The Cabanas is a great place for bears to be bears. Completely!

6th July 2021 Sam Gomez

If you are in the South Florida area for vacation of holiday, or to catch a cruise that ports out of Miami – or flying into Miami so you can drive the Overseas Highway (US 1) through the Keys to take the scenic drive to Key West for Bear Weekend this coming November –- there is a clothing-optional place for men to stay that you will really want to check out and enjoy!

Located just one mile from the famous Wilton Drive in Fort Lauderdale / Wilton Manors, The Cabanas is a place where you can run around and let it all hang out all day and night.

And experience who you really, truly are.

It’s just a short 15 miles from the Fort Lauderdale International Airport. Other than a sign on the busy NE 26^th Street, which intersects with Wilton Drive, it’s easy to drive right past to non-descript brown fencing, so be sure you or your driver have the exact address (below) and the gate code.

I stayed there in May and had a blast. Some friends of mine (Yankees!) had stayed there previously and just couldn’t highly speak enough of it. I’ve stayed at nudie resorts before and encountered a lot of attitude, so I was skeptical. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice a pleasant The Cabanas is! Naked men everywhere. And, of course, sun, palm trees, the constant smell of the tropics -– and tropical fruit drinks!

All you need on top of all that is some protection from the sun and a little common sense (it does indeed get hot hot hot during the summer – and even in the winter).

And no need to worry if you have body issues, as I do. Every man (21+) is welcome at The Cabanas. It is truly a place to feel body-positive.

Daddies like Tim and John are always on hand to make you feel welcome –- or mix you a fresh cocktail. There are 18 rooms in a variety of styles, to include some with kitchens and small cozy dining rooms for those who want to host a small dinner party. Two pools, one hot tub, a steam room and an onsite spa. And the locals and even guests from other hotels get day passes to come hangout with the boys.

Wilton Drive, one of the biggest gay streets in the nation, is only a mile away from infamous FLL gay hot spots like Hunters, Ramrod, Alibis and The Pub (which is known from some great drag shows), all well-known in the gay scene in Fort Lauderdale. Yes, you can walk it, but it really is a long walk. Especially after a fun day at the pool at The Cabanas, so perhaps a Lyft or an Uber is your best bet.

(There is still an Eagle in Fort Lauderdale so be sure to look that up as well when you are there.)

This August, it will be Bear Week starting Labor Day Weekend (US), which is the last weekend in August. All kinds of events are planned throughout the area. I don’t know about availability at The Cabanas, but I can tell you that even if you can’t get a room, the party at the pool will be… Great! To say the least.