Top Tips for Staying Cool in a Brazilian Summer

Although those ice-cold beers and delicious caipirinhas are thirst-quenching in the moment, they are sure to leave you parched later on. Be smart and consume at least one cup of water for every other drink you have throughout the day. Your body will thank you for it.

Even if your hostel or hotel doesn’t have a pool, there are some options for a day pass available at other locales. Some beach clubs and spas make it easy for travelers to buy a day pass to cool off for a nominal fee. Ask the concierge at any major hotel if there’s a day pass option.

Water is the perfect companion in a travel-size, spray bottle form for a quick and discreet cool down even in the hottest of temperatures. Spritz your wrists first and then back of your neck for an instant relief. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a lightly scented refresh.

Heavy foods take longer to digest, but a salad or assortment of fruits will be easier to absorb, and provides more water in a diet. For an added bonus, that sluggish feeling won’t come creeping around after lunch.

Spicy food may not be the first inclination to cool down, but it can actually provide mild relief. Food spiced with chili peppers contains capsaicin, a chemical compound that makes you sweat just a bit easier. When your sweat evaporates it provides a little relief from the heat. Worth a try, right?

Desperate for some relief from the summer heat but the A/C is down (or worse, never worked in the first place)? Try filling a sock with rice and letting it sit in the freezer for at least two hours before bedtime. When it’s time to rest, just put the rice between the sheets or right at the foot of the bed for some cool relief. Don’t have rice? Then consider chilling a water bottle or even your pillow case.

Even if sunscreen is aplenty, aloe vera can still bring relief. Use the gel as a daily lotion and enjoy the delightful cooling sensation throughout the day. Best of all, skin gets super-hydrated. Consider adding the aloe vera gel to your spray bottle for a quick on-the-go chill.

Água de Coco is ubiquitous throughout Brazil, so pick one up instead of a beer during the next beach day. If you’re feeling confident, ask for one super gelado (ice-cold) for an extra cool down.