Clothes-Free Travel
9 “Nakation” Destinations for Dubious Newbies
Recommendations for First-Time Nudies (North America edition)
Once you climb out of the pool with a warm breeze on your skin instead of that damp, clingy Lycra, you’ll never want to turn back
As I’ve gone about finding my voice as a travel writer with a propensity for clothing-optional recreation, it’s been affirming to connect with readers who scarcely realized that naturism, or “a nakation,” was even a thing. In response, I’d like to think my writing is compelling enough that a few readers on these pages will turn to a partner or friend and say, “Hey! We should try that out someday!”
But where to begin?
While attitudes regarding social nudity have certainly changed over the past generation, there’s no question a stigma still lingers. And the most common questions on social media lead out with, “I’m really interested in giving this a try, but my reluctant spouse says it’s a no-go.”
Short answer: You gotta get it right the first time, which has everything to do with choosing the right place at the right time.
To that end, this is a list of eight nakation destinations that have met the following criteria:
· We’ve been there ourselves, first hand.
· We would pay good money to stay at these places even if they weren’t clothing optional or nude.
· The amenities are on par with similar venues in the textile world, (though maybe a bit pricey by comparison as the lack of competition results in sort of a “nudity tax”).
· A first-timer would feel comfortable and welcome, as there’s enough space to mingle or be off to yourself, just as you would expect at a Marriott or Hilton resort.
· You’ll feel at ease with your body, regardless of shape and size, as you’re likely to see other people who look amazingly similar to you.
· These are places that will be devoid of explicit, sexual undercurrents. There are other places that cater that clientele, but that’s a different story for someone else to write.
So, here are our top picks for North America. (I’ll publish another edition later with European destinations down the road.)
Desert Sun Resort, Palm Springs California
We’ve been going here since they first opened back in the 1990s as a nine-room inn. Now they have various accommodations on offer ranging from simple hotel rooms to spacious condominiums. There’s a restaurant on grounds and three pools, each with a different mood, so you’re sure to find folks to socialize with, or a quiet place to soak up the sun. It’s pricey, for sure (!), especially on holiday weekends, but will feel like a lovely desert oasis even in the dead heat of the summer.
Mira Vista Resort, Tucson, Arizona
This also began as a smallish hotel establishment, though all of the original rooms have been renovated and it’s possible to rent a condo unit there as well. It’s pretty quiet during the week, which you may consider an asset or a deficit if you’re a newbie, but the pool complex is lovely, even during the winter. Along with Desert Sun, this feels the most like an upscale resort of anything available in the US.
Laguna del Sol, Wilton, California
This is more of a nudist park but owned by the same folks who run Mira Vista. They’ve made huge upgrades to the facilities over the years including a beautiful indoor pool complex with adjoining hotel rooms that offer amenities on par with a Hilton Garden Inn. As a nudist park, they’ll require you to take a golf-cart tour on your first visit, which can be a little off-putting to a naked newbie. They try to offset that by being super friendly.
Harbin Hot Springs, Calistoga, California
This is a totally different deal as it’s actually a spiritual healing center built around the historic hot springs that spill from the mountains above Calistoga. The place burned to the ground a few years ago and they are still in the midst of rebuilding, but the new rental units look lovely, and there’s a new hotel on the way.
People are typically only naked in and around the hot spring pools, but that’s pretty much up to you. The catch? You have to pay a nominal fee to join the Heart Consciousness Church. We’ve been members for 30 years! While a bit new agey for us, there has been no other commitment beyond paying $10 or so a year.
Orient Land Trust, Moffat, Colorado
Also known as Valley View Hot Springs, these thermal pools are perched on the ridges overlooking a huge valley in the high country of Colorado. Accommodations here are of a great variety, from a bedroom in a shared house to individual apartments where you may need to walk to the shared bathroom facilities.
Think of it as glamping and you’ll be pretty much on point. That can feel pretty close if you’re nervous about nudity, but many people only get naked in the hot springs, and last I recall, it’s not even required there — so you could ease your way into it. It all feels a bit like the wild west out there, but there’s a lot less pressure associated with the getting naked part.
Orvis Hot Springs, Ridgway, Colorado
Sort of the rich cousin to Orient Land Trust, Orvis features a series of pools adjoining a comfortable lodge with private rooms. Nudity is allowed in any of the pools, but swimsuits are optional.
On the day I visited, more people wore swimsuits than not, but by evening, most who stayed overnight took advantage of the option for naked — though frankly, it was hard to tell in the dark.
Ironically, my wife finds it more awkward to be naked when others are in swimsuits. She’s a supporter of the all or none principle as it draws less attention to the naked people. Only you know your own barometer on that one. (At this writing, their website was down and this is not linked here.)
Cypress Cove Nudist Resort, Kissimmee, Florida
Another place that owns up to the word “nudist” in their marketing and name. In addition to an area for RVs, there’s a whole neighborhood of small homes where mostly retired people live, in addition to a hotel/condo complex that has amenities similar to a Residence Inn.
Truthfully, the units are showing their age, particularly in comparison to textile options in the region, but the vibe at the place overall feels “very normal.” The pool complex is excellent — with a lively pool and a quiet pool, and they have a great poolside bar and grill. In my book, it’s the best bet in the eastern US.
Hidden Beach Resort, near Cancun, Mexico
There are a few options south of Cancun, and this one is most definitely the most upscale, with prices to match. It’s an all-inclusive resort and you’ll pay dearly for that luxury, but there are regulars who manage to spend a week or two there every year.
The rooms are spacious and well appointed, as you would expect at an all-inclusive resort on the Riviera Maya, and the pool vibe offers you a swim-up bar along with lots of little nooks to sit and read a book while soaking up the sun. Though it’s a beachfront property, it’s better to look at than to play in. You’ll have to day-trip down to Tulum if you want to do the real beach-combing thing.
Casablanca Guest House, near Zipolite, Mexico
Zipolite is on the Pacific Coast of Mexico; a hippie heaven that has found its niche with the mile-long clothing-optional beach that stretches out before myriad restaurants, bars, and shops.
We usually stay at Casablanca, though they only have four rooms and it’s a steep trek from the actual beach. There are loads of other options, but you’ll want to read the fine print about AC and hot water, as that’s a luxury that many of the beachfront hotels don’t provide. It's great for rookie nudies though, given its live and let live vibe. Wear a swimsuit, or don’t. At least on the beach, you’ll be hard-pressed to offend the locals.
The Natural, Willemstad, Curaçao
Located on the third of the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao), The Natural is a quiet resort with spacious bungalows and a modest pool complex that offers privacy in a discreet location for giving naturism a try. Most of the verandas on the bungalows are relatively private, and the size of the place means it never gets noisy or crowded.
The downside is that nudity is very much frowned upon elsewhere on Curaçao, so if you’re looking for the perfect nude beach, you simply aren’t going to find it. But for a newbie who simply wants to give full Vitamin D exposure a try, you could hardly ask for a more chill place to do that. And dining and shopping in the region are great. Like a visit to Amsterdam without the 10-hour flight.
I maintain another blog where you can submit a form (Ask Naturist Dan) should you have additional questions about these or other clothing-optional destinations. I intentionally avoided traditional “nudist parks,” as those tend to feel a lot more “clubby;” sort of like going to church camp without clothes.
There are also options in Europe that offer more amenities at a high standard for a better price, and there are options in Asia and South America as well. All for another day.
Hope I can convince a few more people to take the leap. Once you climb out of the pool with a warm breeze on your skin instead of damp, clingy Lycra, you’ll never want to turn back.
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