Things to Consider Before Taking a Tropical Vacation Abroad
Photo by Hugh Whyte
International travel can be one of the most relaxing, enriching, and enjoyable experiences of your life. However, it’s important to be prepared whenever you embark on a new adventure. If you’re thinking of taking a tropical adventure abroad, there are many factors involved, from where you’ll go to how you’ll budget for the trip.
So, how can you help ensure that you have the trip of a lifetime? Here are some things to consider before taking a tropical adventure abroad.
Choosing Where to Go: Local Culture and Sustainability
The first step to planning your dream vacation is to choose a destination, of course. You’ll want to start by doing some research into your top tropical destinations. What is the cultural attitude toward tourists? How safe are these destinations? Where can you travel the most sustainably?
In many places, such as Costa Rica, tourism is one of the largest industries. In other, less well-known countries, the infrastructure might be more limited, and you might have fewer amenities, but a more unique and memorable trip overall. It all depends on your priorities— just make sure that you choose a destination that welcomes tourists.
Sustainability is another important concern. Many tropical destinations are famous for hosting huge cruise ships and all-inclusive resorts, but these choices are rarely eco-friendly. When choosing where to go, look for places that offer a range of sustainable activities and tours. In tropical destinations, there are lots of ways to have an amazing adventure while keeping your carbon footprint in check.
Safety: Preparation is Key
It’s important to look up any travel safety advisories for your destination. If the risk level is above 2, it’s advisable to reconsider and choose another destination. These advisories may be given for a variety of reasons, from civil unrest to tropical disease outbreaks or limited medical services. If you’d like, you can sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) program, which makes it easier for agencies to locate you in an emergency.
Another important safety precaution is to understand the various endemic diseases found in tropical climates. Depending on your destination, you might want to get several different immunizations prior to your trip, to ensure that you are protected against region-specific illnesses.
You might also need to take preventatives against malaria or other diseases and use bug spray, nets, and other items to prevent vector-borne illnesses from biting insects.
Planning Your Accommodations and Transportation in Advance
Booking your accommodations in advance, especially if you’ll be traveling during the high season, can help you achieve stress-free travel. If you want to build some flexibility into your travel plans and choose where to stay on the fly, however, make sure that you at least book the nights around your flight in advance to avoid any travel plans.
There are lots of options for accommodations, from hotels and resorts to Airbnbs and homestays. Where you choose to stay will depend a lot on the kind of trip you want to have. If you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, you might want to avoid larger hotels. If you’d like a bit more predictability, then staying in hotels might be the way to go.
It’s also a good idea to research your transportation options in advance. You don’t necessarily need to book all your transportation ahead of time, but it’s a good idea to know how people get around, the safety and pricing of each option, and how to navigate within the region.
What to Bring and Wear
When packing for your tropical adventure, you won’t have to pack bulky coats and sweaters, which can save a lot of space. However, you might need to pack items like sunscreen and strong insect repellent if you’re not sure how easy it will be to purchase them abroad. Plus, if you bring your own personal care items, you can choose sustainable, eco-friendly options!
Packing light is always a good choice, as you’ll have less luggage to worry about and you’ll be able to focus on enjoying your trip. Take a look at the weather for your destination at the time you’ll be visiting. Will there be a lot of rain? Will it be hot and humid? You can use past weather to help inform your packing.
Remember, even if you need to pack a lot of shorts and tank tops, be mindful of the region’s cultural expectations and dress respectfully. If you’ll be visiting religious sites or other places where it’s customary to cover your arms and legs, be sure to pack accordingly.
Be a Respectful Visitor
Whenever you travel, you are a guest. This means that you should make an effort to learn the basics of the local language, be polite and respectful, and use your communication skills. While most locals will be happy to help you if you ask politely, remember that you are not entitled to their time.
Being a respectful visitor means making an effort to understand local customs and culture. It means trying things that are new to you. By being a respectful visitor, you will be a good ambassador and more fully immerse yourself in a new culture. It’s key for a fantastic tropical adventure!
Sea Going Green is a sustainable tourism consultancy that works with the tourism and travel industry to provide eco-friendly and socially responsible experiences for guests.