Lifestyle Press

Casa Jeni is a modern one-bedroomed holiday bungalow at Costa Calma, southern Fuerteventura, which offers private nude sunbathing. Handy for nearby clothes-optional beaches and with a large secluded garden that enjoys sun from dawn until dusk. According to the owners, “it is ideal for naturism”.

Located in a scenic mountain setting, north of Tarragona on the Costa Dorada, La Bartra is an alternative retreat offering a range of simple accommodation and camping. Tai-chi is popular at the centre, as well as Yoga, music, literature, painting, cooking and dance.

According to Àngels and Pep, the owners, “as La Bartra is at the heart of nature, it is a very convenient place for practising naturism, enjoying healthy freedom in the non-chlorinated pools, in the mud baths and on excursions in the mountains”.

The Ionian island of Lefkas (sometimes written Lefkada) is in fact connected to the west coast mainland of Greece by a road bridge. Close to the village of Agios Nikitas, Milos Bay is rated as the best and largest clothes-optional beach on the island. With limited access and no commercialisation it’s a place to escape. However, we have just heard of some new and rather exclusive villas that have been built into the cliff-side above the shore. The four properties - said to be very private and secluded - each boast a private swimming pool and jacuzzi. There are steps down to the 1-km long beach, which comes highly recommended by Greek naturist guru Cap’n Barefoot.

Renowned Californian naturist resort, Desert Shadows Inn, has recently changed ownership and been re-named Desert Sun Resort. The new owners plan to upgrade the family-friendly holiday destination during the coming months. (The resort is described on page 56 of The World’s Best Nude Beaches)

The Hollanders family from the Netherlands moved to Spain in November 2007 in search of a new life in the sun. Their naturist campsite is situated in the hills of the Sierra del Viento adjacent to the national park. Camping El Zorro is a two-hour drive south from Alicante and also two hours from Granada. Nearby towns include Velez Blanco, Velez Rubio and Puerto Lumbreras. Vera Playa nude beach is estimated to be 40-45 minutes’ drive. With the unexpected sudden closure of Camping Almanzora at Vera Playa on 1 May 08, Camping El Zorro will doubtless prove a welcome alternative.

Guatemala Naturally offers nudist or clothing-optional vacations and tours in the rainforest of the Rio Dulce. Holidays combine opportunities for sailing, au naturel swimming under hot waterfalls or in cool cavern-fed water, birdwatching and jungle tours. A choice of accommodation is available. Guatemala Naturally is a pioneer project, being the first naturist retreat in the country.

Shotover Gardens is a one bedroom cottage set in 3 acres of lawns and gardens, located in the hills outside Port Antonio, Jamaica. It is a 15-minute drive from downtown Port Antonio. The owners advise the naturist-friendly property is very private, giving guests the ability to completely relax au naturel. There is a view of the ocean and the Blue Mountains from the cottage.

The new upscale Sea Mountain Resort at Desert Springs, near Palm Springs, California offers a hedonistic-style spa experience where clothes are not required. Accommodation is available and day-visitors are welcome. The retreat is under two hours drive from Los Angeles.

Naturists Sheila and Ken Holmes operate a bed and breakfast by the Pacific Ocean in the Mexican State of Nayarit. The accommodation is clothing-optional during the months of April, May and June and other times by special reservation. Contact Sheila and Ken via the Aticama website for more details.

Just 15 minutes’ inland from the seaside resort of Almuñécar on the Costa Tropical in Granada Province, southern Spain, Isicola Naturist Teepee Holidays is situated in the tranquil Canta Lobos valley. Surrounded by plantations with avocados and olives, but without fences this is escapist territory. In 2008 teepees are available from April to October, but July and August are already booked up. Handy for nude beaches at Cantarrijan Playa and Playa del Muerto - World’s Best Nude Beaches (page 121) - only a short drive away.

Mi Amor Clothing Optional Resort, between Costa Rica’s capital city, San Jose and the Caribbean coast, opens its doors next month - May 2008. All-inclusive accommodation is available in 30 en-suite air-conditioned rooms around the pool, or set in the extensive tropical gardens. Situated 40 miles from Juan Santa Maria International Airport, transfers can be arranged through the resort. Extra image gallery.

The popular naturist village on the Canarian island of Lanzarote now has a wider range of places to stay than ever. In addition to the accommodation at Charco del Palo listed in The World’s Best Nude Beaches, the Castillo de Papagayo Agency has extra apartments and villas available. Two further properties - Casa Mirador Amarillo and Casa Mirador Rojo - can be booked through Naturfreunde Lanzarote e.V. And finally, more information about the resort is available from charcodelpalo.com.

One of the largest naturist resorts in Brazil, Recanto Paraíso offers en-suite chalets and camping facilities. In addition to the fine mountain views, there is a large outdoor pool, sauna and jacuzzi. Club website

Eva and Steffen have been in touch to tell us about their new naturist bed & breakfast business that opens this coming May/June 2008. Hylteberga Farm, near Skurup, will have four guest rooms and plenty of space to relax and be at one with nature.  Sandhammaren nudist beach (World’s Best Nude Beaches page 268) is just 30 miles from the property. And Backåkra and Skanör are two more bare beaches not far away and recommended by Eva and Steffan.

Described in detail in The World’s Best Nude Beaches and Resorts (p41), Playa Escondida now has a website which provides further information. The site is in Spanish - Google translation.

Mick Webb - writing in the Independent newspaper in the UK today - suggests Cala Murtra, near Roses on the Spanish Costa Brava for bathing in the buff. “…you’ll need to park beside the road and carry your beach stuff and picnic down the cliff path – bathing costumes aren’t necessary, though, for naturist Murtra”. More details about the small Catalonian bare beach.

Apparently Montenegro is seeking a private investor for “Ada Bojana” naturist resort in the south of the country on the Albanian border (World’s Best Nude Beaches page 285). Environmentalists are concerned that the Ministry of Tourism is looking for developers to build hotels of four or five-star category on the almost five square kilometres large island in the delta of the Bojana River.

Casa del Sol Siempre is a comfortable complex of six small apartments at the naturist resort of Charco del Palo, on the Canarian island of Lanzarote. Each property has one bedroom with a kingsize double bed, a living room with an integrated kitchen and good sea views. The managers offer free transfers from the airport for anybody who prefers not to hire a car. 

Situated near Bela-Bela (Warmbaths) in the Limpopo Province, family-friendly Haakbos Naturists Lodge owned by Paul and Amanda Jonker provides guest accommodation. Day visitors are also welcome on their 10 hectares of land. Various private break-a-ways have been created in a semi dry river bed that runs through the property; where you can braai or just laze in the sun au naturel.

Details reach us of a luxury property at the clothes-optional resort of Charco del Palo, on the Canary island of Lanzarote. Los Ojos is described as an exclusive villa for discerning naturists.