Talk to the Locals

If you talk to people in Ecuador, you quickly discover that they have great pride in the "Panama Hat." You see, they consider themselves the rightful inventors of this straw creation, which was later popularized well to the north of Ecuador during construction of the Panama Canal.

You'll learn a lot about a country if you'll take time to stop and talk with people. Rainy days often dictate a slower sightseeing pace, which is perfect for taking part in some conversation.

In fact, it's good advice in all kinds of weather -- take a few moments to meet people who live in your destination city. It will enhance the value of your trip.

Enjoy the Scenery

Rain and thunderstorms bring some of the best opportunities for taking dramatic pictures or just relaxing from a safe, dry vantage point and watching the show.

No one wants to spend their entire trip photographing storm clouds or watching rain wash across the landscape. But if you find yourself in that situation, why not enjoy it? It will produce some memorable moments and, if you're fortunate, some intriguing photos.

Be sure you invest in a water-tight camera bag to protect your investment.

Visit Multiple Museums

Maybe there was only one museum on your to-do list when you landed at your destination. When faced with a rainy day, you'll probably go there and spend some time.

But almost every tourist destination has more than one museum worth visiting. If you'll be in a situation where an all-day rain is going to dampen your visit, take a look at some other museums that could be visited that day -- even if they weren't on your original itinerary.

Tip: Ask for local information about relatively new museums. The picture above was taken at the Casa del Alabado in Quito, Ecuador. At the time, there were probably a few local tour guides who didn't know it had opened. I had the entire place to myself for a nominal entry fee. That's a good budget travel experience.

Forest Hikes

This can be treacherous and obviously isn't advised in every situation, but sometimes a walk in the forest on a rainy day reveals plant and animal life you would otherwise miss, in much the same way as does a night tour of a rain forest.

In some of the world's rain forests, the canopy of dense vegetation makes it possible to walk without getting soaked -- even if a driving rainstorm is underway. Look for these opportunities and inquire locally about trail conditions and other safety issues before setting out.

Discover a New Restaurant

This was an interesting breakfast on Panama's Taboga Island.

We ducked into the restaurant at a small hotel because it was raining quite heavily upon our arrival by boat from Panama City. On a sunny day, my guess is that we never would have entered the place.

Inside was a commanding view of the shoreline, a pleasant dining room and a creative chef who served us a wonderful breakfast at a reasonable price.

We were able to watch the storm move across the island as we ate and by the time we were ready to leave, the showers had subsided.

Some of the best places on a trip are "discovered" by circumstances that might not have seemed ideal at first, but worked out well in the end. Be open minded and make a few discoveries of your own.

Survey the Supermarket

Visiting a supermarket is the last thing most people want to do on vacation. It reminds them too much of the chores they must do at home.

But depending upon your destination, a visit to the supermarket can be a memorable experience. The display pictured above is from a Panamanian food store, where machetes are on sale at reasonable prices but a small can of peanuts can set you back $10.

This supermarket knows its customers.

By wandering up and down the aisles for a few minutes, you will learn what local people like to buy, what they feed their families and something about the local cost of living.

Don't spend the whole day here, but why not take cover during a rainstorm and observe daily life in your destination city? At the very least, you'll probably find the basics for a nice picnic lunch you can enjoy outside after the rain stops.

Although the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen is relatively young when compared to other historic churches, it is also one of the few examples of Gothic architecture to be found in Panama.

On a sunny day, a sightseer might spend a few minutes here, snap a picture or two and move on to the next local landmark.

But you might miss out on learning more about this place. On a rainy day, you can spend more time indoors learning about the city and people you've spent time and money to visit.

The church was built to resemble a cathedral in Toledo, Spain. It is considered one of the architectural icons of Panama. Pausing to admire the finer points of its design might be something a rainy day would encourage you to do.

Unless you're heading for the desert, it pays to pack some small, lightweight rain gear. Ponchos and small travel umbrellas can be purchased inexpensively at your local department store.

But sometimes it's advisable to spend a little more money and buy rain gear that is designed specifically for travelers. Two examples:

Magellan's sells a Unisex Waterproof Poncho for $39 that is likely to hold up better than most of the cheaper versions you'll find in the discount stores.

It is one size (43" in length) and is equipped with drawstrings that allow you to keep dry and cool at the same time.

If the net result is a dry experience, the value some good rain gear can add to a budget trip is significant.