5 Things You Need to Know to Endure a Category 1 Hurricane

So you booked a trip during Caribbean Hurricane Season? We thought we were in the clear, but in late October, you can’t be too sure. Follow these tips and you can “comfortably” get through a Category 1!

1. At the moment they declare the state of emergency, they halt all liquor sales.  Our advice, the moment they tell you there is a tropical storm coming up, hit the tequila bar and stock up!  Do not fail to prepare.  You could be stuck, for say 36 hours without power, no TV, no phone chargers; and if you do not heed our advice you will be stuck without alcohol as well.

Sister side note (ssn) – this is known as pre-hurricane ley seca (dry law) and it sucks! Ley Seca is also in effect for election day (yikes!!) and the 24 hours leading up to it! America wouldn’t survive!

2. When Mexico says essential workers only, they damn well mean it.  No bars, no restaurants, no 7-11.  Essential to them means police and emergency workers only (unless you are at a touristy resort, then it also means your front desk staff).  But differing from America, they take workers safety seriously.  So stock up on food, meds, bottled water and supplies to get you through, there will be no grocery stores or pharmacies open.

ssn – and when the power goes out in your hotel, there is no filtered water and no water in the toilet. At least until the generator comes on (if it comes on). Take the opportunity to charge cell phones, battery backups, laptops, etc. Download books & movies. Turn phones off when not needed or switch to airplane mode to preserve the battery. Also, keep in mind hotel rooms don’t have candles or flashlights.

3. Make sure you have cash.  ATM’s shut down, and you do not know how long they will be down.  Many businesses will reopen as soon as possible, because they need the money; however, without power, they will be re-opening for cash only sales.  Prepare for not just the hurricane, but the days that follow.

4. Stay off the dang beach!  Yes, it looks cool, we know, the waves, the grey skies, the wind. . . you want to selfie.  We know, it’s exciting, it’s your first hurricane, you gotta show people you were there.  DON’T!! JUST DON’T!!! Do not be a dumb tourist.

ssn – she says this but doesn’t mention the rooftop pool. While this was a very popular place to be (until the winds really picked up) it probably wasn’t smart. Experts say to stay in an interior room, away from windows.

Classic “Do as I say, not as I do”

5. Do not, and I cannot stress this enough, do not kill your husband during a hurricane.  I know it will be tempting.  His CPAP machine doesn’t work, so he snores; he’s pissy about not having alcohol or street tacos for 36 hours; he’s hot and sweaty; he’s farty and gross.  Do NOT kill him; you will regret it later when you are locked up in a Mexican jail

Plus, body removal is not an essential service (unless your sister is there to help but then again, see #4, stay off the beach).

Blame it on the rain, that was fallin’, fallin’. Blame it on the stars that didn’t shine at night. But whatever you do, don’t put the blame on you. Blame it on the rain. Yeah, yeah.

~Milli Vanilli

While Hurricane Zeta was only a Category 1, we still felt the nerves and uncertainty of what could happen. Plus, we were astonishingly sober! We hope these tips help and that you won’t fear booking an amazing Caribbean trip during hurricane season!

Check out our other adventures from this trip!

• Tulum
• Yucatan Peninsula
• Playa del Carmen
• Isla Holbox 1 and Isla Holbox 2