First Queer-Friendly Nudist Hostel in Brazil Offers Sunshine and New (Nude) Friendships
Throw off the chains of clothing servitude and head south for a gay old time
Thinking of something a bit more far-flung for your fall travels? Something a little more exotic? A place where you can really be yourself, down to every naked pore on your body? The clothing-optional, queer-friendly Pelados Beach Hostel may just be the perfect respite from the Great White North this year. Think fun, sand and a whole lot of sun-kissed skin.
Brazil is much more than Carnival, Copacabana and the beautiful Iguazu Falls. With a coastline of 4,577 miles bathed on the east by the Atlantic Ocean, the fabulous beaches along its long coast attract visitors from all over the world. In fact, there are more than 4,000 beaches along Brazil’s coastline, eight of which are nudist.
With this niche in mind, Brazilian Reginaldo Telles opened Pelados Beach Hostel three months ago, the first queer-welcoming nudist hostel in the country. Located in the northeastern state of Rio Grande do Norte, in Tibau do Sul, the accommodation is a 10-minute walk from the famous Pipa beach (not yet nudist); however, inside the spacious grounds, male nudity (gay, trans man, bisexual and open-minded straight men) is very welcome.
Asked how he came up with the idea of creating a hostel for the "naked," Reingaldo told Pride Source, “Being gay, I wanted to create an environment that combined nudity, freedom — including sexual freedom — artistic expression and self-knowledge within my philosophy of life, which is nudism," clarifying that the idea of "freedom" is always based on respect for the limits of others.
The beach house sleeps up to 12 people in three simple but comfortable rooms (private and shared), equipped with fans or air conditioning, in the sunny town almost all year round. Outside, there is a swimming pool with a space full of camping plants, the perfect place for a harmless lizard to sunbathe every day. Nudity is allowed and encouraged in all areas, and the rules are the same as in any naturist place: photos and filming only with prior consent.
Guests who don’t want to stay the night can purchase a drop-in pass for a block of time, typically five hours. “Sometimes we organize events with music, poetry, soirees, karaoke, DJs, barbecues and local drinks like caipirinha by the pool,” he says.
Although unknown to many foreign tourists, the northeastern region of Brazil is one of the warmest in the country and enjoys a mild winter, perfect for nudism and water sports year-round.
Beyond the freeing feeling of ditching your clothes at the door, visiting Pelados offers opportunities to make friends, flirt and get to know a new place, although most guests are Brazilian. Michael Defuster, 57, a recent guest hailing from Belgium, said he was attracted to the “creativity and free spirit” of the hostel. It was a place, he said, “where you can be yourself, and [where] the nudist experience is enhanced by artistic expressions on one of the most beautiful tropical coastlines in the country.”
Reginaldo looks after everything closely and is always naked, as are his half-dozen employees. The businessman had already created a nudist hostel in the past in another city but decided to move to another Brazilian state when he realized that the current location would offer a wider range of services such as restaurants, bars, pharmacies and other traveler amenities.
Reginaldo has extensive experience in hospitality, having worked in the industry when he lived in Miami and Paris and is fluent in English, Spanish and French. Nudism has always been part of his life. For Reginaldo, nudity disinhibits and brings people together more quickly than in a "normal" hostel.
The profile of guests varies according to age, says the owner. Thirty percent are between 20 and 30, 50% between 30 and 45 and 20% of guests are over 45. About 40% of guests are couples. Reginaldo says that although the hostel will soon offer one day a week for women, the greatest demand for accommodation is from men.
Gerson Pereira, 39, a recent hostel guest, had traveled there for the second time. “The experience here is always incredible and liberating; the absence of clothes creates an atmosphere of acceptance and relaxation, and the feeling of freedom without clothes is also very pleasant,” says Pereira, a Brazilian who works in foreign trade. Bruno Magalhães, 34, visited Pelados from elsewhere in Brazil. “Being in an environment where nudity is normalized and devoid of judgments appealed to me. In addition to the feeling of freedom and a more genuine connection with other travelers, it's also a way of challenging social norms,” he told Pride Source.
In the past, the lack of training for hotel staff in serving LGBTQ+ guests often left visitors embarrassed when they asked for a double bed at check-in. Although this embarrassing situation is in the past, many LGBTQ+ tourists still prefer to stay in spaces flying the rainbow flag. Most of the time, the owners of these accommodations are also members of the community, and they more willing to recommend outings for the public, such as parties and discos that are not mentioned on more traditional tours.
Reginaldo stresses that nudity is not essentially linked to sex, despite common misconceptions. “Gay men are used to more hidden environments focused on sex,” he explains, “but having a space that offers this freedom, but which can be much more than that, is something out of the ordinary." Asked about those who seek ulterior motives there, he is direct: “We're not a sauna; we're a space where men get naked. Anything can happen, including nothing, and one of the hostel's main appeals is acceptance of the body without being bound by standards,” pointing out that all body types are welcome.
Beyond Pelados, there are a few other standout LGBTQ-friendly vacation spots located in Brazil. In Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian couple Alexandre Veiga and Luciano Amaral, together for 21 years, opened a guesthouse, Pousada Solar do Redentor, geared toward LGBTQ+ guests in 2016. Located about a half mile from the train that takes visitors to the famous Corcovado tourist spot, the accommodation has a swimming pool, barbecue area, steam/dry sauna as well as seven spacious overnight rooms. Despite not being nudist, guests feel free to express their feelings, especially couples, without fear of prejudice. For Veiga, guests are looking not only for freedom and safety, but also for a way to make new friends during their stay on Brazilian land.
In the Costa Verde region of Paraty, around 168 miles from Rio de Janeiro, Márcia Assumpção, 53, transformed the two rooms of her house made from ecological (recyclable) materials into a naturist lodge about a year ago. With capacity for up to five people, the Brazilian usually hosts families and groups of friends, who, as well as experiencing life naked, can enjoy the natural beauty nearby, such as the beaches and waterfalls. For Márcia, nudity represents freedom and lightness. As well as hosting events, she also promotes naturist events with live music in houses with swimming pools in Rio — all without clothes.
In a country with just over 211 million inhabitants, the existence of only one nudist accommodation specifically for the queer community is an important first step toward greater acceptance. Reginaldo plans to expand the business in the future, considering the wide availability of Brazil's stunning beaches, year-round pleasant climate, great cuisine and vibrant local culture.
Pelados Beach Hostel is 50 miles from the airport in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. From there, use local transportation to Tibau do Sul. Hostel rates start at $32 USD per person, per night.
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