raining on vacation

Rainy Day Vacay Ideas

rainy day vacation ideas[trip style = sun + beach + urban]

You're playing with your kiddies by the pool in Kauai...and it rains. You're weekending in Cali...and it rains. You're sightseeing in Paris...and it rains.

What do you do when it rains for a day or the whole week while on vacation?

A few days of rain are manageable. A tropical vacation marred by daily torrential downpours is disappointing when you hoped for sun and sand. Six years ago my husband and I booked a last-minute, all-inclusive getaway in the Dominican Republic during hurricane season. We were worried about the forecasted tormentas {translation: fairly significant rain storm}, however, we knew this was a risk given the season. When we got there, the weather reports continued to talk tormentas, but in reality that week it meant: sun until 3pm, storm from 3-5pm, early evening sunsets and clear, balmy nights. Not too shabby. I wasn't so luck in Paris, it rained chats and chiens nearly the entire time---good excuse to go back?

Vacation Rainy Day Ideas As I write this list, I'm sitting in my casita looking out at the pooling rain on my balcony {pictured above} at the Fairmont Mayakoba {my review here} hoping the rain will stop. It got worse.

  • Read a book
  • Flip through your magazines
  • Surf the web
  • Catch up on emails
  • Write your friends and family with a vacation update
  • Embrace the rain and just go for it outside: in the pool, in the ocean {lightning and wind permitting} or pounding the pavement
  • Go see a movie, watch TV, or view something on your laptop or tablet {Hulu.com is a lifesaver if you are in the US!}
  • Go shopping
  • Book an impromptu service at the spa
  • When in doubt, eat
  • If you're in a Vacation Rental with a kitchen, go out and get ingredients for a fabulous gourmet meal and then spend all day making it
  • Play a game
  • Go to the gym
  • Take a nap
  • Go wine tasting, or create your own wine tasting experience at a restaurant if you aren't near a wine region
  • Take an opportunity to leave a comment card complimenting a staff member who has made your stay memorable
  • Catch up on your Trip Styler reading {just had to sneak that in}
  • Use Skype or Google Talk's 'call phone' to catch up with someone

How to Avoid Being Snaked by Rain

  • Check the weather forecast before you go to mentally prepare yourself
  • Create a list before you go of things you could do *if* it rains
  • Book a last-min vacation so you can check the weather outlook before you leave
  • Maintain a good attitude {I know, this one is cheesy, but turning a negative into a positive is good for the soul}

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[Photo by @tripstyler, taken on a very rainy day at the Fairmont Mayakoba]