Exotic destinations include many advantagesbut it would be clumsy to go there without taking into account the disadvantages ! What are the reasons that motivate us to go to these countries? What precautions should you take? Find out in this article with, at the end, our best tips for traveling to hot countries.
Benefits of traveling to hot countries
The climate
If you live north of the Loire, you will surely find winter and autumn too long. It's cold for a long time, the days are short, and you always have to pile on layers of clothing to go out. This is not encouraging! Going on vacation to warm countries like the Seychelles, Mauritius or the Maldives is therefore an excellent way to break the winter routine, and forget the “symptoms” that go with it, like the desire to lock yourself away, or even illnesses galore. Due to confinement and lack of light, some people also feel the famous “seasonal depression”brrrr…
Travel light
Another advantage of hot countries is thatwe can travel lighter ! All you need is a few t-shirts and shorts plus underwear, so you can bring back more souvenirs, or leave with a smaller bag.
Food
Hot countries also have the advantage of being able to grow any fruitoften at any time of the year. The opportunity to enjoy your trip, without having to pay the high price! Thanks to all these fruits and all these different spices, we have access to a gastronomy often very interesting and varied. The cuisine of warm countries therefore often holds pleasant surprises and numerous discoveries.
The change of scenery
But what travelers are looking for most when going to these destinations is surely the change of scenery : discover other cultures, religions, ways of living on a daily basis… This allows you to take a break from everyday life, but also to have new experiences! Here are some examples:
Disadvantages to travel to hot countries
The climate
And yes, the weather is certainly an advantage, but can also become a big inconvenience ! There are quite a few hot countries that have a capricious climate. For example, in some Southeast Asian destinations like Thailand or Malaysia. Some months it can be really too hotthen comes the rainy season, also called monsoonduring which travel conditions may be complicated. You must therefore be well aware of the climate according to the seasons in each region before leaving.
And being in a hot country doesn't mean it's hot all the time. In the Sahara Desert for example, the nights are coldthey can even reach 0°C in winter in certain places. Enough to regret not having planned a “little wool” if you want to watch the sunrise!
Very often, it is not just hot, but also very humid ! This is the case, for example, for tropical destinations in Latin America, but also for Japan, which overall has a rather temperate climate, but where summers are hot and humid. When we get off the plane, we have the strange impression of being in a gigantic bathroom after a shower, the atmosphere is a little stuffy and not very pleasant.
The animals
Because of this climate, life forms that are not necessarily very friendly develop. With their quantity of giant hornets, snakes, sharks, and even spiders, hot countries often appear to be more dangerous than temperate countries (the example of Australia speaks for itself!). Moreover, the little creatures sometimes display impressive sizeslike ants, or cockroaches.
However, rest assured, there is no no more risk than elsewhere in the world, except for the mosquito which, let us remember, is the most dangerous animal on the planet because of the diseases it can transmit, especially in tropical areas. In addition, you will also be able to discover unusual animals during your trip!
Diseases
As said previously, the mosquito is the main source of concern when going on vacation to hot countries. In fact, it can transmit diseases that can be serious, such as malaria, dengue fever, or even chikungunya.
Additionally, due to heat and humidity, infections are more common following an injury. Thus, the slightest little injury must be the subject of meticulous care and increased monitoring.
Another health problem that often happens in hot countries: ear infections. In these destinations, people often swim in the sea and, combined with air travel which increases pressure on the eardrums, the ears can be put to the test.
Tired of the cold and the gray? If you dream of a hot destination, here is all our advice to help you organize your stay.
When to go to a hot country?
Pay attention to summer which is often the time chosen to travel, but which is not always the ideal time for a stay in a hot country. In these exotic countries, summer often rhymes with heatwave or rainy season. Which can make every trip or activity quickly unbearable. Even more so if the humidity level is particularly high!
Should we go in winter then? It all depends on the destination. For example, summer in Italy or Spain can be really scorching. But if you go to Brazil or Australia, in the southern hemisphere, the months of December to February are the hottest, the seasons being reversed!
Each destination has preferred periods for traveling, consult our pages When to go if you know which hot country to go to, or Where to go in the sun to find the best destinations!
What clothes to take with you for a trip to a hot country?
Prioritize light materials and cotton. Also remember to wear clothing light colors. Dark colored clothing is not recommended as it intensifies the feeling of heat and attracts mosquitoes.
Another tip: take loose clothing and not too tight. They will allow your skin to breathe better thanks to better air circulation. And contrary to popular belief, just because you'll be in shorts and a t-shirt doesn't mean you'll be any less hot!
Especially since in certain hot tourist countries, such as Morocco, Egypt or Jordan, wearing shorts or mini-skirts is not always well accepted by the local population. Be adaptable!
In areas where mosquito-borne diseases are present, cover up, especially at sunset. Long-sleeved t-shirts and pants are then essential to avoid bites.
Which vaccines for which destination?
Who says hot countries, often says vaccines recommended, or even obligatory. At the top of the list, yellow fever, Japanese encephalitis and even rabies. Find out several weeks or even months in advance to find out which vaccines and medications are required.
To do this, you can make an appointment with your doctor who will be able to guide you, or with the Pasteur Institute. Some countries are very strict on this subject, Brazil and Senegal for example, and do not let tourists in without proof of certain vaccinations.
How to take care of your skin in a hot country?
The climate and the sun can harm your skin. In Southeast Asia, when the weather is particularly humid, consider clean your face well to remove accumulated dirt after a hot and long day of visiting. Also apply a Moisturizing cream on your body and face, if necessary.
And of course, don't forget sunscreen ! Essential on a daily basis, it is even recommended by dermatologists to use SPF 50+ protection.
One last tip for a successful holiday in the sun
Finally, we advise you to book air-conditioned accommodation. In many warm countries this is the norm. But it is always important to check to make sure you sleep well and cool and are in good shape to enjoy the day! Same advice for your activities (restaurants, museums, etc.) organized indoors. Beware of heatstroke and poorly ventilated spaces which can quickly turn your vacation into a nightmare.
If you organize yourself correctly by following these tips, the negative points will not seem like an obstacle to your trip, and the positive points will be much more numerous. Traveling to a hot country is an adventure to try for a maximum change of scenery !
