UV radiation levels above 11 are considered "extreme" by the World Health Organization (WHO). So what can you do to avoid getting fried when you go to the beach or the mountains in Ecuador?
It seems, Ecuador Beaches have among the highest UV indexes in the world. According to the Oct 2008 Hyperion Report from the Ecuadorean Civilian Space Agency, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia receive the highest UV radiation on the planet. The UV index in Guayaquil is over 14, and in Quito the UV index is over 24. In fact all along the Andes UV radiation is notoriously high, that's why you see such red-faced kids and leather-skinned adults in the Andes. At such high altitudes, the combination of UV and dry air really takes its toll on the skin.
I can tell you from personal experience, after months of living in Ecuador for months, with lots of time on the beach, I still get burned within two hours, without UV protection!
As the ozone around the world, thins out UV protection is more important than ever. Luckily there plenty of options nowadays, from hats and sun protective rash guards or water shirts, to portable canopies, to sun screens with sun protection factor (SPF) 50 or 100+.
SPF 100+? Yes really! I remember factor 30 being the best you could get! It’s up to SPF 100 now? Is it just marketing boastfulness, or is there really is a difference. Yes there is. Here’s how it works. SPF 15 cuts UV by 92%. So 100/8 = SPF 15, which gives you 15 times longer time in the sun, before you get sunburn. Similarly SPF 100 gives you 99% protection. Hence 100/1 = SPF 100 and 100 times longer in the sun, before you get burned.
That’s all provided the sun screen stays on your body, which of course it doesn’t, when you are in and out of the water. That’s why you need alternatives. Sun protective clothing, also called rash guards, is a good option. Sun protective clothing is in the SPF 20-30 range! But it doesn't cover your face. So really, you need both, plus a wide-brimmed hat.
Getting sunburn is a sure-fire way to ruin your Ecuador beach or Andean vacation. So before you arrive, invest in the best UV protection you can, and make sure you use it throughout your stay. For more Maps, Photos and Activity information about every beach in Ecuador, please visit http://ecuadorbeaches.org
