Here is a great guide to shed some light on how to tan safely and how to enjoy your Dominican Republic vacation without going over board with the sun so your family and you can get the most out of the long hot Caribbean days that are just waiting for you all…

Sunlight and UV Rays
One of the nicest moments about coming on vacation, must be when you walk from your hotel room, in beach clothes or swimming attire and then feel the glorious rays of the sun on your face and back.  It seems forever since you last felt the sun this way and how good it feels too.

We all know that the sun’s rays give us a major source of Vitamin D which helps the body make calcium, and build strong bones, but it doesn’t take that long to gain this benefit from the sun, so we do not from a medical stand point, have to stay in the sun for hour upon hour to rejuvenate our bodies. This in fact can have negative effects on our bodies and in turn become dangerous.  Results can vary from our skin being damaged, our eyes suffering, immune system suppression and even cancer (and there is no age limit on cancer).

Let’s take a look at the type of different sun rays.  There are 3 kinds of ultraviolet (UV) rays and all are invisible and all reach planet earth UVA, UVB and UVC.
Effects from UVA and UVB sun rays give us a sun tan but they can also give us burns, acne and cancer, so we need at all times to protect our skin from this.

Depending where we are in the world too affects the strength of UV rays and also the season, time of day in relation to the sun and our planet. For example the altitude and latitude of some countries will receive stronger and more intense UV light and rays than other places.  Countries closer to the equator, of which the Dominican Republic is one such country, experiences stronger UV rays due to its latitude  near the equator.  During summer time UV rays are at their strongest and also between the hours of 10.00am to 4.00pm.  Countries with high altitudes (where cloud and air cover are less) have an increased penetration of UV rays too.

We must protect ourselves from the harmful UV rays and help our body’s natural defense mechanisms.  The skins first defense is the production of melanin.  This is a chemical reaction and melanin is present in everybody in a variety of colors and concentrations.  Melanin reacts with UV sun rays and absorbs them.  This will cause the melanin to spread out or grow thus giving us a sun tan.  The darker the skin color then the more melanin the skin has for protection.

Be Careful
Tanning looks great on the surface but look a little deeper to see what over tanning can do to a person’s body!  If you are exposed in great length to the sun, then the greater the damage will be.  People who are exposed to the sun on a regular basis, like ship crews, surfers, field and farm workers are at a higher risk of sun skin damage than indoor workers.  What happens to people who work outside is that the amount of UV exposure is greater than what the skins melanin can handle, this will result in sunburn amongst other long term damage.  Those people with lighter and fairer skins who have less melanin being produced, usually can absorb a lot less UV rays, these people will need more protection especially when on vacation! So watch out and lube up!

Help is at Hand with SPF’s

We can help our skin by using a sun screen product which will give us some protection against UV rays. When buying a sun screen product look at the number on the products label, this is the SPF number or the sun protection number.  Sunscreen products can be made up of ingredients just for protection against UVA rays however it is the UVB rays that we need to really watch out for.  So look for a sun screen product that gives protection against both UVA and UVB rays. The SPF listed on the product label tells us the minimum amount of UVB sunlight required with that product in order for redness to first appear on our skin after we have applied the sun screen, versus the length of time bare skin or skin without the product applied would take to redden.

In other words the SPF number tells people how long they can last in the sun with protection for their skin without getting burned.  Here is an example formula for calculating SPF’s:

12 minutes X 15 SPF = 180 minutes (3 hours)

Sunscreen products with a higher SPF provide more protection against the sun.

Tanning Safely

We are by no means qualified medical practitioners, but take a look at the tanning safely guide to protect your family, kids and yourselves especially babies and younger children.

Shaving – Avoid shaving right before you decide to put on your sun tan cream to avoid irritation.

Streaking – Be careful of going in the pool or ocean just after you have applied your sun screen as this could result in getting streaks and leaving parts of your body not as well covered as the rest!

Applying – Work in small areas and in even strokes rub in your sun tan product and don’t be stingy! Be generous! Remember to apply protection to your ears, face, lips (you can use a lip balm), neck, shoulders nose and other small areas.
You should try to apply your sun tan lotion 30 minutes before you are going out into the sun.  Re-apply every 2 or 3 hours afterwards or after you have been in the water, showered etc.

Water Proof/No Sweat Sun Screen – You still need to re apply this kind of sun protection cream even though many products sell themselves saying you don’t have to.  I have to say I am not happy with water proof sun creams.  I used a child friendly one a while ago on my toddler, it did not allow his skin to breath and he got really overheated and got a nasty sun rash.  Please use these with caution, I thought they would be great for kids as they are in and out of the water all day, but I will avoid them as I feel they do more harm than good by not allowing our skins to breath properly or sweat.

