Pro-tips from locals: How to beat the heat on your next trip to the Caribbean

The Caribbean has been experiencing a historic heatwave this summer, with temperatures reaching as high as 125 degrees fahrenheit in Puerto Rico. It’s hot. The kind of heat that can feel impossible to get out of your home. June 2023 was the hottest month in history, only to later be dethroned by July. Staying cool is imperative now more than ever, not just for comfort but for safety.

With this level of heat, traveling to the Caribbean might seem foolhardy. However, summer is for travel and the Caribbean is still the premier destination for any jetsetter or 2nd generation looking to get in touch with their roots.

Here are some best practices and a few pro tips to beat the heat this summer if you’re traveling to the Caribbean.

Hydrate! Hydrate! Hydrate!

This one should be obvious. When you sweat it’s water out, so you need to put water in. Take it to the next level and avoid coffee and alcohol where possible, both are major dehydrating agents. Stock up on electrolytes — think Gatorade or as we know in the islands Lucazade or something similar.

Avoid the sun

Again kind of obvious. All heat comes from the sun. Avoid it. Shade is your friend. Fans and/or Air Conditioners are a must.

Land Breeze and Sea Breeze

This tip is about making geography work for you. In the morning the land heats up, black asphalt soaks up sunshine, concrete buildings get hotter faster and the air rises. As that air rises, cool air from the sea rushes in. You should be hitting the beaches in the morning to get that delicious cool breeze.

During the nights the reverse happens. The land gets cooler quicker and the breeze flows towards the sea, which is warmer as water stores temperature longer than land. You should be hitting the city at night. 

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Dress to Stay Cool

Loose-fitting clothes are essential to beating the heat. They allow for proper air circulation naturally cooling down your entire body. Wear more breathable fabrics like cotton and linen. Did you know darker colors absorb more heat? Black might be your color, but opt for gray, your body will thank you. 

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Buy Local Clothes

When in Kingston, dress like a Kingstonian. The people with the most experience living in the Caribbean are Caribbean people. Fashion has evolved to accommodate a comfortable lifestyle in the year-round summer of the tropical climate. 

The Kariba suit is not only a symbol of decolonization, as it was designed as an alternative to the fussy British colonial wear, but a welcomed alternative to European clothing that trapped heat along the body. This is a big no for anyone living in the Caribbean.

While mesh marinas may be a bit risque for you, instead try colorful, bigger fishnets. However, mesh marinas are common along the coast with fishermen and rafters. There’s a lot of exposed skin, which means a lot of heat release.

Wear Sunblock

We might not be able to do anything about the flaming ball of gas in the sky but you can protect your skin — you only get one per life. Sunblock is mandatory. It protects from sunburn, which will quickly ruin any vacation, and has long-term benefits.

Use cold packs

Cold packs are the unheralded lifehack that can make any heat wave manageable. Whether it’s store-bought or homemade, a cold pack can help lower body temperature and provide relief from the heat.It’s easy to make a cold pack and there are many options. Freezing a mixture of 1 part rubbing alcohol, and 2 parts water in a Ziploc bag will create the kind of cool gel compress you could buy from a pharmacy. Frozen dishwashing liquid can create a similar substance.

Eat cool to stay cool

‘You are what you eat’ matters for staying cool as well. These are some foods Caribbean people typically eat to stay cool during the summer.

• Coconut water: Coconut water is a natural electrolyte that can help to hydrate your body and keep you cool. Coconut water is a beloved drink across the Caribbean. Avoid the vendors in front of airports and hotels because they will charge you the tourist price.
• Mint or peppermint: Mint tea is an institution in the Caribbean. Many swear by the medicinal properties as a cure for headaches and upset stomachs. Less talked about is the cooling effect mint has on the body. Menthol triggers “cool-feeling” receptors in the body making the tropical heat all the more manageable.
• Watermelon: Watermelon is high in water content and can help to hydrate your body and keep you cool.
• Bananas: Bananas are high in potassium, which can help to regulate your body’s fluid balance and keep you cool. In the Caribbean, green bananas can be boiled as a side dish or made into chips for a quick salty snack.
• Avocado: Avocado is high in healthy fats and can help to keep you feeling full and satisfied, which can prevent overeating and overheating. In Jamaica avocado is confusingly called pear. Avocado (pear) is a seasonal treat that’s eaten in slices as an accompaniment to any meal.
• Cucumber: Cucumber is high in water content and can help to hydrate your body and keep you cool. Juice stores and natural drink vendors usually have cucumber options. Most restaurants across the Caribbean will have a salad option featuring cucumbers.
• Fresh vegetables: Speaking of salads, fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and green peppers are high in water content and can help to hydrate your body and keep you cool.

Longterm, sustainable change to help us all beat the heat

This prolonged and punishing heatwave is being attributed to a combination of weather and ocean patterns, as well as human-caused climate change. The risk to the planet is real, and all of these suggestions are stop-gaps to take care of ourselves. As citizens of the world, we also need to push legislators to better relegate greenhouse emissions and fund clean energy development before the damage renders the earth inhospitable. That will ultimately help us mitigate the effects of climate and continued rise in temperature.

The Caribbean has been experiencing a historic heatwave this summer, with temperatures reaching as high as 125 degrees Fahrenheit in Puerto Rico. This prolonged and punishing heat wave is being attributed to a combination of weather and ocean patterns, as well as human-caused climate change. The risk to the planet is real and all these are stop-gaps to take care of ourselves. As citizens of the world we need to push legislators to better relegate greenhouse emissions and fund clean energy development before the damage renders the earth inhospitable.More on Caribbean travel