August 27 and the temperature is 28˚C/82˚F in the Mexican Caribbean and rising! It’s time to head for the beach, don your snorkel mask and fins and cool off in the water or set sail on a yacht or catamaran. We love basking in the sun but there’s nothing worse than starting your vacation with painful sunburned shoulders or back. Here are some tips for staying fresh in the heat.
1. Make sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day, at least two liters. Humidity is high here and you don’t want to become dehydrated.2. Wear a hat and sunglasses.3. Always have a t-shirt or cover up handy for the beach. Ladies, this might be a good time to splash out on a couple of new wraps or sarongs for a great look, they come in a variety of colors, designs and fabrics ranging from cotton to silk.
3. Apply plenty of sunscreen with the correct factor for your skin and repeat during the day.4. Pay particular attention to your face, use special sun products for the delicate areas of skin on your nose, lips, cheeks and your neck.5. Make sure that your children wear special sun lotion for children with a high SPF factor to protect them from burning, SPF 70 is recommended.6. Don’t overdo your sunbathing! Be careful not to spend too much time in the sun.7. Cool off in the shade or in the water frequently.8. The hottest part of the day is between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., a good time for lunch or a siesta!
9. Bear in mind that you can still burn even when it is cloudy or breezy. 10. Sun products should always
be reapplied after bathing.11. Please use environmentally friendly sun products to protect marine life and coral reefs and shower before entering the water.12. Wear a t-shirt if you plan to go snorkeling.13. Wear cool cotton clothing in white, cream or pale colors.14. Snack on fresh fruit and vegetables. Try sliced jicama (similar to water chestnut), cucumber, carrots and green peppers doused in lime juice and sprinkled with chili powder, delicious!
Photo: Eduardo Vazquez (Flickr)15. Add some freshly squeezed lime, orange or grapefruit juice to your water or try some of the local tropical fruit drinks made with guanabana or soursop, mango, pitahaya and guava and jamaica, which is a tangy iced tea made with the dried petals of the hibiscus flower, you’ll find them very refreshing.16. If you are in Cancún or Playa del Carmen indulge with some gelato or helado as ice cream is known in Mexico, you’ll find a variety of flavors and whichever one you choose, it’s sure to be delicious.17. If you do burn, apply refreshing aloe vera gel to cool off. If your sunburn is painful stay out of the sun and seek medical advice in serious cases.18. Apply moisturizer in the evening after bathing to keep your skin soft. Relaxing for a while with slices of cucumber covering your eyes will also help you cool off.19. Visit the Spa for a spot of pampering. You’ll find a variety of refreshing facials and body wraps to moisturize your skin, leaving it looking soft and youthful, and treatments designed to bring instant relief to sunburned skin.
20. Bear in mind that it is cooler on the coast due to the sea breeze so if you plan to visit the archaeological sites and colonial cities that lie inland in neighboring Yucatán, it is always a good idea to go early when it is cooler. You’ll also beat the crowds.Got any more sun tips to share? Drop us a line, we’d love to hear from you.
