Powdery white sand, clear turquoise water, and colourful cocktails should convince you to go for a holiday to the Caribbean. But before you get too excited, ensure you have all the essentials for a relaxing holiday. Packing for your Caribbean vacation is similar to packing for any tropical destination – you need items to shield you from the sun. To guide you on this, here’s what to pack for a trip to the Caribbean.
1. Light/Summer Clothing
Since the Caribbean is hot and humid year-round, don’t waste the space in your bag on thick sweaters, heavy jeans, and bulky jackets since you won’t be able to wear them. Casual and light summer clothing made of lightweight natural fabrics, such as cotton, silk or linen, will work best. Since you will most likely spend most of your days at the beach, bring plenty of beachy clothing. Aside from summer dresses, pack loose shorts, tank tops, and coverups. Bring more formal outfits for when you go out in the evenings for fancy dinner or drinks, such as a stylish dress or fancy top paired with khakis.
If you’re heading to Barbados, make your holiday more relaxing by staying in Hammerton Barbados, one of the best villa rentals in the Caribbean. Since the villa comes with a pool, then you need to pack a swimsuit for the pool to enjoy a refreshing dip when it gets hot and humid. In fact, a swimsuit is essential for any Caribbean holiday. Choose something versatile and stays put so you can swim, walk along the beach, or even hike with it through the jungle. Bring a pair of two swimsuits so you’ll have an extra pair to put on while the other is wet.
Remember that different islands have different customs. So, it’s a good idea to research before packing skimpy dresses, thong bikinis, or short skirts. Basically, the clothes that work best for the Caribbean are those made from light and breezy fabric.
2. Toiletries/Medication
Most islands in the Caribbean are well-touristed, so you will not have a hard time buying whatever you need there, including toiletries. You might even find the same brand of toiletries as you have back home. However, prices might be a bit higher.
To be sure, consider bringing your own toiletries. But be wary about airline rules on liquid. If you’re taking hand luggage with you and checking in some toiletries, each item must not be more than 100 ml and should be kept inside a clear bag. Some toiletries to bring are deodorant, sunblock or sunscreen, travel-sized lotion, insect repellent wipes, and anti-itch cream. In most cases, your hotel or resort should have some toiletries available.
Aside from toiletries, you also need to bring medication, especially if you are going to some remote places where you might not be able to get them. When it comes to the medication, you need anti-seasick tablets, antacids, antihistamines, cough drops, a first aid kit and maintenance medications, if you have one. Don’t forget to bring prescriptions from your doctor.
3. Tech
Travelling these days will require us to bring several gadgets and devices. For instance, you need your mobile phone to be able to communicate back home and take pictures. Along with your phone, you also need to bring chargers and adapters if you’re visiting a destination with electric sockets different from what you have at home.
Aside from a mobile phone, you also need to bring accessories, such as headphones, which come in handy when you want to listen to music or podcasts while waiting for your flight at the airport. To ensure your mobile phone will not run out of battery, bring a power bank, especially if going on day trips to places with no electricity. Many people stay in holiday rentals when visiting the Caribbean for work, so you might also need your laptop. You may also need to pack a camera if you don’t want to rely on your mobile phone to take photos.
Make sure you have a reliable bag to store these devices. Leaving your gadgets to mingle with your toiletries is a recipe for disaster. So, store them in a durable bag, separate from toiletries and liquids.
4. Home Comforts
Sometimes, bringing some home comforts will make our holiday even more relaxing. This is especially true if you are staying in a villa in the Caribbean, where you may need to bring some of your own amenities.
Consider bringing an inflatable pillow to save space in your luggage. Also, opt for travel-sized blankets, which are compact and lightweight, allowing you to pop them in your luggage with ease. You can also bring a mini diffuser kit to help you sleep well at night. It can also help with relaxation, which is helpful for people who find it difficult to sleep in new places. A diffuser with relaxing oils is also a great way to wind down after a long day of exploration.
Bring a portable coffee maker if you cannot function without your favourite coffee. With a portable coffee maker, you can sip your favourite coffee anywhere and anytime. So, even if there’s no coffee shop nearby, you will not miss your daily coffee ritual.
5. Comfortable Footwear
Make sure you bring a comfortable pair of footwear to the Caribbean. Bring a pair of shoes that you can wear for strolling, sightseeing, or any activity you plan to do.
Flip-flops and sandals are the staple footwear for the Caribbean, but consider bringing a good pair of swimming shoes as well. If you plan on hiking or going on day excursions requiring long walks, you need to wear a sturdy pair of hiking boots.
You will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy fun and exciting water sports in the Caribbean. But a pair of water shoes will make for a more enjoyable and comfortable experience. These are lightweight and breathable shoes that you can wear in the water. They also have excellent traction, so you will not slip when walking on wet and slippery surfaces.
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