Watch out for Stains on Your Clothes – Be careful when using products that contain: padimate O, lisadimate, aminobenzoic acid or roxadimate.  These agents could cause discoloration and stain your clothes a yellowish color.

Eye Protection – Sunglasses! You can buy now pretty good sun glasses that offer UV protection – even for youngsters! It is worth investing in a decent pair.

Babies and Young Kids – Young children burn more easily because of their thinner skin and that their melanin development is slower.  It does not matter the skin color of your baby.  My toddler is very dark skinned and he will still burn.  Do not put on sun screen on babies younger than 6 months of age.  Use protective clothing for your toddlers etc.  The swim suits with UV protection are great, Hats, Caps etc.  Remember the back of their necks and legs too.

High SPF’s – Simple rule of thumb – the higher the SPF the greater the protection offered, you should always go for an SPF of 15 or more anyway.

First Aid Sun Tips
Heat stroke, heat sickness, dehydration and fainting can all result in too much sun, and a sun burn may not be present either!  Fever, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting can also be symptoms, if you are feeling a little off color then go to your nearest doctor or clinic to get yourself checked out.

Sunburn Relief- For sunburns first drink plenty of fluids.  Go for something clear and cool, like water and not coke.  Make a cool compress or soak in cool water – not cold.  Do not use soap on your skin as this can irritate it.  Do not apply butter or any form of grease onto your sun burn this is an old wives tale.  You can though try cucumber slices, or natural yoghurt as both have cooling properties.

Try and find an after sun or moisturizer containing aloe vera one of the best natural resources against any kind of burn.

A lot of people ask "When is the best time to visit the Dominican Republic?"

Well, quite simple really...the DR is a year round holiday destination with average temperatures a beautiful and balmy 27 degrees centigrade. Of course, these days it is impossible to avoid the climate's growing unpredictability.

Source, Fort Collins, Colorado, April 12, 2011  - The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season is predicted to be "very active" with a forecast of five major hurricanes of Category 3 or stronger anticipated throughout 2011. This latest forecast from Philip Klotzbach and William Gray of the Colorado State University is generally thought to be the most reliable forecast barometer and is widely respected. "The probability of U.S. major hurricane landfall is estimated to be about 140 percent of the long-period average," said the scientists, who issue several seasonal hurricane forecasts each year "to satisfy the curiosity of the general public and to bring attention to the hurricane problem." Hurricane season officially begins in the Atlantic on June 1 and ends November 30 although

Recent storms and showers throughout the Dominican Republic have finally bought an end to the 5 month drought the country has been facing since the turn of the new year. This past week has seen a series of fronts move over the island bringing with them some amazing thunder storms.  Heavy rainfall during this period has eased the situation considerably not least in filling most of the country's dams, and it is expected that their full level will be reached over the next few days. Director of The Dams & Canals Agency Frank Rodriguez stated that the the current situation is most encouraging and that continuing forecasts for rain over Hispaniola should help ease the situation throughout the entire island. The drought this winter season has been most unusual as the Dominican Republic has pretty much enjoyed sun filled days since Christmas of last year.

The Dominican Republic lies between the Tropic of Cancer and the Equator, at 18.30N Latitude and 69.59W Longitude (Santo Domingo). Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the north coast and the Caribbean Sea to the south, the DR enjoys a year round tropical maritime climate.

The terrain in the Dominican Republic varies greatly, from the highest mountain in the Caribbean at over 10,000 feet to the lowest elevation at Lago Enriquillo at 140 feet below sea level. With three mountain ranges dissecting the island, deserts, tropical rainforests, coastal swamps, and spectacular beaches, there are varying temperatures that divide the island into two seasons: summer and winter.

The winter season (November to April) brings cooler temperatures and more rainfall, with the summer months of May through October being hotter and dryer. Rainstorms are regular in any tropical climate and usually don't last long so it doesn't deter vacationers, and can bring a welcome coolness during a hot sunny day. Average high temperatures during the winter months are 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius), with lows averaging 20 Celsius (68 Fahrenheit) in the evenings. The summer temperatures can be much higher especially in the coastal beach areas, and 100F is not unusual during the day, "cooling" down to around 85-90F in the evenings. Generally January and February are the coolest months, with August and September being the hottest.  The temperature gauges can of course soar in the desert regions and have been recorded at up to 43 celsius (110F). Some of the mountainous regions have recorded temperatures as low as 0 degrees Celsius (32F) and the occasional frost can be experienced at the summit of Pico Duarte.

We cannot talk about climate without mentioning hurricanes! As with all Caribbean islands, the Dominican Republic is geographically situated in an area that can experience hurricanes. The hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th in this area of the Atlantic and Caribbean (click here to read more on Dominican Republic Hurricanes). Historically the south coast of the island has experienced more hurricane activity over the years than the north coast.  Hurricane George (Category 3) in September 1998 was the last major storm to do devastation to the south and east of the island, as did Hurricane David (Category 5) in August 1979. Hurricane Jeanne (Category 1) in September 2004, did some minor damage to the north coast but in the history of the "cane", the north of the island maintains a relatively hurricane free climate.

