Playa Sonrisa

A small clothing-optional resort with six units on a private beach on the Costa Maya, about 7 km from the village of Xcalak and a few hours' drive from Tulum and Cancún, inside the Arrecifes de Xcalak marine park. It has been family-run since 2001 and is designed for naturist couples: swimwear is optional, but the vast majority of guests go without. Accommodation is in palm-roofed bungalows on the beach or in upstairs rooms with sea views, breakfast included; the resort is solar-powered and there is no mobile signal, only wifi. Days revolve around the sea and the coral reef: snorkelling from the dock, kayaking, paddle boarding and diving with the on-site dive centre, plus a small pool and the bar-restaurant. Day visitors are accepted only as couples, and solo travellers are encouraged to come with a companion, because in such a small place they might feel out of place; the website does, however, state that guests' sexual orientation is not an issue. Naturist families are welcomed only occasionally in summer. It almost always arouses enthusiasm, above all for the tranquillity, the isolation and the friendliness of the owners; some mention the seaweed that makes swimming from the beach difficult, and the many rules.