OSEA Ethnography Field School. Field Study Abroad for anthropology students seeking training in research methodologies. OSEA Travel guide for Yucatán, Chichén Itzá, Cancun, Maya Riviera. Travel information for hotels in Cancun. Bus Schedule for Chichén Itzá, Maya Riviera Hotels, Tulum hotels and bus Schedule, Tulum travel information. Ethnography equipment research guide. Study abroad preparation for travel. Cancun Tips, Playa del Carmen Travel Advise, Cancun Airport, Merida Airport. Cozumel, Cruise port. Meridan En Domingo. hotels in Playa del Carmen, travel advise Chichen Itza, hotels in Piste, Yucatan, things to do in Chichen Itza, Balankanche

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Passports & Visas
Getting To Yucatan
Choosing Airlines & Airports
Guide Books & Online
Travel Agencies & Insurance
Climate & Your Health
Money & Banking
Telephones
Electricity & Equipment
Preparation & Clothing
Personal Items
Equipment & Supplies
Quick Checklist To Bring
Gifts for Homestay Families

On Arrival at Airport
Bus Travel & Stations
Getting Around Mérida

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OSEA Travel to Guide Yucatán and Maya Riviera

Preparation

The climate of Yucatan is ferocious, all the more so if you live in northern climates. Even persons from Texas on the program have remarked on how the heat can be quite harsh. If possible you should consider living without air conditioning (AC) for at least a month before arrival. If you do not begin to acclimatize to the heat and sun, you will most likely become incapacited for the first week or two of the field school-- this is especially true if the program starts in July after having become accustomed to summer heat and AC. Programs that start in Maya arrive just after or still during the very hottest and driest period of the year -- temperatures sometimes are as high as 40 celsius.

You must learn to live without AC in order to remain healthy, active, energized, mentally alert, and productive while in the field. This is a serious preparation that can be supplemented with mid-day exercises when the heat/sun is at its most intense and or daily or other frequent saunas or engage in frequent activities in similar conditions. Marie from Texas once suggested a regimen of using a blow drier on your face for 20 minutes every morning! While we do not endorse this habit, please: Do not use the AC, especially at night, before coming to Yucatan. Do not take this preparation lightly.

 


 

Weather
The weather in Yucatán is HUMID and usually ranges 90-100 degrees F, yet at night the temperature can drop substantially. This change can feel quite dramatic especially if one spends quite a bit of time in the sun during the day. Cancun has many U.S. brand name stores with high quality but less expensive items for both males and female. Thus you may want to shop there for some items; Pisté has a great variety of t-shirts that can be cheaply purchased.

JANUARY and FEBRUARY can be COLD. The temperature is not that cold, however the humidity makes the low temperatures quite fierce. Rains will also cause deep chills. Thus, bring fleece or synthetic shirts that can keep you warm during the nights. Sleeping in hammocks also makes the winter cold all that much COLDER.

APRIL and MAY are the hottest months of the year. And DRY! Unlike the summer humidity, this heat is “dry” — well, according to Yucatec standards. At least all the mosquitoes are killed because the heat and the burning of the fields.

JUNE, JULY, AUGUST are very hot months but also very humid. For some, particularly those who dont sweat or don't like to sweat, humid heat seems much more intense and even hotter than dry heat. Yucatan is not actually the hottest region of Mexico, Monterrey is the hottest. The difference is similar to steam sauna versus dry sauna. Your clothing choices should be made on the basis of this climate. Note further, the summer is humid because it is the rainy season! However, the tropical thunderstorms and rains are condensed to relatively brief periods of the day -- up to 20 minutes or so -- and are not at all like a rainy Seattle day that is non-stop drizzling alternating with downpours.

REMEMBER: The sun is VERY hot there and is much closer, thus its effects are much more immediate and intense!!! Thus, you may consider bringing a hat and/or clothing that provides extra protection from the sun.

 


 

Clothing

What to Pack

  • SPORTS / skirts / summer dresses.

  • T-SHIRTS / loose blouses / tank tops-- clothing for hot summer days and nights

  • Comfortable yet durable walking shoes, tennis shoes and or sandals. Some people like the $120 designer sandals but $10 sandals from your K-Mart, Walmart, or Target are also perfect for everyday summer use. Think of these as expendable items that may get destroyed and perhaps be left behind to leave room in your luggage upon return.

  • Long comfortable pants: bring both a light pair to wear during the day in the city if there is any plans on being indoors or going out at night, and two light yet DURABLE pairs (such as jeans) for everyday use.

  • Night Wear: A loose, long-sleeve t-shirt, loose longjohns/underwear and or LIGHT pajamas to avoid misquitos. Something to cover up yet light enough to endure the HEAT inside the house.

  • A light jacket, sweater, pullover or similar for very cool nights (for December through February and early summer). It is important to have a warm sports or hiking jacket/pullover, made of fleece or similar for traveling on buses and for use at the beach . At night the weather drops 30-40 degrees sometimes. Thus even if the temperature is typically at 50 degrees on the bus or at night, one acclimatizes to 105 degrees during the summer day and thus will react to this drop as uncomfortable cold. This is especially true in June before it gets really hot and in July and August, September when the hurrican and rains cool down and everyone in town gets SICK from the weather change. This is the period of time of colds and flus (the canicula)--- bring your echineaca, vitamin C and garlic pills.

  • Light rain apparel or wind breaker for tropical rain storms/showers might be suggested according to personal preferences. Summer rain storms are quick and furious and are generally endured indoors untilthey pass; in other words, some might not ever want to use rain gear.

  • SPORTS APPAREL: bring sports shorts, shirts, t-shirts and tank tops, shoes, socks, etc. so as to participate in volleyball, basketball, futbol, running as you wish.

  • CAVE EXPLORATION: you may be invited to go explore a cave or cenote, or hike deep into the jungle forest so bring appropriate items for such activities. Strong recreational sandals are recommended for all purposes.

  • Bathing and beach apparel. Bring towels: one for beach, 1-2 for everyday use, a washcloth, etc. as needed.

  • CHURCH: you should also bring some clothing that is to be kept clean and nice for special occasions, such as church or a special dinner/event. NOTHING excessively formal nor elegant; rather, something just presentably clean, dressed-up casual is sufficient.

  • Long sleeve shirt for the evenings and/or more formal situations in Cancun & Mérida (nightlife if you're into it).

  • Remember that clothes washing is done by HAND with a SCRUB on a ROCK SURFACE that will quickly destroy delicate fabrics. You will want to handwash your own undergarments and other delicate items.

 


 

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