Packing Tips for your Caribbean Vacation - a packing list
If you are planning a trip to the Caribbean and you don't know what to pack this list will probably trigger a few items you may be forgetting. You may not want to pack it all, but we hope there will be a few items here that will help you enjoy your dream vacation. Visit us at Dream Travel Magazine for more travel tips and tricks.
How to Pack Important Documents
You should always pack copies of important documents especially when you are traveling to the Caribbean. Make copies of any phone numbers and important documents and store them in different pieces of luggage in case you lose them. These documents can also help luggage handlers retrieve your luggage when they are lost, as they have your identification and travel itinerary so they can get your luggage to you faster. Another great tip is to send yourself an email with all these documents/numbers so that you can access it from anywhere you are.
Some important documents/numbers to keep track of:
- Passport
- e-ticket
- Hotel voucher
- Travel insurance documents
- Credit Cards (most purchases including food or duty free on planes require payment with credit card now as they are no longer dealing with cash)
- Money (U.S. Currency is the most accepted unless you are traveling to Cuba where Canadian currency can be exchanged more easily.)
- Pen (carry a pen in your carry-on for filling in customs cards on the plane)
Medication/First Aid Kit
If you travel a lot especially to foreign countries you will want to have a medication kit in your luggage. Some common medications are not easily or readily available on your vacation, so if you are struck with a sniffle, a raging headache, an allergic reaction or bug bites you want to be prepared. There is nothing worse than having to search through a Caribbean country, your resort looking for these necessities and since many of them come in small travel size containers they will not take up too much room in your luggage.
- Prescription medications (carry your medications with you in your handbag or carry on luggage)
- Stomach remedies (Immodium, Gravol, Anti-acid)
- First Aid - Band Aids (in various sizes), Polysporin ointment
- Insect repellent (with Deet), After-Bite, Calamine lotion (Mosquito love warm hot climates as much as you, be better safe than sorry and take some with you)
- Pain Medication (Advil, Tylonol)
- Cold Medication (Day and Nighttime relief these are hard to find on vacation as not many people pack them, and if you've ever been caught on vacation with the sniffles you will never to forget to pack them and some travel size kleenix)
- Back Pain Relaxer - Robaxacet (it is a strange bed, your back may suffer)
Toiletries
Like medications many toiletries can be hard to get in some Caribbean regions. I got stuck in Cuba when I got my period early and had to pay a maid at the resort $20 bucks for 5 tampons. Make an extensive list of the things you need on your vacation, here are some basics to get you started.
- Shampoo, Conditioner
- Soap and/or body wash
- Sunscreen, Lip balm,
- Aloe gel, Body cream
- Deodorant
- Shaving gel, Razor
- Q-tips, cotton swabs
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Make-up
Clothing/Accessories
It may seem obvious, but many people focus on the obvious, shorts, bathing suit and t-shirts and forget some must haves on vacation. Many resorts in the Caribbean offer a la carte restaurants and they often have dress codes. For women this is not a challenge as they can wear a nice dress or skirt, but men often must wear long slacks. Make sure you check ahead and pack accordingly. Another often forgot item PJs.
- Shorts, capris pants
- T-shirts, tank tops
- Undergarments
- Sleep wear, PJs
- Nice clothes for a-la carte or restaurants with dress codes
- Sun hat, sunglasses
- Bathing suits, wraps
- Beach Bag (you might need something to take to the beach or on a day trip)
- Evening wrap or sweater (if traveling in cooler seasons you may find the temperatures drop slightly in the evening)
- Sandals, shoes, flip flops
- Workout wear, running shoes (if you plan to hit the hotel gym or the beach for a nice run)
Extras
Here are a few other extras you may want to consider packing if you have room.
- Needle and thread
- Hand sanitizer
- Wet wipes
- Air freshener
- Umbrella
- Camera
- Snorkel Equipment
- Travel Adapter
- Luggage Scale
- Books/Magazines
- Snack food (for the plane, and for munching at the resort)