Getting To Know Amsterdam: Quick Tips For First-Time Visitors

BY  Sibashree Sep 7, 2023

Summers are warm. However, Scorching heat in certain places has highlighted them as heat wave zones. With heat wave temperatures across many areas worldwide, we are reminded that climate change is a global phenomenon. A significant health risk, heat wave zones make it difficult for people to travel, stay, enjoy, or perform professional liabilities. I will identify certain important factors that influence travel plans, health risks, and ways in which you can be safe from heat waves. The conditions that are being observed across the world in some beautiful vacation-worthy locations are serious! They can impact your health and lifestyle. So, read the article to learn about the dangerous conditions that will likely affect your travel plans. Things To Keep In Mind While Traveling To Heat Wave Zones! Across the world, many places are currently heating up! Several tourist destinations and other places in Asia, Europe and the United States have heat wave temperatures. Officials in countries like France and Italy in Europe have issued health warnings. I am not saying it is highly risky, but the probability of the situation becoming risky is high! If you are visiting one of the heat wave zones, you may not be able to stick to your original plan. Let's explore further the precautions you might take to be safe when you visit or have to visit a heat wave zone! What Are Heat Waves? The increasing global temperature has led to people experiencing some of the hottest days! According to the weather reports, the heat intensifying in several countries worldwide has led to people fainting, sunburns, and health concerns such as sunstroke. It is identified as a heat wave, especially when the temperature in June 2023 was recorded as the warmest in the global records. The increasing heat wave temperatures have significantly impacted water supplies, agriculture, ecosystems, energy, human health, and economies. One of the major reasons for heat waves has been greenhouse gas emissions, which need to be cut off as soon as possible. Climate change is a serious threat; we must take it seriously to survive and help our future generations. What Are The Regions With Heat Wave Zones? In Europe, the temperature in Rome reached 104°F in July, while in Sardinia, it was 112°F. In at least 23 cities in Italy, there have been red alerts for the weather as the heat wave is potentially becoming a threat in recent times. Tourists have been passing out, creating awareness of global climate change and crisis. Now, Death Valley in Nevada, running along a section of the border of Central California, is identified as the "hottest place on earth"! The National Weather Service reported that the temperature reached 128°F in July 2023, a clear cause for concern. People living in Los Angeles are having serious health concerns! According to the weather forecast, the capital of Arizona, Phoenix, has seen a rise in temperature to114°F while Florida and Texas are equally heating up! La Palma, located in the Canary Islands, has been riddled with wildfires recently, leading to the evacuation of 4,000 people from their homes. The popular tourist destination, the Acropolis in Athens, was shut down at the beginning of July this year during midday! It is peak time for tourist visits, but because the authorities informed us the temperature could rise to 111.2°F within a week, it was closed! In China, the recorded temperature in northwestern Xinjiang province was 126°F. Places worldwide have been hampered by the heat wave temperatures, impacting people's lifestyles, tourism, and the country's economy. Is It Safe To Travel To Heat Wave Zones? As travelers, you should check the upcoming weather and climate of the location that you are visiting! If you visit one of the places I have stated regarding increasing temperature, you must keep a tab on the daily temperature. Your sightseeing might go differently than planned if a situation occurs when one of the monuments or places you will be visiting is shut down due to increasing temperature. If you suffer from chronic health conditions, you should not go out, especially in the scorching heat! If you are visiting from professional liability, you must carry out certain steps to cope with the heat. Remember that the temperature starts building from 11 a.m. Hence, try to enter a building or where your work is within that time frame. Read along further to learn about your steps to stay safe! What Are The Things To Do If You Travel To Heat Wave Zones? In the evening, the temperature will come down. Hence, it