Inside nudist resorts: What really happens?

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Terra Cotta Inn Clothing Optional Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, CA put out an article about the Top 7 myths about nudist resorts that people new to nudism may have. This is perfect for Nudist Beginnings readers so I though I'd pass it along:

The Top 7 Myths About Vacationing at Nudist Resorts

Vacationing at nudist resorts is the fastest growing segment of the travel industry. It is a booming niche market with over $400 million in annual revenues. A recent Roper poll showed 25% of American adults have gone skinny dipping. Maybe it is time you should too. Make your next vacation a fun one, go as bare as you dare.


Palm Springs, CA, June 13, 2007 --(PR.com)-- Those high walls and locked gates seem just so imposing. Everyone knows there are nudist colonies in America. Yet, everyone also wants to know, "what really happens inside the walls of a modern nudist resort?"

Tom and Mary Clare Mulhall, the owners of The Terra Cotta Inn Clothing Optional Resort and Spa located in sunny Palm Springs, California share some of the secrets and myths about nude resorts.

Just this March, their beautiful boutique hotel was reported by AOL.com to be one of the top 10 "world's best clothing optional resorts."

More importantly, The Terra Cotta Inn is considered the most mainstream nudist resort in America and perfect for couples trying nude sunbathing for the first time.

Once you learn about the top 7 myths about vacationing at nudist resorts, you will want to pack the sunscreen, some good books or magazines, your iPod, sunglasses, and if you have kids at home, pack them off with the grandparents. Because it will be time to experience your most fun, romantic, relaxing vacation ever.

Myth #1 All nudist resorts are the same

As experienced naturists know, all clothing optional resorts are unique and different. They have their own personality and character. Most cater to families and their kids. Many are charmingly rustic campgrounds and parks. Nicer ones that appeal to first timers like Terra Cotta are not for kids. That way you can have a nice relaxing, pampering, romantic vacation. It is very important for your first nude sunbathing experience to find the nudist resort that is right for you. If you go to the wrong place, you will probably never try nude recreation again.

Myth #2 You will have to play volleyball all day long

Yes, volleyball is the national pastime of many nudist clubs, parks, beaches and campgrounds. However, most of the more modern nudist resorts don't even own a volleyball net. And if you go to a nudist campground or beach for your first experience, don't worry, no one will force you to play.

Myth #3 You have to be a "card carrying" nudist to visit a clothing optional resort

Yes, it is true that many of the older nudist parks and clubs in America still want their customers to buy an annual membership just like you buy an annual gym membership. But, many parks allow you to visit before joining. And nudist resorts like The Terra Cotta Inn in Palm Springs have never required any of their guests to buy membership.

Myth #4 Everyone laughs at you if you have tan lines

This couldn't be further from the truth. You will see many experienced nudists have tan lines because many times they take a 1 week vacation with their kids and swimsuits and then go to a nice nudist resort for their 1 week relaxing vacation without the kids and swimsuits. Also some first timers like to try European sunbathing (also called topless sunbathing) first. That is ok at some of the nicer hotels like The Terra Cotta Inn. You must enquire first before booking your vacation. Finally, you find not all nudists like laying in the sun all day long. So there is normally lots of shade at the nicer places.

Myth #5 All nudists are aging hippies

While some nudist parks are having a hard time convincing younger couples to buy annual memberships, that is not true of all nudist venues. For instance, a recent survey published in the 2007 National Leisure Travel Monitor showed 16% of adults born in 1979 or later consider vacationing where there is access to nude or topless sunbathing desirable or very desirable.

Myth #6 Nudists have orgies

Not true. Most guests at nudist resorts are married or in long term committed relationships. There is much less sexual tension at a clothing optional resort, than there is at a regular hotel where everyone is wearing a bathing suit. Nudist resorts make you feel comfortable with your naked body and build self esteem.

Myth #7 You need to lose weight before vacationing at a nudist resort

This is the biggest myth of all. Many people think nudists are all models and body builders. Where in reality, they are regular normal people. They are tall and short. They are thin and not thin. They are all ages from 20's to 70's. They are all professions. And they are democrats, republicans, and nonvoters. Everyone vacations at nudist resorts, and so should you.

So make this the year for you to have a great vacation. Find out for yourselves all the fun that goes on behind those mysterious, high walls.

