people do wear some clothing to dine, and they take towels to sit on where ever they go.

Anyone who plans on going to a co resort to have a wild time will be disappointed. It's pretty much just a "communing with nature" thing as opposed to being sexual.

Honestly, it's just no big deal, and most of the folks at these places are just regular people - not supermodel material.

If you have an interest, I'd say 'go for it!'

al May 17th, 2005 12:48 PM

I went to a famous Caribbean island a few years ago -- don't want to name names but it's a Dutch Island, or maybe it was French...

Anyway, me and ms. al took a drive over to the famous nudist resort to buy tshirt in the gift shop as a hoot and when we went into the shop the customers were naked! A few had towels, others had nothing. Only the cashier (and us) had clothing.

It's really weird standing in line behind some fat guy's big hairy bum.

placeu2 May 17th, 2005 01:03 PM

See tina has this FRIEND who MAY be interested and has just a few questions.......

Cmon tinathetoad....fess up girl! ;-)

Seriously this has no real interest to me...OK maybe the topless beach thing but beyond that...no thanks.

Patrick May 17th, 2005 01:26 PM

You may not need luggage, but don't forget lots of sun screen. Ouch!

tinathetoad May 18th, 2005 04:41 AM

All kidding aside, I am not interested. I was looking for Mexico info and came across this resort that looked really nice.

I just about peed my pants when I saw it was TOTAL nude. Even the woman in the picture was exercising on the treadmill with nothing on but her Reeboks...

I am sure that there are many people that like to go and are comfortable and like to "commune with nature". However, I prefer my clothes on...just ask my husband

Statia May 18th, 2005 04:53 AM

Al, St. Maarten/St. Martin is both Dutch AND French. I'm assuming Orient Bay is the area you are referring to.

Wayne May 18th, 2005 05:42 AM

Since this is a U.S. forum, I thought I'd mention an unexpected clothing-optional park in the southern part of Texas. I won't mention names or places, but I've been to this one and there is total nudity everywhere. The park is on a nice lake where people swim and they also bring food for all-day picnics. It's really a pretty place, but if you are put off by naked people running all around, you wouldn't want to go. It was surprising to me just because it's in what I would consider a rather conservative part of a rather conservative state.

sundowner May 18th, 2005 05:47 AM

We went to the nude beach in Maui and it definitely isn't a sexual thing. There were people of all sizes and all ages, including children (mostly young). There was one woman with her preteen son and he wore a swimsuit. It seemed like many of the people knew each other so I wondered how many were locals. There were also a number of sightseers or gawkers. I guess that would include us except we did participate but only for sunbathing. No running around playing frisbee or trying to surf! Given the size of most of the people on the beach I fit in but not the big white butt!

Diana May 18th, 2005 05:50 AM

tina,

Now I am irate that I spent A LOT of time giving you information about something you really have no interest in doing.

It's apparent that the focus of your post was just to stir the pot and to give uptight folks an opportunity to make denigrating comments about people who choose to vacation differently from themselves.

Don't ask for info if you don't need it. Some of us like to feel like we are not wasting our time when we spend time on here... [-(

ahhnold May 18th, 2005 05:58 AM

Diana, After reading your posts, I am going to a nudist colony. Other people can benefit from information. Don't get so irate. Just the thought of people running around naked makes me happy.

Diana May 18th, 2005 06:08 AM

All RIGHT ahhnold. I'm sure you will benefit others with your detailed trip report when you get back.

I'm happy I could help. ;)

OO May 18th, 2005 06:17 AM

Good grief Diana. You wrote your post <u>1 hr 45 minutes</u> after Tina wrote saying she was just curious and <i>not</i> going!! As the saying goes...chill!

For anyone interested, there is one just north of Tampa. The aerobics co-ordinator from our gym was asked to go lead a couple of aerobics classes there. Most of the people were older. @-)

Wayne I can't imagine what you were talking about unless it was Hippie Hollow outside Austin which is not a conservative area, IMHO.

ahhnold May 18th, 2005 06:30 AM

I could attach photos. Now THAT would benefit all.

Statia May 18th, 2005 07:59 AM

OO, I figured he was referring to Hippie Hollow, too....aka Pace Bend Park. There is only one area that is nudist, though.

In my teenage years my boyfriend and I searched and searched for an available camp site at Pace Bend Park. We'd camped there before, but all the areas we'd been in before were booked up so we were glad when we finally found something available.

No one else was at their camp site since everyone spent their days down at Lake Travis below. We set up our tent and gear, then ventured down to the lake for some sun and swimming.

When we got there, much to our surprise EVERYONE was naked. :O That was my first venture into seeing the nudist culture. ;)

tinathetoad May 18th, 2005 08:30 AM

I DID say that I was not going...just curious.

There is a nudist camp in Union City, Michigan as well.

I thought that this would be an interesting post. I did not mean to offend anyone....many people are alright with this...I personally would not go, but that is just because I think that I would not be comfortable.

I am sure that it is very relaxing and pleasant. I would never knock someone because they wanted to do that for a vacation or otherwise.

Americans are on the whole hung up on nudity.... I do believe that a nudist resort IS NOT sexual, just a form of a vacation...like going to an all-inclusive.

