Many people enjoy taking vacations in places with hot tropical weather because there’s a lesser chance of rain or snow interrupting their plans. Also, there are amazing activities you’ll appreciate doing under the warm sun such as surfing, trekking, and kayaking. You can forget about excess baggage fees, too, since you’ll be leaving the bulkier outerwear at home. But to make the most out of your trip, you need to also prepare for the weather. This includes packing wisely and lightly. If this is your first time traveling to a tropical destination, you may want to consider the following tips.
Select Appropriate Clothing and Footwear
In hot tropical weather, you need to prioritize the fabrics of the clothes you will wear. It’s best to bring clothes made from light and natural fibers that are breathable such as cotton, linen, and rayon. You can also include clothes made of fine merino wool to help keep you warm if it gets too cold and windy. Also, take quick-drying clothes that you can wash and leave to dry overnight. Leave anything made of polyester as it can create a seal, preventing sweat and heat from escaping.
After choosing the fabric, consider colors that will help you stay cool during your trip. Light colors can help reflect the heat from the sun so choose white, pale blue, cream, yellow, tan, and gray. While darker colors can give a sophisticated look, black and navy blue will absorb heat.
It’s also good to pack a variety of clothes like trousers, blouses, long dresses, and light jackets in case you need to enter places that follow a particular dress code. In most warm-weather states like Florida, dressing casually is acceptable. However, your usual T-shirt and denim shorts may not be appropriate clothing in some venues. Before you enter a place of worship to admire its interiors or visit someone in a drug rehab Miami residents go to, you need to cover up more and dress accordingly. This way, you show respect to the place or people you visit.
When it comes to footwear, a pair of comfortable closed shoes is always a good idea. You can grab your running shoes if you want, as long as they have rubber soles and provide ample arch support for long hours of walking. A pair of multipurpose summer sandals and flip flops are also handy to have. They don’t take much room in your bag and are great to have when you go on any water adventures like rafting and swimming.
Keep Your Belongings Organized
Traveling light is great when going to hot weather places, especially if you have multiple destinations. Carrying a backpack also allows you to easily move whether riding a train, plane, or bus. Make sure to choose a durable travel backpack with a secure hip belt, for additional support. You may also want to bring a lightweight packable day bag for those day explorations. This can double as your personal carry-on to secure your tickets, passport, and wallet.
To keep everything organized in your backpack, use packing cubes. They usually come in sets of different sizes so you can have separate compartments for your undergarments, daily clothes, and toiletries. This can make it easier to bring out what you need without digging through your backpack. As a tip, put tough stuff at the bottom of the bag. Pack your shoes first and layer with sturdy clothing like denim jeans at the bottom, leaving more delicate things on top.
Also, make sure you have different bags for laundry and shoes. Don’t mix clean clothes with soiled ones. When you are staying in hot tropical places, you want to feel fresh and smell good by having clean clothes available. Use the shoe bag so you won’t have to worry about dirt and grime sticking to your other belongings. You can also bring plastic zip bags. They are very helpful in securing items that may be wet or dirty.
Stay Cool
When traveling to places with hot weather, you can marry style and function by packing a hat and bandana. Both can be great accessories and provide additional protection from the sun. You can also use the bandana as a headband to keep your hair or sweat off your face. Sun protection extends to your eyes, so make sure to have your favorite pair of sunglasses with you. Remember to pack your swimwear as well. There’s a big chance you’ll want to cool down in the hotel’s pool or nearby beach. Also, you want to stay hydrated during your trip. So, pack a water bottle you can easily take along.
Must-Have Toiletries
More experienced travelers advise not to pack toiletries, especially if you are staying in a hotel where the basics like shampoo and soap are available. It also prevents the risk of spillage in your bag or having the items confiscated by airport security. If your lodging doesn’t provide any toiletries, you can easily purchase them at airport shops or convenience stores. Aside from the shower essentials, make sure to include the following on your list:
- Sunscreen for the face and body with at least SPF 30 – Even if it’s overcast and cloudy, the UV index in most tropical destinations can be very high, so always apply sunblock when going outdoors.
- After-sun cooling spray or lotion – This is the best way to treat a sunburn. If your skin doesn’t easily burn or tan, you can still hydrate your skin afterward. You can also use an aloe vera gel as a substitute. It can help cool your skin and bring back hydration.
- Baby wipes – If you want to instantly feel refreshed, wet wipes will be very handy. You can select one infused with aloe and cucumber to feel cooler and smell better.
- Insect repellant lotion – Mosquitos like hot climates, so an insect repellant is a must. Choose one with picaridin rather than DEET. Although both ingredients are effective for protecting you from insects, the former is developed from plant extract—lessening your risk of developing a rash as an adverse reaction.
If you like to have fun under the sun, then a trip somewhere with hot tropical weather would be your ideal getaway. To best prepare for it, always keep the weather of your destination in mind when packing. Remember to do your research, so when you get there you don’t have to worry about wearing clothes that make you uncomfortable. Instead, you can focus on your amazing adventures because that’s what traveling is all about.