If you want to say goodbye to your tanlines forever, give the Terra Cotta Inn in Palm Springs, California a call at 1-800-786-6938.
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So that's what Terra Cotta Inn has to say. Yes, there's some salesmanship in the article, but to be honest, Terra Cotta is worthy of consideration for first-timers and even experienced nudists who want to try something different. Read this Terra Cotta Inn review to learn more.

Speaking of nudist myths, several nudist myths have been discussed here on Nudist Beginnings. Here's 3 more nudist myths that may be interesting:

1. Nudist Myth Busting: "Crazy things go on during nude cruises"
2. Nudist Myth Busting: Clothing is Required
3. Nudist Myth Busting: Nudist beaches are full of naked people with perfect bodies

Nudist Myth Busting: "Crazy things go on during nude cruises"

Nope. True nudist/naturist cruises are not sex-charged places. They are human places. Nudist cruises are about real people on a cruise ship who just happen to be more comfortable without clothes. And with that, they form a common bond.


To get a feeling about what a nude cruise is really like, read the daily trip reports from a nudist aboard a Caribbean nude cruise with 1,200 other nudists.

There is one rule that must be followed for this nudist myth busting experiment to be true. The nudist cruise event must be held in positive regard by members of AANR, the International Naturist Federation, or any of the other wholesome nudism focused organizations, you can be assured the cruise is a good one.

When selecting a destination, reading the genuine nudist forums is a good place to start. A good one with a loyal following of "clothes-free people" is ClothesFree forums.

Nudist Myth Busted. Nude cruises provide a friendly, respectful vacation environment when properly selected.

Nudist Myth Busting: Clothing is Required

Humans need clothing, don't they? Let's dispel the myth of clothing. A brief sampling of works by other authors makes it clear that living nude is more common than you may think.

In the recent and recommended book "The Complete Guide to Nudism and Naturism" by Liz and James Egger, the husband and wife nudist authors of 30 years provide some interesting facts and evidence why clothing is not a physical requirement for survival.

They point out that the natives in Tierra del Fuego in South America's southernmost region have lived nude in a climate with 43F (6C) degree average weather. Charles Darwin is among the people to document this.

The Egger's go on to say "The difference is that [the natives] had never felt the need for clothing, and so their bodies had adapted to the cold."

NUFF, the Naturist UK Fact File, is compiling a list of many existing and extinct nude cultures around the world. The list is surprising. Did you know that the peoples of the indigenous tribes of the Caribbean, the Caribs, were usually nude at the time of discovery by Christopher Colombus?

In a 1927 book entitled "Studies in the Psychology of Sex: Vol. 1" by Havelock Ellis, the author examines many cultures whose people do not normally cover themselves with fabric. The book is dated and relative, but points out many cultures where nudity has been the norm:

"The Mandurucu women of Brazil... are completely naked, but they are careful to avoid any postures which might be considered indecorous..."

"The semi-nude natives of the island of Nias in the Indian Ocean are "modest by nature," paying no attention to their own nudity or that of others,..."

And then there are cultures where clothing is restrictive:

"In [1927] England, the regulations of the Swimming Clubs affiliated to the Amateur Swimming Association, require that the male swimmer's costume shall extend not less than eight inches from the bifurcation downward, and that the female swimmer's costume shall extend to within not more than three inches from the knee."

Living naked is a way of life in many cultures. Myth busted.

Nudist Myth Busting: Nudist beaches are full of naked people with perfect bodies

When I used to go to "bathing suit required" beaches, much time was spent worrying about appearance. I usually ended up skipping the beach because I didn't look as good as the guy on the cover of Men's Fitness magazine.

America, land of the free, Paris Hilton idolatry, and millions of bathing-suit-wearing beachgoers worried about how they look.

Enter nudists.

...naked on a beach..., originally uploaded by Marco Ammannati.

Most nudists see the beach as much more comfortable and natural without clothing. Looks are not going to stop an experienced nudist from returning to the beach.

"Without clothing, you are who you are," they say.

Nudists are people in every shape and size. Nudists are real people - representative of the population at large. Real people - without shame. (I have yet to see a supermodel though.)

I'm sure there are real people "on the fence" about trying nude beaches and nudist resorts. When I first learned about nudism, I was on the fence too. But perfect bodies at nude beaches turned out to be a myth.

In fact, body imperfections are ignored and seem to be irrelevant in a nudist environment. No one stares at a scar.

I saw a nudist amputee about 30 minutes into my first time trying social nudism. I was surprised that no one paid any attention. That proved to me that body acceptance among nudists really is the norm. Years later, this still seems true.

Myth Busted. Nudists are in every shape and size.