nude sunbathing?

My family and I are considering a vacation to the Dominican Republic in June. I have read that nude sunbathing is allowed, and I'm wondering if that's at every hotel, or just some of them. I wouldn't be comfortable having my children exposed to that. Thanks for any info you can give me.

Since there is a high number of european tourists who visit DR. Topless sunbathing is common, however full-nude is rare. I believe there are some resorts which cater to this activity, but most so not. Anywhere you go in the carribean, you will find toplessness.

If you don't want to see anything different, stay home. Why are you afraid for your children to see a human body? Do you blindfold them before you take your clothing off? Or theirs? Ridiculous...grow up!

Excellent comment. Why are North Americans such prudes?

That's easy : World's foremost producer and exporter of porn, Pat Robertson, Moral Majority, 700 Club and Bush in the White House !!

Actually, I don't think...

it was such an excellent comment. Many of us may take seeing some topless bodies on the beach in stride and view it as perfectly natural in that particular surrounding, but there are also folks who feel uncomfortable with it. To me it's no big deal, to others it is...that's what makes the world an interesting place...differing views, thoughts, practices etc. However, I do think that if someone on this board expresses a different opinion or requests some information, that we can accommodate them and give our own opinions without making them appear stupid, wrong, prudish, and/or foolish... don't you? Now to Linda.....as was already mentioned, most everywhere in the Caribbean you will see topless sunbathing, always at the beach and sometimes but not often, at the pools. Others before you have expressed similar concerns and it was suggested that the parents might like to sit down with their children beforehand and discuss the topic. Perhaps you could do that with your munchkins. Explain how some cultures view this as a perfectly natural way of life and that no sexual overtures are meant by it. Express to them that staring and/or laughing is not the polite thing to do simply because they are presented with a situation that is uncommon to them. If you treat the topic matter-of-factly, chances are they will too. Not that they won't have a good "peek" and a few "titters" when they come "face to face" with the situation so to speak, but that won't harm them in any way, in my opinion. They will likely just ignore it after the initial "sightings" are over. However you handle it, I hope you have a great vacation wherever you end up going!

And what about the local customs??

Why does nobody ask, what customs do they have over here and how this does conflict with nude bathing on the beach? Due the situation may have changed I remember the times (and this was not very much way back!) when topless girls where surrounded by local boys just looking at them! (There are still Tourist guides recommending any bath suit, as spare as the tissue may be, but to have one!)

What about tourist and visitors respecting local habits (in Italy you also may not enter a church or even a museum with unproper clothes on!)

- Just some thoughts

Henry

Re: Actually, I don't think...

I agree Jackie. We are leaving for the DR soon with our four children, 12 and under. We have done exactly as you suggested-----spoke with them frankly about what they will encounter, and though they may not be accustomed to it, it is not a big deal and differences like this make the world an interesting place. I'm sure my two older boys will find it very interesting, my modest 8 year old girl will be mortified, and my 4 year old will be oblivious.

I THINK PERHAPS JOANNA SHOULD GROW UP. WHAT A TERRIBLE, IMMATURE RESPONSE TO A LEGITIMATE QUESTION.

Re: Actually, I don't think...

To my understanding, Dominican women do not expose themselves topless at any Dominican beach. It's not acceptable. In the other hand, the topless business is brought to the beaches and excercised by tourist. And naturaly, we consider that everyone has their own and personal habbits, and since they are grown ups, we can't stop them.
We do appreciate the visit of every person who decides to come and share the beauty and the enchant of the most beautiful island in the world.
Mercy.

Joanna; this person was asking a question, not wanting to be ridiculed by a ignorant person such as you! In some countries the women are made to not show any skin and ONLY walk behind thier man, now do you agree to such customs? and if not would you like to be told to stay home! and not visit? It's ppl like you that may turn some ppl off to such a beautiful countrie as the Dominican Republic. As another post said this is not the way of the Dominicans but the Dominicans do not tell ppl who wish to sunbath nude to stay home(lucky for some)so why don't you grow up and answer questions with tact if there is any to be had, if not, then it might be better for you to be quiet!!

It's The Dominican's choice

In Maine we depend heavily on tourism, but "topless" sunbathing is considered "public indecency" and subject to arrest as in many areas of the United States.

Any country (Province, State, Municipality etc.)can legislate whatever laws they wish and enforce them as stringently or lax as they desire. I will agree that we in the US are very "backward" at our views of the human body, but it is our choice and should you visit, be prepared to adhere to the rules of our country.

If the Dominican Republic chooses to allow topless sunbathing, it would be assumed that the people have no desire to ban such whether their "preference" is to participate or not

Tom

Just answer the question.

I am just sick and tired of some people who have nothing to do but to attack other people for asking questions which can be important to their knowledge. Why must some of you reducule the person who is simply asking a question? If she is offfended by nudity then so be it, just answer the question or simply keep your rude comments to yourself. This is a peaceful country and we do not need to hear rude language from some of you. this is supposed to be an informative website so lets keep it this way. If you like nudity and not bothered by it then please do not force your views and opinions on to other people. I personally don't agree with the free use of soft drugs in holland but I am not going to make rude remarks to people who agree with this type of social freedom there.
As to the lady who is concerned with the nudity on the beaches: The dominicans do not expose their private parts of their bodies under the sun, some tourists (about 10-20 %... especially europeans) go topless. Like other people have mentioned, after the first sighting, the whole view just becomes less interesting and you just don't even pay attention to it anymore. So don't worry and simply try to stay away from such types of bathers if you are concerned. have a wonderful trip to the dominican republic and just don't worry about anything; you will be more safe here than back home.

Re: Just answer the question.

I just came back from my honeymoon in R.D. I stayed @ the Allegro Bavaro. There were some topless girls on the beach. None @ the pool and no one was fully nude. There were also many children and families @ this resort. I obviously enjoyed the sight of most of these women, but I never stopped to think about how children would view this. Hopefully, it won't be a big issue, and you can all enjoy your vacation.

To Mr. McIntosh

I appologize for my delayed reply.
As I said, nudism or partial nudism should not be acceptable in my country beaches, because this are public and open places where most of our people like to go and bring our children (who, by the way, we try to keep pure untill they are at right age) and have a good old time as everyone else does without feeling ashame or inconfortable. We still worship morality and we think is a great virtue.

Again, we do appreciate our visiters but we also appreciate respect for our culture and customs.

Sincerely,

Mercy

Im curious then...

Why when dancing a merengue, it is permissible to shake boby parts in a vulgar and sexually suggestive manner and when it comes to toplessness or nudity its amoral?

Re: Im curious then...

All depends who you are dancing the merengue with. A descent woman or man for that matter would not dance in an amoral way, to my knowledge.
Same goes for any other sport.

Regards,

Mercy

Re: To Mercy

Mercy keepin them pure un till the right age.?? 15 at Boca Chica