Stay healthy and roar on!

How to a avoid the bear flu and other bugs

No one wants to miss out on pool parties or club fun due to a pesky infection.
A little prep goes a long way. Here’s a 4-week example program for a healthy bear, followed by pre-flight tips and hygienic recommendations during your stay with us.

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4-week programme | Pre-flight paperwork | STI tests | Bear week hygiene | Final tips

Hola, Bears and Friends! We at Checkpoint Canarias can’t wait to welcome visitors from over 40 countries to Gran Canaria for Bear Carnival. As your local, free and anonymous STI testing and counseling center, we want to make sure you enjoy every hug, kiss, and party without the unwanted souvenirs (like colds, STDs, or the infamous bear flu). So, together with our buddies at Bear Carnival, we’ve put together some fun, easy tips to stay healthy while you roar!

This information is provided by Checkpoint Canarias, Bear Carnival’s main partner charity. It’s only published for general informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Individuals should seek professional healthcare advice for any personal health concerns or conditions.

Power up your immune system

A 4-week boosting programme

This doctor-approved, pre-bear week programme will add a good habit every few days before Bear Carnival! Do you accept the challenge? 😉

When	What	How
4 weeks before	🥗Nutrition and hydration	Increase intake of vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats (avocados, nuts). Drink 2–3 liters of water daily. Take a multivitamin and vitamin D. Optional: Vitamin C or zinc (moderate doses only).
3 weeks before	🏃🏻Stress management	Get 7–8 hours of sleep per night. Reduce stress with yoga, meditation, or daily walks. Engage in some moderate exercise: 30 minutes of cardio (walking, jogging, cycling) and strength training.
2 weeks before	🙅🏻Risk reduction	Cut back on alcohol and junk food. Add probiotics (yogurt, kefir) for better gut and immune health. Actively avoid contact with sick people. Minimum pre-bear week window period for most STIs starts. Consider avoiding risky sexual encounters.
1 week before	👍🏻Final adjustments	Ensure you have enough medication if you take prescriptions. Prioritize hygiene (frequent handwashing, personal towels). Plan for any pre-bear week medical checkups if needed, including STI testing just before departure.

Pre-flight paperwork

Health documents to consider before departing

Evaluate a Travel Health Insurance: Because partying is fun, hospital bills are not.
EU Visitors: Request your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). It covers necessary healthcare during a temporary stay in another EU country under the same conditions and at the same cost as locals. Depending on your country, this should be requested 5 to 14 days before departure.

Get tested for sexually transmitted infections

Before or after you arrive to Gran Canaria

As mentioned on our 4-week programme above, we recommend avoiding risky sexual encounters for at least two weeks before bear week and getting tested just before departure in your hometown. Two weeks is the minimum window period for many common STIs—the time between exposure and when an infection can be reliably detected by a test. While this period can be longer for some infections and personal profiles, waiting at least two weeks helps ensure more accurate results.

If you don’t have time to test before traveling, you can still get a free and anonymous test upon arrival in Gran Canaria at Checkpoint Canarias. As a nonprofit, we rely on donations—your support helps provide testing for others.

Bear week hygiene made easy

Bear Carnival is known for unforgettable parties. Keep the vibe going strong without sharing unwanted bugs. Basic pandemic-era precautions are still valid for large packs of bears!

Wash Your Paws: Frequent handwashing (and other body parts as needed) will help you dodge the dreaded bear flu.
Limit Kissing and Consider Fist Bumps instead: If you’re feeling cautious, and especially if sniffly or under the weather, maybe switch to a friendly fist bump or wave at least for a day.
Mask Up if Necessary: Not feeling your best? A day or two in a mask is better than wiping out half the dance floor.
Cover Coughs & Sneezes: Always into a tissue or your elbow, not someone else’s face

Final tips

Stay Active: Explore the beaches, join carnival games, and dance your paws off—just balance it with rest.
Manage the Sun and the Heat: Gran Canaria’s sunshine is glorious. But Maspalomas is just 480 km north of the Tropic of Cancer. You will probably need extra care to enjoy that intense solar radiaton. Please hydrate, constantly use sunscreen, and keep shade in mind if you’re fair-skinned.
Listen to Your Body: Feeling off? Check in with a friend or see a local pharmacist. Early self-care can save your trip.
Party in Moderation: A roaring good time beats a next-day headache. Pace yourself, so you can keep going all week long.

We’re thrilled to welcome you to Bear Carnival as proud partners in health, fun, and community spirit. By following these simple steps—getting tested, practicing good hygiene, and taking care of yourself—you’ll help us all have a healthy, happy, and unforgettable carnival.

See you soon!

Need an STI test or want to lend us a paw with a donation?
Visit checkpointcanarias.com