When I moved to Puerto Vallarta on May 10, 2025, I thought I had heat all figured out.
After all, I’d lived through hot summers before. I’d traveled. I considered myself fairly adaptable.
I was wrong.
Very, very wrong.
One of the first things I learned about surviving summer in Puerto Vallarta had absolutely nothing to do with speaking Spanish or finding the best tacos.
It had everything to do with what I was wearing.
You can almost always spot the newcomers. They’re wearing black T-shirts, yoga pants, polyester workout gear, and wondering why they feel like they’re being slowly cooked from the inside out. I don’t say that to tease—I was that person. Then one day I bought my first linen shirt, and suddenly I understood why people have been wearing natural fibers for thousands of years.
Linen isn’t just comfortable; it’s brilliant.
Unlike synthetic fabrics, linen allows air to move freely around your body, absorbs moisture without feeling heavy, and dries remarkably fast. Research has shown that linen can absorb nearly 20 percent of its weight in moisture before it even starts to feel damp. I don’t know about you, but I don’t need a scientific paper to tell me what my body already knows. I sweat noticeably less wearing linen than I ever did wearing polyester, and when you live somewhere that’s hot, humid, and beautiful year-round, that’s a game changer.
As someone with a background in functional medicine, I also think about clothing differently than I used to. Our skin is our largest organ, and it’s in constant contact with whatever we choose to wear. During the summer months, we’re sweating more, our skin is warmer, and our clothing spends hours pressed against our bodies. Many modern fabrics -including polyester and elastane – are petroleum-based, while rayon undergoes extensive chemical processing before it ever reaches the clothing rack. Many garments are also treated with dyes, wrinkle-resistant finishes, stain repellents, and antimicrobial coatings during manufacturing.
Can we avoid every environmental toxin?
Of course not.
But I firmly believe we should lower our overall toxic burden wherever it’s practical to do so. Wearing breathable natural fibers like linen, cotton, and hemp is one of the simplest changes I’ve made. They keep me cooler, they’re more comfortable, and personally, I’d rather spend my day wrapped in plants than plastic.
Speaking of learning things the hard way…
One of the first things I did after moving here was go salsa dancing.
Now, I love to dance. I thought this would be a fantastic way to meet people and immerse myself in the culture. What I didn’t realize was that Puerto Vallarta in the summer has a way of introducing itself rather quickly.
About halfway through the evening I wasn’t just sweating – I had become sweat.
My shirt was soaked. My hair was soaked. My dignity was hanging on by a thread.
Then came the moment that officially initiated me into Vallarta life.
The gentleman I was dancing with calmly reached into his pocket and handed me his sweat rag.
There was a solid two-second pause while my Midwestern brain tried to process what was happening.
Every germ-conscious cell in my body screamed, “Absolutely not!”
Meanwhile, the overheated part of my brain quietly whispered, “…Actually, that sounds amazing.”
It’s amazing how quickly your standards change when you feel like you’re melting.
Within moments I was happily wiping my forehead and wondering if there was some sort of international sweat-rag etiquette. Do I return it? Fold it nicely? Is this considered a deeply personal gesture? Are we best friends now?
Welcome to Puerto Vallarta.
Needless to say, I now own plenty of my own little washcloths, and one goes everywhere with me. Purse. Backpack. Beach bag. There comes a point when everyone living here becomes a sweat-rag person.
Acceptance is freedom.
The same goes for carrying a small rechargeable fan. Mine lives in my purse and has probably saved my life – or at least my makeup – more times than I can count. Whether you’re strolling the Malecón, waiting for the bus, or dancing until midnight, that tiny fan quickly becomes your favorite possession.
Another thing I never expected to carry everywhere?
An umbrella.
Not because of rain.
Because portable shade is one of humanity’s greatest inventions.
I used to wonder why locals carried umbrellas on perfectly sunny days. Now I completely understand. Shade isn’t always easy to find, especially downtown, and walking even a few extra blocks under the afternoon sun can feel like you’re auditioning for a survival show.
Hydration deserves just as much attention as your wardrobe. If you’re constantly sweating, you’re not just losing water – you’re losing important minerals too. I carry my water in stainless steel or glass whenever possible and make sure I’m replacing electrolytes throughout the day. Whether that’s coconut water, a squeeze of fresh lime with a pinch of sea salt, or a quality electrolyte mix, your body will thank you.
And don’t ignore the warning signs.
Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps, nausea, dark urine, or simply feeling unusually cranky can all be signs that your body needs fluids, minerals, shade, and a break.
One of the things I admire most about Mexican culture is that people don’t try to conquer the heat.
They respect it.
Life slows down during the hottest part of the afternoon. People seek shade. They take breaks. They understand that sometimes the smartest thing you can do is simply wait until the sun stops trying to kill you.
There is wisdom in that.
Puerto Vallarta is one of the most magical places I’ve ever lived, but summer here deserves respect. Once you stop fighting the climate and start working with it, life becomes a whole lot easier – and a lot more enjoyable.
So wear the linen.
Carry the fan.
Bring the umbrella.
Hydrate like it’s your part-time job.
And for the love of all things tropical…
Buy yourself a sweat rag.
Trust me.
You’ll understand soon enough.
Have a Healthy day!
Heather
Heather Gray, FDN-P, is a master certified health practitioner, best-selling author, speaker, stand-up comedian, and host of the Renegade Health Boss podcast. A proud Puerto Vallarta resident, she shares her passion for health, resilience, and personal transformation while enjoying the adventure, community, and fresh perspective she found in Mexico.
