Costa Natura is a self-contained naturist village just a couple of miles South of Estepona on the Spanish Costa del Sol. There's a link to it at the bottom of this page, so I really don't have to say too much more on its location. It's a cluster of about 200 self-catering Studio, One and Two bedroom apartments set in beautiful gardens. It has a large pool with a smaller kids paddling section, direct access to the adjacent naturist beach, restaurant, bar, beach cafe and all the usual naturist sports. Most importantly, it has a great, friendly, cosmopolitan atmosphere. I went as a single, and was made to feel welcome by everyone I came in contact with.
You get there one of several ways....package tour via an operator such as Peng Travel in the UK, by booking direct with the Village, or through someone you know who has an apartment there...many of these advertise regularly in magazines such as British Naturist. If you are doing it yourself, you have a choice of airports....Gibraltar or Malaga. Gib is only 25 miles away, and I understand you can get a bus from the Spanish side of the Border that drops you off at the Village. Unfortunately, the flights to Gib from the UK are VERY expensive. Malaga is a good 60 miles in the opposite direction and you can get out of season flights from around £100. But to get to the Village, the only real way is to hire a car. However, this can add considerably to the cost of the holiday as you have to hire for a minimum of a week....fine if you plan to get out and about. I paid about £85Stirling plus petrol .....but the only alternative is a taxi for the airport, and that's likely to cost about £50 each way. No contest, but like I say, you need to take it into account if you are choosing between a package where transfers are included, or doing it yourself.
I first went in the middle of May and again later in October 1998, and before I went I had two concerns......was it going to be warm enough, and was it going to be a little empty of people. Happily, my fears were unfounded in both cases. Although a couple of days in the May week were a little cloudy, with some rain on one, the rest of the time it was sunny and hot with temps well into the 80F range. And there were lot's of people of all age ranges, mainly couples as for schools it was still term time.
The pool was always the right temperature at whatever the time of the day, and lots of people made use of the sunbeds surrounding it, 'camping out' on them for the most of the day. Sound familiar? Alternatively, you can just spread a towel out anywhere in the large areas of lawns which overlook the sea. Really, there's masses of space. There's a bar/restaurant by the side of the pool that opens about 9.30 each morning (great for some early morning sun and a cappuchino), but the better focal point seems to be Renato's Kiosko Beach Bar on the other side of the Volleyball courts. Opening about 11.00ish each day, you can meet and chat to some great, interesting people, or just sit and watch the world go by.
The only disappointment (for me) was the beach. Although nearly 1Km long and effectively free from gawkers, it is a relatively narrow bare strip, very shingly with lots of pebbles......and very hard on the feet. That said, I spent enough time on it....it's just not your average sweep of golden sand lapped by gentle waves! The temperature of the water varies considerably, depending on whether the breeze is blowing in from the Mediterranean or the Atlantic...in the case of the latter, prepare yourself for thermal shock!!
Both of these pictures will give you a good idea of the place. The top one looks down on Renato's Beach bar and the next shows a view across the lawns to the pool and restaurant.
As a naturist holiday village it has to score highly. The place is now co-owned by all the people who have apartments there....so it is run by naturists, for naturists and as such is totally self-contained with electronic access security for cars. The apartments are well maintained and the gardens are kept immaculate.
There is a supermarket on-site, so you don't even need to get dressed to go shopping. In the evening, the convention is to dress to go into the restaurant and bar. There is no actual rule, but you would have to be quite brave to flaunt it. I undertand that this irks some visitors, but you have your choice, if you're happy to self-cater, you don't have to get dressed! That said, I think perhaps the only thing that is missing is an evening Bar where you can stay nude if you wish....that would be a great compromise.
So, I guess the test of every holiday is "would you go there again?".......you bet....as in tomorrow!!!!!
Maybe I'll see you there sometime...if you'd like to know any more, just mail me at the address below.
Hasta Luego
John
Email me at underthesun2@oocities.com
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