From uncomfortable chafing to overheated electronics to AC-less restaurants, there are a lot of ways that high temperatures can get in the way of a perfect trip.
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In fact, knowing how to manage hot weather when you travel is a key skill. That’s especially true now that many popular summer destinations are logging new record high temperatures, and arid, desert destinations like Dubai have taken off.
I’ve also encountered muggy heat in places I didn’t necessarily expect. For example, some locally owned Airbnbs in places like Puerto Rico might not have AC at their remote cottages and beachfront cabins. While I’m pretty good at managing heat (no AC in my apartment, long stints at outdoor festivals with temps over 100 degrees), heat waves and hot flashes can creep up on you at unexpected moments.
If you’re someone whose prone to overheating (or hot flashes, ladies), here’s how to manage hot weather when you travel, from tips to cooling tech to local tips.
How to manage hot weather when you travel: tips on packing & managing heat at your destination
Before you arrive, consider carefully what you pack. Here’s what I recommend focusing on if you’re visiting a hot-weather spot:
- Fabric matters in high-heat situations. Fabrics like linen and cotton are the best natural textiles to wear in high heat. Linen is usually my go-to, but I also like silk, bamboo, hemp, and rayon. You want fabrics that are breathable and allow your sweat to evaporate.
- What you wear also matters. Avoid tight-fitting layers at all costs. High heat vacations are the perfect time to go with those long, flowing dresses, button-ups, and loose-fitting pants. Linen can be a bit bulky to pack, but it’ll stay fresh and smell nice longer—meaning you can rewear it.
- Hats are your secret weapon. Below, I’ll discuss anatomy—but for now, know that you need a powerful hat. Ideally, it should have a UV-ray blocking fabric, have a large brim for added shade, and be lightweight and breathable. If your heat overheats, it’s hard to cool back down.
- ‘Stack’ your water. You should pack a water bottle with you, or have one at the ready at your destination. I highly recommend bringing supplements with you that will help you stay hydrated. (Stacked water is having a viral moment.) A basic electrolyte drink mix will do the trick—but don’t be afraid to bring along hydration multipliers, collagen, and more.
Once you arrive at your destination, how can you manage high temperatures? Ideally, your hotel or Airbnb has AC. Aside from air conditioning, here’s how to manage heat:
- Travel like a vampire. What do I mean by this? Travel when the light is low—or stick to nights. I’m a big fan of visiting Sicily in summer, which becomes one of the loveliest hells on earth with temperatures that can soar past 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Most towns shut down during the hottest hours of the day before coming back to life at night. In other words, if you head back to your hotel at 10 am and don’t re-emerge until dusk, that’s totally fine.
- Skip the adventures to be lazy. Just a friendly reminder that hiking in high temperatures isn’t advised. Even a short walking tour might feel like a waltz through fire, especially in cities that lack greenery. Take the opportunity to be lazy for the day.
- Eat light—and use food for hydration. Stick to light foods when you’re dealing with a high-temperature destination. Even better, eat fruit. Lots of fruit. A copious amount of fruit, even. It’ll give your body a dose of much-needed vitamins while also hydrating and nourishing you.
- Know which zones of your body to cool down if you get overheated. Here’s where I talk about anatomy for a second. Your body has several ‘pulse points’ where blood vessels are concentrated. If you get overheated, focus on cooling these pulse points with something cold. The neck is the most important, followed by the wrist, temples, underarms, and behind the knees. In a bind, you can cool the groin area, too.
- Tree shade = best shade. Fun fact: Trees absorb heat really well, as do grassy areas. The shade cast by trees and greenery will be cooler than the shade cast by a stone building onto a concrete sidewalk, for example. If you can, get to some greenery for even cooler shade.
How to manage hot weather when you travel using tech: check out these products
You can go full-techy or keep it simple with a basic item. Here’s what I recommend bringing along if you’re heading into a Mordor-esque heat wave:
- Hand fans. Electronic fans are also fine—but they’re prone to running out of battery. If it’s hot enough, that battery might even malfunction. For that reason, I stick to my hand fans over electric fans. They’re also a lot easier to pack and carry around.
- Bandanas. Bandanas, silk scarves, and other small, fabric accessories are a perennial go-to. Just get them wet with water (avoid any dubious water supplies), then sling them around your neck. Your shirt will get a little wet, but the relief will be nearly instant.
- Neck fans. Neck fans are a new piece of tech that wraps around your neck to fan you with air. It’s a rechargeable electronic device that you can put on when you need it, then pack away when you don’t. They’re also quiet and subtle.
- Get an insulated, cooling water bottle. Level up your hydration game with a water bottle/flask that’s designed to stay ice-cold. Some insulated water bottles use double-wall vacuum technology and leakproof designs to keep your ice-cold water frigid for up to a day. They aren’t light, but they’re the best way to guarantee an ice-cold sip when you need it most. Hydro Flask has the best insulated water bottle for travelers.
- Small charging banks. If you rely on charging banks to keep your phone topped up during long travel days, invest in a smaller, sleeker one. Charging banks, like your smartphone, aren’t able to deal with high temperatures. They’re prone to breaking, meaning you might be carrying around a useless, hot brick in your bag.
