That’s what confronted me last month when I arrived in the Yucatan, Mexico, for the first time in many years, with visions of windsurfing, sailing, diving, swimming.

Arrgh! A winter front was passing through. What to do?   Patience and Plan B: That’s what I recommend to my clients and had to adopt myself.

Don’t hold on to expectations. Although your trip may be a different adventure than what you expected, it may well be no less rewarding.

Patience:  Although the ocean remained a bit rough, the showers I experienced my first days quickly abated into partly sunny skies for the rest of the trip providing great weather for exploring with mild temps and welcomed cloud cover for this fair-skinned traveler.

Intercontinental El Presidente, Cozumel

Plan B:  Don’t dwell over ruined expectations — move your energies to Plan B. I went to Cozumel for 24 hours just to dive. When all diving was canceled due to weather, I had to swallow my

disappointment, and create a new plan: I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, (rare for me because I’m usually on the go, even on holiday), explored the hotel and grounds admiring their undeniable beauty even in a storm, had a refreshing swim in a heated outdoor pool, and hired a taxi to explore the island for a couple of hours before catching the ferry back to Playa del Carmen. It was interesting and fun interacting with my gregarious taxi driver, immensely proud of his island, so dramatic on this day with magnificent waves crashing on the shore and cliffs. And, the sun came out for most of my drive.

Here are some other ideas for a Plan B when your parade gets rained on:

Exercise — Release those endorphins indoors. Perhaps in a gym, at a resort, or under a palapa, an early morning yoga class or other workout is a great way to get out of a rain-funk. The rain outside, nowhere to rush to afterward, makes for a nice way to relax and enjoy the moment.

Learn Local — Keep a log of foreign words and questions about your new world. When you have some down time such as a rainy day, look them up online or better yet, ask a local.  Or do some research on your destination.

Patience:  Although the ocean remained a bit rough, the showers I experienced my first days quickly abated into partly sunny skies for the rest of the trip providing great weather for exploring with mild temps and welcomed cloud cover for this fair-skinned traveler.

Intercontinental El Presidente, Cozumel

Plan B:  Don’t dwell over ruined expectations — move your energies to Plan B. I went to Cozumel for 24 hours just to dive. When all diving was canceled due to weather, I had to swallow my

Museums and shopping — Rainy days are great for these activities or any other indoor activity. Just be mindful it doesn’t involve something harmful to animals such as dolphins in captivity and of purchases.



Take a class — Cooking, arts, language. There are many activities to undertake on a rainy day. Get creative yourself or ask your guide or concierge.

Read a book – Delve into a different world. Most hotels have some type of library to loose yourself in learning about the area’s history, culture and arts.



Beach walk — even if it’s blustery, beach or town walks can be restorative and interesting. And who cares if you get a little wet?

Go see a movie as a cultural experience – Likely the resident cinema is worlds apart, literally and figuratively, from your movie theater back at home. See how the locals enjoy one of the world’s most common pastimes.

If solo, take this time to connect with other travelers doing their Plan B. It’s a great opportunity to share travel experiences and make some new friends. With family or friends, just enjoy this together time devoid of everyday pressures.

What are some of your Plan B’s?

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Stay tuned:  For the latest about our small group trip to Cuba March 15 – 25, 2018 to explore its arts, culture, nature and conservation, and other facets.