How to Be a Pale Person in a Sunny Place
Apr 24, 2020
Eliza, our Director of Guest Services, speaks from experience
My family is full of freckled, pale people. Our skin is like lighter fluid in the sun – we burn thoroughly and quickly. When I look back and reminisce about our vacations, I just see a bunch of cooked lobsters.
As we have aged, we are all starting to see the long term effects of the sun. The freckles the sun has kissed us with are turning against us. All 6 of my family members have had some sort of pre-melanoma spot removed. This has not stopped us from enjoying the great outdoors, going to the beach, or showing skin – we have just gotten smarter and know the limits of our bodies.
In Costa Rica and Panama, the sun can be quite strong since you’re closer to the equator – this makes people more susceptible to burning. Through my experience and some actual science, I want to equip you with some tips on how to have a burn-free vacation while in Central America.
Plan your outdoor activities for the morning or evening especially if they are in direct sun
Avoid long term, direct exposure in the heat of the day when the sun is at its peak. Try to go to the beach in the morning or in the evening. I personally love going to the beach in the evening for happy hour. You can pack a picnic of hors-d’oeuvres, drinks, and watch the sunset (you will be on the Pacific Ocean so you will be able to see the sun dip under the horizon). During the middle of the day, pick activities
that will allow rest from sun exposure – like a massage, a canopy zipline tour, or a nice lunch at a restaurant. Besides sunscreen, you should also wear a hat and cover up as much as you can.
Overcast days can be a blessing but remember your sunscreen
I thrive on an overcast day. It is not as hot and I can extend my time in the sun. Also, the beach and pools seem less crowded and I can get a prime spot! But, the biggest mistake is not wearing sunscreen because UV rays can still make their way through the clouds. You need to make sure that you apply the same amount of sunscreen in the same intervals that you would if it were sunny.
Bases burn and base tans are not a thing
Before you leave for your trip, you might try to get some color so you can look good in your vacation pictures or so your tan protects you from the sun while on your trip. That is just a myth though – Central America has strong sun exposure so your base tan means nothing. Exposing your skin without sunscreen even with a tan can be extremely dangerous.
Now that I have told you to wear sunscreen, what kind of sunscreen works the best?
Most people are fine with an SPF between 30-50. Anything above SPF 55 is slightly more effective, but not enough to make a huge difference. Below 30 won’t give you the protection you need in the strong sun. For constant protection, you need to reapply sunscreen every 40-80 minutes and make sure that you are using water-resistant products. This might be a controversial opinion but I prefer lotion over spray sunscreen – I feel like it works better. There’s just more room for error when it comes to applying spray sunscreen. It can be blown away by the wind, you can easily miss spots without realizing it, and you don’t apply enough. However, no matter what kind you prefer, you are allowed to bring aerosol cans and lotion sunscreen on an airplane, but there are size restrictions for carry-on luggage so check before you pack.
The sun should only make your trip better; it shouldn’t ruin it. There are pools to swim in, beaches to relax on, and places
to explore – so get out there and bring a hat and sunscreen! Lastly, remember no one is better than the sun.
Downloading basic apps like these on your phone can really save you in times of need. Ordering food, needing directions, finding help – the list goes on.
The most important safety rules while traveling are pretty similar to the same safety techniques you have likely inherited in your daily routine at home. Stay in groups, don’t walk down dark alleys in the middle of the night in a place you are not familiar with, keep your phone with you; lock your doors, etc. We can all assume those types of daily rituals have become nothing short of human nature. Let’s take a look at some of the more in-depth, easy to use, safety tips that will make you feel much more comfortable on your next experience in a new place.
If you’ve traveled with Ghyd before you will likely know the answer. We can sum it up in one word; seamless . These are the four non-negotiable attributes a location must have in order to be a Ghyd destination: Transportation Cost Climate Experiences It goes without say ing, that our first priority is the safety of our clients and the destinations we offer. Let’s save that for another article – perhaps, the Top 5 Tips to Stay Safe .
Johnson Small, Owner of Ghyd, talks about his experience in the travel industry
