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Are you headed on vacay to the beautiful Caribbean soon? If you’re in the midst of preparing for this trip, you may be stressing about what to bring. I totally get it – some Caribbean islands have a limited supply of goods/services available compared to that of the United States. Good news – you can start your vacation mode early, as I have created for you the ultimate Caribbean packing list below.
While the Caribbean islands tend to have limited shopping opportunities and prices in general tend to be higher, this does not mean you need to pack your whole life with you. The fact is that Caribbean life tends to be rather simple, and to truly relax and unplug, there isn’t much you need to bring at all!
If you are like me and prefer to pack light, the below Caribbean packing list fits into my husband’s and my respective carry-on bags and personal items. In fact, we have never checked a bag to travel to the Caribbean – not even on our honeymoon! Here are all the necessities and little extras that we never leave home without, and that are truly all you need for the perfect Caribbean vacation.
The Ultimate Packing List for a Caribbean Vacation
Caribbean Packing List Essentials:
These are the items you will absolutely need in order to access your Caribbean destination without any trouble:
- Boarding passes for flight
- Global Entry Card for return to US, if applicable (not a requirement, but definitely useful for avoiding long lines through security).
- Passport
- Driver’s License (especially if you are renting a car)
- Cash for any ferries/taxis
- Credit Cards
- Debit Card
- Cell Phone
- Phone Charger
Minimize any drama going through airport security by having your passport, global entry card, and boarding passes readily accessible once you get into the airport. I suggest only bringing what cash you need in order to get to your lodging on the taxi or ferry. Any additional cash required for your trip can be withdrawn later as needed.
Personal Item Necessities for Your Flight to the Caribbean
This is the bag that you stow under the seat in front of you on the plane. Your personal item should include things that will make your trip more comfortable, as well as items that would be hard to replace if your luggage got lost. That way if the airline does lose your luggage, you can at least get by for a bit.
- Ipad w/ charger (we download shows on ours to watch on the plane)
- Any prescription medications you may need
- Snacks, such as granola bars (if you don’t want to eat the bland pretzels and cookies offered by the airline)
- Bag of liquids to easily remove when going through security. Here is what I always keep in mine:
- Face Care Products (face wash, toner, moisturizer)
- Face sunscreen
- Shampoo
- Conditioner
- Body Wash
- Toothpaste
- Perfume
- Shave Gel/Cream
Travel Savvy Tip
If you have TSA PreCheck, you will not need to worry about scrambling to remove your liquids when going through security. I’ve had PreCheck for several years now and it makes the airport process so much faster!
Clothing to Pack for the Caribbean:
I’ve always found it quite easy to pack clothes for the Caribbean. Since the weather is so consistent, you don’t need to worry about packing a variety of layers. In fact, since it’s always pretty warm, the clothing you do need, like shorts and tank tops, will take up far less space in your bags than bulky jeans and sweaters would.
Additionally, the vibe in the Caribbean islands tend to be pretty laid back. The dress code never seems to be overly formal. Therefore, you do not need to worry about bringing a bunch of dressy outfits for evening dinners, as even some of the nicest restaurants have a dressed down beach vibe. I love it!
Unfortunately, clothing is an area where many people overpack. Restrain yourself from bringing a bunch of outfit “options”. What will actually happen is you’ll have to carry that heavy suitcase around with you through long airport terminals before lugging it across the island with you. Plus, you’ll only end up wearing half of it anyway!
It is much easier to pack light if you stay somewhere with a washing machine. That way, you can get more than one wear out of what you bring, like swimsuits and casual t-shirts. Assuming that you do, here is what to pack for a week in the Caribbean:
- 2 pairs of shorts (1 denim, 1 white for women or khaki for men)
- 3-5 casual tanks or t-shirts
- 2-3 nicer tops/dresses for the evening
- 2-3 swimsuit options
- Swimsuit coverup (ladies)
- 1-2 pairs of comfortable shorts for hiking
- Sandals/Flipflops
- Sneakers in case you want to hike (some beaches require short hikes)
- 9 pairs of socks
- 10 pairs of underwear
- Ladies only: Bras (2 sports bras, 2 bralettes, and 2 regular bras)
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Sweatshirt for chilly evenings
- Pajamas (for me this looks like 2 pairs of pajama shorts and 5 tank tops)
- Sun shirt or rash guard to protect from those strong rays
Personal Care Items for the Caribbean:
While you could buy some of this stuff in the Caribbean when you arrive, it will be much more cost effective to purchase personal care items at home. In general, even basic goods like a toothbrush tend to be pricier in the Caribbean since the islands must pay to import all these items.