would be best to keep yourself cool in the daytime. The first thing is to wash your face and arms, including your armpits and wrists. So your body temperature can feel a bit cooler. You can repeat the action as much as possible the whole day! If you are visiting Europe, you've got it easy! There are fountains in Europe. Apart from that, you need to take cool showers and air-dry yourself! It will keep the temperature of your body down. In some countries, such as Italy, residents are asked to stay in an air-conditioned environment for at least 3 hours a day. Try to find a cool restaurant, gallery, or museum if you are visiting one of these countries to stay in air conditioning for some time. Try to wear clothing that is made of cool fabric, such as cotton! It is even better if the material is light and loose from your clothing. Try to use sunscreen as much as possible. Recently, people have been using manual and electric handheld fans to keep their face and body cool as much as possible. Another important thing that you must do is use heat wave sunglasses when outside! Drink more beverages and fill up on food, such as fruits, salads, and veggies! Also, ensure that you must have insurance covering all your medical expenses before traveling. What Are The Health Risks? Heatwave zones have several health risks, such as heatstroke or sunstroke! In this condition, your body cannot maintain a safe temperature, especially when exposed to hot weather. The body temperature must not exceed 103 degrees Fahrenheit, but in sunstroke, it does. There is also a chance of getting pale skin, muscle cramps, sweating, and exhaustion. Currently, the US heat wave is one of the serious concerns for business travelers! You might get red and blotchy skin if you stay in the sun for too long! You have to drink fluids regularly. Chances of dizziness, headaches, and sweating when visiting heat wave zones are high! Finishing Up… Overall, climate change has led to health risks along with issues where people cannot avoid these situations. With increasing temperatures in certain places across the world, people, children, and senior citizens cannot cope with the increasing temperatures. People with chronic health conditions such as allergies to skin, asthma, upset stomachs, and headaches are facing more issues, especially when traveling to heatwave zones. I suggest following the tips and consulting a doctor if the situation worsens. Let us know your thoughts about this situation and how to be safe in heat wave temperatures! Read Also: Spring Travel And Eye Health Tips Sizzling Summer Road Trip Destinations 7 Tips For Planning The Perfect Summer Camp For Kids

BY  Sibashree Oct 22, 2026

Park your car at the Tenorio Volcano National Park lot at 8:15, and the trail to the Rio Celeste waterfall is yours, shared with birds and a few early hikers. The tour vans from La Fortuna and Guanacaste don't start pulling in until around 10 a.m. And that gap of nearly 2 hours is the best reason to drive yourself. Geography is the second reason. Rio Celeste lies in quiet farm country between the Arenal area and Guanacaste, near the small towns of Bijagua and Katira, with only one park entrance. But public transport barely reaches it (from the park you'd have to take a taxi to Upala, then catch a bus toward Ciudad Quesada). With a rental car, it turns into a relaxed morning stop on a day you'd be on the road anyway. Which road from La Fortuna, Liberia, or San José? Leaving La Fortuna, you head toward El Tanque on Route 142 and then join Route 4. You'll stay on Route 4 northbound for about 40 km, past San Rafael de Guatuso, until a park sign appears at Samen. Turn left there. The paved road runs about 19 km through Maquencal and the village of Rio Celeste, and the entrance sits on your left just after a bridge over the river (look down while you cross, because on a good day the water is already pale blue under you). Waze and Google Maps both get this one wrong. Near San Rafael de Guatuso, they'll try to turn you left off Route 4 onto an older road, and you should simply ignore them and carry on to Samen, where the pavement begins. Coming from Liberia, Route 1 (the Inter-American Highway) takes you south. Roughly 6 km short of Cañas, exit, go under the highway, and pick up Route 6 toward Upala. Route 6 is good asphalt for the 22 km or so to Bijagua. Once in town, the park sign tells you to turn right, and from there the side road is paved right up to the entrance. It's steep in spots, though; it turns slick once it rains, and you'll cross a couple of one-lane bridges where whoever is already on the bridge has the right of way. What