I used
Cutter Advanced with Picaridin in the pump spray last November at CCV, it was
very effective against the sand flies (not fleas LOL!) and wasn't smelly or greasy and didn't react with leather/neoprene/rubber like DEET. Other people tried the cactus juice with various amounts of success, I tried it for one afternoon and went the Picaridin for the rest of the week. I may be returning to CCV in March. If I do the only thing I'd change is to bring the larger 6 oz. bottles of the pump spray to share.
THIS IS ALSO WHAT I USE IF I USE ANYTHING...I NEVER HAVE MORE THAN A FEW BITES AND I HARDLY NOTICE THEM
OTOH, this might be the best reason of all:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Christi
Some of my dearest friends have a trip planned to CocoView this June.
John I think you have summed it up best of all...
Christi is a wonderful friend and we hope she goes with us...but we also understand her money and time are valuable like ours and I think her concerns are well founded...she is an excellant photog and I know CCV is macro heaven and I don't think she will even get one sand fly bite cuz she will be spending all her time underwater