Many people view the human body as beautiful...no matter what size, shape, etc...


OO May 18th, 2005 09:18 AM

Statia, I only knew it as Hippie Hollow...which goes to show where my mind is. I hasten to add, LOL, I've never been there, LOL...just heard say. I can just see your faces when you got to the swimming area. Surprise surprise! Now if you'd been <i>looking</i> for it, you know you'd never have found it.

We went to St John once with our college-aged son. We'd snorkeled all over Bermuda with my research and I tried to do the same for St. John. Read about a beautiful secluded beach...park at thus and so bend in the road .x miles from BlahBlah, look for stone stairs winding down, (ah there they are winding through thick vegetation) which lead to a small secluded beach with excellent snorkeling. Well maybe, but it also led to a beach where everyone who there was topless. Our son wore a grin like Christmas morning.

P_M May 18th, 2005 09:39 AM

OO is correct that Austin is not a conservative place. I thought Pace Bend Park was on another part of the lake, but I don't know for sure as I do not go to Hippie Hollow. However, I have used the telescopes at the Oasis Restaurant which has a great view of Hippie Hollow. :-)

I couldn't resist looking--curiosity got the best of me....

MzPossum May 18th, 2005 01:33 PM

I met a woman once who lived in a nudist colony. She said the only time clothing was required was for golf and dancing. Go figure.

ronkala May 18th, 2005 03:14 PM

If travdis posted this we'd be all over him/her.

weimer May 18th, 2005 06:42 PM

As anyone been planning a trip with another couple or two and someone suggested going to a resort where nudity/topless was prevelant? It must be a very awkward situation to be nude among friends.

Don't freak out Diana - I'm not going anytime soon. Wear sunblock!

tinathetoad May 19th, 2005 02:17 AM

Why even bother wearing clothes for golf and dancing?

Reminds me of the Seinfield episode with Jerry's girlfriend who liked to be naked. Jerry thought it was great until she tried to open a jar of pickles. Anyone remember the episode?

Then when Jerry was naked wearing only a tool belt and using power tools. She said it was &quot;bad naked&quot;. What a laugh!!!

tinathetoad May 19th, 2005 06:14 AM

ttt

MzPossum May 19th, 2005 07:00 AM

I remember that one, Tina. Maybe that's what the clothes for dancing and golf is all about! As I recall, it was optional for dancing, and required for golf!

Shane May 19th, 2005 09:51 AM

Wouldn't many of the men be embarassed to show off their shortcomings? Furthermore, isn't the sunburning of certain body parts which see very little sun a potential hazard?

P_M May 19th, 2005 09:57 AM

If I were a man, I would definitely not swim in cold water at a nudist colony.

beachkomer May 19th, 2005 10:21 AM

We stayed at the Grand Lido in Negril on the clothing optional side (it was an upgrade...lol) our little beach had mostly buck-nekked people but some swimmers who wore swim suits (like us). It was a very interesting trip...

Two people Stood Out to us:

The bronze, buff, Italian Stud who posed all day on the beach and drew a female crowd (for certain attributes)...

...and a 80 year old female free spirit (I can't get rid of that image).

If you are curious, Go for it.

Dick May 19th, 2005 10:52 AM

Colonies are for ants..nudists go to clubs resorts or beaches.

IT is more erotic to be on a &quot;clothed&quot; beach and see somone in a real skimpy bathing suit.

Nude beaches tend to be clean and well maintained( by the nudists).




tinathetoad May 20th, 2005 05:18 AM

&quot;If I were a man, I would definitely not swim in cold water at a nudist colony.&quot;

Reminds me of the other Seinfield episode...&quot;the shrinkage factor&quot; LOL

Dick May 20th, 2005 10:10 AM

Contrary to what people think..nude beaches can be very relaxing and are not sexual.

tinathetoad May 21st, 2005 01:39 PM

I would not think that it would be sexual or perverted.

PattyQ Nov 14th, 2005 02:39 PM

My husband and I have been to nudist resorts before. We don't like the ones in Mexico or Florida. Too much rain and bugs. We like the US. Our favorite is The Terra Cotta Inn in Palm Springs, CA
http://sunnyfun.com Palm Springs is a desert and very sunny.

Very well run place. Very nice owners and guests. It is the best we have ever visited.

wsoxrebel Nov 14th, 2005 02:47 PM

I seriously heard that a boat in
Austin tipped over when a large % of the guests all rushed to one side to witness a truly glorious day at Hippie Hollow. I wonder if that is an urban legend?

Kal Nov 14th, 2005 02:52 PM

I went to a nude wedding once...you could certainly tell who the Best Man was...#-O

walkinaround Nov 14th, 2005 03:29 PM

hippy hollow is great...unless you are uncomfortable with 100 binocular bearing construction workers wearing jeans and drinking beer...sitting just above you in the trees.

aileen679 Nov 14th, 2005 04:13 PM

speaking of drinking beer....Women should be very careful drinking beer on a nudist beach, they are liable to get sand in their Schlits.

LoveItaly Nov 14th, 2005 04:42 PM

You don't have to pay good money to go to a nudist camp. Just get some of your friends, go to SF, get nude, and sit in the trees. It is an old SF custom!


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