Don’t spend a fortune visiting a nude beach in Europe or a clothing-optional resort in the Caribbean when you can turn your attention to good ol’ Florida. The Sunshine State is widely known for swamps and Disney World, which is why many are unaware that it’s a gold mine of naturist resorts and bars.
Each birthday suit hotspot has its own rules about nudity, but all seek to create a safe and welcoming environment for those who practice naturism. So, pack the essentials and get ready to lather sunscreen on those places where the sun don’t shine: a budget-friendly nude vacation is waiting in Florida.
Lake Como Resort
Leave your swimsuit at home – it’s neither needed nor allowed at Lake Como Resort in Lutz, Florida. The pool and spa are the only places where nudity is required, but you’ll find that most guests embrace naturism while floating in the lake, eating at their Bar Buns Café or hiking in the 111-acre nature center.
Families may want to forgo a camper or tent and book one of Lake Como Resort’s cottages, cabins or motel rooms for more comfort and space. Don’t wear yourself out during the day, either – the Butt Hutt Bar has live musical performances that will have those bare buns sashaying into the night.
Sunny Sands Nudist Resort
With 55 years in the naturist vacation game, Sunny Sands Nudist Resort has built a reputation for being a destination the whole family will love. Some guests stay in RV campers or tents while others book a chalet, but all appreciate the 42 acres of land which allow for nature hikes and bird watching.
Kids spend their days splashing in the pool, families have meals together in the restaurant and bar, and visitors make friends over games of horseshoes and petanque. Perhaps the most Florida-esque activity one can do at Sunny Sands is play nine rounds on their golf course while in the buff.
Caliente Club and Resorts
Even naturists like their adult-time and that’s where the clothing-optional Caliente Club and Resorts steps in. Located in Land O' Lakes, Florida, this Caribbean-style resort with its lagoon-like pools is only open to guests 21 and over. Caliente Club and Resorts is the type of place where travelers can stay in a modern condo or apartment and pamper themselves with yoga classes, fine dining, and a spa. It may be an adults-only property, but don’t get it twisted – this is not a swinger’s resort. Overt sexual behavior is not acceptable in public spaces, so keep it PG.
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Paradise Lake Resorts
Head to the nudist capital of the United States, Pasco County, for a stay at Paradise Lake Resorts. Some naturist resorts have nudity-required spots, but at Paradise Lake Resorts you can get nude when and where you feel comfortable. Maybe that’s in the confines of a suite or poolside room, swimming in one of the six pools, dancing at the club, relaxing in the spa or enjoying a meal in the restaurant – it’s up to you. While Paradise Lake Resorts is open to families there are some limitations, such as the rule that children are not allowed in the recreation areas after 5 pm.
Garden of Eden
Get in touch with the naturalism of Adam and Eve at a Key West bar aptly named, the Garden of Eden. This clothing-optional bar isn’t found in a luscious garden but on the top floor of the Bull and Whistle, the only open-air bar in Old Town Key West.
Those who find themselves too shy to bask in the naturism of the Garden of Eden can visit the clothing-required bars on the first and second floor, before making their way to the top floor to sip on cocktails while topless (and/or bottomless, your choice). Leave the cell phones at home, since they’re not allowed, not to mention easily lost when you go full nude and lack pockets.
Sunnier Palms Nudist Park
American nudist pioneer Reed Supplee founded a nudist destination called Sunny Palms in 1948 in Florida City. After losing the Sunny Palms land following Supplee’s death, members of his community banded together as a co-op and found new land to create their nudist community in 1992 in Fort Pierce.
They called it Sunnier Palms Nudist Park, and today, it is the perfect destination for the cash-strapped, nudity-loving traveler. Hook up an RV or set up your tent and enjoy a laid-back naturist vacation among a co-op community, who are very welcoming and willing to share their on-site amenities which include a pool, hot tub and clubhouse.
Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist Resort
Everything you might want to know is found in the name of Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist Resort. There's plenty of sun at this Loxahatchee Groves resort and a mix of traditional sports fields and outdoor adventures like kayaking and canoeing in the lakes.
‘Gardens’ best refers to the 40 acres of land which holds tent and RV sites, playgrounds, a pool and a restaurant. While many naturist resorts are family-friendly, Sunsport Gardens Family Naturist Resort takes it a step further with youth and young adult camps meant to create an inclusive environment for naturist families.
Bourbon St. Pub
Bourbon St. Pub feels like a house party during Mardi Gras, if that house party was a gay bar in Key West with male dancers and drag shows. Set in a New Orleans-style mansion, Bourbon St. Pub welcomes all to explore the halls of their bar, minus one special space. The Garden Bar, which has a pool and jacuzzi, is only open to men and allows for complete or partial nudity. With regular house DJs, a rotating cast of male dancers and entertainers, and the male-only guesthouse, Bourbon St. Pub has cultivated a real sense of community.
