Must Have Travel Item when Visiting the Tropics

This will help transform your cheap hotel into something decent. When I first got to central America nobody told me I was going to be part of the menu. So I immediately bought a mosquito net. Spending your night with mosquitoes eating you alive is no fun; and very few hostels and hotels have them. I picked up my mosquito net for 10 dollars in Panama before my first night. I new it was going to be an issue, so I immediately took matters into my own hands.

With malaria, dengue fever, and other mosquito related problems in these parts of the world, you would think that a little preparation or concern would be on the minds of the inhabitants. But no, not really. I've now spent almost 3 years living and traveling in South and Central America. What it has taught me is that the Latino culture, is some of the most complacent in the world.

They are so incredibly good at ignoring any way to raise their standard of living other than what someone else can do for them. They are surprisingly content with what is. Whether that means a donkey, a hammock, and a chicken shack for the rest of their lives, it is what it is.

On the other hand they are some of the most caring people on the planet and I highly respect their family values. They value their families more than anything. They get along well, and stick together. (Even though the men religiously cheat on their wives, and prostitution is legal)

Below is a photo of my bed in San Juan Del Sur Nicaragua, one hour after unpacking. If you're traveling through the tropics, carry a mosquito net it could literally keep you out of the hospital.