The Lighter Side of Travel: Visiting the Bad Hair Capital of the World
Warning: With its tropical climate, Cancun may well be the Bad Hair Capital of the World.
Don’t get me wrong. I love Cancun. I love its sandy beaches, aquamarine waters, wonderful weather, and beautiful resorts. The foods of the Yucatan Peninsula are delicious and the locals are gracious and welcoming. But I’ve traveled to Cancun enough times to conclude that this Mexican paradise has to be the Bad Hair Capital of the World. Not to malign these destinations, but other strong contenders for the title: Puerto Rico, Florida, and South Carolina.
The Perfect Formula for Bad Hair
Let me explain. May to September are the warmest months of the year in Cancun; it’s also the rainy season. Humidity is high throughout the year, usually topping 80 percent. This climate, a perfect storm of sun, wind and humidity, is unlike any other destination I’ve ever visited. It’s not surprising that it’s torture for anyone prone to frizzy or uncontrollable hair.
After showering, washing my hair, using various products recommended by my hairdresser, blowing my hair and ironing it—my hair in Cancun always looks other-worldly within five minutes of leaving my air-conditioned room.
My head gets so big and frizzy that I can’t believe it’s me I’m looking at in the mirror. At night, my hair feels so dry and bristly that it makes sounds when my head shifts on the pillow.
If you’ve traveled to Cancun, you’ll notice that many Mexican women working in the resorts have long (usually black) hair that’s plastered down and tied back in a bun. Yes, it’s a neat look but I don’t believe it’s an accident. They don’t want to risk the perils of bad hair gone wild.
I wonder about the brides who plan destination weddings in Cancun and Riviera Maya and think through every single detail of their special days, perhaps not considering how their hairdos might look in photographs.
Recommended Fixes for Taming Your Mane When Traveling
If you scour the Internet or ask friends, you’ll hear lots of solutions. One of my best friends is a hairdresser, and I’ve begged her for advice. These are the recommended fixes, although I must admit that they are mere Band-Aids at best:
- Get a good haircut (preferably in layers) before your trip.
- Let your hair grow long so you can tie it back in a ponytail.
- Keep your hair covered with a hat during the day.
- Wash your hair immediately after swimming in the ocean or at a pool.
- Using lots of high-quality hair products: Conditioner, gels, hairspray or whatever else you use for body and control. One of the best products I’ve tried, recommended by my hairdresser, is Davines All in One Milk, which detangles and controls frizz.
- Bring a travel hair dryer.
- Always travel with a good flat iron if you are aiming for a straight look.
Bad Travel Hair: Who Cares?
Fortunately, I’ve learned to live with bad hair because a visit to Cancun and other bad hair destinations is usually worth the sacrifice.
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Read More: On WebMD: Surviving a Bad Hair Day
This previously published post was reviewed and updated on 4/26/26. I still haven’t solved the problem.
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Is there any destination to which you’ve traveled that might compete for Bad Hair Capital of the World?
Any remedies/tools you’ve found to help cope?
I don’t have to go anywhere to experience this! I have thick, curly hair that springs out ala Rosanne Rosannadanna in humid weather anywhere. I will always have longer hair that can be pulled back into a ponytail. Anytime I’ve change my hairstyle, that is always the requirement; it has to work with a ponytail.
Irene, all that blowing, ironing and styling sounds exhausting! I simply put a large quantity of leave in conditioner in my freshly washed hair, put it back in a ponytail and call it a day. The ladies working in Cancun have it right!
I also wear no make up in hot weather either. Another complete waste of time!
You offer compelling testimony for keeping your hair long, Rosannadanna!
Funny! BTW, you look great in the pics — being happy and smiling is more important than perfect hair. At least that’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it. Hair styling has never been my strong point, so a place like Cancun is perfect for me — everyone can just blame my hair on Cancun… not me!
You are kind!:-)
Once again Irene, once you mention Cancun to me and I remember being there in 06 I would take a bad hair day over it all because Cancun is definitely worth it!
Agree!
You still look great, and it’s really a nice “beachy” look…free and casual!
You’re very kind, Lauren:-)