I keep thinking that this trip was months away but it’s creeped up so fast that I didn’t realize it’s next month… 

When we first started planning for the Galápagos, I thought I would be mostly looking at major travel health risks like exotic diseases and vaccines. Like doesn’t that make sense? Remote islands and a bunch of animals just seem like you’d need a shot of some kind to protect yourself.

But there was a nagging feeling that I was forgetting something though…

Was it an infectious disease I had forgotten to look into?

Or maybe medications we didn’t prepare?

The more I looked into my partner’s tour itinerary the more I realized I didn’t need to overprepare on vaccines or medications. The biggest travel health risks weren’t the ones I was expecting.

It was actually the little things I was forgetting about.

Not a disease, not medications, but rather all the small annoying things that could quietly ruin a trip.

1. Motion Sickness

Motion sickness is my number 1 enemy when it comes to travelling. Though it’s gotten better for me as I grew older, it has traumatized me enough in the past to know that I need to prepare for this.

Through the excitement of seeing new animals in the Galápagos, I anticipate that people can forget about all the travelling that needs to be done to see these animals.

The itinerary includes flights, shuttle buses, ferries, boats, and more buses. 

These aren’t always going to be short rides. Nor are they necessarily going to be smooth rides. After all, we’re going into the wilds here. Don’t expect paved roads on the islands.

Travel days can start early and include a lot of movement and transfers. It’s easy to catch motion sickness especially if you’re prone like me.

So pack yourself some anti-nauseants because even though you can likely buy them there, you’re better off using what you are familiar with.

2. The Sun

Maybe this one was a bit more obvious but you’d be surprised at how many people I see choose tanning over protecting their skin.

Limit your time in the sun if you can because you’re near the equator!! The UV exposure is going to be intense and you are going to regret it if you don’t listen to me and slap on your sunscreen.

I see it all the time with travellers that escape rainy cities and want colour on their skin while they’re on vacation.

USE YOUR SUNSCREEN!

The tour will also have so many long days outdoors with activities like hiking and snorkeling, you need to be wearing sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 and wear UV protective clothing if possible. I’d recommend packing some thin long sleeved clothing if you have them.

3. Group Tours

Group tours can be a melting pot of problems. Think about it. A mish mash of strangers that may or may not get along with each other can bring a host of social problems (but that’s a different story). They can also bring health issues of their own as well.

Infectious diseases like the flu can easily spread among people travelling within close quarters. 

You’re eating together, moving together, sharing rooms together. It’s so easy for viruses to pass between one another. Make sure you’re on top of your hand hygiene.

Another thing about group tours is the pacing. It’s nice that all the planning is done for you but this creates another problem when it comes to wanting to enjoy the vacation at the level of health your body allows. 

Not everyone is capable of following a long trek if they have a chronic disease or decreased fitness. This can create a pressure to keep up with the group and overexertion. You’ll be unable to take a break whenever you want during the tour, as opposed to travelling on your own schedule. You don’t really get a chance to say, “I think I’ll take it easy today”.

Going into this trip, I thought travel health planning would mostly involve vaccines and tropical diseases.

Instead I ended up thinking more about boats, sunscreen, and how much energy it takes to keep up with a tour. Usually it isn’t one dramatic thing that ruins your vacation.

It’s five small things stacking together.

So while I’m still bringing medications and thinking about vaccines…I’m also packing anti-nauseants and sunscreen.