Traveling is supposed to be full of fun and adventure, but when you travel to a hot weather destination, a traveler can be miserable and can miss a lot of what the place has to offer.
My travels have brought me to a lot of very hot destinations, which include the Sahara Desert in Morocco, many places in the Middle East like Egypt and Jordan, and some places in Southern Africa like Namibia.
Here I will provide a guide with some of my tips for traveling to hot weather destinations!
Consider the Time of Year
The most important thing when traveling to these destinations is to consider the time of year you’re traveling there.
Peak tourist season can correlate with some of the best temperatures. For example, you might find that traveling to Egypt in December has a favorable climate, but it is also one of the busiest times of the year for tourism. You will pay a lot more to travel during that time and deal with more crowds.
I always advise traveling during shoulder seasons where the climate is maybe somewhere in-between, and the crowds are a little less.
You will also want to consider holidays like Ramadan when visiting Muslim countries. In 2023 these dates will be between March and April, but the dates can change based on the moon sighting.
Consider the Activities
Another thing to consider when traveling to warm destinations is the activities you plan to do while on vacation.
You should really know your physical ability when you are traveling in hot weather.
For example, while traveling to the Sahara Desert in the middle of summer, you’ll be quite removed from access to medical facilities, so heatstroke is a very real concern.
You are going to want to stay more hydrated than you would in other destinations.
Also, consider how important that activity is and how the heat may impact your experience.
Places like Santorini are SO hot in the summertime that walking the cobblestones during the daytime is not very enjoyable. It is better to go out and explore first thing in the morning when the temperatures may be lower or later in the afternoon when the sun is going down.
During the daytime when the temperatures are high, consider participating in activities that will be in shade, indoors, or in water.
When the sun is at its highest, tourists can visit indoor museums or participate in water sports or spend some time at the hotel’s pool.
Tropical Heat or Dry Heat?
It may surprise you just how hot some places can get. Tourists need to consider if they are traveling to a place with tropical or humid heat versus dry heat.
If you are in a warm destination that has humid weather, it may be 90 degrees outside but feel like it’s over 100 degrees.
While visiting warm weather destinations consider if you will have access to air conditioning or a pool. This is especially important while visiting places like Thailand.
While accommodations with a fan versus air conditioning may be cheaper, it is not always better. When I first traveled to Thailand, I was inexperienced and thought I could handle it.
It was such an uncomfortable experience and saving the money really wasn’t worth it. When traveling to hot weather destinations consider air conditioning or forms of relief from the heat.
What to Pack
When I start to pack for a trip, I always consider the weather. There are some things I pack specifically for hot-weather destinations that I will share with you.
Shoes and Sandals
I tend to overheat when I’m in shoes, so I like to pack a pair of comfortable sandals when I’m traveling to hot weather cities.
Some people prefer to wear shoes while walking a lot since they are more comfortable; so if that is the case, make sure that you have breathable shoes. I suggest bringing both sandals and shoes.
Heat Rash Medication
Heat rash is a real thing. I get it on my legs when I travel somewhere very hot (like Petra in Jordan or Egypt).
You may be able to access a pharmacy, but it would be helpful to pack something to treat heat rash as well — Cortizone 10 or Aquaphor work well.
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Blister Band-Aids
Blister Band-Aids can be helpful for feet. Since feet are sweating so much, they will be prone to blisters.
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Anti-Chafing Sticks
If you are walking a lot, especially in shorts, you will want to have anti-chafing sticks. They make these for men and women, to use on their legs and arms. Chafing is very real and very painful, so having an anti-chafing stick will be helpful.
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Cooling Towels
Cooling towels can be an absolute lifesaver! You don’t need to use cold water. Water can be at any temperature and the cooling towel will get cool and provide a lot of relief.
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Polarized Sunglasses
Polarized sunglasses make a huge difference, especially if you’re somewhere by the sea. They help reduce glare and also help images appear clearer so you are sure not to miss anything on your travels.
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Personal Fan
Sometimes I feel so silly for carrying a personal fan around, but when you’re somewhere so hot that you’re about to lose it, you don’t care as long as you can find relief.
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Small Packable Umbrella
If you cannot avoid direct sun, bring your own shade with a small packable umbrella. This can be especially helpful if you’re traveling somewhere very exposed like Egypt and visiting the historical places that don’t have shade.
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Sunscreen
If you are going to be outside, it is always important to wear sunscreen. Some great non-toxic sunscreen includes 100% Pure Everywhere Body Sunscreen or All Good Mineral Sunscreen Lotion.
Shop NowLight Colors & Breathable Clothing
It is super important to pack light colors and clothing that is breathable. Remember that darker colors are going to attract the sun, which means heat. Wearing lighter colors will help you stay cooler.
In addition, make sure that all clothing is breathable. 100% cotton or linen is the most breathable material.
What are your tips for *staying cool* in a hot-weather destination? Let me know in the comments below!
