How To Stay Cool This Summer in South Florida!

Florida is one of those places that is a "must do" on the Bucket List of places to see.  If you are thinking of coming  to visit during the Summer time it is important to note that from the scorching sun to the never-ceasing influx of snowbirds, it takes a bit of preparedness to survive a Florida summer. Whether you’re new to the Sunshine State, or a native Floridian, here are a few ways to make summer in Florida easier.

​Invest in a Sun Shade

If it’s past 9am and you are parking your car or rental car for 30 minutes or more, take the extra 15 seconds to place a sun shade in your windshield. When you get back to your car, you’ll still be hit in the face with what feels like hot molten lava, BUT your car will be a good 10 degrees cooler and you won’t suffer third degree burns trying to buckle your seatbelt. Trust me you'll thank me!​

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 ​Wear Light, Breathable Clothing & Lots of Water!

Forget about socks and shoes until September rolls around. For now, sandals or flip flops are all that you need. You are going to sweat (a lot), so you’ll need to hydrate. Carry water with you wherever you go and drink frequently to avoid heat exhaustion. And, don’t forget to lather on the sunscreen. Cruising around like a lobster is not a good look. Oh... mosquitos can be brutal, always apply repellent.

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​Know That There Will Still Be Crowds

While it may seem like Florida shouldn’t be so crowded (especially due to Covid-19), many people still visit our area during the summer as children have off from school. Visit your favorite spots during non-peak times or search for destinations that aren’t as frequented by tourists. Go to the theme parks during the week, rather than on the weekend. Choose a smaller, more remote beach for your day in the sun, as opposed to hitting up the most crowded beaches. Leave for your destinations a little earlier to avoid extra traffic.
You can always wait until mid-afternoon to run all of your errands, since there is sure to be an afternoon thunderstorm headed your way. The tourists go into hiding once water starts falling from the sky, so the checkout lines will be short. So, grab a rain jacket or umbrella and keep it in the trunk of your car or in a bag.

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​Pull Your Blinds or Curtain Closed

During the day, close your curtains and lower your blinds. When sunlight gets into your rental home/ condo, it can quickly raise the temperature of your living space. Closing these will help keep your air conditioning inside your apartment, where it belongs. So when you decide to venture out for the day always remember to close the blinds, when you come home the cool feeling on your skin will be welcoming.

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Stay Prepared For Hurricane Season

For those who have never experienced a Florida summer, hurricane season can sound incredibly daunting, and it is important to be prepared for the worst when the storms begin to roll in. While there are several hurricane preparedness tips you should definitely consider, the most important thing you can do is stock up on food, water and essentials such as toilet paper, toothpaste, gas and batteries. You should also be prepared to evacuate in case of an emergency evacuation order, so be sure to plan ahead. Know your shelter locations and flood zone level. Make sure you get these supplies while the storm is still in South America. If you wait until the day before landfall, you won’t be able to find what you need. Of course this blog is not meant to scare you from ever visiting Florida in Summer as there are so many perks, but we do need to prepare you because hurricanes are apart of the Florida climate. If you are staying in a Vacation Rental property it would be a good idea to chat with the host about their Hurricane plans. You will want to know if there are hurricane-proof windows or an action plan for shutters to be put up. You may want to find out what the cancellation or rescheduling options are in case a hurricane is coming during your stay.