about San José and SJO airport? Plan on about 3.5 hours, which is why most people landing at SJO slot Rio Celeste into the drive from Arenal to the Guanacaste beaches. Starting pointMain roadsDrive timeRoad surfaceWhat to watchLa FortunaRoute 142, then Route 4, turn at SamenAbout 1.5 hoursPaved the whole wayApps sending you off Route 4 too soonLiberia (LIR)Route 1, then Route 6, turn at BijaguaAbout 1.5 hoursPaved, with a steep last stretchSlippery climb after rain and one-lane bridgesBijaguaPark road from the town centerAbout 20 minutesPavedSteep, and slick in the wet Older trip reports still circulate with stories of broken roads, spinning tires and passengers climbing out to walk uphill so the car could make it. Those days are gone. Both approaches are paved now, and neither one requires a 4x4. But a 4x4 can still earn its keep. That Bijagua climb is exactly the sort of wet, steep pavement where a compact SUV with decent ground clearance feels a lot calmer than a small sedan, and the potholes multiply in September and October, the 2 wettest months of the year. And if Rio Celeste is just one stop on a bigger loop with gravel elsewhere, rent for the roughest road on your itinerary rather than for this one. Flying into Liberia makes things simple, since you can collect the car at the airport and drive straight south toward Bijagua. Jumbo Car has an office near LIR with a free shuttle from the terminal. Its quoted prices already include the mandatory insurance, and cancellation is free up to 24 hours before pick-up. When you compare a rental car costa rica booking with them, you'll see a fleet that goes from economy cars up to a Suzuki Vitara or a Kia Sportage 4x4. Tickets, parking, and park rules Most people who get turned away at Río Celeste get turned away over tickets. SINAC, the national park service, sells them online only and in advance, and there's no booth at the gate to bail you out. You'll have to create an account before you can buy (the site has an English version). Do it the night before from your hotel Wi-Fi, because cell coverage around the park drops in and out and the parking lot is a bad place to discover that. ItemWhat appliesEntry, foreign visitors$12 per adult, $5 per child aged 2 to 12Opening hoursDaily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., last entry at 2 p.m.ParkingRoughly ₡2,000 to ₡3,000, cash on arrivalRestroomsEntrance only, nothing along the trailSwimmingBanned everywhere in the parkFood and bottlesNo food (babies get some leeway), no single-use plastic bottles Rangers do go through bags, and anything on the banned list stays with them. Bring a refillable bottle and keep a photo of your passport on your phone, since they sometimes ask for it. Parking is easy. The main lot next to the ranger station is large, overflow spaces sit across the road, and attendants keep an eye on the cars (still, leave nothing in sight). But before you plan a whole day around the waterfall, check whether you can see it. In August 2025 a landslide buried the bottom of the 250 steps leading down to the falls. As of early 2026 the lower stairs and the viewing platform hadn't reopened, which meant you only got a view from partway down. Look at the SINAC site and recent visitor reports during the week before your trip. The trail and how long it takes You leave the ranger station on a flat paved path that turns to gravel after about 15 minutes. After that it's ordinary dirt trail, with a stream to cross and a few short, steep pitches, and roughly 30 minutes in you're standing at the top of the waterfall stairs. The falls drop about 90 meters into a deep blue pool. A lot of people see that and head back. And that's a fair choice, because the second half is rougher going, all roots, mud and steep climbs and descents. It takes you past the Poza Azul pool, then the Borbollones, where the water bubbles and you'll catch a whiff of sulfur. It ends at Los Teñideros, the spot where two clear rivers meet and the water goes blue. Is it worth the extra slog? If you have the legs and the time, yes, since the color change is the reason the river has its name. There's no loop. The trail stops at Los Teñideros and you retrace your steps, so budget 1 to 2 hours if you only want the waterfall and 3 to 4 hours for the full trail. Wear shoes you're happy to throw away afterward. This flank of the volcano gets heavy rain, and the mud on the far section will pull a sneaker clean off your foot. When the water is bluest December to April is your window if you have any choice. Rain stirs sediment into the river, and a few wet days in a row turn that turquoise into something dull