Sun Protection and Hydration in the Tropics of Belize

Tropical vacations appeal to many travelers because of the outstanding climate and beautiful scenery that tropical countries have to offer. While warm weather and plenty of sunshine provide excellent conditions for outdoor adventures and enjoying gorgeous beaches, the same combination can also lead to sunburn and dehydration when travelers are not careful. Fortunately however, simply by preparing yourself for such conditions and taking certain precautionary measures, you can protect yourself from the sun and heat so you will be able to enjoy every moment of your tropical getaway.

Whether you will be lying on the beach, going on hikes or kayaking through clear blue waters, you will need to take steps to prevent the dehydration of your skin and your body as a whole. Dehydration and dry skin can be caused not only by warm weather but also by salt in high salinity environments such as the Caribbean Sea. To prevent dry skin, simply use a moisturizing lotion on a daily basis. Also, if you will be taking part in activities such as sea kayaking, it's a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands, as drier skin will be more susceptible to developing blisters. As for the dehydration of your body, the best preventative measure is to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.

While people with fair skin and hair are generally more likely to burn when exposed to sunlight, everybody should protect themselves from UV radiation to help prevent premature wrinkling of the skin as well as more dangerous conditions such as eye and skin cancer. While the best way to reduce exposure to UV radiation and to prevent sunburn is to avoid being out in the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., that is not always possible or realistic. In such cases, the best protection will be achieved through wearing a wide-brimmed hat, good quality sunglasses, long-sleeve shirts and sunscreen.

To ensure that you receive adequate protection, sunscreen with an SPF value of at least 30 is recommended. People with really fair skin may want to go with a much higher SPF value more like 40-60 range. Also, a higher SPF is usefull on the nose and lips, when spending much time on the water. There are many zinc-based creams that offer a much higher SPF protection for these areas. We have found that baby diaper rash creams are an inexpensive alternative. Sounds funny, but works great.

Also, if you will be spending time in the water or participating in sports or other forms of physical activity, waterproof sunscreen is best. By using a waterproof variety, you won't have to worry about your sunscreen getting washed away by sweat or water and leaving you unprotected against the sun's radiation. You will, however, require re-applying your sunscreen at lease 3-4 times a day, when being active and jumping in and out of the water. Even the waterproof variety needs to be re-applied.

The above steps and precautions are really very simple to follow and yet can make a world of difference to your health and to your comfort level during your tropical vacation. It is expecially important to apply and re-apply during the first 3 to 4 days of your holiday. There is nothing worse that getting a severe sunburn at the beginning of your holiday. Also, there are areas that require particular attention when snorkeling, including the backs of your legs, the backs of your arms, and of course your back and neck region. Please make sure that you have someone help you applying sunscreen in these areas before snorkeling.

So before you set off on your next trip to the equatorial regions, be sure to prepare yourself for the climate and conditions as doing so will keep you happy and having fun throughout your active Belize vacation.

The Life of a Belize Sea Kayak Guide 2 of 3

Continued.... The Life of a Sea Kayak Guide - by Jack Wilde

The first day is always busy. You have a new group of people, a little unsure of what to expect, and a lot of logistics to take care of at camp. We have to make sure everyone gets a tent, and the right kind of bed (single or double) and the right partner (if double). The luggage and supplies have to be unloaded, and not mixed up with the luggage of the group that is just leaving. The dining hall has to be reset (we do two lunches back-to-back) and everything looking shipshape for our new arrivals. And of course, while you are doing that, some people have to pee right away (long boat ride, remember?) the outgoing group suddenly decides to pose for group pictures right in the way, and someone from the mainland is calling on the radio. but it soon sorts itself out, everyone has a place to call home for the next six days, food is in bellies and the turquoise water is calling us out to explore and get wet.

And getting wet is what we have in mind. The first thing you learn out at Glover's Reef base camp is how to paddle a kayak, how to tip it over, and how to climb back in., while in water over your head. There are a few struggles but everyone soon learns the skills necessary, and after that we are ready for our paddling and snorkeling adventure.

You would think that after going to the same reefs, seeing the same fish and other marine life week after week would make a guide jaded. Well yes and no. Once you learn the names of all the more common reef fishes, corals, tube worms and sponges, you are still surprised with every snorkel. It could be the sighting of a rare or especially beautiful fish, or just that now you notice their quirky and often entertaining behaviour. The more time you spend staring at the activity of a reef, the more it makes sense to you, and the more you get out of it. Also the people change every week, so you get different group dynamics, and different levels of interest in various components of the week's activities. And I have to say I never get tired of arriving at the atoll when the sun is shining and that first line of pale, watery green reveals the shallow, sandy-bottomed lagoon, while we are still driving over water half a kilometre deep. Or even before then, when we pass through the cut in the barrier reef, from shallow, reef-sheltered water to the rolling deep blue of the open Caribbean. The first half-kilometre outside the reef is where we meet the biggest waves, and everyone cheers as we rise over the crest of one wave and slide down into the trough of the next one

Belize Ultimate Adventure - Guest Returns Home with Wonderful Photos of Their Experience

A recent client returns home, with some wonderful photos. Please visit their link, below:

Hi Sam,
Just writing to let you know I had an amazing time on our recent trip with Island Expeditions so thank you for your help in planning my trip.

Here is a link to my photographs from the Maya World & Ultimate Adventure trips. They are on my flickr photo website.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/16036846@N00/sets/72157603499524262/

if you'd like to create a link from your website for future Island Expeditions customers to view then that is fine.

Thanks again & Happy New Year!!!!
Lynne
Ultimate Adventure
December, 2007