In the long, sticky Cuban summer, keeping cool is serious business.

Each day, and especially on weekends, thousands of Havana residents rise early to make the trek from rural hamlets and stuffy urban neighborhoods for the more forgiving atmosphere at the island's powdery beaches. Temperatures in the capital can reach as high as 31 degrees Celsius (87 degrees Fahrenheit) in July and August, with humidity hovering above 80 percent.

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In this Aug.10, 2014, photo, people get ready to swim in the ocean as they arrive to Guanabo beach on the outskirts of Havana, Cuba. Each day, and especially on weekends, thousands of Havana residents rise early to make the trek to the country's powdery beaches. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa) 

In this Aug 10, 2014, photo, youngsters prepare to jump from the of old railway bridge into the Matanzas river mouth, in Matanzas, Cuba. Daredevil teenage boys leap from a rusty, 30-foot-tall railroad bridge, yelling encouragement to each other. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Opening text from the AP article AP PHOTOS: CUBANS TREK TO BEACH TO COOL OFF. 

Lead Image Caption: In this Aug. 9, 2014 photo, people ride on horseback as others swim in the cool Caribbean waters of Mi Cayito beach, on the outskirts of Havana, Cuba. Cuba's Meteorological Institute said recently the island had recorded its third-hottest July since 1951, with an average of 28 degrees Celsius (about 82 degrees Fahrenheit) for the month of August. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

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