How To Get Ready For a Tropical Vacation

Have you ever asked yourself how to get ready for a tropical vacation before planning a tropical getaway? It is an important question that is often not thought about enough or goes completely unanswered. Many people go unprepared then get shocked by aspects of it they would have known had they taken the time for a bit of research. It is not the same as preparing for any other vacation as many factors need to be considered.

Weather in the tropics is hot, humid and more often than not, it tends to rain a whole lot. Special preparation and consideration of multiple factors has to happen before you depart for your trip. You should know where you are going to stay once you get there and book ahead of time, check for any health risks if it is your first time visiting and so much more that we will need to be on your preparation checklist.

Whether you are going alone, with some friends, or with your family, we would love for you to enjoy your time away. Here, we tell you how to get ready for a tropical vacation so that you make the most of your trip.

Choose The Right Place

Before going on vacation, of course, you should choose where you want to go. On average, people in the U.S. are working more hours and not taking enough time off. A vacation always feels deserved when you take it after working hard. However, not every destination is going to give you the experience you are looking for. The first thing you need to do when figuring out how to get ready for a tropical vacation is making a list of every place you wish to go. The list can be as long as you like, including everywhere you would not mind visiting. Next, you want to establish a budget.

A budget will help you cancel out some destinations from your list because flights increase in price the further your destination is. You do not want to spend too much on the journey because you want to make the most of your stay. We recommend that you do some research on the countries you would like to visit. This will help you figure out the average costs of things and make your budget a bit more refined. It is common, and reasonably so, to believe that tropical destinations all have nice sunny weather with white beaches and blue waters.

However, you still need to do your homework on what the weather will be like when you plan to go. Many people will go only to be stuck indoors during a rainy season they did not expect. Lastly, we suggest looking for package deals in your destination. These can save you hundreds of dollars, especially if you were going to go with a group of people. Follow these steps and you will have narrowed down possible picks for your vacation.

Get Your Documents in Order

You could plan the greatest vacation in the world, but if you do not have a passport, you are not going anywhere. Before making any bookings or reservations, make sure your passport is still valid. Another document you may need for travel is a VISA. An American passport can get you to some countries without needing a VISA but not all of them. VISA preparations need to be made months before your trip because if it gets denied, you need time to fix the issue and reapply. Check the requirements of your desired country to know what you need for entry.

Funding Your Tropical Vacation

Pawn loans

Anyone who knows how to get ready for a tropical vacation knows that it can be pricey. Many people find that saving money for the vacation of their dreams is difficult. Pawn loans are an overlooked way to get money for vacations. You can get a pawn loan from your local pawn shop. Pawn loans are where you get a loan from a pawnbroker with your belongings as collateral. You agree on a period where you repay the loan; if you fail to repay by this time, the pawnbroker can sell your item(s) to get back the lost money. This method of getting funds for your getaway is also a way to secure your belongings while you are away from your home where someone could break-in.

Cut down on spending

Another way to save money for a vacation is to take a step back from some spending habits. Cancel subscriptions that you do not use anymore, eat out less and cut out any other costs that are not necessities until you have enough for the vacation you want. Remember, coming up with a budget can and will make your vacation planning much easier because you will know exactly where your money is going and what you are going to do with it.

Medical Checkup

When thinking about how to get ready for a tropical vacation, one does not think about any health risks they may encounter in their destination. Different areas of the world have health risk concerns. The locals may have a tolerance of certain health risks because it is their home. You, on the other hand, cannot guarantee your immune system will be able to handle the environment you are going to. For this reason, you need to be aware of the vaccinations you might need or if any of your loved ones need some form of physical therapy before getting on the plane.

You can check the CDC website for any medications and vaccines you may need before going to a foreign country. Also, make sure you are up to date with your routine vaccinations. If you have any that you are going with, make sure the children have had their routine vaccinations as well. They are more vulnerable than you are. In the United States, many diseases prevented by routine vaccination are not common, but that is not the case in other countries. You must go to your primary health care specialist at least a month before you depart so that they can help you get destination-specific vaccines. Some diseases you may expect to need vaccines for are:

• yellow fever
• typhoid
• meningitis

Malaria is another risk in tropical climates so you may need anti-malarial drugs. They are spoiled for choice with places where you can get these vaccinations done. Family practice physicians are best to visit because they are trained to treat the whole family. Some countries will not allow you to enter without valid proof that you have been vaccinated, especially if you are coming from/have been in contact with certain countries in a specified period.

