Why You Won't Live In A Tropical Paradise

What could be more beautiful than waking up in the mornings in a cozy house by the ocean, having a cup of coffee for breakfast, and snacking on freshly picked fruits under swaying palm trees? Bright warm sun, enchanting beaches, and pristine white sand — it sounds like a dream. This is the real paradise! This is your dream, isn’t it?

However, real “paradise life” has its downside. Those who have lived in tropical countries for quite some time know all too well that this “paradise life” is more like hell than paradise. These people have shared their experience with AdmiGram.com and explained why we should forget about our dream of a house by the ocean.

Why You Won’t Live in a Tropical Paradise

Heat Can Be Deadly

Today, heat can be dangerous even in places where it was quite comfortable just ten years ago. In tropical countries, it’s even worse because of the very high humidity. If you weren’t born here, you have no way to prepare your body for this. Mold never disappears from your home, and you’re never really dry. The unbearable heat and suffocating humidity can be truly deadly.

— Theodora Jenkins, 35, doctor.

Hurricanes Happen

Hurricane seasons in the tropics are no joke. If you see one with your own eyes, it’s terrifying. The destruction and aftermath can be very serious. Every hurricane season, people here wait, hoping it will pass and be easier than last time. In general, if you suddenly see the sky clouding over and the locals rushing to leave the beach, get out with them!

— Kelley Daniels, 25, surfer athlete.

Complete Lack of Civilization

Don’t equate resort infrastructure with the standard of living in tropical countries. If you leave your guesthouse, you’ll be horrified to discover potholes the size of craters, thickets of weeds, and no regular street lighting just 100 feet away. In poor countries, the infrastructure you’re used to simply doesn’t exist. There are constant power outages, spotty internet, and well water.

— Erick Dorsey, 29, IT professional.

Shopping for Things and Groceries Is a Real Ordeal

Tropical countries mean endless queues, even for the most mundane tasks. A simple trip to the store can take up almost your entire day. Everything you’re used to back home — food, clothing, your usual brands — is either incredibly expensive here or impossible to find at all.

— Martha Norman, 41, exchange teacher.

Stray Cats and Dogs

Stray animals are a real problem in tropical countries. No one takes care of them, and they reproduce in incredible numbers. Wherever you are, they’ll constantly beg you for food, or even worse, relieve themselves right in front of you. Often, stray animals gather in packs, and this can become a real problem.

— Edmund Berry, 44, construction engineer.

No One Ever Tells You About the Insects Here

The tropics are a real nightmare if you’re afraid of bugs. Millions of local mosquito species, giant cockroaches, hordes of spiders, and an unreal number of other insects live here. The locals are used to all of this, but you’ll never quite get over the fear. Even if bugs don’t normally bother you, living with this is unbearable — and if you have allergies, a bite from some tiny bug can be a real problem.

— Arleen Johnston, 27, volunteer medic.

Life in the Tropics Is Life in Complete Isolation

A green, humid hole is what awaits you if you want to live in the tropics. Thick foliage, rain, and heat — that’s what surrounds you 24/7. There’s no talk of any cultural, public, or even mildly interesting events here. You’ll live like Napoleon in exile, trapped and cut off from the rest of the familiar world.

— Sibyl Lynch, 30, tourism business development manager.

Lack of Medical Care

Poor and developing countries always have problems with medical services. No matter how hard they try to fix healthcare in a given country, they just can’t seem to provide quality medical care to the population. If your tooth hurts, you’ll probably just have it pulled. Healthcare here really leaves a lot to be desired.

— Basil Mckinney, 27, volunteer medic.

A Stranger Among Strangers, a Stranger Among Your Own

Ten years ago, among people burned out at work, there was a trend of downshifting — moving somewhere remote and simple to escape the rat race. It’s not actually a great idea. Reality has nothing in common with the beautiful picture you imagined. The locals will keep their distance and spread strange rumors about you, while your own compatriots — the ones who fly in for vacation — won’t treat you as an equal anymore either. You end up belonging nowhere.

— Damian Ball, 44, managing company manager.

It’s Good to Visit, but Home Is Better

Life in a tropical country is a unique experience that requires adaptation, patience, and readiness for change. But for the vast majority of people, whatever advantages the “tropical paradise” may have, the difficulties outweigh them. Climate and weather, health and hygiene, familiar life and nature — none of this is easy for those who grew up among skyscrapers. So just come here for a vacation. And then go back home.

— Donna Mathews, 33, tourism business development manager.

image on top: Ramon Kagie / Unsplash