A Quick Survival Guide for Caribbean Humidity

Humidity is no joke in the Caribbean. If you’re about to visit this tropical paradise, here’s what to know to stay comfortable from the moment you land.

About to visit the Caribbean? How exciting! You’ve probably done some destination research and know the region has a hot and humid climate for much of the year. But if you’ve never experienced Caribbean humidity before, you might think, “How bad can it be?”

Listen—tropical humidity is something else. It makes the air thick, your clothes wet with sweat, and your hair frizzy. It also amplifies how hot it feels outside. That might not sound very pleasant, but don’t be deterred. The Caribbean can be very comfortable to visit if you know how to plan for the humidity. So without further ado, here’s a quick survival guide to get you through.

Wear the Right Fabrics

You want to wear clothes made from lightweight, breathable fabrics, such as these:

• linen

• cotton

• merino wool (yes, really)

• Tencel

• silk

It’s extremely important to note that you must pay attention to fiber and weave. A breathable natural fiber in a tight weave won’t breathe like you want it to. For example, silk in a satin weave will cling to your body when you sweat. But raw silk in a looser weave will breathe.

Hydrate More Than You Think You Need To

Humidity makes you sweat constantly, even when you’re just standing still. That means your body’s losing water faster than you realize, so you must drink water throughout the day, not just when you’re thirsty. Skip the alcohol-heavy afternoons if you’re exploring, saving those boozy frozen drinks for when you’re back at the resort.

Protect Your Skin

You should be wearing sunscreen even when it’s 40 degrees and cloudy outside, so you definitely can’t skip it in the Caribbean. But many people forget to apply sunscreen because the humidity can make it feel like you’re not burning when you are. Trust us—you will burn if you don’t protect your skin. Wear sunscreen, along with hats, sunglasses, and long-sleeved apparel.

Sort Out Your Hair

Humidity affects hair texture in a way that many people hate. If you want to avoid having a frizzy bird’s nest by the end of the day, try some of the best hairstyles for hot, humid weather. For instance, a messy bun will hold up and still look good after hours of exploring.

Give Your Body Time To Adjust

The last thing we want to point out in this Caribbean humidity survival guide is that your body needs a day or two to acclimate, especially if you’re coming from a dry or cold climate. It can help to avoid packing your first day with back-to-back excursions. Take it easy and let yourself settle in. Once you’ve acclimated, you can use the other tips in this guide to stay comfortable and safe throughout your time in paradise.