and milky. Stuck with the rainy season? Then go the morning after a dry night, never the afternoon after a storm. The hour you show up counts too, though for other reasons. Get there at 8 or 8:30 a.m. and you're ahead of the tour buses that roll in around 10 a.m., walking in cooler air (the low 70s °F early on). And because last entry is 2 p.m., an early start leaves enough daylight to drive on to Liberia or back to La Fortuna without doing the gravel stretches in the dark. Frequently asked questions about Rio Celeste Is Rio Celeste still closed? The park itself was open in early 2026. But the lower stairs and the waterfall viewing platform stayed shut after a landslide in 2025, so look at the SINAC page again a day or two before you go. Can you swim in the Rio Celeste? No, not within Tenorio Volcano National Park, Poza Azul included. If you want to get wet, the tubing tours run on stretches of river outside the park boundary. How long does it take to hike to Rio Celeste? Count on roughly 30 minutes from the ranger station to the top of the waterfall stairs, then 250 steps down. Walking the whole trail out to Los Teñideros and back takes 3 to 4 hours. Is it worth going to Rio Celeste, Costa Rica? In the dry season with an early start, yes. It sits between Arenal and Guanacaste, so with a car it fits into a single morning on the way. After a week of heavy rain, the color washes out, and skipping it is a reasonable call. Read Also: Costa Rica: Best Beaches For Family Vacation 7 Benefits Of Staying At A Beach Hotel

BY  Sibashree Mar 23, 2026

A vast expanse of dry and shimmering heat lies in front of you. The Coachella Valley! The jagged peaks of the San Jacinto Mountains tower over you like ancient sentinels, reigning over the desert landscape.  As you pull into the driveway of your home at the north end of Palm Springs, you will see typical desert décor. You will see mid-century modern simplicity, a desert plant known as "desert sage." You may also find some Southern California old-time Hollywood glam.  However, upon your arrival, you don't see a cactus garden or anything close to one. The things we are habituated to seeing at Treasure Island Beach or Laguna Beach in Southern California.  Instead, you will be greeted with a 13-foot-long blue flip-flop located at the entrance lobby area. You can smell the faint but delicious fragrance of coconut, lime, and ocean salt here. In 2020, the famous Riviera Resort (known as the 'playground' of Frank Sinatra and other members of what is referred to as "The Rat Pack") was renovated.  Moreover, it has since opened as the first Margaritaville location on the west side of America. But do you know what is more special about this 24-acre island oasis? It shows a fascinating hybrid.  It is an excellent fusion of the chic architectural bones of 1950s California and the "no-shoes, no-problem" philosophy of Jimmy Buffett. However, here the question is whether it is for families. I will unfold all the details in this Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs review.  Let’s start with a dive into the history, though! How A Storied Past Meets A Salty Future At Margaritaville Palm Springs This hotel has existed since 1959, when it was known for being upscale and accommodating celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.  Over time, the renovations at Margaritaville kept the structure's famous “spokes on a wheel” layout with six buildings for guest rooms radiating from an entrance lobby. However, it transformed the previous dark and dreary spaces into light and bright environments. Furthermore, with regard to what's in style these days, it's bright, open, and downright happy.  Also, the lobby doesn't feel like a typical hotel lobby. It feels like an upscale beach house.  Moreover, there are whimsical seating areas around the lobby and many nautical elements incorporated into the design of the space.  The arrangements help parents know right away that they can sit back and relax because their children can act like children in this space. Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs Reviews: The Hotels, Rooms, Food And Family-Friendliness  So, does a stay at the Margaritaville Resort Palm Springs feel great on a family vacation? Or does the luxury here translate into comfort? Let’s find out!  1. The Layout Of The Hotel: Navigating The Oasis The resort features a large amount of grounds (24 acres of beautifully landscaped area) to be enjoyed by guests.  While the property size may seem large upon arrival, it is actually one of the resort’s greatest assets as well.  