Things One Must Carry On Caribbean Holidays

Are you planning your dream holiday to the Caribbean islands? It must be overwhelming to organise everything and hope you aren’t forgetting anything. In order to aid your pre-holiday packing and planning, we have come up with some items you cannot forget and others you might not have thought about.

At the expense of stating the obvious, you would need a suitcase, a carryon bag, a set of toiletries-including make-up for the women, and your basic accessories, which it is advised not to wear during travel to economise on time at security checks at airports. To optimise on space, don't carry toiletries, which the hotels provide, such as shampoo, soap, shower gel, towels and hair dryers. Remember to include a cloth bag for the beach and outings.

Do not forget your sun block! The sun in the Caribbean is strong and requires a sun block of at least 30 SPF to avoid sun burn. If your skin is sensitive or you have children travelling with you, perhaps you would also consider carrying some after-sun lotion in the event of sunburn, which may put a damper on your plans.

Speaking of dampers, the wonderful tropical location you will be visiting does receive frequent rain, with some islands having a bit of rain almost every day. So you may want to pack a lightweight rain jacket or umbrella if you don’t want to get caught in a storm.

As far as clothing is concerned, generally packing for a tropical isle can be easy…dress light! However, it is advised not to pack any camouflage clothing as some islands in the Caribbean such as Barbados and Dominica prohibit civilians from dressing in such a way. Carry at least two pairs of swimsuits so you aren’t stuck in an uncomfortably clammy wet one.

For women, keep in mind some of these islands may also not be happy with skimpy clothing. Therefore, either research about the required clothing on beaches at the island in question, or replace tiny shorts with Capri's or a wrap-around skirt. They are light, breezy and may actually help you to get into the tropical mood. Don’t forget to pack at least one formal outfit for a nice dinner or a night on the town. For women, it can be a dress or nice top with slacks. For men, a polo shirt with a light jacket is good enough.

Do not forget your flip-flops! More than a statement of beachwear, these shoes are practical and can be worn almost anywhere, an essential when on a beach holiday. Crocs or waterproof shoes are also a good idea if you plan to indulge in water sports, or impromptu rock climbs around the beach. Tennis shoes fulfill most other needs, but also remember to pack one pair of nice formal shoes for the night on the town.

Make sure all your paper work is organised, your camera is charged, and ready to use and capture memories to last a lifetime, and there you are ready for your Caribbean holiday. Have fun in the sun and don’t forget your sun block!