Engaged

Hi folks.
We are looking at having our wedding/HM on IM the first week of November, but are a little concerned about two things: Hurricanes (fiance) and topless beaches (me). Both would be a bummer for both the family and the romantic environment.

Can anyone elaborate on these things? Are they both or either really prevalent?

Thanks
Christina

sceneisle

It's not likely you will experience a hurricane in November; this month being at the end of the hurricane season. I believe Cancun was last hit by a hurricane in the mid 90's ("Roxanne&quot and prior to that, in the late 80's ("Gilbert&quot. There was also a tropical storm that passed through last year. From what I understand, there are some topless beaches on Isla Mujeres and the island is more tolerant of topless bathing than in Cancun.

Engaged

Dammit.
Anywhere to get married in that general area of Mexico that does NOT have topless beaches or is packed with tourists? Kinda near the tourists is okay, just not in the thick of them. At the end of my rope and pretty close to abandoning Mexico for the wedding - would love suggestions.

Diana

It is quite likely that you will run into toplessness at most of the resort areas on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. Pretty much all of IM is topless - not just parts. PDC has quite a bit. Cozumel not as prevalent.

If it will disturb you that much, you are better off choosing another location - most likely the best choice for you would be somewhere in the States - where people are more uptight about an errant boob here and there...

shillmac

Costa Rica would be a great location for your wedding/honeymoon plans. They don't have hurricane problems nor is topless bathing considered appropriate. There are some lovely small beach hotels/resorts that do weddings. Why don't you research it a little? Beautiful country, beautiful people!

JeanH

You could also look into Belize. The beach isn't as nice, but the people are great, and it's an English speaking country.

I would agree, though, that topless sunbathing on Isla Mujeres is really a nonissue. Some women without a top on while lying on the beach. They aren't walking the streets topless.

Jean

Engaged

Thanks Shillmac for the alternate suggestion, and Jean for the suggestion of Belize. I will take a look. Also thanks dmotl for your honest and polite answer.

To the rest: I was asking an honest question about a wedding. There is a certain environment that is cool for me on vacation and another that is okay for a wedding situation with family. That is what the big deal is. I'm not going to bring people a long distance to a beautiful beach if they are not comfortable on it. And that is my business and theirs, not yours! I am happy to find another place and not crash the local atmosphere, I was just looking for information and help. If you are going to be rude, please don't answer me in the first place. Especially if you're drunk. I am looking for information, not judgement.

This was not intended to start a soapbox contest. I'm sorry for those who have nothing better to do.

And I appreciate those who gave real assistance.

welovemexico

No offence to you at all, but toplessness is no big deal. Breasts are natural and beautiful and there is nothing wrong with showing them while sunbathing on a lovely beach on Mexico. You should try it, you just might like it and then you'll be able to get over these inhibitions. I do it each time I visit Mexico and I love it and I have no regrets. There are women of every age and shape, it's not a beauty contest. Let loose "engaged"!!

shillmac

Engaged, your original question has turned into a debate about the appropriateness of topless sunbathing. It's no secret that there are a lot of opinions, and to each his own. Like you, we would not be offended if traveling just the two of us. But I can appreciate your sensitivity for the feelings of your wedding guests. And rightly so.

I think it is a matter of respect. For example, we love to travel in Costa Rica and return every chance we get. The people of that country are modest, traditional, and don't appreciate nudity on beaches (even just the top half). This doesn't make them prudes or wrong, it is just a cultural thing.

I think you are correct in checking this out before making your decision since you know there will be guests at your wedding who might be uncomfortable with toplessness. I hope that no one will feel the need to further use this forum to debate the right or wrong of it. That could go on forever, and is way beside the point!

Engaged

Thanks again, Shillmac. I appreciate that someone takes the time to understand the original intent of the post.

Diana, you called me uptight, right in your very first post, and later went on to soapbox about what you felt were my beliefs. Read it if you don't recall it. You also commented on how "disturbed" I was by toplessness - I'm not - I was frustrated at how close I came to finding what I thought would be a great location. Maybe you've planned a wedding, maybe not. It isn't really very much fun.

I called you drunk, in return for your comments, and because you alerted everyone to the fact that the Chardonnay got you talking. For that, I'm sorry. I should have left with my tail between my legs and let everyone trash me on this board like I had just insulted their mothers.

Anyway - I'm not "luxe" either - I'm sure it's obvious I'm a stranger to the Caribbean. I know most of you from reading info on other boards (and everyone seemed both helpful and nice). I'm having a really difficult time finding a place to get married in which a lot of very different people can enjoy themselves. That's all. I'm not judging anyone, going on my own vacation, or really caring what anyone else is doing in or out of their bikini top. I'm trying to carry out a difficult task from a long distance and was looking for pointers from those who really are "luxe" and who "love Mexico" and who know a lot more - about that area - than I do. That's all.

But thanks to those who helped. I'll make sure to ask for much easier information next time, like
"Does anyone out there like sand?" or "Who do you think makes a really good taco in Oaxaca?"

The funny thing is, toplessness is perfectly legal in my country, so it's odd that people who don't know me would start in and take me to task.

jhw

I've been spending 2 weeks + anually in the Yucatan, for 20 years. "Toplessness" is generally a non-problem (i.e. it's not all that frequent or apparent). Mexico is a fairly traditional country, and although there are a few places where gringos or euros hang out at beached which are "out of the way", I've never had to look at nipples of the female variety unless I went looking. I've seen more bare backs (with untied uppers) in Kansas City.

My prudish great aunt will not be ofended in the easily accessible areas of northern Yucatan, unless she wants to be.

If'n you don't like topless beaches, don' go to the topless beaches, an' you all will be just fine.