Jan 26, 2020

6 Tips to Avoid a Severe Sunburn During the Dry Season in Costa Rica

If you haven’t already noticed or you’ve yet to visit during Costa Rica’s winter, which is between December and April, the sun is incredibly intense. This time of the year is noted for its consistently clear blue skies, offshore winds, and blazing sunshine. Between the weather being highly predictable, unlike other in months, and Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Easter, this is a very popular time to visit Costa Rica. Hence why it is also known as High Season.

There are few things worse during a beach vacation than to score a severe sunburn. If the proper precautions aren’t taken, this is a real possibility, especially if you have light or sensitive skin.

But, fear not! Avoiding a severe sunburn during Costa Rica’s dry season isn’t all that difficult. All you have to do is follow the following tips.

Regularly reapply sunscreen

First and foremost, you should only be using sunscreen that contains ONLY zinc oxide and titanium oxide. Any other active ingredients are highly detrimental to the ocean environment, especially the coral reefs.

SIMPLE Apotheca is a local Playa Grande brand that makes and sells amazing and highly effective all-natural mineral sunscreen if you forgot to bring some from home or realize the sunscreen you brought is actually toxic.

It is important to reapply sunscreen at least every two hours and right after swimming once your skin has dried off. Being diligent about this will save you from suffering later!

Wear a sun shirt and hat

An easy way to protect your skin and save you from having to put on so much sunscreen is to wear a lightweight and fast-drying sun shirt or rash guard when you are at the beach or in the sea. Wearing a hat is never a bad call either. Frijoles Locos, the local surf shop up the road from the RipJack Inn, has a lot of rash guard and hat options if you didn’t pack any.

Seek or make shade

As you will see, there is not a whole lot of shade on the beach in Playa Grande, and often the wind is a bit too strong for an umbrella (also, staking an umbrella deep into the sand is potentially dangerous if there are leatherback sea turtle eggs buried). There is a cluster of palm trees halfway down the beach to the north, as well as some shade spots at the end of the beach near the big rock.

There are a lot of innovative shade tents and canopies on the market though that are also easy to pack. You can find some of these on Amazon if you want to plan and bring something down with you. You’ll definitely last longer at the beach, and your skin will thank you if you can make some shade.

Avoid peak sun intensity hours

According to the American Skin Association between 10 AM and 4 PM, the sun is at its peak intensity. You will undoubtedly feel this in Guanacaste. If you don’t have a source of shade on the beach, it is best to limit or avoid roasting in direct sunlight during these hours.

The heat of the day is a perfect time to take a nap, read in a hammock, take a tour that doesn’t involve the beach, attend a yoga class, or enjoy a long lunch at a shaded restaurant.

Don’t try to get tan

Even if you wear sunscreen, a shirt, a hat, and spend some time in the shade, you will still get sun on your skin. If you try and get a tan, you will likely burn. Just being outside, on the beach, in the ocean, or doing any of the other amazing activities available in Costa Rica, you will return home tanner than you came.

Embrace sunrise and sunset

Sunrise and sunset are genuinely glorious times of the day to be on the beach in Playa Grande. The sun’s intensity is lightened, the temperature is cooler, and the sky is swirled with colors other than blue. You are also far less likely to scorch your skin earlier and later in the day.

Happy beaching!

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Jan 12, 2020

The Best Type of Yoga for You (Today)

When you look at a yoga schedule, you might be surprised by all the different types of yoga classes available. If you are new to yoga or have only practiced one or two types of yoga, you might also be left wondering what exactly each of these different types of practices entails, and which one is the best type of yoga for you.

The beauty of yoga is that yoga is for everyone. And depending on what yoga means to you and what you are seeking on a particular day, week, month or year, there is a class or several types of classes that are well-suited for you. To choose the best type of yoga for you, it is helpful to understand what each one is and what you can expect from a practice.

At the end of this article, you’ll find a link to a quiz that can help further point you in the right direction.

The following four types of yoga are regularly offered at the RipJack Inn. If you are in Playa Grande for four days or more, why not try them all!

The Best Type of Yoga for You

Vinyasa Flow

Vinyasa flow can be summed up as a yoga practice that involves breath to fluid movement. You will flow from one posture to the next in a varied sequence that is likely to be different in every class you take. You can expect several sun salutations and short holds if any.

This is an ideal class for you if you like to move, want to build your strength, improve your balance, and increase your flexibility. Depending on the instructor, some classes are more challenging than others. You might even see classes labeled “power vinyasa,” which indicates the class is faster paced.

A vinyasa flow is an excellent workout, as well as a lovely way to get out of your head.

Hatha

Hatha yoga is a very traditional form of yoga in which many modern yoga practices are derived from. Hatha harmoniously blends breath, movement, and meditation into one sweet practice. This is a great type of yoga for beginners, as it is a bit slower-paced and really focuses on the basic and essential yoga postures.

Yin

A yin yoga practice is a meditative and passive practice that involves holding poses for longer periods of time. By holding certain poses for several minutes, the benefits of the practice are targeted at the connective tissues in the body and can greatly benefit the pelvis, hips, spine, and lower back. Yin yoga is especially blissful as an end-of-the-day practice.

Restorative

Restorative yoga is similar to yin in that it is a passive practice in which you hold poses. However, in a restorative practice, you might hold poses upwards of twenty-minutes. This very gentle practice usually involves props such as bolsters, blankets, straps, and pillows. Restorative yoga is truly a treat for your mind, body, and soul.

Everyone has different personalities, different bodies, different physical limitations or injuries, and different reasons for wanting to practice yoga. How you feel physically and emotionally can also vary from day-to-day. What’s so unique about yoga is that there is a type of yoga that is best for you for every unique variation of you.

What Kind of Yoga is Right for You Quiz

Stay tuned for a follow-up on four other types of yoga commonly offered at yoga studios and on yoga retreats.

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