Preparing for Your Tropical Vacation – Sun blocks and Bug sprays
It is hard to believe that it’s that time of year again. It seems like summer just ended and now it is time to switch gears and get ready to embrace the holiday season. If you are planning on taking a trip to the tropics over the holidays then we have a couple of tips to help you prepare for the elements.
There is nothing like the satisfaction of basking in the sun on an exotic beach while your friends are shoveling snow at home. You may be ready for a break from the cold, but are you ready for the tropical sun? If you have the skin tone of a Latin folk singer then you may be alright, but if you have pale European skin like the rest of us, you need to plan ahead. The last thing that you want to do is ruin your vacation by getting fried by the sun.
Your rental home is sure to be packed with all of the necessities that you need to enjoy your trip, but it is up to you to take care of yourself. Be sure to bring plenty of protection from the sun so you can enjoy your time in the pool or at the beach. Rash guards are common these days for kids and adults along with different types of sun screen. If you have a particular brand of sun block that works best on your pale winter skin then be sure to bring it along. If you forget it, then don’t worry, there are a variety of options at the local grocery stores and surf shops. They will also have other important items like swim suits, beach umbrellas, hats, rash guards, sunglasses and just about anything you can think of to make your stay as fun as possible.
An inside tip for sun block that many of the local surfers use on their face is diaper cream made with zinc-oxide (yes, you read that right, diaper cream). It is more economical than most sun blocks and offers better protection!
Now that you have got the upper hand on keeping yourself protected from the tropical sun, it is time to keep those pesky bugs away. Just like the sun, some of us are more susceptible to insect bites than others. I suppose it’s just that sweet blood like our moms used to say.
The truth is that bugs are not always an issue here in Costa Rica, but it is smart to be prepared just in case. You may be staying in an amazing ocean view vacation rental on the side of a hill with hardly any bugs, but when you head out to the beach at sunset for drinks and dinner it is always good to take the extra precautions to make sure that you and your family are protected from the critters.
There are a number of different natural and chemical based protects on the market that claim to keep the bugs away. If you have a favorite mosquito repellent then bring it along with you. If you forget to pack it or run out, the grocery stores and local markets in town have plenty of different brands to choose from.
For a natural homemade insect repellent that some of the locals use, try mixing citronella, lemon grass and a few drop of eucalyptus oil into a spray bottle.
If you would like to find out more about how to prepare for your vacation in Santa Teresa, Contact Costa Rica Beach Vacation Rentals for more recommendation. If you would like to find out more about vacation rentals and local news and events in Santa Teresa Costa Rica, sign up for our monthly mailer or follow our RSS feed.