In summary, the Dominican Republic enjoys typically warm Caribbean temperatures year round, and is a fascinating and incredibly beautiful island. The geological diversity adds to its colourful flavour and gives a myriad of options to cater to any taste of travellers from all over the world, who chose the Dominican Republic as their destination.

What are Hurricanes?

Do not Panic, Hurricanes are trackable and predicted paths are now very accurate

A hurricane is a massive storm with super heavy winds.  By definition, they contain winds in excess of 74 miles per hour up to 186 miles per hour and can be up to 600 miles across with the strong winds spiraling inward and upward.
Not just bringing forth heavy winds, large and excessive areas of rainfall are present too.  Hurricanes also have the potential to produce and spawn dangerous tornadoes. By combining both elements of wind and rain abnormal rises in sea level and flooding are common occurrences.
Hurricanes normally form from late summer to early autumn/fall time when conditions are right and the ocean water temperature has warmed up enough. Hurricanes gather heat and energy through contact with warm ocean waters and evaporation from the seawater increases their power potential.  The ocean water has to be above 79 degrees F.

How are Hurricanes formed?

Hurricanes begin as tropical storms over the warm moist waters of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans which are near to the equator. Hurricanes will only ever form over warm ocean waters (above 79F).  The atmosphere (air) must cool off quickly the higher you go, the wind must be blowing in the same direction and at the same speed to enable the air to be forced upwards from the ocean surface. The moisture continues to rise until enormous amounts of heated air are twisted high into the atmosphere.  The winds commence circling in an anti-counter clockwise direction north of the equator and in a clockwise direction south of the equator (here hurricanes are known as typhoons).

As long as the hurricane stays over warm waters it will continue to pull in moisture from the ocean surface and grow in size and force.   When a hurricane hits land or crosses over cooler waters it will lose it’s source of power and the winds will gradually slow until they are no longer of hurricane strength – in other words less than 74 miles per hour.

What is the difference between a hurricane, a typhoon and a cyclone?

.......Nothing really – except geography!

Hurricanes typically form between 5 to 15 degrees latitude north and south of the equator.
In the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, hurricanes are formed in the warm waters off the coasts of Central America and Gulf of Mexico. Eastern and Central Pacific storms are called hurricanes.
In the Western Pacific Ocean they are called typhoons.
In the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and Australia they are called cyclones.

When does Hurricane Season Start and Finish?

Most hurricanes occur during fall/autumn months however the official dates for hurricane season in the Atlantic is from June 1^st to November 30^th.
The Eastern Pacific hurricane season is slightly different from May 15^th to November 30^th.

Hurricane Names

Before 1953 hurricanes were identified by using their latitude and longitude positioning, not only was this a mouthful to say all the time but subject to error too when relaying this information to coast guards, ships at sea and weather stations.
A much simpler method came into place after 1953 by giving Atlantic Tropical Storms a proper name.  The names are originated from the National Hurricane Centre.  An international committee of the World Meteorological Organisation maintains and updates the names.
The original lists only featured women’s name however in 1979 men’s names were introduced (equality at last!) and they alternate with the women’s names.  Six lists are used in rotation, so for example the 2006 list will be used again in 2012.
The only time that there is a change in the listings is if a storm so horrific and life costing has occurred and that the future repeating of that name would be inappropriate for sensitivity, that name is thus removed.   Several names have been removed since the lists were created.  On the 2004 list which will be used again in 2010 Gaston has replaced Georges (which hit the Dominican Republic) and Mathew has replaced Mitch.  On the 2006 list Kirk has replaced Keith.
If in the event that more than 21 named tropical storms occur in the Atlantic then additional storms will take their names from the Greek alphabet, Alpha, Beta, Gamma etc.,.
Here is the list for Worldwide tropical cyclone names:-

Hurricane Hunters

Hurricane Stages are as follows

•  Tropical Wave
  A low pressure trough moving generally westward with the trade winds
• Tropical Disturbance
  An organized area of thunderstorms that usually forms in the tropics. Typically, they maintain their identity for 24 hours and are accompanied by heavy rains and gusty winds
• Tropical Cyclone
  A generic term for any organized low pressure that develops over tropical and sometimes sub-tropical waters. Tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes are all example of tropical cyclones
• Tropical Depression
  An organized area of low pressure in which sustained winds are 38 mph or less
• Tropical Storm
  A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained wind speeds that range from 39 to 73 mph
• Hurricane
  A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of at least 74 mph.

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

Please note: information provided by the NOAA.

What to do if a hurricane is approaching