Expat Summer Prep 2026: 5 Things We Wish We’d Done Sooner on Costa Blanca North
Expat Summer Prep 2026: 5 Things We Wish We’d Done Sooner on Costa Blanca North
Hola Terrace Crew!
We’re smack bang in the middle of May, and I’m already digging out the shorts and dresses like summer’s just around the corner. Spoiler alert: it is. Those hot, humid, sticky months are about to hit us faster than a swarm of those pesky mosquitoes we all love to hate.
So grab a cold drink, pull up a lounger, and let’s get our act together before the real heat turns us all into melted sangria puddles.
We’ve all been there. You move to this beautiful slice of paradise between Dénia, Jávea, Calpe and Benissa, thinking “summer will be easy — sun, sea, and zero stress.” Then August hits like a flaming paella pan to the face, and you’re sweating, swatting, and swearing you’ll never do it again.
Here are the 5 things we (and pretty much every long-term expat we know) wish we’d sorted much earlier. Honest, slightly embarrassing, and 100% useful for 2026.
1. Get Your Air-Con Sorted Before the First Heatwave (Not During)
We waited until the thermometer hit 38°C and the repair guys were busier than a Benidorm bar on San Juan night. Rookie error.
Do this now:
- Get your units serviced and topped up in May/June.
- If you’re renting or buying, prioritise proper insulation and north-facing bedrooms.
- Invest in a decent portable unit or fans that actually move air (the cheap ones just push hot soup around).
Pro tip: Those blackout thermal curtains aren’t just for winter — they’re life-saving in summer too. We finally bought them last year and felt like geniuses when the rest of the terrace was melting.
2. Water Wisdom — Because Restrictions Are Normal
What to do before summer madness:
- Install water-saving shower heads and check for leaks (that dripping tap costs more than your daily café con leche).
- Get a few big storage bottles or a water butt if you have any outside space.
- Learn the local rules for your town — some places cut pressure at night, others get very serious about car washing.
We now keep the “navy shower” mindset: wet, soap, rinse, done. Our water bill thanks us, and the planet probably does too.
3. Mosquito Defence — Become a Tiny Flying Vampire’s Worst Nightmare
Those little pests love the warm evenings and any standing water. We used to just slap on repellent at 9 pm like idiots.
Level-up moves:
- Treat your terrace and garden early with proper repellent plants or (if you’re brave) bat boxes — some towns are doing this, and it actually works.
- Get plug-in diffusers + the liquid refills for indoors.
- Empty every single plant saucer after watering. Yes, every single one.
Bonus: Citronella candles are cute for photos, but about as effective as shouting at the mosquitoes. Go for the serious stuff.
4. Beach & Parking Strategy (Stop Circling Like a Lost Seagull)
Nothing says “I’m new here” like hunting for parking at 11 am in July while the sun roasts your car roof.
Smart prep:
- Know which beaches have decent (paid) parking vs. the ones where you’ll be doing the 2km death march.
- Get a beach bag packed and ready in May: a quick-dry towel, a reusable water bottle, strong sunscreen, and a small cooler.
- Learn the flag system and the “no glass, no BBQs in certain zones” rules before you get the polite-but-firm telling-off from local police.
We now go early or late and avoid the absolute peak madness. Life is too short for beach rage.
5. Book Your “Escape Hatches”, Rental Reality Check… and Master Online Shopping
Summer 2026 is already looking busy. Prices spike, good villas disappear, and suddenly your dream terrace is occupied by 12 Dutch people who booked in January.
Do this sooner:
- If you rent out your place, set your dates and prices early.
- If you’re staying put, book any trips or quieter inland getaways for mid-August now.
- Set up your online shopping game right now — download Glovo, check Mercadona/Consum online delivery slots, or sign up for whatever works in your town. Once the tourists arrive, popping to the supermarket becomes a full-contact sport with trolleys and melted ice cream. Ordering from your sofa while sipping sangria? Absolute game-changer.
We learned this the hard way one year and spent two weeks eating whatever was left in the freezer like survivalists. Never again.
So there you have it, five things that turn “surviving summer” into actually enjoying it.
What about you? Drop your best (or most painful) summer prep lesson in the comments. Did you battle the mosquitoes with electric tennis bats or newspapers? Wait until the last minute for AC? Or have you discovered a secret online shopping hack that saved your sanity? We’ve all been there.
Stay cool, stay cheeky, and I hope you have a fantastic summer.
Joanne x
☀️🍹 Sun Sea Sangria
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