Traveling to the tropics is fun but tricky if you’re not used to the weather conditions. Most people are not ready for the sudden wave of heat and humidity. In this guide, we’ll talk about a few things every traveler should keep in mind before visiting a tropical country. Let’s dive in and learn how to prepare for travel to tropical areas.
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Be careful about the water
Water-borne diseases are the leading cause of traveler illnesses. When visiting a tropical country, you should be careful about the water you consume. Your immunity will not be par with the locals, and you can’t get away with drinking anything.
There are various water purifying solutions that you can use to clean your water before drinking it. Portable water purifier bottles are among the best options. You can also buy bottled mineral water when traveling to keep diseases away.
Dealing with mosquitoes
People living in colder countries don’t recognize the terror of mosquitos. Mosquitos are not only irritating, but also cause diseases like dengue, cholera, and chikungunya. Hundreds of people die every year in tropical countries due to these diseases. In addition, mosquitos are one of the scariest insects in the world.
Mosquito repellents are the only on-the-go solution to stay protected. Keep multiple tubes of mosquito-repellent creams or lotions with you. Don’t risk getting bitten by mosquitos. Avoid places with many mosquitos, and carry lotion with you.
Carry sunscreen
Sunscreen is essential outside tropical countries as well. However, not using sunscreen in a tropical country can be disastrous. Heat in the tropics differs from the heat in other parts of the world. Therefore, avoiding the harmful UV rays of sunlight is essential to protect your skin. Keep sunscreen with SPF 30 or above whenever traveling to a tropical country.
Reserve hotels and restaurants
If you’re visiting a non-touristry tropical country, it’s a good idea to pre-book most things. A language barrier can be a huge problem in some countries. Online booking is the easiest solution to this.
Pre-booking has several inherent advantages. It often gives you a better deal and helps you save money. It also saves a lot of time when traveling. When traveling in the hot sun for a day, the last thing you’d want is a long queue to enter a restaurant or café. Book everything beforehand for a convenient experience.
Know about the political climate of the place you are visiting
It’s not the first thing that’ll come to your mind when visiting a tropical country (or any foreign country), but it’s essential to be aware of the local political climate. Sentiments run wild in every society, and saying the wrong thing at the wrong time can land you in trouble.
In the present information era, it’s easy to educate yourself about the political climate of a place. While at it, make sure you read up a little history of the place. Knowing these things will keep you safe in unpredictable ways.
Know about local transport
Transport can be cheap or quite expensive depending on which country you visit. But some things are every day across countries. For example, public transport is always cheaper than private transport. Public transport can also be more efficient than private transport in many places. So when you know how to get around in a country, you can save a lot of money and time.
There are several guides on the internet about the local transport of a country. Check out the latest user reviews to get an accurate idea.
Familiarize yourself with local food
Tropical food is hands-down excellent. At the same time, it’s not for everyone. Tropical street food is tough to digest for people with weaker stomachs. Before eating anything off the streets, ensure you know the ingredients. If there’s anything questionable, it’s better to avoid it.
Almost all tropical countries have clean and hygienic restaurants where you can eat without worrying. You can also give instructions to the chef on ingredients to avoid. Staying safe while eating in tropical countries is not difficult when you know the local food scene.
Learn local etiquette
Learning about local customs and etiquette when visiting a new country. It’ll ensure you don’t offend someone unknowingly. In addition, learning about the history and culture of a place will teach you a lot about what’s considered offensive in that culture. Make sure you don’t hurt anyone’s sentiments while traveling, and enjoy a safe and happy trip.
We hope this guide is handy for anyone traveling to a tropical country. Every country and culture is different and uniquely beautiful. The more you know about a place, the more you can appreciate and enjoy it.