The only two necessities we buy right on the island are bug spray and sunscreen, since we need more than would be allowed in a carry-on. Below (with the exception of those two items) is what we do manage to squeeze into our suitcases:
- Deodorant
- Bug Spray (If checking a bag)
- Reef Safe Sunscreen (If checking a bag)
- Lip balm with SPF
- Cotton balls/Q-tips
- Minimal makeup
- Razor
- Toothbrush
- Hair ties
- Feminine care Items
- Comb
- Hair dryer (check with lodging, as most places have this)
- Nighttime braces and such (ie. I wear foot braces to bed, but you may need things like a mouth guard or retainer)
- Get the occasional bout of foot pain? I always bring a golf ball to roll out my foot just in case.
- Over the counter medicine:
- Ibuprofen
- Claritin
- Neosporin
- Bandaids
- Vitamins
Travel Savvy Tip
Don’t bother with hot tools, such as a hair straightener. The humid air will see to it that your hair does not cooperate with your attempts at styling.
Electronics:
You’ll want to keep electronics to a minimum – we go on vacation to disconnect, after all, right? Plus, there is always the risk of having a valuable get lost or stolen.
Since I know you gotta get those perfect beach photos and listen to some tunes while you lounge with your toes in the sand, the below is the maximum you should bring. Please do not bring drones – they are often not allowed anyways and are disruptive on an otherwise relaxing beach.
- Waterproof Portable Bluetooth Speaker for beach tunes w/ charger
- Camera w/ charger (I used the Sony A6000)
- GoPro w/ charger – these are awesome for waterproof action shots.
- Portable Charger in case your phone dies while you’re out and about. We bring these on every trip and they are so handy!
Caribbean Vacation Packing List Extras:
Here are a few more things to add to your Caribbean vacation checklist (space permitting) that may make your trip more enjoyable:
- Books for beach reads
- Beach bag
- Headphones
- Pen
- Snorkel equipment
- Towels (although check with your lodging, as most places provide these)
- Insulated Water Bottle – the YETI is the most popular example. These tumblers are great on the beach, and they’ll keep your water cold all day long. The ice won’t even be fully melted!
- Tervis tumbler with lid – this is what we love to use for sipping drinks on the beach. The lids help prevent spills and sand from getting inside.
- Tropical playlist for beach or poolside tunes
- Small football (or other ball) to toss on the beach
• • •
Now you are all ready for a stress-free and wonderful vacation in the Caribbean. Packing light will save you time and energy, as well as allow you to fully unwind on the perfect getaway. Bonnes vacances!
Hi! I love this post, and am finding a lot of good information. One question – is the water from sinks/restaurants safe to drink in general across the islands?
Thank you! In general, the drinking water in the Caribbean is safe across most islands. That said, once you decide which island you are heading to, I would still double check with your resort/accommodation to be sure.
Hello, would like your thoughts, for a multifamily vacation with 8 adults and 5 adult kids would you suggest the Island of St. Johns or St.Thomas and which timeshare resorts would you recommend. Thank you in advance.
You will find many more timeshare resorts on St. Thomas, as St. John has very few hotels. Bolongo Bay Beach Resort is a nice all-inclusive option, Margaritaville Vacation Club is also very popular, and Secret Harbor Beach Resort sits on a gorgeous secluded bay with great sunsets and snorkeling. Hope that helps!
love this! I popped on here for your packing list and recognized the picture on the wall in your image of the painkiller drink, then I clicked Caribbean and realized you have all St John info, which is where we’re headed again…love the site!
Thank you so much! Happy travels 🙂
I appreciate how comprehensive this is, you really have something for everyone. Thanks for sharing!
Of course! 🙂
This is so helpful for my type A brain, thank you!
You are most welcome!