For The Ladies:
First of all, don’t overpack!! Forget trying to pack an outfit for every occasion. You want the basics and essentials, but think of forgetting something as an opportunity to explore local stores for some fun shopping.
To start, put together your toiletry bag. Mine includes:
Toothpaste, toothbrush (2-one for the hotel, one for your purse), dental floss.
Some band aids & antibiotic cream—those new shoes might start to rub
Individual packets of laundry soap or Woolite—plan on washing underwear
Pain medication (Tylenol, aspirin, etc.). Meclizine (Bonine) for motion sickness.
Ear plugs—for the plane as well as your roommate
Eye drops—for the dry air on the plane as well as on the road
Comb and brush, shower cap, small magnifying mirror for makeup
Small alarm clock & tiny flashlight
Makeup remover pads (if you use makeup)
Deodorant & tiny perfume bottle
A few rubber bands and safety pins—it’s amazing how many uses they have
Small tubes of facial wash, facial cream, sunblock, favorite skin serum
Medications and vitamins (or carry in another toiletry-sized bag)
Sunscreen and bug repellent—sunscreen sticks and Deet impregnated cloths avoid TSA issues.
Stain remover stick, such as Tide To Go
Makeup, in a separate little bag if necessary.
Anything else you really can’t live without
The Clothes:
Bathing suit(s)—preferably 2, one to dry while wearing the other
Bathing suit cover-up(s)—or buy one from a local vendor. Sarongs also work.
Capris and shorts—a pair of capris for roaming around town or exploring, another nicer pair for evening. Shorts are OK for daytime
Several sleeveless or short-sleeved blouses or light shirts
Sundress or light summer frocks for evening. Two plus that nice pair of capris should be enough for a week. Or, if you prefer, lightweight pants and a couple of breezy tops work
Shawl or cardigan for air-conditioned restaurants
Shoes: one pair of walking sandals, one pair of dress sandals, and water shoes or flip flops.
Underwear sufficient for several days. Washing it out instead of packing enough for 10 days is why you have the laundry packets
Hat or hats for sun protection and bad hair days
Windbreaker jacket for rainy days
Any desired exercise clothing
Sleeping attire
For The Men:
The Toiletry Bag:
Shaving suppliers (look for little tubes of cream, if used)
Toothbrush, small tube toothpaste, dental floss, proxy brush if used
Medications and vitamins, including a little Pepto-Bismol
For trimming a beard carry a little scissors with TSA-approved rounded tips
Sunscreen and bug repellent
Deodorant
Comb(s)—several if you lose them as frequently as my husband does
Stain remover stick
Small shoe horn & sample sized shoe shine sponge or cloth
Chapstick/lip balm for sun-burnt lips
A few toothpicks—they may come in handy
Anything your traveling partner doesn’t want to carry
The Clothes:
Bathing suit(s)—one to dry and one to wear
T-shirts or other cover-ups to wear to the beach
Short sleeved or polo shirts
Shorts—at least 2 as they will get dirty
Long-sleeved collar shirts for evenings in the restaurants.
Pants—required for the better restaurants.
Shoes: comfortable sandals, water shoes or flip-flops for the beach, closed shoes for the evening restaurants.
Socks as needed for the shoes
Hat for the sun
Anything your traveling partner can’t fit in their suitcase
For the TSA Checkpoint:
All liquids carried in the cabin must follow the 3-1-1 rule:
Bottle no more than 3 ounces
All bottles fit in a 1 quart plastic zip-lock bag
One bag per person
Things that go in the liquids baggie:
Small bottles of favorite shampoo and conditioner, if desired
Small bottle of hair gel/mousse and hair spray, if used
Small mouthwash
Favorite dermatology products (for me, facial wash and lotions)
For Eveyone:
Passport and boarding passes
Copies of your passport packed separately from the passport
Copies of your flight itinerary
Copy of your insurance policy
Small bills for extra tips or souvenir shopping
Zip-lock baggies of varying sizes
Adapter for different electrical outlets
Emergency contact list
Snack bars/nuts for emergencies or when stuck on the airplane
A sense of adventure and excitement. You are off to the Caribbean!!
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