Caribbean Packing List: What to Bring on Vacation
Those planning a vacation to the Caribbean might be overwhelmed by the thought of packing. While a trip to a tropical destination is exciting, if you have never been, you probably aren’t sure what to bring with you. We have vacationed in the Caribbean quite a bit and believe we have come up with a great Caribbean packing list.
The key to packing for a tropical vacation is knowing how to pack efficiently by making sure you have what you need instead of what you might need.
Overpacking is the worst. Not only will you end up paying more for luggage that is heavy, but you may also find that you are less organized with way too many items crammed in your bags.
One way to make sure that your items stay neat and organized in your luggage is to use packing cubes.
These will allow you to find what you need without having to tear up your entire suitcase.
These are 10 things to Add to Your Caribbean Packing List
1. Cruise Clothing
The right Caribbean clothing will be essential for your comfort while on vacation.
It is an average of 80ËšF in most Caribbean locations and humid nearly year round which means you will feel sticky if you aren’t wearing the right things.
You will be in the tropics, so dress appropriately.
Bring shorts, tops, sundresses and, of course, swimsuits. Look for pieces that are interchangeable so that you can wear them more than once.
Bring items that can also serve multiple purposes, like a scarf that can also be used as a beach cover-up.
Choose fabrics that are breathable and clothing that won’t stick to your body.
Find out if your resort has laundry services on site. If so, be sure to pack a few laundry detergent sheets so that you can do some wash.
After a day in the sun, your body may react by making you feel cooler in the evening.
Bring a lightweight kimono or cardigan sweater.
Also, I always bring a small bottle of Bounty Wrinkle Release so I don’t have to iron everything!
It also works great as a fabric refresher when you want to wear an item more than once.
2. Hat & Sunglasses
Hats & sunglasses are essential items to pack when you will be out in the sun day after day.
Choose a wide-brim hat to protect your face (and one that collapses to make it easy to pack) and sunglasses with UVB & UVA protection.
3. Shoes
Walking Shoes are one of the most difficult items to pack because they weigh so much.
Try to wear your sneakers on the plane and then pack the other shoes you will need for your Caribbean vacation in your luggage.
- Upper: Eco-conscious eco-certified cotton canvas.
- Closure: Stretch Cotton Laces.
- Foot Bed: Removable Twill Covered EVA.
When packing for the Caribbean, bring a pair of flip-flops, sandals and a dressier shoe if you plan on dining at a fancy restaurant.
- Original Sling upper design, featuring two-way stretch jersey made with 40% recycled plastic using traceable, verifiable REPREVE Our Ocean polyester yarn by Unifi, which provides a comfortable and secure fit.
- The original memory foam Yoga Mat footbed that molds to your foot for instantly Om-mazing comfort
- Happy U tread sponge rubber outsole made with 53% recycled material
- Sustainability Initiative(s): REPREVE Our Ocean recycled polyester
- RN 88276
I swear by Sanuk sandals & beach shoes. They are absolutely my favorites to wear!
4. Lightweight Bag
This is not the time or place to bring your normal leather bag. Leave it at home and opt for a neutral, lightweight bag that can double as a beach tote!
If you need a fancier bag for an evening out, opt for a small clutch that will also fit your phone.
5. Sunscreen
The #1 must-have item on our Caribbean packing list is sunscreen.
Bring a high-level SPF sunscreen that is waterproof.
We always carry a sunscreen stick in our day bag to touch up our face, ears, shoulders and back of the neck which tends to get the most sun exposure throughout the day.
6. Insect Repellent Wipes
Insect-repellent wipes are something you will be so glad to have in the Caribbean. When you are out & about in the tropics, you are going to encounter bugs.
Bugs like mosquitoes can carry harmful diseases, and you will want to do what you can to avoid getting bit.
While you could bring a pump spray bottle, we prefer bug wipes (like these from Avon’s Skin So Soft line).
- Mosquito repellent in the form of wipes for convenient and easy application
- Insect repellent wipes that are safe for use around people and pets (when used as directed)
- Made with botanical extracts
- Anti mosquito towelette tested by entomologists, featuring a fresh scent and containing no added dye, fragrance, or harsh chemical odors
- Rooted in Nature, Optimized by Science
They are the perfect size to carry in your day bag and you don’t have to worry about it spilling on the items in your luggage.
7. Waterproof Phone Pouch
These are some of my favorite things to pack for a Caribbean trip.
When you are at the beach and worried about leaving your phone, credit cards or cash when you take a dip in the ocean, take it with you in one of these waterproof phone cases!
8. Easy to Pack & Quick Dry Towel
While your resort or cruise ship might provide you a towel, chances are it is like a bath towel and will take forever to dry.
Instead, bring along a lightweight towel that dries fast so that you can pack it in your beach tote.
- [QUALITY] – Made of 100% Turkish cotton, Turkish beach towels using only natural dyes. These beach towels oversized 38″ x 71″ dimensions to please any customer. Complementary pouch for travel beach towel will keep your bag dry
9. Refillable filtered water bottle
When it comes to staying hydrated, you will need to make sure you have the right kind of water bottle.
Choose one that holds a good amount of water and will filter it!
10. Chafing stick
Chances are that if you are in the Caribbean you are going to be doing some walking and it will be hot.
To keep your legs from chafing, bring a Glide stick.
These sticks are easy to pack and can be used on anything from your thighs to your heels!
A trip to the Caribbean is a wonderful way to spend your vacation. We hope that this Caribbean packing list helps you see that you won’t need to pack a ton of items for your trip, just the things you’ll need!
Do you have any must-have items to pack for a Caribbean vacation?
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