Dental Services

Do your teeth need a fresh set of dental crowns? Any cavities in your mouth? Dental services can be quite expensive, about $2.6 billion was spent in 2018 by Americans on medical and dental bills. While you are pondering over how to get ready for a tropical vacation, you might want to consider getting into some dental tourism on your trip. Dental tourism is a phenomenon where people travel to other countries for more affordable dentists. Costa Rica is a popular tropical destination for this. However, you need to be careful which practice you go to. A cheap dentist is no good if it is a bad dentist. Do your homework and find a good affordable dentist who will give you the best care. You could use a facilitator whose specialty is in dental travel just to be safe.

What Must You Pack

One of the most basic tasks that everyone knows to do when mulling over how to get ready for a tropical vacation is packing. A tropical vacation is different from any other kind of trip, so you need to adapt your suitcase to where you are going. So, what do you pack for a tropical vacation?

Sun Protection

No doubt about it, the sun is not shy in tropical climates. You are at a greater risk of sun damage on your skin when you step out into the merciless heat. Not to mention, headaches, dehydration, heat rashes, and so on. The sun does not go easy on anyone, even if you are more melanated, you need to pack sunscreen. You do not want to spend your vacation treating a sunburn, do you? For extended amounts of time outside, experts recommend a waterproof, broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. Sunscreens come in two types: mineral and chemical sunscreens. The difference in Layman’s terms is that chemical sunscreens protect you from the inside out by getting absorbed into the skin and mineral sunscreens protect by sitting on the skin to reflect UVA and UVB rays. Reapply every 2 hours. Wearing sunscreen reduces premature aging caused by sun damage as well as the chances of skin cancer.

Stay Hydrated

Be prepared to drink lots of water when considering how to prepare for a tropical vacation. Many resorts have a water dispensers in the rooms and around the premises to make sure you are hydrated during your stay. Water can help your skin stay glowing while you are on vacation as well as balance your lymph system. When your lymph system is imbalanced you may feel congested which will ruin your getaway experience. If you plan to have any alcohol while you are on vacation, make sure you drink twice as much water as the alcohol. Alcohol is very dehydrating and the last thing you want when you are sitting in a hot climate is dehydration.

Be Prepared for Anything

When thinking of how to get ready for a tropical vacation, you have to be prepared for anything. Tropical climates are the perfect weather for most pests like insects and bugs. Pack insect repellants to protect yourself from insect bites. Antihistamines should also make their way into your luggage to treat yourself after any allergic reactions. Call an ambulance if any severe reactions happen. Purchase some travel insurance to compensate for any valuables you may lose on your trip. Lastly, you must bring along a small first aid kit; you do not need to pay for health care services for small injuries that can be treated by yourself with basic first aid. Remember you are in a foreign land, you must have your cell phone on you at all times. Keep it fully charged.

Plan for Your Interests

Do not forget to pack any special equipment you may need for certain activities if you plan to do them. For example, you can save some money by bringing your own snorkel rather than paying for one at your destination if you plan to go diving.

Tips to Look Good

Hundreds of resorts have spas to maximize your relaxation experience. Think about booking a facial or any dermatology services when you are writing your ‘how to get ready for a tropical vacation’ checklist.

Pack a few swimsuits and sunbathe on a tanning ledge pool for that golden vacation tan rather than buying a spray tan.

Do not pack too much makeup because you do not need it when you are traveling. Choose a more natural look by wearing light makeup if any; get a lash lift and exfoliate your skin to prepare yourself for the stunning photos you will take.

Your nails can be an accessory. Rather than packing lots of jewelry, get a manicure before you depart.

Make the most of your relaxing experience. You can look good during your vacation by taking care of yourself before you go

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when planning how to get ready for a tropical vacation. This guide can get you prepared to plan your most ideal tropical getaway. Tropical destinations offer some of the most unique experiences. The hot weather will give you that golden beach tan. Some resorts have gift shops where you can buy souvenirs to forever remind you of your stay. Some good souvenirs to buy include keychains, custom t shirts, paintings, etc. We hope this guide has inspired you to fully plan for your tropical vacation.