ok so i landed here because my flight was 5 hours late and the airport hotel charged $120 for a single room because they knew i couldn’t leave. now i’m here at 8 am in a place that feels like a sauna even before sunrise. 33 degrees is not a typo. feels like 39. i just bought a bottle of water for 1.20 euros because i heard the tap water is ‘not really drinkable’ whatever that means. some local told me to avoid the beach at 10 am because the ground gets so hot it melts your sandals. i didn’t believe them but now i’m questioning my life choices.

quick answers

q: is this place worth visiting?

a: only if you like sweating through vintage band t-shirts. the heat is ‘part of the vibe’ but also a reminder that some places are just… hot. if you can handle that, sure. otherwise, maybe skip.

q: is it expensive?

a: no. honestly. i paid less for a meal here than i did for a sandwich in amsterdam. but the extras-like charging your phone or booking tours-suddenly add up. just don’t get sucked into the resort areas.

q: who would hate it here?

a: people who can’t stand sunburn or boredom. locals will tell you the beaches are empty except for tourists. if you’re expecting energy or culture, this might not be your jam.

q: best time to visit?

a: definitely not right now. summer’s a fin. ideal is late october or early may. but like, always. this place is the same 365 days. so pick your battle.

heat is a liar. it’ll tell you it’s 33 degrees and you’ll be like ‘oh only 33’ and then it’s 39. your sweat evaporates into thin air. yourirituality is gone. i’m sitting here because i wanted to take a picture of the ocean and my phone died twice. i’m also low on funds. the good news? street food is cheap. the bad news? the street food is lukewarm. yesterday i ate grilled fish that tasted like regret. but it was 2 euros. that’s the tradeoff here.

someone told me the wifi in cafes is bad. i heard it’s so slow you’ll think you’re in the early 2000s. i tested it by searching ‘how to not die in 33 degree weather’ and it took 10 minutes. i learned to carry a power bank. another tip: wear shorts. no matter what. the sun here doesn’t care about your dress code.

i heard the budget student community is tight. like, real tight. there’s a hostel where everyone shares a single fridge. i didn’t join but i checked the cooler. it had 3 types of yogurt and a bottle of almond milk that’d last a week. if you’re broke, this is where you find your tribe. also, the locals are friendly but not helpful. they’ll give you directions but also a vibe that says ‘i don’t care if you end up lost.’

the weather is a character. it’s not just hot-it’s humid. like, your skin feels like it’s wearing a second layer. i tried a public pool but left after 10 minutes because i felt like a boiled lobster. maybe i’m not cut out for this heat. or maybe i just need a better towel.

i heard the safest bet is to stick to tourist areas. the locals warned me about a street near the market where muggers hang out. but also, locals say those stories are old. i didn’t see anyone suspicious but i kept my phone in my pocket like it was gold. if you’re from a country where petty theft is common, this might be worse. if not, relax. probably.

this place is 2 hours from a bigger city. i didn’t visit because i didn’t want to spend 4 hours in a taxi. but if you do, it’s a way to escape the heat. the bigger city has AC and maybe less sand. trade-offs. also, nearby there’s a town that’s like a hipster version of this place. cooler. but more expensive. classic dilemma.

q: this place- consciousness blank. a: it’s a place. officially. it’s a beach town. unofficially, it’s a heat dome trying to tax you. move on? or embrace the chaos? i’m still here. probably because i don’t know how to leave.

staring at the heat map and wondering if this is a mistake

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