The heat waves have hit South Korea, and if you’re traveling any time soon, make sure to keep these eight travel tips in mind for the sweltering season!

1. Pack a parasol: Summer in Korea is a mixture of sticky and sweaty. While the weather is beautiful, the constant sun exposure can lead to sunburn. Include a small parasol in your bag; it’s not unusual to carry one around the streets of Korea!

2. Not a fan of parasols? Then pack a sun visor: You might end up looking like an ahjumma (a Korean term for middle-aged women), but sun visors are great for protecting you from sun damage.

3. Get yourself a personal handheld fan: These are a necessity in Korea and can be found in any shop. You'll see many Koreans walking around with portable hand fans to keep the heat at bay.

4. Avoid subway rush hour: Subway rush hour is one of the worst times to travel in Korea, especially during the summer when it gets humid in the stations. Try to avoid peak commute hours when making your way to your hotel.

5. Pack the bug spray: Summer is mosquito season in Korea. Mosquito bites can be itchy and large, so make sure to spray yourself with bug repellent before heading out sightseeing.

6. Summer is peak festival season: Korea holds the most festivals during the summer, from K-Pop concerts to cultural festivals. Make sure to stop by a few festivals for an even better experience!

7. Get proper swimwear for the water park: Water parks like Caribbean Bay are popular spots during the summer. Be aware that many people wear wetshirts and pants instead of typical bikinis and swim trunks.

8. Nightlife gets even more crowded: Korea's nightlife is bustling, but it gets even more crowded during the summer as people prefer to go out at night when it's cooler. Expect more crowds than usual.