Moreover, the resort buildings are separated across a large area and provide each guest with enough privacy and room to be away from a typical hotel tower. • The Central Hub The resort's heart is the central hub where the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar sits, surrounded by fire pits, lounge chairs, and the main pool.  • Quiet Corners Beyond the central pool, there are large open outdoor spaces and private gardens, as well as places to escape the music, people, and hustle of the resort. • The Spa At St. Somewhere Palm Springs' largest resort spa has everything you need for relaxation away from your kids.  Encompassing 11,000 sq ft net of the highest level of service and comfort, there is something for everyone.  Moreover, you will walk away as if you were in St. Barts after 1 week of goodness, from our "Parrot Head" (the place you want to be) pedicure to deep-tissue massage. 2. The Rooms At Margaritaville Palm Springs The resort is a vibrant retreat developed for ultimate relaxation.  The spaces showcase examples of the 'coastal-meets-desert' chic interior by incorporating high-end island decor and furnishings.  Furthermore, the resort has 398 guest rooms and suites for its customers and offers a vibrant retreat developed for ultimate relaxation. The accommodation has a range of modern and thoughtful features, including the following.  Free Wi-Fi Smart TV Professional Hair Dryer Coffee and Tea Service Mini Fridge Multiple Room Options For Families  Rooms are available in a variety of sizes and designs.  Standard options have king beds and sleeper sofas. Most rooms come with a balcony.  Families can also opt for rooms containing two king beds.  This offers a greater amount of room and comfort when compared to a standard double queen room.  Most rooms come with a balcony to enjoy the beautiful views of the San Jacinto Mountains or an energetic patio for those wanting to relax. 3. Dining At Margaritaville Palm Springs A Margaritaville experience wouldn’t be complete without its food offerings. The resort features several unique dining choices to suit various tastes and budgets.   • Come Monday Café Situated near the lobby, this venue is perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, providing a laid-back atmosphere with a lovely outdoor patio.   • JWB Grill For a more sophisticated dinner, JWB (named in honor of James William Buffett) offers an elegant menu in a stylish environment.   • Joe Merchant’s Coffee & Provisions This is the ideal place for a quick bite. Whether you need a caffeine boost, a breakfast sandwich, or a salad to enjoy by the pool, this spot is convenient and a bit easier on the wallet.   • 5 o'Clock Somewhere Bar The perfect poolside hangout serving chips, salsa, burgers, and, of course, their famous margaritas. What Works For Families At Margaritaville Palm Springs?  Margaritaville stands out in several areas that simplify life for parents. It is great for a family trip for the following reasons.   • The Double King Room While most hotels provide two queen beds, which can feel cramped for a family of four, Margaritaville offers accommodations with two king-size beds.  Also, this significantly improves sleep quality and personal space.   • Poolside Convenience The attentive staff allows you to order lunch and frozen drinks right from your lounge chair.  This means you won’t need to drag wet, hungry kids back to your room or into a formal dining area for a midday bite to eat.   • Built-in Entertainment The resort fee covers free bike rentals, making it easy to explore the serene, breezy streets of the nearby neighborhood. It also offers complimentary high-speed internet for those unavoidable evening tablet sessions. • The Evening Atmosphere As night falls over the mountains, the resort transforms.  Fire pits are ignited, and the outdoor patios turn into "enchanting" spaces adorned with lanterns hanging from the trees.  Moreover, it creates a sophisticated vibe for adults while remaining completely welcoming for kids. What Does Not Work For Families At Margaritaville Palm Springs? For me, the first inconvenience at the resort started with the walk. The building we were assigned to was quite a long walk from the pool.  Furthermore, during weekends, with the crowd surge, it was a bit difficult for my kids.  What Are The Places To Visit Near Margaritaville Palm Springs? Beyond the 24-acre sanctuary, these are the places you can visit.  The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens The Children’s Discovery Museum of the Desert Indian Canyons Furthermore, don’t forget a ride in the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to the top of Mount San Jacinto.