Tropical holidays are designed to be all about having fun under the sun, enjoying everything an island escape should be about. One thing that we should keep in mind is that getting sick during your summer vacay can be quite a buzzkill as it would most likely prevent you from both the exciting and relaxing activities you have planned.
While some health issues are harder to prevent and anticipate, some others are perfectly manageable as long as you put some effort into it. Dehydration falls under the category of the latter, as there are easy ways that can help you stay perfectly hydrated. The importance of hydration, especially in hot and humid places like Bali, should really not be overlooked
According to holiday experts Easy Villas, since it has a tropical climate, hot, wet weather can be expected in Bali. Often, the humidity is at 80-90%, which makes it a bit sticky for some people. Luckily, there are ways to take a break from the humidity in Bali, so you can enjoy your holiday more. Here are some of them.
- Book your holiday for the winter months. Bali doesn’t have a winter as such, but during our winter, their season is not as hot and so not as humid.
- Rest under the fan in one of the beautiful villas during the hottest part of the day, or spend an hour or two where there is air-conditioning.
- Visit the highlands. Even if you just go for a day tour during your holiday it will give you a break from that sticky heat. Staying overnight will enable you to enjoy a good night’s sleep as the temperature goes down considerably then.
- Avoid Christmas holidays in Bali. Not only is it lots more expensive, it’s hotter and more humid. The ideal months are May June and September, with April and October still being okay weatherwise. In these months the weather is kinder and so are the prices. July is school holiday time and very expensive.
- Visit the big water theme park for a day or two. Playing in water is one of the best ways to cool off and it takes two days to look at everything at Waterbom Theme Park where they have the longest water slides in the world.
- Wear cotton clothing; anything with polyester or man-made fabric is going to make you feel hotter, because it doesn’t breathe like cotton. But the cotton needs to have an open weave. Leave linen at home too, as it is hot and wrinkles easily.
- Stay hydrated. Hot weather makes you sweat and it is easy to become dehydrated when you are busy doing interesting stuff. Keep a water bottle with you at all times to drink from. Don’t refill it from a doubtful source. Some cafes will refill it for you for free.
- Check out the weather forecast before you leave and plan your days according to the temperature – then hope that they are accurate. Do high energy things on the slightly cooler days, if there are any.
- If you start to feel too hot, stop what you are doing and tip some water over your head. Or you could buy some ice to place on the back of your neck. But don’t eat the ice as it could cause Bali belly.
With these few hints to guide you, your holiday in Bali should be more successful and you should be able to avoid feeling uncomfortably hot and also here are some hydration tips for a fun healthy tropical holiday!
- Be kind to your body!
Most of us are familiar with the suggested intake of 8 glasses of water per day. While this may vary for each person based on various factors, this ideal number might also need some adjustments when you are in a tropical climate. If you feel like your body is over-heating, you should immediately find a place to cool off and drink lots of water before the initial symptoms, such as dizziness and fatigue, start to get worse.
- Bring a reusable water bottle!
One of the main keys to hydration is to drink water throughout the day. And yes, water is definitely the best way to hydrate since it is calorie-free as well as sugar-free. Bringing your own bottle of water will also serve as a constant reminder that you should stay hydrated. Plus, this way you don’t have to wait until you stop at some place that sells drinks, or wait for your meal times or breaks, until you drink some water.
- Not a big fan of water?
If you’re not very fond of the taste of water, you might want to consider infused water. If that still tastes too ‘watery’ for you, then the second best thing you can do is to stay aware of your fluids. Despite what you might have heard, soft drinks and tea are hydrating fluids too. Clearly, they don’t hydrate at the same level as water, but they also don’t have the dehydrating effect that coffee and alcohol have.
It is smart to balance your beers and cocktails with glasses of water, juice or even soft drinks in order to prevent dehydration. And oh, coconut water is another delicious recipe for staying invigorated throughout your Bali days!
- Check the color of your urine!
If you are not really sure whether you are drinking enough but also don’t really feel like your body is ‘trying to tell you something’, you can always check the color of your urine. The normal color is pale straw, and anything darker means that your body needs more fluids.
Remember to pack smart and light for your trip to Bali. Consider the tropical climate, with its high temperatures and humidity levels. Don’t forget essentials like comfortable shoes, sunscreen lotion, insect repellent, and a water bottle. Dress modestly when visiting temples and cover your legs and arms. And don’t leave home without travel insurance to ensure peace of mind during your adventure in Bali!
Here’s to a healthy and happy island escape! Stay hydrated and enjoy your time in this tropical paradise!
