Holidays are an opportunity to completely disconnect and recharge our batteries. For most of us, that means escaping to a tropical destination where we can relax on the sand while enjoying the sea breeze and a refreshing drink.
Among the most popular beach destinations are Brazil, Mexico, Cuba and Thailand. There are two important things that all these sites have in common: they offer everything you need for a memorable vacation and they present some risks for travellers.
To avoid mishaps during your trip to a tropical destination, we present the following recommendations:
Prevent mosquito bites
These animals are one of the main vectors of disease transmission. They are responsible for a large number of dengue fever, malaria, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and other infections worldwide. To reduce your chances of being bitten, it’s important to use a repellent, particularly at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Clothing covering the extremities and, if possible, sleeping nets are also recommended. Do this and not only will you avoid itching and burning, but you’ll keep diseases at bay.
Protect your skin from the sun’s rays
We know, the use of sunscreen is a bit annoying, but it is even more annoying to suffer burns or, even worse, to develop melanoma. Try to choose a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor of at least SPF 15 (UVB protection) and 4 stars (UVA protection). Remember to reapply every hour or after entering the pool or the sea. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention also recommends paying attention to the expiration date since these products usually have a shelf life of three years. In addition to sunscreen, it is important to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays and hats or caps that cover your head completely.
Be careful with food and drinks
The most common diseases affecting international travellers are those related to contaminated water and food consumption, such as traveller’s diarrhoea, typhoid fever or hepatitis A. To avoid infection, follow these recommendations:
- Avoid eating food that has not been properly cooked or that may have been handled in an unhygienic environment. Such as those sold on the streets.
- Drink only bottled, boiled or disinfected water.
- Avoid the consumption of ice that does not come from a safe source.
- Wash your hands with soap frequently before and after handling food and after using the bathroom.
With these recommendations, and the right vaccinations for your destination, we are confident that you will enjoy your vacation to the fullest.