Caribbean Packing List: Be Prepared To Experience Wonders

What will you bring to enjoy a trip to the Caribbean? Write yourself a Caribbean packing list to ensure you get everything you need!

The Caribbean is a wonderful place with turquoise water, yellow-white sand and a diverse ecosystem. However, living on an island means you can’t always get what you need immediately. So you better be prepared to avoid inconveniences.

But don’t worry, you can still travel light and simple. In this list, we will give you some advice on which item you should bring along when coming to the Caribbean and how to save space as much as possible.

Documents

You should make a checklist of every document needed in case you forget anything important. Photo by Jordy Veldhoen on Unsplash

• Visa
• Passport
• Covid-related certificates
• Boarding passes/plane tickets
• Travel itinerary
• Travel insurance.

If you are travelling to the Caribbean from another country, personal documents are something you should spend time preparing carefully.

Common documents such as Visa, passport, and boarding passes are a must-have. Most, if not all, islands in the region now welcome unvaccinated visitors. So you don’t need to provide COVID certificate and COVID vaccination card.

However, you should prepare an insurance certificate for health insurance abroad, a list of emergency contacts, and even a driving license if you are going to rent a car or a bike.

CabinZero tips: The CBP has also publish a guide on Caribbean Summer Travel Tips. It’s worth a read.

Clothes

Bring a hat as an accessory to take pictures or simply enjoy the sunshine. Photo by Francesca - stock.adobe.com

Essential

• T-shirts
• Shorts
• Pants
• Skirts
• Maxi
• Dresses
• Sweater

Various sets of clothes are necessary items on a vacation, especially if you are planning to take memorable pictures of the beautiful nature here. 

To pack your clothes for the Caribbean trip, first, you should count how long you will stay. Of course, you can change your clothes constantly whenever you like. However, you might probably wear around three outfits per day, so try not to overpack them.

The Caribbean has two main seasons: wet and dry, and the time might change based on your target island, but the weather overall is not so different. Most of the time, the Caribbean weather is warm, so you don’t have to bother packing thick clothes or layers. However, you might want to bring a windbreaker jacket to avoid night breezes.

You should stick to simple options like T-shirts, crop tops, shorts, maxi dresses, etc. If you want to bring pyjamas, prepare those with light and cool materials. You can decide your concept to pick the clothes easier.

The Caribbean is said to have a relaxing vibe, so you should probably go with something not so formal. That said, there are certain resorts and restaurants that have a dress code. So bring along an outfit or two just in case, especially if you are on a cruise trip.

Beach gear

• Swimsuits
• Coverups
• Rashguard

About the swimsuits, you should bring at least two sets to wear interchangeably and wait for one to dry before wearing it again. You can choose any set based on your liking. Don’t forget to bring along a light cover, it can help you avoid sunshine and protect your skin.

Shoes

• Trainers
• Flip Flops
• Water shoes

You should also have flip-flops to walk on the beach easier. Based on your intended outfits, you can prepare sandals or high heels for special circumstances. If you intend to visit further destinations which require walking or hiking, bring some socks and trainers.

Others

• Hats
• Sunglasses
• Scarf or pashmina.

For the accessories, you should bring at least one hat and a pair of sunglasses to protect against the sun. We recommend you choose silver or gold jewellery instead of costume jewellery. The seawater contains a lot of salt which can affect the coating of costume jewellery, therefore making them oxidise.

Technology devices

Power bank is needed if you intend to take various pictures during your trip. Photo by Drobot Dean - stock.adobe.com

• Phone
• Power bank
• Charger
• Adapter.

The first and indispensable is, of course, your phone. While travelling, you can not let your phone runs out of battery. You will need it to take pictures, search for directions or even translate. So don’t forget to bring your charger and also a power bank if you have one.

The Caribbean may have different voltage, plugs and power outlets from your origin country. So be prepared to bring converters or adapters. You can also ask your hotel if they provide these devices but the chance is low.

Based on your needs, you can also bring your laptop or camera along. If you bring your camera, priority the waterproof ones or prepare a waterproof case when you go to the beach.

Toiletries

Most hotels will provide toiletries but you should bring your own if possible. Photo by Syda Productions - stock.adobe.com

• Basic toiletries of choice
• Sunscreen
• Moisturiser
• Hand sanitisers
• Laundry bag.

For toiletries, most hotels will provide you with shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, and a toothbrush. However, these items may not be up to your standard, so we recommend you pack your own toiletries to ensure suitability.

If you are going to make up on the trip, remember to choose sunscreens with SPF and waterproof. Even if you don’t go swimming, you can still easily sweat due to the hot weather. An essential item you must bring along is suncream, or else your skin might get burnt unwantedly. 

Do not forget the skincare products. Going to a different atmosphere and interacting with seawater might require your skin some time to adapt. This can lead to unwanted rashes or pimples. You should prepare products to soothe your skin or lessen the effects rapidly.

For make-up, go for something light and waterproof. The hot and humid weather can cause your makeup to drift easily. Light makeup is also more suitable for the Caribbean vibe, a little layoff and carefree. 

You should also bring a bottle of hand sanitiser. If you are afraid of bugs, you can also prepare a travel-size bug spray. And don’t forget to follow the 3-1-1 rule if you travel by plane. Any makeup products have to follow this rule.

Things like towels will surely be provided by the hotel. But if you are afraid of hygiene, you can bring along a pack of wet wipes or even a towel of your own. Don’t worry, you can always buy what you need at the destination. Though the price might be higher than usual.

Extras

There are millions of things you can bring on your trip. Photo by Kittiphan - stock.adobe.com

• Medicine
• Snorkels
• Cash & Travel Credit Card
• Entertainments.

Based on your personal needs, the destination as well as the activities you participate in, there are extra things you should prepare. Here are some we think are necessary.

Firstly, medicine. There is a high chance that pharmacies are available at the destination. But there is no certainty that they will have the medicine you need. Bring some aspirin, digestive medicine and especially medicines for your chronic diseases. Bring a copy of your doctor's advice and prescription to get them on the plane.

CabinZero tips: Have you ever heard of packing cubes? Trust us, they’re a  total game-changer.

Secondly, snorkels. Diving into the cool water of beaches in the Caribbean is an unmissable activity. You can bring your own snorkels or goggles to explore the underwater here if you don’t want to rent them from the locals.

Thirdly, travel credit cards. Many places in the Caribbean accept paying by card. They can save you from emergency cases when running out of cash, allowing you to enjoy the trip to its fullest. Don’t forget to check if your cards are accepted internationally.

Fourthly, an umbrella or a raincoat. If you are visiting this region during the wet season, rain is inevitable. Prepare yourself to still be able to travel even under the rain rather than having to stay all day in the hotel.

Fifthly, a waterproof bag. It can be a sling bag, a flipside, a pouch, etc. to help you keep your personal stuff while moving on the road. However, it must be waterproof to be able to come down beaches or avoid the rain. If you don’t have any waterproof bags, you can prepare a rain cover.

Moreover, if you are the type of person who can’t live without entertainment, don’t forget to prepare some. You can download some offline games on the phone to play on the plane or bring along some books. If you travel with children, bring them some toys or a backup Ipad for them to play with.

Extra: What To Bring On A Caribbean Cruise

Most of the time, cruises will have certain dress codes for different activities and time of day. For instance, hanging around the pool calls for casual outfits and simple swimsuits. And when you go indoor or traverse through the common areas, you need to wear a swim cover-up. Here’s a quick packing list for your whole Caribbean cruise trip.

Casual outfit

• T-shirts (moisture-wicking preferably)
• Tank tops
• Shorts
• Sundresses
• Sweater
• Skirts
• Swimsuits
• Coverup (for walking from stateroom to the pool and vice versa)
• Gym wear
• Sleep wear
• Light rain jacket

Smart casual/formal night attire

• Cocktail dresses
• Skirts
• Dinner suit
• Long pants
• Designer jeans
• Dress shirt
• Button-down shirts
• Sport coat or blazer (optinal).

Shoes

• Flip flops or sandals
• Waterproof slides
• Trainers for fitness class or gym
• Hiking boots.

Others

• A watch
• Diving Gear
• Toiletries, prescription medicine and first-aid kit
• Seasickness medication
• Sunscreen
• Day pack or beach bag.

Quality Daybag For The Caribbean Trip: ADV DRY WATERPROOF BAG 11L

If you want to travel light and simple, you can keep your stuff in a day bag to explore the destination. Though this means you can’t carry everything you want, it will surely cover everything you need.

With dimensions of 32 x 21 x 12 cm, CabinZero ADV Dry Waterproof Bag has a capacity of 11L and 30L and various patterns to choose from. This is a fashionable backpack made of water-resistant materials.

The backpack is also equipped with an RFID-blocking pocket, a bungee cord on the front panel, and a key clip to help you organise your belongings more conveniently. You don’t have to worry about anything getting wet thanks the high water-resistance coating exceeding 19,000mm.

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Last tips

To make your Caribbean packing list the most complete, you should start planning your trip as soon as possible. Note down all the details to decide what you need and what you don’t, from the destination culture to the activities you want to join. If you are going to travel with your family of children and elders, don’t forget to prepare for them also.

Search for the weather at the time you visit beforehand. And remember to read reviews of people who have experienced your hotel as well as the Caribbean to see what more you should prepare.

Finally, create a checklist to ensure you have got everything in hand. Though this may seem like a lot of work, the result will truly pay off when you have a wonderful time in the Caribbean. Good luck, and have fun!

Claire Thuc